Dragons

General

The Dragons are a non-humanoid, intelligent and reptilian species in Áváhé. Similarly to Humans, there are different types of dragons, some of whose characteristics differ significantly from each other. Dragons were also at times among the most powerful beings in the Old Empire.

Etymology

The term "Dragon" originates from the term "Draco / Draconiar" which, in ancient Dragon languages, meant "Friend". This term primarily describes Dragons who live in groups and thus adhere to the Old Law, as opposed to Free Wanderers.

Physique

Dragons are a highly diverse species, existing in various forms, with some covered in scales while others have fur in almost all color variations. The largest Dragons can reach a shoulder height of up to 10 meters. Furthermore, some Dragons have developed additional traits, such as the ability to breathe fire or poison. Their large body size often grants them easy access to magic as well.

Ethnicities

• The Claws: Dragons, which have four limbs and additional wings. They have a wide variety of scale colors. There are also Dragons with fur instead of scales.

• Scaled Wings / Furred Wings / Wyvern / Wyrm: Dragons with wings instead of forelimbs are called scaled or furred wings. They are less common than those with four limbs.

• The Great Snakes: Dragons with a serpentine physique and four limbs are called great Snakes. There are both such Dragons with scales, and with fur.

Psychology

As practically apex predators, Dragons tend to react calmly and non-aggressively to anything they do not perceive as a threat. However, they also exhibit tendencies towards pride and at times a highly territorial or possessive demeanor. Power and possession hold significant value for many Dragons. However, emphasic communication helps Dragons to not fight each other unconditionally, but also form societies.

Culture

The culture of the Dragons has changed again and again over time and diversified over thousands of years until it could no longer be described as one culture.

Before the Old Empire, the Dragons lived together more or less as one people. The first and most far-reaching split occurred with the separation of the Free Wanderers from the rest of the Dragons. About half of the Dragon population had established themselves as a social group organized by the so-called Old Law. The remaining Dragons, unwilling to follow suit, split off and chose a life of solitude.

The Dragons who lived under the Old Law then diversified inward. The emergence of clans was the driving factor in this development.

Especially in the Old Empire, however, the clans grew together again and were more or less held together by the Old Law and the other species, despite all the disputes.

The Old Ones have also had a great influence on the Dragons over the years. Thus, it was likely they who taught the Dragons Emphasic Communication.

History

Origin

The Dragons have a long and storied history in Áváhé. It remains unclear where they originate from, as even they, despite their longevity, lack clear information on this subject. Given their ability to fly, it is conceivable that the species originally hail from a landmass other than Áváhé.

The expansion of Dragons on Áváhé was simultaneously accelerated and slowed by several factors. Around 9000 B.I.D., they split into Draconians and Free Wanderers. Due to their non-aggressive disposition towards other species, unless they feel threatened, it is likely that Dragons approached the Old Ones at an unknown time. It is at least probable that they adopted emphasic communication from the Old Ones. This may have been decisive for the division of Dragons into Draconians and Free Wanderers. According to legends, as Draconians exchanged their spoken language for Emphases, they gained a new understanding of each other and overcame their territorial boundaries.

While this allowed the Dragons to spread across almost the entire continent by the year 0, this did not coincide with comprehensive civilization formation. Only the Draconians in the Middle West formed cohesive groups, from which clans later emerged. In contrast, the Free Wanderers led a solitary existence.

The First Communities

The first major Dragon communities emerged in what would later become West-Phoeica, Tammeren, and Dýrrách. Relatively little remains of them, as architectural monuments - if any - were primarily built in cooperation with Old Ones. Those structures likely often became centers of settlement for the Old Empire.

The densification of the Dragon population in southwest Áváhé led to a scarcity of desirable territories. This favored the formation of clans, which took shape more and more over a period from approximately 6500 B.I.D. to 3000 B.I.D. From these clans, the Old Law eventually emerged.

The First Dragon Wars

The Dragon Clans and Free Wanderers expanded across extensive territories in the south, concurrent with the establishment of smaller cities by the Kehdei and Humans. The emergence of several fledgling Dragon clans precipitated a surge in clan foundations throughout Phoeica. Around 3300 B.I.D., the Magotho clan secured control over the desolate region of Dracomayor, leading to conflict with Clan Irdani over territorial claims, culminating in the First Dragon Wars in 3271 B.I.D.

By 3250 B.I.D., the Magotho emerged victorious in these skirmishes, supported by the Thorntollers clan in their struggle against the Quaräa clan until the conflict's resolution in 3245 B.I.D., partly due to the intervention of the Old Ones. Formally, the Dragons were reunified through revisions to the Old Law, stipulating that no Dragon could claim more land than it could effectively defend and occupy. Nonetheless, the Magotho effectively retained their newfound dominance in Western Phoeica.

