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| − | Dragon races and subraces. Look below the table for additional information.
| + | This is the primary page for dragon races and subraces. The following races are also related to dragons: [[draken]], [[dray'kin]], [[Gre'par'th]]ian [[human]], [[griffon]], [[long]]. |
| | + | |
| | + | Look below the table for additional information. |
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| | ==Dragon Races: Table== | | ==Dragon Races: Table== |
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| | Fun-loving though they may be, the average storm dragon's magic is capable of bringing down large prey in short order--being so efficient, it is the preferred way of hunting for those with the skill.| | | Fun-loving though they may be, the average storm dragon's magic is capable of bringing down large prey in short order--being so efficient, it is the preferred way of hunting for those with the skill.| |
| − | }}
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Gaeran_Race|
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| − | race = draken|
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| − | lifespan = 100 yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = Blaze Yamato Spirit|
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| − | description = see subraces|
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| − | skills = varies by subrace|
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| − | misc = The Draken are a draconic race native to [Prandia]].
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| − |
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| − | The Draken [Drar-kun] are a subgroup of dragons which possess intelligence only slightly greater than that of an average beast. There are several varieties of Draken, all of which are trained by the Loredani peoples for different purposes. The more intelligent varieties of Dragon look upon this practice with some distaste but most look upon their lesser brethren the Draken with some distaste too, so it balances out.
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| − | There is a lucrative market for Draken eggs and young, especially those of the Spitting Draken variety.
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| − | In the wild, Draken have a territorial nature, and gather in small family groups.
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| − |
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| − | See also the subraces.|
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| − | }}
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| − | |-
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Subrace|
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| − | subrace = emperor draken|
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| − | lifespan = 100 yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = Blaze Yamato Spirit|
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| − | description = largest of the Draken, can be as long as 20 feet from head to tail, with a wingspan of 15 feet; elegant creatures with lithe, sinuous bodies and necks; no forelegs; long rear legs bony wing joints (used as if they were forelegs); covered in tiny scales typically ranging from a pale green to off-white in coloration|
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| − | skills = flight|
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| − | misc = Trained as aerial steeds by the Loredani|
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| − | }}
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| − | |-
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Subrace|
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| − | subrace = hearth draken|
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| − | lifespan = 100 yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = Blaze Yamato Spirit|
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| − | description = smallest of the Draken, typically 6 feet from head to tail in adulthood; no wings, have forelegs; otherwise, the body resembles an emperor draken's, though their scales are darker shades; males have a mane of brown hair at the base of their necks|
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| − | misc = Trained as pets by the Loredani|
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| − | }}
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| − | |-
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Subrace|
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| − | subrace = spitting draken|
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| − | lifespan = 100 yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = Blaze Yamato Spirit|
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| − | description = can be as long as 10 feet from head to tail in adulthood, though often seem smaller due to a a lizard-like build; have short and stubby wings, incapable of flight; have both fore and rear legs; scales typically range from dark browns to light greens|
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| − | skill = spit acid (see notes)|
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| − | MISC:Trained as guardian beasts by the Loredani.
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| − |
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| − | Spitting draken, as their name suggests, have the ability to spit corrosive acid, which it is itself immune to. The acid is created in a special organ that sits alongside the stomach in a spitting draken s anatomy.
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| − |
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| − | No one has been able to determine the sex of a tame spitting draken or get two to mate, yet they still appear in the wild.|
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| − | }}
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| − | |-
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Subrace|
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| − | subrace = sprinting draken|
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| − | lifespan = 100 yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = Blaze Yamato Spirit|
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| − | description = second smallest Draken type, growing to 7 feet from head to tail in adulthood; closely resemble hearth draken, although their forelegs are smaller and their rear legs more muscular (they spend most of their time on just the rear legs); natural weaponry (large claws, two bone spikes on either side of their tail); scales are typically shades of red; males have manes at the base of their necks|
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| − | skills = endurance running (see notes)|
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| − | misc = Trained as hunting beasts by the Loredani. The Kestrels often use sprinting draken to aid in the pursuit and apprehension of criminals.
