Dragonborn

Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail. The first dragonborn had scales of vibrant hues matching the colors of their dragon kin, but generations of interbreeding have created a more uniform appearance. Their small, fine scales are usually brass or bronze in color, sometimes ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or copper-green. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.   The blood of a particular type of dragon runs very strong through some dragonborn clans. These dragonborn often boast scales that more closely match those of their dragon ancestor—bright red, green, blue, or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or bronze.

Like true dragons, dragonborn hatch from eggs, usually laid singly or, more rarely, in a pair.

Young dragonborn, who hatched from eggs like their draconic relatives, grew at an impressively rapid rate, much faster than most other races, reaching the equivalent maturity of a human child of 10 by age 3. Dragonborn nursed their hatchlings for several months before teeth began to come in. A dragonborn would then slowly introduce soft food and then move towards normal dragonborn eating habits, which contained more meat than was typical of most other races.   Their rate of maturation slowed dramatically within a few short years and they were not considered physically mature until the age 12, when their bodies reached their adult height and appearance. Not all dragonborn developed a breath weapon but those that did usually obtained it during these years of growth.   Psychologically, dragonborn were considered mature as a human adult by age 12, and when they reached age 15 they were considered legally adults in dragonborn society. Once they did reach adulthood, dragonborn could expect a lifespan identical to that of humans.

A dragonborn is very adaptable. Capable of surviving in some of the harsher elements. This is due to their skin and scales. To a regular humanoid, a dragonborns body will always feel feverish warm, a trait their body subconsciously regulate over time depending on the environment they live in. While they prefer the warmer climates, it is not surprising to find a dragonborn living in colder cities or towns.

Dragonborn are omnivores, they enjoy meat as much as they enjoy salads and fruits.

A dragonborn watches time pass by like a human, they do not hibernate with the seasonal changes. However, A dragonborn does shed scales as they grow, replacing old scales with new ones. These scales are often mistaken for wyrmling dragon scales, by travelers.

Dragonborn gain many characteristics from their draconic bloodline. All dragonborn has scales, and draconic looking eyes. Other features are at times horns or tendril like hair shifting between thick and thin. These tendrils however function as hair and cannot move individually.

Has both sight and hearing.

Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they put their clan names first as a mark of honor. A childhood name or nickname is often used among clutchmates as a descriptive term or a term of endearment. The name might recall an event or center on a habit.   Male Names: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn   Female Names: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Havilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit   Childhood Names: Climber, Earbender, Leaper, Pious, Shieldbiter, Zealous   Clan Names: Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Delmirev, Drachedandion, Fenkenkabradon, Kepeshkmolik, Kerrhylon, Kimbatuul, Linxakasendalor, Myastan, Nemmonis, Norixius, Ophinshtalajiir, Prexijandilin, Shestendeliath, Turnuroth, Verthisathurgiesh, Yarjerit

The largest political Dragonborn faction, is the Wadrathen Empire. There only exist a few unaffiliated dragonborn clans, but most answer to the Wadrathen Imperial family.

The dragonborn pride themselves on their colorful appearance. Though most dragonborn will claim that their specific color is the most wonderful, they do respect other colors appearance. While for many other races across Irus will have a hard time distinguishing one red dragonborn from another red dragonborn, the difference for them are as night and day. A dragonborns appearance however, while bound much to their heritage and blood. They do rarely come with a display of multiple colors. Seen as heralds, these dragonborn are often revered in society as ancestors of dragonborn heroes of the past and believed to have great destinies ahead of them. They are considered among the most beautiful among dragonborn with many different patterns their scales may appear in.   The horns of dragonborn are often the best way for other races to know the dragonborn appart from one another. Often the horns of a dragonborn are unique, and even when similar they can be different coloration, be jagged, swirled or smooth. More often than not, you see female dragonborn decorate their horns with jewelry and piercings.   As a dragonborn grows with age, their scales are shed one by one and replaced with new scales. The shedded scales are more than often disposed off, but some clans and families take the scales and use them for creating personal jewelry. The scales are sturdy and even with time the scales holds their illustrious color.

