Dragon

Race: Dragonus Minimus (Humanoid Dragon)
Wyvern: Dominic Palus

Lifespan: 2,500 years
Average height: Male [6ft 2in] Female [5ft 10in]
Average build: Red [Heavily muscled] Other [Lean]
Age status: Infant [0-120 years] Fledgling [100-1000 years] Adult [1000-3000 years]

Septs: Level 2

• Rutilus (Red)
• Aurumus (Gold)
• Peteulanus (Blue)
• Viridis (Green)

Elite: Black Dragon
Capital: Nirim City
Region: Nirim

Languages:

• Draconian (Special)
• Latin (Rituals)
• French (Official)
• English (Common)

Family Structure: Nuclear
Spousal Relationship: Marriage by the state or Lifebonding by ritual
Racial Enemies: None
Racial Weakness: Shiny objects
Patron Aide: Namiko Akakios

History

Long before Xanth left Tanakheim, dragons ruled the Earth. Magnificent in what has come to be known as their 'beast form', they were held in awe by the weaker human population.

Unfortunately, as humans evolved and grew stronger, their awe of the dragons became fear and in just a few short decades they had decimated the dragon population. Their decreasing numbers torn between fighting back or simply leaving Earth, the dragon race became split.

Some dragons fled Earth into other dimensions. They rarely venture out of these places, where food is plentiful and they have no rivals. These are known as beast dragons. Though they do not travel to Elysia, they can be summoned by their humanoid descendents.

Other dragons, in attempting to become human, evolved instead into the humanoid Dragons still wandering Elysia today. Also known as 'Elysian' Dragons and usually referred to with a proper pronoun (capitalized D, as opposed to beast dragons who have a small d), they retain many of the powers of their beastly ancestors but they look so much like humans they have been able to integrate into human society.

Description

Generally taller and larger in build than most humans, Elysian Dragons have slitted eyes that are gray-blue until they have joined a Sept. They have retained much of their draconic history and culture, including their governmental structure, but they can no longer assume true dragon form. However, as they grow Dragons can learn to summon beast dragons and even, if they successfully perform a dangerous ritual, become Black Dragons.

Dragons are almost as long-lived as their ancestors, ranging from two thousand to three thousand years on average. Lifemates usually live longer than unbonded Dragons for reasons even their race cannot fathom, though not usually not more than four thousand years. Their young are called hatch- or fledglings and are considered children until they reach around one hundred and twenty years of age, at which point they can perform the Dragon Sept Ritual (OOC: level 2) and choose a path that will guide them throughout the rest of their lives.

Septs

Once a Dragon reaches a certain age and level of skill (OOC: level 2) their tutors may sponsor them as they attempt to join a Sept. There are four Septs founded millennia ago. Upon joining a Sept, the beast dragon's entire hide changes colour to match (blue, red, green or gold) and the humanoid Dragon's eyes similarly change colour.

Peteulanus (Blue)

Renowned telepaths, the Peteulanus Sept prides itself on the mental capacity of its members. Able to pierce past mental shields and read thoughts as well as controlling the minds of weaker beings, Blue Dragons are often arrogant and conceited. Though taught the ethics of telepathy, little emphasis is placed on if they should. Instead, their tutors focus on how they can.

The Peteulanus Wyrm is known as the Lannis and upon joining this Sept, the hatchling's eyes turn blue or shades thereof (including purple, violet, midnight-blue, ice blue and silver).

Aurumus (Gold)

The mediators of the species, Gold Dragons learn empathy, an ability which enables them to first sense and then control the emotions of others. Many Gold Dragons use these abilities to the advantage of peace talks and political needs but some violate the minds of others in order to get what they want. Part of their empathic ability is introducing emotions to another person and, if used correctly, this can make the affected person extremely lucky as a result of the positivity the Gold Dragon bestows upon them, or incredibly unlucky as a result of the negatitivity bestowed upon them. Because of this, Gold Dragons have become known as luckbringers though this isn't technically true.

The Aurumus Wyrm is known as the Aurum and upon joining this Sept, the hatchling's eyes turn gold or a shade thereof (amber, gold-brown, red-gold and shades of orange).

Viridis (Green)

Exalted healers, Green Dragons are much more in tune with nature than their peers and learn to channel energy in order to heal others. Unfortunately, in order to heal they must assume the injuries upon themselves, endangering their own lives in the process. Weaker Viridis have no control over this ability and must therefore stay away from hospitals and other areas where injuries could prove fatal to them. As they grow and learn, however, they can accept more severe injuries without harming themselves permanently and as a result of this, Green Dragons often become doctors and are in high demand for party quests.

The Viridis Wyrm is known as the Virdis and upon joining the Green Dragon Sept, the hatchling's eyes turn green or a shade thereof (green, hazel, blue-green, sea-green, turquoise, aqua and moss-green).

Rutilus (Red)

Red Dragons have put aside their scholarly pursuits in order to polish their bodies. They have studied almost every fighting technique known to Dragon- and Mankind in order to become lean, mean, fighting machines. Faster, stronger and tougher than most other races, Red Dragons train to wield any number of weapons excellently, though as they grow in experience they may choose to specialize in up to four.

The Rutilus Wyrm is known as the Rutus and upon joining the Red Dragon Sept, the hatchling's eyes turn red or a shade thereof (orange, purple, amber and even pink).

Dragon Summoning

Summoning dragons is a dangerous and often confusing business. There is much to learn in terms of Draconic law and before any dragon can be allowed to summon, they must display an understanding of the consequences of such an act. By law, no dragon under a certain level of experience (OOC: level 5) is permitted to summon and breaking this law is severely punished - should the lawbreaker actually survive the summoning long enough to be punished.

