Dragonkind
Those bastard children of the great dragons of old would not see much life, for in retaliation for the sins of their fathers they were slaughtered en-masse by the First Men for crimes they neither knew of nor could dream of committing. Now, they are few and far between, yet still they roam this land in search of redemption or a higher cause.
Dragonkind (Draconic: Alesan; "Bastard Kin") are a race of humanoids formerly prominent but now rare in Yaleakasardia. They are the descendants and offspring of the ancient dragons of Yaleakasardia originating from the Cragged Peaks. They are most notable for their scaly skin, snout faces, and biological immortality.
Description
Dragonkind are the offspring of the ancient dragons of Yaleakasardia that ruled the continent during the Age of the Dragon. They are the result of lesser dragons bonding with the First Men and Elves. While it has been rumored, there is no evidence that any of the Great Dragons, or even Dragonlords, bonded with Men or Elves. Dragonkind, like their progenitors, are biologically immortal, and thus many of the dragonkind from the Age of the Dragon were still alive by the time of the Age of the Slaughter, and there are still possibly some around during the Storm. Additionally, Dragonkind mature much faster than Men, reaching adulthood around age 12. Dragonkind physical aging ceases around age 120, and unlike Men and Elves, Dragonkind do not grow weaker with age, only stronger.
Physically, Dragonkind sport scaly skin and snouts resembling dragons, and also have a natural resistance to the element of their ancestry. Most individuals have a naturally large muscular body and stand very tall, between seven to seven and a half feet, though some notable individuals have been much smaller or larger. Unlike their draconic ancestors, Dragonkind have never had any wings, likely as a result of their hybrid parentage.
Culture
Dragonkind culture used to be very strong and carried on through oral tradition and tribal rituals. However, following the Age of the Slaughter, Dragonkind culture became almost nonexistent. Ancient dragonkind rituals eventually gave rise to the Second Dragon Order and the states of Inver and Areksa.
Tribal Culture
One of the most important traditions in old Dragonkind tribal culture was the ritual of Soul Passing, in which Dragonkind elders, who had tired of their lives due to their immortality, would commit suicide in front of their loved ones. After which, their kin would rub their blood on their foreheads. It was believed that this passed the essence of the elder's soul onto the younger Dragonkind, imbuing them with both wisdom and strength. While this ritual was not a requirement, and Dragonkind elders were highly respected in life, many chose death due to their aforementioned tiredness of immortality, as well as out of a sense of tradition.
Funerary practices in Dragonkind tribal culture often revolved around destroying the body of the deceased, apparently in order to release their soul. Differing from tribe to tribe, this practice either released the deceased's soul into a parallel ghostly plane of existence in which they could occasionally interact with the Mortal Plane and be contacted by their descendants. Destruction of the deceased's body often was done using an element opposing their ancestry as they had a natural resistance to that element. For example, a Dragonkind descended from ice dragons would have been burned to ashes.
Dragonkind often conducted prayer rituals in the vein of the Dragon Order venerating the dragons and wishing for their return.
Modern Culture
Dragonkind today scarcely have a culture, and often assimilate into other cultures across Yaleakasardia. Some dragonkind still practice tribal rituals, but often stick to prayer rituals wishing for a better lot. Due to the innate respect their draconic heritage garners them, most Dragonkind travel south and become members of the Second Dragon Order.
Comments