Arc Dragons

Arc Dragons of Avanté

Arc Dragons are legendary beings of immense power, existing at the pinnacle of dragonkind in Avanté. Revered and feared, they held sway over the world’s early history, yet their sudden and mysterious disappearance has become a source of fascination and debate among scholars and adventurers alike.

Physiology & Appearance

Arc Dragons are massive, awe-inspiring creatures that embody the might of all draconic species. Their scales shimmer in a mesmerizing fusion of metallic hues (gold, silver, bronze, etc.) and chromatic colors (red, blue, black, green, etc.), giving them an otherworldly appearance. Their physical forms reflect the elemental dominion of each dragon type—Arc Dragons may exude lightning, flame, ice, or poison depending on their mood or environment, though their most distinctive feature is the visible, crackling energy arcs that dance along their bodies.

Their wings are vast and layered with a radiant aura, making them seem like blazing beacons in the sky, and their horns, frilled spines, and jagged tails give them an imposing, regal silhouette. Arc Dragons possess a mastery over their form, capable of shifting to mimic other lesser dragons or disguise themselves entirely. This gives them an element of surprise and subterfuge, a rare skill among their kin.

Personality & Temperament

Arc Dragons were tyrants, ruling over the world of Avanté with an iron fist. Unlike other dragons, who might rule territories independently, Arc Dragons were capable of forming vast alliances among their draconic peers. They inspired fanatic loyalty from their followers, both draconic and mortal, and commanded legions of devoted cultists who revered them as living gods. Their ambitions were limitless, their cruelty legendary, and their hunger for domination insatiable.

They viewed all other creatures, even other dragons, as inferior and saw themselves as rightful heirs to the world. Arc Dragons were incredibly intelligent, possessing not only raw power but also a mastery of strategy, manipulation, and magic. However, their arrogance often led them to overestimate their invulnerability, a flaw that perhaps contributed to their mysterious downfall.

Powers & Abilities

The Arc Dragons were unparalleled in their mastery of both physical and magical power, with abilities far beyond even the most powerful of dragons. Their breath weapons could combine the elements of multiple dragon types, unleashing devastating waves of destruction.

Elemental Mastery: Arc Dragons are not bound to a single elemental affinity. They can shift between breath weapons, combining fire, frost, lightning, acid, and poison into chaotic storms of power. This versatility makes them unpredictable in battle.

Arcane Dominion: Unlike other dragons, Arc Dragons possess inherent command over high-level arcane magic. They could manipulate time, bend the laws of nature, and summon storms of pure magical energy.

Gaze of the Eternal: Their eyes glow with a terrifying light, and legends say a single glance from an Arc Dragon could turn armies to ash or bend the will of lesser creatures. Their control over mind and matter was second only to gods like Bahamut and Tiamat.

Shapeshifting: Arc Dragons can change form to appear as any creature, including other dragons, allowing them to infiltrate and manipulate from the shadows.

Draconic Command: Arc Dragons held dominion over lesser dragons, compelling them into service. They could summon entire flights of dragons and lesser draconic creatures with a mere thought, creating unstoppable armies.

The Draconic Cults

During the reign of the Arc Dragons, draconic cults flourished, and mortals devoted their lives to serving these powerful beings. These cults were structured in rigid hierarchies, with Arc Dragons at the top as godlike rulers. Their priests wielded dragon-themed magic, granted by their proximity to their draconic overlords, and cult members sought to prove their loyalty by carrying out their masters' commands, no matter how dark or dangerous.

The worship of Arc Dragons was widespread, and many of these cults played a crucial role in shaping early Avantéan civilization. Their ruins still dot the landscape, and artifacts of these cults can occasionally be found, imbued with remnants of the Arc Dragons' immense power.

The Mysterious Disappearance

The most confounding mystery of Avanté’s history is the sudden disappearance of the Arc Dragons. One moment they ruled with tyrannical might, and the next, they were gone without a trace. There are no accounts of a great war or a divine intervention—only silence.

Some scholars theorize that the Arc Dragons retreated to a hidden plane, fearing a threat even they could not face. Others believe they were banished or cursed by the gods. Adventurers occasionally stumble upon rumors of Arc Dragons slumbering in forgotten caves or hidden realms, waiting to return to reclaim their dominion.

The legends persist, and some whisper that the Arc Dragons will one day return in a cataclysmic event that will reshape Avanté forever. Many cults still operate in the shadows, patiently awaiting the return of their masters.

Legacy & Influence

Even in their absence, the Arc Dragons’ legacy casts a long shadow over Avanté. Dragonkind as a whole has dwindled, and those few dragons that remain are cautious, secretive, and fearful of being hunted. The rise of mortals, particularly humans, filled the void left by the Arc Dragons' disappearance, but many kingdoms still bear scars of the Arc Dragons' rule—whether in the form of draconic architecture, cursed lands, or arcane secrets tied to their reign.

There are artifacts tied to the Arc Dragons—powerful relics imbued with their lingering essence, coveted by treasure hunters and feared by those who know their true power. These items hold fragments of their magic, often dormant, but sometimes awakening when handled by those with the proper bloodline or magical attunement.

Arc Dragons in Modern Times

Few believe that Arc Dragons still exist in the modern world. But those who do live in constant dread or excitement at the thought of their return. Prophecies abound, and cults await signs of a grand revival, where the Arc Dragons will rise again to reclaim the world they once ruled.

Occasionally, whispers emerge from deep in the Jagged Crest Mountains or the forgotten halls of the Severed River, where adventurers have encountered strange, draconic artifacts or heard thunderous roars echoing in ancient caverns. Some speculate these are remnants of the Arc Dragons' power, while others dismiss them as mere myth.

The truth of their fate remains elusive, but one thing is certain: the Arc Dragons will forever remain a symbol of ultimate power and dominance in Avanté’s rich and storied past. Should they return, the world would once again tremble beneath their shadow.