Dragonborn

Secretive Errants


 
Dragonborn are perhaps the most mysterious of races in all of the continent. Some call them 'The Omitted' for any who have seen a Dragonborn knows they can never recall their homeland: the ashen waste that none can enter but themselves. The Wild Races call it The Black Scale and it is a massive region that is barren and ashen. None who enter can never survive, save for the Dragonborn, and it is believed they reside there in secret. Humans tell old stories that recall their war with "the walking dragons"; a conflict which they believe was a pivotal moment in their rise. Even today, human generals or leaders that aspire greatness bear adornments of dragons (legendary heroes remembered by Oman are colloquially called 'Walking Dragons', in fact). The Tortles of Manafiq as well recall 'wandering drakes' that braved the ravine in search of something they never found. Even the Tiefling tale of Maerifa, First of His Name records a strange meeting of a draconic countenance, soon after the Long Winter. But it is futile to ask a Dragonborn if there is truth to this myth, as they will take the secret to the grave with them (leading to the false rumor that Dragonborn are the best keepers of secrets of all races). There is even an infamous incident in the beloved legend of the bard Elouan, The Most famous where he meets a Dragonborn named Ernst of Lodern which allows the bard to peer into his mind. When he does, Elouin sees nothing but "a roaring black smoke".   Whatever the case, what we can tell of Dragonborn with certainty is limited. We can tell that whatever society they hail from has a deep understanding of metallurgy, as every wandering Dragonborn always bears immaculate silver adornments atop tattered and old rags. The weapons they wield are of a powerful steel they call "Summit Steel" (mistakingly called "Manafiq Steel" by some, and colloquially called "Dragon's Steel" or "Drake Steel") which is the hardest of metals and never rusts or ages, bearing grey stains in the shape of veins reminiscent of a tree or deep cracks. In the continent, only the most powerful or most wealthy own Summit Steel weapons or artifacts and they are all thought to be created from weapons stolen from, or left by the Dragonborn. This is because it is said that "Summit Steel is reforged, never made". As the saying claims, none in the continent know the technique necessary to replicate Summit Steel. Some famous weapons Summit Steel weapons are Lei of Oman (a famous Kwan Dao), Saisei (a Yamaite Katana), and Tala's Fang (A Bullywug Spear).   Dragonborn are seen as very loyal. They first honor their 'House' which is an over-encompassing authority they give reverence to (and who's tenets they know to follow). It is implied this authority is "back home", or wherever Dragonborn hail from, and despite their unyielding loyalty to it, no Dragonborn ever remembers his/her House's name. They do seem to understand the differences between houses, as witnesses claim that Dragonborn which have met recognize others of the same House, of a different but loyal House, of no House at all, or of an enemy House. This recognition extends to the House, but not to the individuals themselves, and Dragonborn only ever remember the individual names of themselves and other Dragonborn they truly love and care for 'back home'. But Dragonborn are also known to be loyal to other things they encounter throughout the continent. They are prone to promises and oaths to people, religions, groups, and organizations. When they make these promises, they are rarely seen breaking them or failing at them after attempting anything less than death itself.   Dragonborn are also known to enjoy stories, listening in whenever they can to their retellings. It is therefore that Dragonborn are thought to be lovers of gossip, and secret keepers all at once (it is often joked that Dragonborn accidentally turn into everyone's secret keepers, as they always want to know people's tales).   Dragonborn give great reverence to the Dryads, who they see as nature incarnate. They also love lush landscapes and vivid forests, which is why Dragonborn sightings most often occur in these places, rather than somewhere like the The Dayim Desert or The Pale. The origin of this fondness is unclear, even to those that have been asked about it. But something seems to draw them in.   Whatever place they are originally from is thought to be strictly autocratic, as when they integrate themselves into societies Dragonborn can be overtly respectful of individuals believed to be of higher rank than them, and unapologetic about their condescension to those in lower ranks. Due to this, it has not been uncommon to see Dragonborn in positions of military power that belong to other races, such as Dao, Günter, Dieter of the Mountain, Negudaa, and Elfriede of The Water.
 

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Elefriede, Anna, Gertrud, Ilse, Renate, Martina  
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These names are derived from German surnames.

Masculine names

Hans, Karl, Helmut, Manfred, Dieter, Jurgen  
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These names are derived from German surnames.

Family names

of Lodern, of Flieslaut, of Langë, of Esse, of Stehlen  
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These last names are made with an 'of' and then a german word relating to fire, metal, landscapes, or power.
Languages spoken

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