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| − |
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| − | Sprinting Draken are, as their name suggests, very capable runners, and are able to keep up a rapid pace for long periods of time.|
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| − | }}
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| − | |-
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| − | | class="borderless"|
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| − | {{Infobox_Gaeran_Race|
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| − | race = Long|
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| − | lifespan = ?? yrs|
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| − | deity = [[Ryuugami]]|
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| − | expert = [[User:Nekogami|Nekogami]]|
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| − | description = dragon form -- long, slender bodies with somewhat squat legs (5+ feet on all fours, 11+ feet bipedal); scales of various colors on some much of the body with a short coat of fur on the paws, forelimbs, face, tail and a mane; short snouts, mammalian in nature; vestigial wing-structures: [[human]] form -- tall and sometimes long features; furred forearms and paw-like hands; unscaled reptilian feet; thin, sometimes slanted eyes; hair color like element|
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| − | skills = elemental affinity; morphing|
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| − | misc = [[Image:Nekogami154_long.dragon.jpg|thumb|left|concept art by [[user:Nekogami|Nekogami]]]]
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| − | [[Argovia]]n dragons, though so unlike their cousins, still manifest elemental affinities like their cousins and much of the same ability as [[Igala]]n dragons but in different forms. Unlike [[Igala]]n dragons, [[Argovia]]n dragons give live birth. Their gestation period is 296 days. The young are called kits.
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| − | [[Argovia]]n dragons have a more stratified social culture. Found mostly on [[Terumahilana]] and some of the smaller surrounding islands, the [[Argovia]]n dragons have had centuries to create a society of 12 specialized clans. Collectively these clans are called the Clans of Long, Long being the traditional first [[Argovia]]n dragon. The 12 Clans can be further divided into 4 separate subsets -- Fighters, Light, Darkness, and Neutral.
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| − | Most Long prefer the smaller and more mobile human form to their serpentine bodies.|
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| | }} | | }} |
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| | Unlike the celestials, shadow dragons do not live on their elemental plane. The shadow plane is a place with powerful energies and unfriendly creatures and is more than capable of snaring and controlling the unwary. Common belief amongst shadow dragons is that the [[celestial plane]] is full of much the same and is equally unsafe to live on, being responsible for the celestial dragons of today. | | Unlike the celestials, shadow dragons do not live on their elemental plane. The shadow plane is a place with powerful energies and unfriendly creatures and is more than capable of snaring and controlling the unwary. Common belief amongst shadow dragons is that the [[celestial plane]] is full of much the same and is equally unsafe to live on, being responsible for the celestial dragons of today. |
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| − | == Lanese Society ==
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| − | [[Image:nekogami161_shengirl.jpg|thumb|150x362px|girl of the Shen Clan in traditional dress, by [[user:Nekogami|Nekogami]]]]
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| − | Among the most ancient of dragonkind, predated perhaps only by the wyrms themselves, the Long are one of the most intelligent and socially advanced of the dragon races. Unlike their northern cousins, the [[Argovia]]n dragons have a more stratified social culture. Found mostly on [[Terumahilana]] and some of the smaller surrounding islands, the Long have had centuries to create a society of 12 specialized clans. Collectively these clans are called the Clans of Long, Long being the traditional first Argovian dragon. The 12 Clans can be further divided into 4 seperate subsets: fighters, light, darkness, and neutral.
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| − | === Fighters ===
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| − | *Li: The Li Clan are fierce warriors. They are very success-oriented and failure is hardly an option. They are a small clan but are respected and renowned for their skill in battle.
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| − | *Lao: The Lao warriors are reclusive and somewhat secretive. They allow few into their territory and those that travel outwards are probably outcasts and do not show their faces to outsiders. Exiled Lao often live a life of hermitage or commit suicide.
