Ashen Dracanoid

'Born of Ash. Created to Build. Corrupted by darkness. Freed by Strength. Split by Belief.'

Written by Yerran

The Dracanoid are a race of humanoid drakes and dragons. Many think they likely evolved upon a different path from their larger cousins, but the truth is they were altered through the magic of Creator gods for a specific purpose, long since lost to time. Though even within dracanoid society there are distinct variations of appearance and shape, ones that logically lead them into a caste system. Though many of the societies buck the castes, accepting all dracanoids as equal.

Physiology and Castes

There are three primary physiologies amongst dracanoids. Though some have been lost in specific 'creches'. This is prevalent within those of Light's Talon, which only have creches of 'Balogh' dracanoid remaining. Within the creches of the Ashen Dracanoids there are all three morphologies; The Balogh, The Kaida and The Attor.

Balogh

Large in stature, usually appearing 2-3m tall and 1.5m wide. These dracanoid possess large muscles and hard-packed scales across their bodies. They possess thick fingers, with sharp claws for fine movements. They are often intelligent and can possess small gifts of magic. Though most are not blessed with that power. They are able to breathe their origin element (in case of the Ashen, it's burning ash). The Balogh dracanoids are often depicted as builders and soldiers, performing duties requiring strength and size.

Kaida

Shorter in statue and thinner, usually appearing at 1.5 m tall. The Kaida are quick and cunning. In their later years, they begin to grow wings able to support their light frame and body. Due to this they often lack muscle mass and have light bones. They cannot breathe their elements like the others, though in environments rich in the origin element they can infuse their body with them to unique effects. It is common for Kaida to be born with magical abilities that develop further later in life. The Kaida are often depicted as scouts, cunning tinkerers and sneaky in literature or murals of them.

Attor

Taller than Balogh, they can reach lengths of 4m. The Attor have a physique similar to Wyverns in some manners. They have thin dracanoid heads and an elongated scaled humanoid torso leading to scaled dragon legs and claws. Their arms extend outwards longer than normal humans though and their webbed wings stretch from below their claws to the top of their ankles. They have long prehensile tails, often coated in razor-sharp spines, and are able to breathe concentrated and powerful effects related to their element. All Attor are quick, magically gifted and are often depicted as intelligent leaders and powerful magic wielders.

Reproduction

All types of dracanoids are born from eggs, though they are inseminated in a similar way to human reproduction. Female dracanoids carry eggs and after intercourse will deposit several dozen tiny eggs into their creche. These can be different for the different types of dracanoids, but for Ashen is a mound of nutrient-rich ashes. They are then watched over by tenders as they grow. Not all will grow, but most will and eventually, they will hatch, where they grow over 10-15 years until they reach their full size.
In the event of a shortage of female or male dracanoids, they are able to switch sex at will. However the process takes about a year. This is usually something managed by the elders of the dracanoids to ensure population control.

Ashen and Ashfallen Societies

Though Dracanoids exist in various societies around Venya for specific breeds (e.g. Crimson dracanoids are exclusively born into Light's Talon and live within the Flametip Mountains) The Ashen Dracanoids exist in only two known societies. The main body of Ashen dracanoids, now called the Ashfallen by many reside within the caldera city upon the Isle of Aedun, building machines of war and destruction in service to their deity the Dark Smith Khur Rengar.


The other Ashen dracanoid society fractured from this faction after the failed rebellion of the Coldstone Order fled across the ocean and arrived on Lenwir's southern islands. They founded the Dracis Collective and built towns and structures in worship of the Creator God Aedun the smith, directly opposing the beliefs of the Ashfallen. Though the numbers of the Ashen are significantly lower than their Ashefallen brethren they believe they have escaped the persecution they suffered at their hands. Though some wish to return and reignite the flame of rebellion they once held in the hope they can break the regime and save many of their own from their oppression.

But for now, they live in exile, a small but important member of the Unitum Pact hoping they may someday leverage this alliance into an invasion of Aedun.

Type:

Elemental, Dragon-like

The Dracis Collective

Finding a place of peace upon the volcanic islands south of Xieyin Island. The Ash Dracanoid established the Dracis Collective in the year 2327 A.C. This is a peaceful faction where the dracanoid can use their incredible crafting skills to smith, build and fuse magic into their creations in a bid to better the lives of those around them. After their escape from the Ashfallen on the isle of Aedun they refuse to build machines of war, instead focusing on protection. Though when they became the target of pirates and privateers for their skills, they ultimately joined the Unitum Pact for protection, offering their skills in exchange. However, their edict to build weapons of war remains. Instead, they provide powerful defensive and life-giving machines and protection infused with magic, along with superb craftmanship.

Created to Tinker

The Ashen Dracanoids are resistant to the heat of fires thanks to their ashen origin. This allows them to work with molten metals and gives them a proclivity for dry and hot environments. Thanks to the gift of their Creator God, Aedun, they are blessed with the ability, means and love of tinkering and crafting. These skills became their culture and society revolved around craftsmanship competitions and masterworks of skill, fitness and magic.

Narduur Angleforge 

Narduur Angleforge led the Ashen Dracanoids in their rebellion in a bid to free them from the oppressive regime of the Ashefallen Priests and their worship of the Dark Smith. On the day of their coup, they found they were betrayed by one close to him, and the defiant were slaughtered in the streets. Narduur was a careful dracanoid and fortunately kept secrets from the other leaders of the rebellion. His foresight saved many, and they managed to flee. They set sail on a fleet of prepared ships, heading eastward on the instructions he received in a vision. The trip was long and they barely made it in one piece, but Aedun delivered them to salvation. Once established Narduur steered the dracanoid into a life of peace and into the Unitum Pact, seeing the benefits it would grant his people.