Mountain Dragon
The Mountain Dragons, or çaräń are a large type of Dragon living in the Serme Mountains.
General characteristics
Anatomy & Morphology
Dragons are highly intelligent Spirit beings that have chosen to appear in a reptilian form. Mountain dragons are typically large but slender, and have four legs and wings. However, like other spirits, they are possibly able to shed their physical form in a desperate situation. They are protected by scales, and sharp teeth used for hunting, but their best physical protection is a swift escape by flying.Habitat & diet
Mountain dragons live in the Serme Mountains, nesting in caves near the peaks, and hunting mountain goats and other game in the valleys. They are ambush predators, that prefer to observe prey from flight or from high cliffs, and then dive on them before they have a chance to escape.Interactions with humans
In Ara religion
The dragons are highly venerated by the Ara people as the sons of the Sun God Tinku and the guardians of the mountain peaks. The dragons are though to work as the mediators between mortals, and the gods of heaven. The deep respect is manifested in the naming of the dragons in Aradal, çaräń meaning 'the Venerated One'.Mounts of the Kings
Some of the dragons have entered into a close allyship with the High Lords of Aramacänten (Mountain kingdom), allowing them to ride them. The King of the Mountains frequently makes appearance riding his bonded mount, stricking fear and awe in his subordinates.Mechanics
While the mountain dragons are slender in built, they are adapted to carry kills back to their nest, thus also making them strong enough to carry a human of small build in their backs. Fortunately, the Ara are generally slightly shorter and more lightly built than the people of the valleys. The dragons are capable of walking and gliding with their riders, and even flying for small periods, but can't carry them for a great distance especially if the rider is armoured. Even though the dragons are still a dangerous foe on land or while being slowed down by a passenger, they are at a much larger risk of being wounded by projectiles and spears. Thus, the dragons prefer to not venture far from the safety of their home lairs, and their military use is very limited.Who's controlling whom?
The dragons are known as highly intelligent and scheming spirits, and it is probable that the kings' allyship with the dragons is for a large part the dragons' plot to influence and dominate the human kingdoms. However, the Ara Lords present the allyship as a sign of their great power and influence.Incidents
Taçäráçan, King and war hero of Aramäcänten, was carried into Siege of Tášá (436 AFS) by his dragon. In the heat of the battle the dragon was wounded. Already exhausted by the long travel outside the mountains, it decided to break free of its rider, and left him to be slaughered by the Tasalian army. The remaining Ara were forced to retreat after the humiliation, and this became the end of the expansion of the Mountain KIngdom.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Geographic Distribution
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