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| − | *Hsu: The Hsu are not as militant as the Lao or Li but are still bound by a strict code of conduct. They are very knightly in their virtues and beliefs. They can be hired for their services but if they ever deem a task unworthy or unjust they're likely to leave or turn on you. This is the only clan that permits women warriors.
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| − |
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| − | === Light ===
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| − | *Shen: The Shen clan are a powerful clan of summoners, polymorphists, and clerics of the healing and purifying arts. They are pacifists.
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| − | *Min: Diviners, healers, and monks, the Min clan are dedicated completely to mastering the art of magic and the supernatural. They believe in the balance of good and evil but nonetheless, attempt to control the amount of evil allowed to exist. Their greatest enemies are the Tsung.
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| − | *Fa: The Fa are monks and scholars. Many of the Wei, Wong, and Yu clans send their children to Fa run schools to be taught the fundamentals of learning.
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| − | === Darkness ===
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| − | *Chen: The shadow warriors of the Long. They are almost exclusively shadow dragons and are mostly assassins and thieves. They are probably the most hated clan and given the least respect.
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| − | *Tsung: Summoners of darker things, time mages, and a portal masters, the Tsung are quite powerful and challenged only by the Min clan in strength.
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| − | *Liu: The Liu Clan consists mainly of assassins, mercenaries, and 'ninja'. They are more respected than the Chen since they are percieved as more 'productive' than the self-serving Chen.
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| − | === Neutral ===
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| − | *Wei: The Wei clan is the closest to peasantry as the Long clans go. They are the largest clan but do little more than agricultural work.
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| − | *Wong: The Wong are also scholars and teachers.They are somewhat travelers and philosphers but tend to be very abstract and hard to understand. They speak an entirely different dialect then most other Long Clans.
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| − | *Yu: The Yu are merchants, artists, and entertainers. They are generally accepted in the presence of all the clans being the most neutral of the neutral clans.
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| | ==the Rai== | | ==the Rai== |
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| | == Gallery == | | == Gallery == |
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| − | === Long ===
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| − | All artwork by [[user:Nekogami|Nekogami]] unless otherwise noted.
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Image:Nekogami154_long.dragon.jpg|Long in dragon form
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| − | Image:nekogami160_mingirl.jpg|girl of the Min Clan in traditional dress
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| − | Image:nekogami162_shenguy.jpg|boy of the Shen Clan in traditional dress
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| − | Image:nekogami161_shengirl.jpg|girl of the Shen Clan in traditional dress
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| − | Image:Nekogami103 aolong.jpg|Aolong, a Long of the Tsung Clan.
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| − | </gallery>
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| − |
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| − | === Others ===
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| | | | |
| | All artwork by [[user:Nekogami|Nekogami]] unless otherwise noted. | | All artwork by [[user:Nekogami|Nekogami]] unless otherwise noted. |
Revision as of 18:26, 8 April 2007
This is the primary page for dragon races and subraces. The following races are also related to dragons: draken, dray'kin, Gre'par'thian human, griffon, long.
Look below the table for additional information.
Dragon Races: Table
| Aldrosian
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| LIFESPAN:
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varies by subraces
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
|
Ryuugami; elemental, terrain gods
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
|
varies by subrace
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
yon traditional four-legged, two-winged Western-style dragon; differences noted in subrace profiles
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
varies by subrace
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MISC:
Aldrosian dragons can be classified into three main categories; terrain dragons (desert, forest, frigid, and storm), pure elemental, and pygmy (lapdragons). Terrain dragons vary widely, having adapted originally from the pure elemental dragons to certain types of land. They share many characteristics with pure elemental dragons, but can also differ dramatically. See below for more descriptions and variations of specific terrain dragons.