While not seen as wrong, a relationship between two of the same gender is rare within the dragonborn societies. The innate honor and need to bring more to the clan and empire rests deep within the dragonborn and thus it is more likely for them to find mates of the opposite gender. Even so, same sex courtship does occur and is openly accepted.

The dragonborns courtship ritual started very primitive. The strongest dragonborn got to choose their own mate. But as time has passed the courtship ritual has changed. While some rituals are clan based, the most common has appeared from the Wadrathen Empire.  

For courtship to begin, both individuals must accept one another. The courtship is then started by the respective gender initiating the courting, entering the sands of the Nazgarathi desert. Here they travel for seven days to gather the finest sands they can find. This is a show of endurance and commitment to their choice of mate.

Following their return the must make a design for a glass smith to make, using the sand collected. The finer the sand used for the craft, the clearer and stronger the design will be. This is a show of the purity and clarity of their affection.

Finally the dragonborn must bring the glass design to courtships gender respective parent for approval. This is a sign of respect to tradition and seen as swearing an oath to family. If the parent does not approve they must shatter the glass design and one doing the courting must either accept or repeat the process. If they do approve the courtship will be fulfilled and the two courting may marry at their own choice and leisure.

The dragonborn, like the dwarves are masters in craftsmanship. Within the many centuries of war, they've become proficient in the creation of weapons and armor. However, their specialty in crafts, lies in the creation of glass. The Dragonborn of the Wadrathen Empire are capable of drawing properties within glass, previously unseen. Crafting Jewelry capable of refracting light in a wide array of colors, creating moving mirages and illusions without the use of magic.

But also forging weapons. Ironglass weapons are the most common weapons you will see in dragonborn society. Using a special technique, the dragonborn melt, fold, temper and form weapons glass, with a density that can withstand even some dwarven metal weapons. Clear and transparent, the glass shapes around a metal rod for stabilization these weapons are commonly found as swords, axes, daggers and spears. The weapon is light and the transparent edge often fools the dragonborns enemies to think they may be in safe distance in a fight.

The primary language used by dragonborn is Draconic. A language that is very fluent with few growls and spoken almost as if song. The second they have adopted is common, a language they've found much use of since the expansion of the clans.

Dragonborn are a practical people, you will find them walking in many varied kinds of clothing. However, a dragonborn will almost never be walking around in something boring. They love colorful clothing and armor. If you see a dragonborn wearing an otherwise boring brown leather armor, you may on closer inspection see that armor is embroidered with detailed pictures and decorations.   A dragonborns body temperature is nearly always warm. Not wanting to hide away their scales either, you can often find them wearing light cloths with open backs, exposed front or no sleeves. More so in the Wadrathen empire you will often find the common dragonborn wear silk on a daily basis.

