Drakai

The Drakai have a humanoid build covered in thick scales, with two arms and two legs, two eyes, and a 3.3 foot long tail. Their legs are slightly digitigrade with four clawed toes, and each hand has four fingers and a thumb.

All Drakai have a breath weapon that's tied to the colour of their scales, though it requires considerable practice before it can be used, and the strain of using this ability is such that it can often only be used a few times a day (around 5-6). Additionally, male Drakai have larger horns and a more muscular build than females.

Interestingly, some members of Drakai society have a chance of being born with an enhanced draconic nature. This commonly translates into the Drakai being noticeably taller than average, having a breath weapon, having wings sprout from their back (wingspan is 3 metres), and becoming more resistant to the element of their breath weapon. These Drakai are highly respected, and while they are still subject to the same meritocratic laws as other Drakai, their enhanced abilities tend to see them rise through the ranks more quickly.

Much like their draconic ancestors, the Drakai are an egg laying race. A Drakai female has a week long period of time every five months when they can get pregnant, with the resulting egg taking 2-3 weeks to fully develop. Once the egg has been lain, it will take an additional 7-8 months to hatch.

Infant: 0-3
Child: 4-11
Adolescence: 12-17
Young adult: 18-21
Adulthood: 22-64
Elder: 65+

The Drakai are largely found around the mountains and valleys of eastern Vraelia.

The Drakai are omnivorous, though their diet largely consists of meats. Food is stored in local storehouses for later consumption.

Drakai with an enhanced draconic nature (known as the Dragonblood) often occupy higher positions in society than normal Drakai.

All Drakai have heads resembling that of a typical dragon, complete with horns and a crest of hair running from the top of their head to the base of their neck. Additionally, male Drakai tend to have a strong jawline, and can grow a "beard" along their jawline, while female Drakai have smoother scales and more streamlined faces.

The Drakai can largely be found throughout the world of Taeva, though they mostly stick to their mountainous homeland of Dranya.

The Drakai tend to have an average to high level of intelligence.

The Drakai have a higher chance of being born with the ability to use magic.

Drakai names are largely influenced by the old Dragons of legend. Additionally, because of their focus on the whole before the self, the naming scheme of the Drakai people goes Last Name - First Name.

Male names: Talzin, Jaryax, Aldorin, Kados, Ranoth, Narosh, Valsur, Faldan, Galren, Iadon
Female names: Kyrva, Asta, Renotha, Iehal, Zethrasia, Venethrel, Sosira, Fenresh, Nathari, Ystrith
Last names: Narnajir, Tauphek, Merdijad, Yalduash, Amreashtur, Shenkir, Drathar, Iruatus, Emtiakmar, Kelriath

Common beauty ideals held by the Drakai include clean, well maintained scales and at least lean muscles, both serving as indicators of pride in their draconic heritage.

Both genders are generally viewed equally, though males are sometimes still expected to be more likely to perform tasks requiring physical strength.

In Drakai society, it doesn't matter which gender courts the other (though it's often the male), so long as both parties involved have received the blessing of each others families.

The Drakai are Monogamous, and will mate for life. It's generally expected that both individuals contribute equally to the relationship, and that they're still able to carry out their duties.

The Drakai make some use of Magitech, though it's only really used to navigate through especially difficult terrain. On the whole, the Drakai prefer to do most things by the old ways, particularly any artisan jobs like smithing and carving, as they believe that doing such tasks with your own hands and skill will lead to personal growth.

Dracean, Common

It's common etiquette in Drakai society to freely criticise each other in a constructive manner, so they may better improve their craft, and to show proper respect to those of greater skill, wisdom, or standing in society.

Drakai dress tends to be very utilitarian, even amongst the upper class, with very few decorations on the clothes of the upper class. Notably, there are no dresses or related clothing, and footwear is designed to expose the toes, on account of their claws.

The Drakai hold great respect for for their ancestors. This respect for their forebears is an integral part of Drakai society, with all Drakai striving to live lives that they feel would honour their ancestors, and would set an example for those that would follow after them. This is also the basis for the Drakais highly disciplined lives, as well as the honour code practised by their warriors and nobility.

Due to the role they played in their creation, the Dragons are highly respected among the Drakai, even being venerated alongside their ancestors. Alongside the respect the Drakai show for Dragons and Dragonkin, this trait is most commonly seen in the respect shown towards the Dragonblooded, those rare Drakai born with enhanced draconic traits. Due to the belief that these Drakai possess an especially strong connection to their draconic heritage, the Dragonblooded are viewed with great respect by the general populace, with the most exceptional among them being specifically groomed for leadership roles among the Drakai.

Any sort of action that can be considered dishonourable (going back on your word, stealing, etc.) is considered a grave offence by the Drakai. Similarly, because of their draconic heritage, harming or killing any dragon-like creatures (drakes, wyverns, wyrms) will earn the ire of the Drakai, unless there was a very good reason for doing so.

Draconic Origins

According to myth, the very first generation of Drakai were descended from the Elder Dragons, the oldest and most powerful Dragons to have lived in Taevas ancient history, and are intrinsically tied to the events of The Primal War. During the war, it is said that the Dragons used their arcane mastery to create a servitor race of Dragonkin from their own eggs, specially enchanted for this purpose, to aid them in their conflict. While initially preceded by the Adyar, the Drakai quickly overtook their predecesors as the favoured servants of the Dragons, helping to swing the tide of the war in their creators' favour and aiding them in the stewardship of the world they've inherited.

After the Fall

In the years following the devastating conflict known as the Dragonfall, and the diminishment of the influence of their Draconic masters as a result, the Drakai were left adrift in the world. Eventually, the Drakai would congregate around sites they held as sacred to the Dragons and their origins, forming the various tribes of their early civilisation and, eventually, the nation of Dranya. Even after the fall of the Dragons, the Drakai still strive to honour their legacy in all that they do.

While the Drakai generally have a neutral view of other races, they do respect those who share their drive for self improvement, as well as their respect for Dragons and Dragonkin. However, due to the events of the conflict known as the Dragonscourge, many of the nations of Taeva have a neutral but wary view of the Drakai.