With the exception of the pygmy race, Aldrosians have both a dragon form an a human (pure elemental) or elven (terrain) form which they can change into at will. Dragon forms age roughly at a rate on scale with humans. For the first twenty years of the human/elven form, the aging parallels humankind; for the next 60-80 years, the aging rate is about half that of humans; for the remainder of the dragon's life, aging virtually stops.
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lapdragon
(pygmy Aldrosian)
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| LIFESPAN:
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wild: ~25 yrs; domesticated: ~40 yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
average at 15 pounds (size of a housecat); reptilian wings, scales, retractable claws
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
telepathy; flight
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MISC:
It is said the more time a lapdragon spends with the higher races, the more intelligent it will grow. At the least, a lapdragon's ability to communicate with non-lapdragons--limited largely to telepathy and a basic form of the dragonic language--grows the more time it spends with other races, and the earlier it starts, the better.
Lapdragons are considered to be only quasi-intelligent but some have shown a great deal more capability than others. They are popular as pets in many places, and have been trained as guardians of valuables, property, and family.
Wild lapdragons are found nearly everywhere in Gaera.
|
|
| pure elemental
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| LIFESPAN:
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400+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
four-legged, winged, and averaging 40 feet in height in adult form; have a typical human form; colored scales based on affinity, see misc
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
flight; elemental affinity
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MISC:
Elemental dragons tend to be colored based on their element (rare colors in parenthesis): shadow - dark grey to black (almost black shades of any color on the light spectrum); celestial - pearl; fire - red and red-orange; water - blue and blue-greens; earth/forest - deep brown (green); sky - and white or pale grey (pale blue). However, it can happen that dragons have scales the color of a different element, or even the color of their opposing element. Elemental affinities are inherited from one of a dragon's parents; however, it is relatively uncommon for dragons of different elements to mate. Aside from scale coloration, elemental dragons tend to share the same general physical characteristics in dragon form; four-legged, winged, and averaging 40 feet in height in adult form.
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| terrain (desert)
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| LIFESPAN:
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300+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Nekogami, pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
comparatively stocky; flat paws with rounded claws for traversing the sands and digging dens; straight tails for cutting through desert currents; small razor sharp teeth; usually have a fin from their crown down for cooling
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
elemental affinity; flying; morphing; fire breath; infravision
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MISC:
Desert dragon are notorious for their short tempers but are often just hot air. In Solasia, they were the preferred mounts of the dwarves since, from their build to their temperament, they were similar. Along with their fire breath, desert dragons can spit molten glass, often coined 'lava'. The dragons consume the sand and store in a special pouch. When they breath fire next, the sand melts and glass comes out. It's usually a skill for adorning their lairs.
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| terrain (forest)
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| LIFESPAN:
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400+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
reptilian wings (1.5 times the body length); about 25-40 feet (females tend to be smaller than males) from snout to tail tip; sharp fangs and talons; heavily muscled hindquarters and wing muscles
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
elemental affinity; flying; morphing; enhanced smell in dragon form; far-sighted, relative speed and agility
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MISC:
The longest-lived of the terrain dragons, forest dragons are smaller than many of their counterparts, but also more recluse. They prefer to live in forested mountains -- the Shuman mountain range provides an ideal habitat. However, in light of current politics, the dragons tend to avoid living too close to Riva. Green shades of scale are very common among forest dragons.
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| terrain (frigid)
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| LIFESPAN:
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300+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Nekogami, pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
largest of almost all dragons; heads shaped like ice picks; thick necks; stocky muscular forelegs; webbed toes; long stilt like hind legs; unusually long tails for swimming
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
elemental affinity; flying; morphing; ice breath; enhanced telepathy
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MISC:
Due to their size, the frigid dragons are usually languid and fearless. During the winter months they go on a feeding frenzy, eating mainly fish, but they will eat almost anything that gets within distance. This is to fuel their internal furnaces that keep them warm despite the cold. During the summer, they mainly sunbathe and hardly eat at all. Their breath is a peculiar liquid that, in almost any temperature, freezes upon hitting the air, often turning into shards and slicing or freezing whatever it touches.
