Uses concepts, names, and ideas from Dungeons & Dragons 5e
The dragons of Saani have a long and controversial history. Ever since their start on the planet, they have had reputations as terrorists and endangerers of humans, and when they were given a second chance, a rebel group nearly repeated history. Thanks to one dragon's loyalty to the gods, some dragons now live peacefully among other mortals, while others are condemned to always be apart.
Origins
During the Human
Age of Saani, a visiting
Astrolon asked Alnii to showcase some of their creations on the planet. Alnii agreed, as he did with many other similar deals, and the Astrolon put dragons on Saani.
Originally, they were placed around southern Saigar, thousands of miles away from the human population in Tellarus. They were intelligent creatures, but since they lived alone and far apart (except to mate and raise young), there was little, if any, sense of community or shared information among them.
However, as time passed, the two species' areas of influence grew, until their respective settlements met. A few humans were no match for a dragon, but a human army posed problems for many lonely dragons. Many wars were fought, and many of them were evenly matched.
The First Exile
Eventually, the casualties that humans recieved during these battles took a toll on their numbers, destroying their advantage. Armies and settlements that lost to a dragon would be enslaved, be made to fight their own kin, or simply be devoured. A merciful dragon, while not nonexistent, was too rare for humans to hope for. As more dragons pushed into Tellarus, humans were on the brink of extinction.
It was at this point a young monk set out to ask his creator for help.
Mohhi-Shee set out on a thousands-mile journey to the Paramount in Gossilee, during which he encountered many perils. Traumatized and exhasted, Mohhi-Shee presented himself to Alnii and begged for help against the beasts. At first, Alnii was hesitant to interfere, but the monk promised that the humans would forever serve and worship their creator if they were saved. Alnii agreed, and told Mohhi-Shee to get the remaining humans to safety. Meanwhile, he would take care of the dragons.
Mohhi-Shee returned to his people, and led them to the far-flung reaches of Saani, away from their oppressors. Meanwhile, Alnii was unable to convince the visitor to take the dragons back, so he used his own powers to kill or capture each dragon. Before Mohhi-Shee could die of his growing age, Alnii crowned him the God of the Spirit. Eventually, all living dragons were sealed away in the wastelands of Barrenia.
Despite all efforts to the contrary, the pure human race soon went extinct. However, their descendants evolved to become the humanoid races that roam Saani today.
The Deal
The dragons were contained for almost 10,000 years. It was at this point that a powerful alien race attempted to invade Saani on behalf of their creator Astrolon. Despite their success on
Victoria, the gods were having trouble pushing the invaders fully out of Saani.
While the other four gods grappled over what to do,
Vetris snuck over to the dragons' seal in Barrenia. Using her status as Alnii's new wife, effectively the Queen of Saani, she convinced them to help the gods in their battles. In return, she promised freedom for them once again, as long as they no longer hurt humanoids, "without good reason."
Some, seeing no benefit to the deal, elected to stay in their cavernous dungeon for eternity. Ones who were desperate for freedom, however, jumped at the opportunity. After Vetris convinced the other gods of the soundness of her plan (which Mohhi-Shee likely never accepted), their new allies turned the tide of their wars.
True to her promise, Vetris saw that the dragons got their rewards. To help them acclimate to the new world, she gave them the ability to shapeshift into humanoid forms, and speak common humanoid languages. They were soon released onto Saani once again.
The Alliance of Tiamat
Some dragons took to this change of fortune with the appropriate change of heart. After mingling with the humanoids they once subjected, they embraced the cultures and became loyal protectors, or trusted members of the community.
Unfortunately, this was not the experience for all dragons. Some, despite their best tries at achieving the life above, were shunned, exiled, or even attacked by the community when they revealed themselves. Others had no intention to follow the deal at all, and merely saw it as an opportunity to reclaim their former power. These dragons secretly made their way to their homeland (southern Saigar) to form an alliance bent on "reclaiming" Saani from the humanoids.
Five leaders were elected: Ynnereth of Fire, Vannemoth of Poison, Nezaleth of Cold, Rienett of Acid, and Iomae of Lightning. Under their leadership, the Alliance of Tiamat planned their moves against the gods of Saani.
One dragon, disheartened by his treatment at the hands of the humanoid community he had tried to be apart of, joined the alliance, hoping that it would make him feel better. However, when he found out their intentions, he could not bring himself to betray the goddess who had worked so hard to free them. Even the humanoids who had humiliated and ostracized him had a soft spot in his heart. So Xymor, after gathering what information he could about the Alliance's plans, carefully made his way over to Gossilee, where he made his case to the five gods and Alnii.
Mohhi-Shee, convinced that Vetris's idea had been foolish in the first place, tried to get support to kill all of the dragons once and for all. On the other hand, Vetris refused to harm the dragons that had kept their promise to her.
Teero suggested a compromise that would harshly punish only the offenders.
With Xymor's help, the gods infiltrated an Alliance meeting unnoticed. While the leaders were talking amongst themselves, Vetris fused their bodies together, making one giant, five-headed dragon. She also made all the scale colors of those at the meeting garish, chromatic colors, marking them as traitors to any humanoids they may encounter. Finally, she also forbade them from shapeshifting into humanoids, so they could never rejoin the modern mortal world.
All dragons that had kept their promise were rewarded with shiny, beautiful metallic scales, as well as honors from the gods. Xymor, in particular, was given the god name Bahamut and invited to rule as the god of dragons. Declining this offer, he settled with simply being immortal, and roaming freely amongst his kin and new humanoid friends.
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