Dragonkin Ancestries

The dragonkin of Eren and abroad retain certain traits and features from their ancestral dragonhordes. Many are too mixed in blood heritage to determine one from the other. For some, their ancestry is stronger in one aspect or another. No dragonkin is fully of one horde anymore, but they still carry their legacies.

In ancient times, dragons lived and reigned within clustered clans of dragon families, all bonded by region, loyalties, and similar traits. The Dragonhordes, as they were referred to, were led by a Broodmaster, the strongest, the most influential, the most ambitious, whatever traits were championed by that particular Dragonhorde. Dragonhordes operated mostly independently, kinships and bonds ushering some to live, hunt, or collaborate together. But the Broodmaster held dominion over the entire brood. In times of necessity, they roused their kin into communal action and defined the rules and traditions of the Dragonhorde. This, however, meant they were also responsible for upholding and enforcing it, so they needed to retain allies and enough personal strength to keep the rest of their kin on their side and convince them their way was the prime way.

There have been numerous Dragonhordes, and the dragonkin of today still holds this heritage. Three Dragonhordes make up the overwhelming majority of the heritage for most dragonkin. The Black Dragonhorde, the Hellkite Dragonhorde, and the Metallic Dragonhorde.

Other draconic kin still exists, but many shares mixed blood between one of the three previous and their smaller Dragonhorde. These other dragonhordes don't hold a candle to the unified alliance that the three primary Dragonhordes would hold, and most of dragon history is defined By them.

---

Black Dragonhorde

Original Home
Originally from Astana, they lived amidst the mountains within cavern dens. They competed with ancient civilizations below and regularly hunted pastoral animals and trade caravans.

Physical Traits
Known for having slick scales in shades of black and dark grey. Colors can also range from deep purple to midnight blues. They were known to have wide wingspans and had the longest flying endurance and skill in the air, owing to their adaption amidst the zephyrs of Astana.

Dragonkin Traits
A majority of dragonkin are not born with wings. Those that do are typically described as having a high amount of Black Dragonhorde within their veins. They tend to have scales in black or near-black shades and horns that curve back, following the skull. They are ascribed as being naturally good leaders, having a “go-getter” attitude, and ease developing social skills. Most leaders within the Empire of Drekaya champion ancestry to the Black Dragonhorde as a symbol of pride.

---

Hellkite Dragonhorde

Original Home
Originally from Azmith and Zul. In Azmith, they lived and slept during the day inside underground caverns in the sand, coming out and hunting in the evening. In northern Zul, Hellkites ambushed dwarven settlements and pastures in the ashy plains to supplement their hunting diets.

Physical Traits
Hellkites were striking beings. Typically having sleek and powerful bodies. They were known to have sharp, razor teeth, impeccable sight in low light, long whip-like tails, and, most iconically, had the most potent breath weapons, able to produce the most destruction with their fiery breath. They were unrivaled when it came to utilizing this innate tool. They typically had dark marks or stripes along their bodies and scale colors that ranged from bright red to dark brown, orange to burnished gold or even violet.

Dragonkin Traits
Dragonkin with heavy hellkite ancestry are typically observed as being natural when it comes to harnessing their use of fire breath. Many lean into this talent and incorporate this aspect of themself into everyday life. They also tend to be astute and quick learners, typically flexible to change and inclined to enjoy physical pursuits. Alternatively, they tend to be characterized as naturally hot-headed, impulsive/impatient, and short-sighted. Dragonkin can sometimes be seen with hair or scales that match the red-hued shades of their ancestors. Many times they will have stripes or other skin markings along their face, torsos, and tails.

---

Metallic Dragonhorde

Original Home
Originally from Eren. Lived in caves and forests throughout the region. Hunted many beasts for food, some even reigned over towns and villages of humanoids, demanding regular tribute in exchange for being spared from destruction.

Physical Traits
Known to be the physically largest on average of most dragons. Had thick, muscular bodies with large, broad scales and protrusions. They had thick and powerful wings to carry them through the air and large foreclaws just as capable of ripping and crushing rock as the armor of unfortunate soldiers. Their scales have an iconic sheen similar to the metals they are associated with. Bold bronze, sterling silvery hues, polished golds, and rustic dark steels are all common colors for their kind.

Dragonkin Traits
Metallic dragonkin share the same tendency to be taller than humans. Many take advantage of their stature and practice active lifestyles, training their powerful bodies to peak form. Their scales share the same shiny sheen as their ancestors, and they tend to have the largest horn protrusions of any of the dragonkin ancestries. Their tails are typically thick with many protrusions and a tough hide. Metallic dragonkin are typecast as steadfast, level headed, and have high levels of endurance. But they also hold stereotypes of being stubborn and not quick to budge on a situation.

---

Other Dragonhordes

Examples of other hordes that exist throughout the world:

The Atarka Dragonhorde was a large and borderline feral clan living in Eiri's mountain lowlands. They were large, hulking beings with thick coats of fur that grew along their spines, arms, tails, and backs. They were competitive and fought the various other megafauna of the region for dominance and sometimes as a meal. Despite their imposing power, they were brought into the fold of Eldra’s Horde mainly through being enticed by the opportunities of greater hunts and more land to explore for themselves, simple desires that were sated, and thus, made their transition surprisingly easy. With their blood, Dragonkin tend to have thick, bushy, and fast-growing hair, including body hair, multi-pronged horns, and furred tails.

The Keiga Dragonhorde existed mainly within tucked-away sea caves and ate fish they hunted themselves from the ocean. They had long bodies with fin-like formations along their arms, legs, and tails, as well as webbed fingers. Their scales were pearlescent, silky smooth, and ranging in an array of different pastel shades. They were a mainly passive Dragonhorde, watching the various “tiny humanoids” as they ventured the waves. The more greedy of their kin would make their bounty forgoing hunting the waters for food and sea treasures and instead break and pillage ships. Paradoxically, some Keaiga worked in direct opposition to their kin, instead rescuing sailors stranded out at sea or from pirate raids in exchange for a share of their treasures. Keiga dragonkin typically have slim, athletic forms. They have an impressive capacity to hold their breath and maneuver underwater, sometimes for up to an hour.