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| terrain (storm)
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| LIFESPAN:
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350+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Nekogami, pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
second largest of the terrain dragons; slender heads, stream lined bodies, webbed feet for swimming, flat, crocodile-like tails
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
elemental affinity, flying, morphing, telepathy, siren song, bolt breath, wind generation
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MISC:
Wind and lightning are what come with the storm, and so too you will find storm dragons capable of such appropriate magic. Some have a higher affinity for electricity while others have a higher affinity for wind; 'stormchasers' and 'windies' are the respective slang for each. Whatever the particulars, they are all known for enjoying the challenge of a good fight amongst themselves.
Fun-loving though they may be, the average storm dragon's magic is capable of bringing down large prey in short order--being so efficient, it is the preferred way of hunting for those with the skill.
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{{Infobox_Gaeran_Race|
race = ryuuneko
(dracokitty)|
lifespan = 30-50 yrs; see below|
deity = Ryuugami, Stacey|
expert = pdRydia|
description = catlike in general appearance - slightly elongated muzzle, perpetually oversized ears, forelegs are a bit shorter than the hind legs; winged and clawed; somewhat short, reptilian tail which is thicker around the base and tapers toward the end|
skills = strong dragonic affinities; telepathy; magical inclination; intelligence; flight|
misc = A dracokitten's claws are only partially retractable, which make dracokittens somewhat insuitable for children's pets, but excellent guardians. Generally, the wings are covered in very short, thin, velvety fur.
The ryuuneko were specially created by Ryuugami to help her serve her worshipers and dragons--a model based off the Inkaaneto of her sister [[Nekogami. Originally, there were only a handful of the dracokitties on Gaera but their number have multiplied greatly; there is a special proliferation of the creatures where dragonkind are numerous. They are also to be found frequently in Baron, especially with the Draconic-fluent dragoons and in the temples of Ryuugami; it would also seem that some have taken a liking to areas of Nekonia, Solasia, and the southern Shumans.
A ryuuneko's lifespan seems to correlate in part both to his or her health and the health of Ryuugami at the time of their birth.
NOTE: A ryuuneko is sometimes called a Stacean dragon. The first Stacean dragons were created by Ryuugami as a surprise for her sister goddess, Stacey, and were basically fluffified Aldrosians. Very few of these "fluffy dragons" exist anymore, beyond the first few "prototypes"--however, the ryuuneko themselves are the major, lasting result of this experiment.|
}}
|
| wyrm
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| LIFESPAN:
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50 yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Choark
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
no wings; stands at 4'-5'; long and slender body; dark green skin; large mouth, but few teeth; tail is about half the length of the rest of its body (varies from 12' to 17')
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
none (cannot cast magic or breath fire)
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MISC:
Though considered dragons by the tribes of Gre'par'th, Wyrms are animals that live entirely by their instincts. They lack not only magic and breath weapons, but also the basics of language and culture. These are aggressive, almost mindless creatures, that attack anything when they are hungry, including each other. While a wyrm may live to see 50 years, they will most likely succumb to the brutal and cannibalistic life they live.
It takes a wyrm ten years to reach breeding age. Mating season comes once every five years, when the wyrms gather to fight for their mates.
Wyrms prefer to live in mountain ranges, especially the colder ones.
|
|
| draconians
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| LIFESPAN:
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200+ yrs
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| CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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| ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Archmage144
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
(usually) about the height of a human; scales of various colors; long noses; sharp teeth; lizard-like claws and tails
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
heightened strength and agility; some have strong innate shamanistic and other magical affinities; infravision
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MISC:
Draconians rarely show themselves in the humans' world, being humanoid, lizardman-like creatures and not often accepted outside their own cultures. Most Draconian tribes are "fathered" or "mothered" by a dragon of some sort.
|
|
Aldrosian Society
The Aldrosians, old race that they are, are still the most recent of the large-breed dragons Ryuugami has created. They are known to be an adaptable, sociable race which lives primarily on the continent of Igala.
