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| Dragon races and subraces. | | Dragon races and subraces. |
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| + | Info about Rai below the tables. |
| | | |
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| + | |
| + | == 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 recordkeeping track 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 ''damned'' or ''outcasted.'' |
| + | |
| + | Any dragon can be outcasted, 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 without their own political corruption. |
| + | |
| + | Also, again, certain townspeople may be outcasted on lesser offenses; either their offenses are perceived as worse--due to abuse of the town's generosity, or due to actual misperception--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 phenomenom. |
| + | |
| + | 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. |
| + | |
| + | == A Note About Celestial Dragons and Shadow Dragons == |
| + | |
| + | for later addition |
| + | see discussion page |
| + | [[Category:Gaeran Races]] |
Revision as of 18:32, 23 March 2006
Dragon races and subraces.
Info about Rai below the tables.
Aldrosian
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LIFESPAN:
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various
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CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami; elemental, terrain gods
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ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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pdRydia and others
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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:
see subraces
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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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25+/- 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:
For the most part, only quasi-intelligent -- use telepathy and basic dragonic for communication. Sometimes used as pets in some places, or even as guardians of small children in cultures that revere dragons.
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pure elemental
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LIFESPAN:
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400+ yrs
|
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
|
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 similiar. 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
|
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; farsight, 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, 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 thier 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 terrestial dragons; slender heads, stream lined bodies, webbed feet for swimming, flat, crocdilian tails
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
elemental affinity, siren song, flying, morphing, bolt breath, wind generation, telepathy
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MISC:
Friendly dragons or terrifying, they all enjoy a challenge and fight amongst themselves for fun. They can kill large prey with their electrical attack but some have a higher affinity for electricity than others and others with a higher wind affinity than others, 'stormchasers' and 'windies' are the slang for them, respectively
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draken
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LIFESPAN:
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100 yrs
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CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
|
Blaze Yamato Spirit
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
see subraces
|
SPECIAL SKILLS:
--
|
MISC:
The Draken are a draconic race native to [Prandia]].
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 distate but most look upon their lesser brethren the Draken with some distate too, so it balances out.
There is a lucrative market for Draken eggs and young, especially those of the Spitting Draken variety.
In the wild, Draken have a territorial nature, and gather in small family groups.
See also the subraces.
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emperor draken
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LIFESPAN:
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100 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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Blaze Yamato Spirit
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PHYSICAL 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 colouration
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
flight
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MISC:
Trained as aerial steeds by the Loredani
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hearth draken
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LIFESPAN:
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100 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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Blaze Yamato Spirit
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PHYSICAL 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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SPECIAL SKILLS:
--
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MISC:
Trained as pets by the Loredani
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spitting draken
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LIFESPAN:
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100 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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Blaze Yamato Spirit
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PHYSICAL 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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SPECIAL SKILLS:
{{{skills}}}
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MISC:
{{{misc}}}
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sprinting draken
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LIFESPAN:
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100 yrs
|
CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami
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ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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Blaze Yamato Spirit
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PHYSICAL 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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SPECIAL 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.
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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Long
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LIFESPAN:
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?? 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
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PHYSICAL 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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SPECIAL SKILLS:
{{{skills}}}
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MISC:
Argovian dragons, though so unlike their cousins, still have the same elemental affinity and much of the same ability as Igalan dragons but in different forms. Unlike Igalan dragons, Argovian dragons give live birth. Their gestation period is 296 days. The young are called kits.
Argovian dragons have a more stratified social culture. Found mostly on Terumahilana and some of the smaller surrounding islands, the Argovian 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 Argovian dragon. The 12 Clans can be further divided into 4 seperate subsets -- Fighters, Light, Darkness, and Neutral.
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ryuuneko (dracokitty)
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LIFESPAN:
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30-50 yrs; see below
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CONCERNED DEITY (DEITIES):
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Ryuugami, Stacey
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ORIGINAL CREATOR(S) / EXPERT(S):
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pdRydia
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
catlike in general appearance - slightly enlongated 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
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
strong dragonic affinities; telepathy; magical inclination; intelligence; flight
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MISC:
A dracokitten's claws are only partially retractable, which make dracokittens somewhat insuitable for childrens' 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 worshippers and dragons--a model based off the Inkaaneto of her sister Nekogami. Orignally, 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.
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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:
These are aggressive, almost mindless creatures. They attack anything when they are hungry, and its not odd to see them attacking each other trying to rip each other apart. They prefer to live in mountain ranges, especially the colder ones.
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draconians
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LIFESPAN:
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200+ yrs
|
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; lizardlike claws and tails
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SPECIAL SKILLS:
heightened strength and agility; some have strong innate shamanistic and other magical affinites; infravision
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MISC:
Draconians rarely show themselves in the human's 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.
|
|
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 recordkeeping track 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 damned or outcasted.
Any dragon can be outcasted, 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 without their own political corruption.
Also, again, certain townspeople may be outcasted on lesser offenses; either their offenses are perceived as worse--due to abuse of the town's generosity, or due to actual misperception--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 phenomenom.
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.
A Note About Celestial Dragons and Shadow Dragons
for later addition
see discussion page