3050 B.I.D. to approximately 3051 B.I.D.

This equilibrium persisted until 3050 B.I.D., when the Dragon clans in general regained prominence. The resurgence was partly facilitated by the Magotho's influence in their region, particularly evident in their control over Dracomayor, albeit primarily asserted through the presence of Magotho-affiliated Dragons rather than overtly aggressive actions following the cessation of hostilities.

The Second Dragon Wars

Renewed hostilities among the Dragons reached a climax with a significant assault by the Jerowårga against both the Magotho and the Irdani at Dracomayor circa 3050 B.I.D. The ensuing chaos saw the Thorntollers seizing the opportunity to engage the Quaräa, sparking the outbreak of the Second Dragon Wars, during which the Old Ones found themselves drawn into the conflict on both emerging fronts.

Subsequent events unfolded rapidly. The Magotho and Thorntollers forged an alliance, uniting as the Grand Clan of Magotho-Thorntoll, while the Jerowårga garnered support from most Dragons north of the Scarlet Heights, leveraging the Magotho influence and power-driven demeanor. In contrast, the Magotho-Thorntollers rallied Dragons south of the Scarlets, accusing the Jerowårga of attempting to undermine the Old Law and divide the Dragons.

By 3051 B.I.D., the wars came to a close following appeals from Old Ones, pacifist Dragons, and Free Wanderers, who, unusually, united in large numbers to advocate for peace. However, abolishing the Dragon Clans, as previously attempted after the initial Dragon Wars, proved impractical. Instead, the Old Law underwent further revision, mandating that the Dragon clans retain their existing territories without encroaching upon those of their kindred.

The introduction of ancestral hoards established a tradition and territorial consciousness that would later facilitate the rise of patronage during the early stages of the Old Empire. At this juncture, Dragon communities inhabited much of the southwest region. The second Dragon Wars also saw the exodus of several Dragon clans and Old Ones who left the region. A large number settled in Thôsco.

Contact with other Species

The Draconians likely encountered wandering Kehdei who had departed from their homeland as early as 3000 B.I.D. Initial interactions with Humans occurred through the Old Ones, who approached the Dragons seeking assistance in driving Humans out of the central southern territories in 2800 B.I.D. In contrast, the Dragons, Old Ones, Kehdei, and Humans in Thôsco managed to coexist peacefully. This is also where the first mixed communities developed from 2400 B.I.D. on, which would later become the model for the Old Empire.

Following a general relaxation between humans and Old Ones, Humans gradually penetrated deeper into Phoeica. The first permanent contacts in this region developed around 1900 B.I.D. Hunting and protection communities were formed. The better these communities functioned and the more profitable they became, the more attractive they became as a way of life. The Dragons developed a fascination with the craftsmanship of Humans and Kehdei. They adopted numerous arts from these peoples and consequently integrated them into their clans as part of their projection of power. However, Humans were far more numerous in representation.

Humans also began to establish settlements that would later develop into large cities such as Ádron and Áterôn. Quanar experienced a kind of rebirth as the former Dragon-Old-Ones community.

Imperii Draconi

Given the prevailing peace across the mid-south and physical battles mostly being fought between individual Dragons, the clans engaged in competition with one another based on their skills and possessions. Traveling members of the Magotho were particularly impressed by the abilities of the 'new' species. The Magotho positioned themselves as the pioneers in actively engaging Humans and Kehdei, providing them with shelter and sustenance in exchange for their architectural skills. Inspired by similar developments in Quanar, the Magotho acquired secular buildings, specifically tailored to accommodate Dragons, around 1300 B.I.D. This endeavor led to the emergence of Dracominor as a planned city.

Other clans soon emulated this practice. Although Quanar had previously witnessed architecture designed to serve all involved species, Dracomayor's progress surpassed that of Quanar. The allure of Dracomayor attracted an increasing number of Humans, Dragons, and Old Ones, ultimately resulting in the project taking on a life of its own. The magnificence of Dracominor served as a benchmark against which the Magotho measured their grandeur.

Influenced by the mutual benefits and well-connected with other communities, the various peoples gradually coalesced and ultimately founded the Imperii Draconi on Dýrrách.

For millennia thereafter, Dragons remained a pivotal species within the empire, owing to their magical and physical prowess.

Fall of the Empire

After the Scarlet Night and with the fall of the Empire, many Dragons were driven out or killed. The population shrank noticeably. At the time of the Iron Gate Saga, Dragons live mainly as Free Wanderers or in communities on Thôsco, in Gesoria or on Dracoš.