Historically, females have been socially on par with male dragons (they are also physically on par, with the exception of forest dragons). Aldrosians quickly and easily form and adapt to societies consisting entirely of their own race or of many races. Of all dragons, Aldrosians are the most likely to allow a rider, due to a combination of sociability, curiosity, and flexibility; indeed, the tradition of dragon-rider pairs has been established in many areas.
Important Aldrosian societies include Solasia and Colena. Doma is very dragon-friendly as its current queen is a dragon (not Aldrosian).
While the Long spend much of their time in their humanoid form, which form an Aldrosian spends the majority of their time in varies from dragon to dragon and often depends upon the needs of the society in which they live. A dragon may live their entire life never using their bipedal form; however, it is unsafe for physical and mental health to live in the humanoid form for extended periods of time without breaks. This is especially true for half-breeds.
Emperors and Empresses
An "emperor" dragon is an unnaturally large dragon. Emperors occur with extreme rarity; in perhaps every 5000 dragons who grew to adulthood, 1 dragon will be an emperor or half-emperor (which is just what it implies, an exceptionally large dragon, but not quite an emperor).
Empresses are also found amongst females, but despite the minimal size variance between the sexes under typical circumstance, Empresses and half-empresses occur with a frequency closer to 1:9000.
In dragon-dense societies, these dragons are expected to take up the role of leadership. Often the call is answered, but in the cases where it isn't, the pressure to lead is then passed onto the offspring. The next in line is often a generally respected dragon, but will be expected to contend for power physically, socially, or both--and to want to do so.
Shadow Dragons
- Appearance: A pure elemental shadow dragon has a thin, needle-like head with slender, almond-shaped eyes which are often red or black. Sometimes, when folded close to the body, the wings look ragged and shredded; at the very edge of the wings, old scales and skin fall and sometimes tear away, making room for new.
A terrain dragon with an affinity for shadow element will have the traits of the terrain race, but may have some lesser traits showing its element.
Much like other dragon races, the vast majority of shadow dragons do not become Rai; however, it is noticeable that more Rai are shadow dragons than any other dragon race. Every society likes its scapegoats, and the shadow dragons have been a popular one for the Aldrosians.
The shadow dragons have been popularly characterized by the other breeds as being harsh, cruel, cold and basically evil. The efforts of celestial dragons, who are very extreme and unbending in their holy-good affinity, has not helped to promote acceptance of the shadow dragons, either. Thus, one has to keep in mind that--depending upon the source--a dragon called Rai might not be, in fact, Rai.
Shadow dragons across Igala have responded in a multitude of ways. Some have fought, with varying success, to prove their character. Some have left for more accepting societies. Some have banded together to form their own societies. Some have crept away to live alone. Some have retaliated against their tormentors.
Celestial Dragons
- Appearance: A pure elemental celestial dragon, like a deific celestial, has an amount of say over its body shape--thus, you will find celestial dragons in a variety of body shapes. However, they tend not to stray too far from the basic Aldrosian standard. No matter the shape and size, a celestial dragon is easy to spot by its feathered wings--atypical for Gaeran dragons--and glowing aura.
A terrain dragon with an affinity for celestial element will have the traits of the terrain race, but may have some lesser traits showing its element.
Celestial dragons are much more homogenous than shadow dragons, in both goals and ideals as well as personality. For the most part, they seclude themselves to their own, single society on the celestial plane, with rarely a reason to leave. As such, these dragons do not spend much time with other dragons or most races
Preferring the serenity of their plane, the celestial dragons are more content to watch the world play out than bend it one way or another. When such a dragon does visit the physical plane, it may seem aloof and mysterious, and like as not because it is.