The dragonborn drive for honor carried on into the culture of the race. Among dragonborn, the most horrible crime was oath-breaking; honesty was expected whenever a deal was struck. Commitment to a word was expected to be carried out to the letter and all parties in a transaction were held accountable and responsible for failings. Ultimately, those who failed to meet their word were expected to accept the consequences and, in fact, most dragonborn did so. So widespread was this value of honor and honesty that it was commonly believed that dragonborn never broke their word.   Dragonborn society on Irus had a strong and abiding hatred of dragons, perpetuated by terrifying tales of draconic cruelty and retelling of the dragonborn struggle for freedom against their oppressors. Though many of the dragons of Irus had nothing to do with this horrid past that haunted the race, the dragonborn were not particularly forgiving in this regard, and individuals who took up dragon-hunting for whatever reasons were honored as heroes among the Dragonborn. Many dragonborn also took up the life of a mercenary.   However, though this hatred of dragons was strong, even carrying over to a condemnation of the worship of good dragon gods, like Bahamut, many dragonborn hoped that life in the Wadrathen Empire would help them escape the tragedies of their history. In part because of their distrust of dragons, but also because of a general desire to forge a bright future for their people devoid of war, the dragonborn worked hard to earn the friendship of races around the world and few prejudices other than the hatred of dragons plagued the dragonborn race.   Dragonborn had a well-known dedication to honor, but how deeply rooted this trait was remains debatable. However, all dragonborn tended to view all living things, even hated enemies, as deserving of courtesy and respect. To dragonborn, honor was more than a word and was often considered more important than life itself. Cowardice was not simply undesirable among dragonborn, it was considered outright repulsive.   Part of the roots of this honorable attitude lay in the dragonborn's drive for self-improvement. The draconic nature of dragonborn gave them a strong self-consciousness and a tendency for strong emotions. Both of these combined to make dragonborn particularly wanting for the approval of others. Dragonborn placed great value on the skill of an individual, including themselves. Failing at a task was anathema to dragonborn and as a result they could sometimes push themselves to unhealthy extremes of effort. This aspect of the dragonborn mind meant few of the race took a laid-back approach to any skill or ability, striving always to become the masters of a particular skill, and dragonborn respected those among other races who approached life in the same manner. As a result, most dragonborn adventurers came to their way of life through a desire to prove themselves and win respect from their brethren.   Other races saw dragonborn as proud or even arrogant because of this dedication to excellence and high standards. It was true that dragonborn were typically proud of their race's accomplishments. However, dragonborn were also more than willing to recognize with respect the accomplishments of other races in turn, whether or not the race in question was an ally or enemy.   More so than other races, dragonborn often wore their hearts on their sleeves, typically hiding neither anger nor joy. Dragonborn were enthusiastic about life, particularly success, and brooded about failure for only a short time before their disappointment was shaped into a strong drive for improvement. Only a handful of dragonborn actually demonstrated traits that might be considered timid or reserved, and the vast majority of the race had no qualms asking for what they needed or taking time to improve themselves. Trust was a major factor in the lives of all dragonborn and each expected others to be just as open and forthcoming with them as they were.   Perhaps paradoxically, given the often rigid conditions of their society, dragonborn had a strong sense of independence and self-worth. Most dragonborn, however, did not view this as a need to break away from society as other individuals might, but rather to shape it for the better through their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Likewise, dragonborn saw themselves as responsible for those around them, with the group ultimately reflecting on the individual. In this way, the successes and failures of each dragonborn were the successes and failures of the group they associated with, giving dragonborn a very collective sense of self while retaining their individuality. Ultimately, dragonborn held themselves accountable for their choice of allies and poor judgment was considered no excuse for failing to uphold the standards all dragonborn held themselves to.   Good dragonborn were fairly common, but dragonborn were as fallible to evil as any other race. The passionate nature of dragonborn could make the race brutal or vengeful and given to hasty choices that were morally compromising. The dragonborn sense of worth could likewise lead to greed and egotistic selfishness. But while dragonborn could turn to evil, most dragonborn villains retained the scruples and values that defined the race, including respect and courtesy to enemies.

The greatest taboo within the Dragonborn society is oath-breaking. A crime that can be severely punished, depending upon the oath broken. The dragonborn places high cultural value and respect to honor and abandoning such is seen as a taboo that can be punished with exile.

Born and created by ancient dragons in time immemorial, the Dragonborn were made to be servants and slaves of the ancient dragons. They functioned as workers, entertainers and disposable soldiers. Being pitted against other dragonborn serving another dragon to settle disagreement or simply for the dragons pleasure. But as all sentient creatures, the dragonborn became more aware, they learned, they grew and became stronger. As centuries passed the dragonborn societies grew and eventually they'd go against the suppressors. Clan by clan they shattered the chains that bound them and became independent. Swearing a fierce loyalty to their own clans.   As the dragonborn became independant and created their own societies, most of the species, were heavily against the worship of dragons as gods. In their eyes there existed no good dragon gods. A belief that is mostly intact to the current day and age.

Other than their well-known hatred of dragons, dragonborn had few definitive relationships with other races. The dragonborn of The Wadrathen Empire had a known tolerance for races of all kinds, extending their courtesy even to races who were generally disliked, such as tieflings.