It was not always the case that celestial dragons lived like this. Much like any other dragon, they once lived in various societies with and like their brethren, as diverse in thought and deed as any other. When and why this changed is unrecorded.
These dragons rarely speak aloud, preferring telepathy, but their voices are quite nice and they enjoy singing.
Shadow v Celestial
Celestial dragons and shadow dragons are neither opposite nor opposing ends of the spectrum.
As mentioned, celestial dragons are known to live in close proximity to each other on their elemental plane, dedicating themselves to the same ideals and goals. They are uniniterested in leaving their plane or meddling in the world's affairs, except when driven by their dedication to what is good and holy.
Shadow dragons, on the other hand, are not similarly dedicated to the concept of evil, as is a common assumption. Scattered across the face of Gaera, there are many individuals with many different--and changing--ideals and goals, based on all manner of circumstances.
Unlike the celestials, shadow dragons do not live on their elemental plane. The shadow plane is a place with powerful energies and unfriendly creatures and is more than capable of snaring and controlling the unwary. Common belief amongst shadow dragons is that the celestial plane is full of much the same and is equally unsafe to live on, being responsible for the celestial dragons of today.
the Rai
Rai is a term which can technically be applied to any race, but is unlikely to be. It is used most often amongst the Aldrosians of Igala but is not unknown elsewhere.
In Summary
While the Rai are not a true race of dragons, much of mainstream dragon society itself would like to segregate them as a race apart.
The origins of the term is said by some to trace back to Ryuugami herself, with an original meaning of "beyond redemption." These words are often to be taken with requisite caution, given the questionable objectivity of those making the claims as well as the generally poor record-keeping of those in the faith of Ryuugami.
Today in Gaera, the common usage of the phrase usually indicates one of the following meanings: insane, outcast, or damned.
In More Detail
Connotation One: Insane
The phrase Rai is usually used in one of two different senses. The first of these two present-day meanings to develop can be summed up in the equivalent phrase insane.
Theoretically, dragons which have gone insane are no more or less than just that--insane. Given their size and power, they can most certainly be a menace; however, they are not necessarily evil, or for that matter, good.
However, one must keep in mind that rarely does a word keep a dictionary definition, free of bias or connotation. Indeed, Rai is a term such as that dragon society feels a need to try to define it as a separate race. It might come as little surprise that Rai is applied much more inclusively to certain subsects of the dragon population--in particular, it takes much less trespass to "become" Rai if one is a dragon with a an elemental affinity toward the shadow element or if one is a halfbreed with an ancestral enemy race. Meanwhile, a dragon of another kind may be seen as simply assertive, youthfully character-flawed, or perhaps even in deteriorating health--which needs attention and help.
Unsurprisingly, dragon lore holds that shadow dragons and halfbreeds are in greatest danger of turning Rai. Also rumored to be in danger of instability are dragons of any race who spend unhealthy lengths of time in their humanoid forms.
Connotation Two: Outcast
The other sense of the word Rai means outcast.
Any dragon can be outcast, provided they break the rules of their society. Generally it takes a display of something considered truly "evil" or corrupted to deserve such a harsh punishment, but dragon settlements are not without their own political corruption.
Also, again, certain townspeople may be outcast on lesser offenses; either their offenses are perceived as worse or the town views ejecting the offender as legitimate self-defense.
Connotation Three: Damned
A third meaning of the phrase to have developed translates to damned. At first, this meaning came into use for application to the entire subrace of shadow dragons--a reference to their situation in dragon society. This is the first time that Rai has found widespread use amongst shadow dragons themselves, an interesting phenomenon.
Some of the newest generations of dragons, and some griffons, have taken to calling themselves Rai as well. After the Solasian Wars the dragon community adopted the general belief that Ryuugami had abandoned them entirely, and gave rise to this custom.
Gallery
All artwork by Nekogami unless otherwise noted.
forest dragon concept art