There are two distinctly different paths a summoner may choose that will develop a different set of skills. In both cases, the summoned dragon will always demand something in return for the favour you ask of them. This demand will cover the gamut of prices from the rarest jewel to the simplest meal but in all cases, the fee must be paid and preferably in advance. In some instances, such as life or death situations where the dragon is summoned as a rescuer, then the fee may be paid after the favour has been granted. However, be warned that no matter the circumstances, if the fee is not paid by the specified time, the dragon can plead their case to the Wyvern of either race and demand justice which can take whatever form the Wyvern deems fair and reasonable. That, or the dragon may simply eat you.

It should also be noted that humanoid Dragons can be summoned by beast dragons in return. In this event, the Dragon in question may demand any fee (within reason) they choose.

Bonded Summoner

The bonded summoner is one who chooses to keep the dragon they summon during the Summoning Rites. This decision must be consensual - both Dragon and summoned dragon must agree - and is permanent, so it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Once bonded, neither dragon can summon another, even when the situation would require the skills of a different dragon.

However, there are benefits to this bonding. As the relationship between summoner and dragon grows, the dragon may choose to waive their fee and eventually will come to the summoner of his/her own free will. Both will be able to sense the presence of the other up to ten miles away and they will be able to communicate telepathically between dimensions without difficulty. The bonded summoner will find a true friend in their dragon.

Special Skills: Dragon Bond

Unbonded Summoner

The unbonded summoner is one who chooses to summon a different dragon each time, particularly useful if they regularly find themselves in situations that require different skill sets in their summoned dragon. The relationship will never be more than a paid service but the summoner's bargaining skills will gradually improve until most dragons will be happy to give favours for only a small fee. Though the act of summoning will not become easier with practice the way bonded summoners find, the variety of dragons available for summons can prove extremely useful.

Summoners choosing this path should heed two warnings, however. Many rituals at higher levels of experience require the sponsorship of a beast dragon, including the Lifemate and Black Dragon rites. It is not impossible for unbonded summoners to find this sponsorship but it does prove more difficult for them than for bonded summoners. Additionally, summoners should be aware that not every dragon to answer their call will be a friendly one.

Special Skills: Bargaining

The Summoning Ritual

The initial summoning is a guided meditation presided over by a high-ranked officiate and the dragon he/she summons. Though subsequent summonings can be done alone and without such pomp, this first summoning is a test of the summoner's readiness and understanding of consequences. The officiates preside over the ritual to ensure protection for both summoner and summoned (there have been instances in the past where one has deliberately harmed the other, though the officiates are primarily to protect against accident and misunderstanding). With candles and incense burning, the summoner is asked to sit cross-legged at the centre of the room and must focus their thoughts through meditation before broadcasting their request telepathically.

The summoner does not have to accept the first dragon to answer the summons, especially if the summoner wishes to follow the path of the bonded (another reason for the officiate's presence, as some dragons do not take kindly to rejection). If after five attempts the summoner has still not found a dragon they wish to bond with or request a favour of, however, the officiate will proclaim the ritual as finished and send the summoner home to try again another day.

Be warned that only summoners who have successfully completed the Summoning Ritual may summon future dragons alone, meaning that any summoner who has been sent home must perform the ritual again. Though it is understandable for a summoner to want perfection, especially those who will bond with their summoned dragon, there is too much that could go wrong for the officiate to proclaim the ritual a success until a bargain has been struck and the favour granted.

Black Dragon

Once a Dragon has grown strong enough (OOC: Elite) they may decide to perform the Black Dragon Ritual, a series of challenges that, if they succeed, will enable them to become a Black Dragon. These are the only Dragons who gain the ability to morph into beast form as dragons deem the process too difficult for those who have not performed the ritual. The Black Dragon rites are incredibly dangerous and so Black Dragons are rare (the last known Black Dragon died over a century ago) but Dragons consider this worth the effort as, at the very highest level of skill and experience, a Black Dragon will gain the powers of two extra Septs and can summon up to three Dragons at a time (including the rare black imp dragon).

Special Powers: Dragon Morph, Language (Draconic), Black Summoning

The Lifemate Bond

There is a story told to all hatchlings about the day they find their lifemate, a story all Dragon children cherish as they grow up. The more romantic Dragons spend their whole lives in search of their lifemate. The more cynical assume the story is a fairytale meant to make them sleep.

The lifemate bond is rare, enough so that most Dragons simply assume they don't have one. Though there is more mysticism behind it than there is fact, many Dragons believe that lifemates are two halves of one soul and that they will one day be reunited. For a Dragon who finds his or her lifemate, the world will never be the same again.

Lifemates are intensely attracted to one another right from their very first meeting and will find any excuse to be with that person even though it's unlikely that they'll know of the bond right away. If the pair are both Dragons then they will ordinarily find it easy to accept and their relationship may last only a few months before they approach the Wyvern to request a Bonding Ritual. If one of the pair is not a Dragon, however, the relationship could progress much more slowly. Some lifemate pairs don't bond for centuries after first meeting.

The lifemate bond is permanent and can prove dangerous. Both parties will find it impossible to show interest in other relationships for the rest of their lives and pairs have been known to wither away and die well before their time simply for refusing to acknowledge the bond. Should one of the pair die it is highly likely that the other will find a way to join them quickly, unable to bear living without the other. This is especially true for lifemates who have performed the Bonding Ritual. Those who do survive the death of their lifemate will always grieve and find it next to impossible to love again.

Unbonded lifemates will always have an extra sense of each other, an ability to detect one another within ten miles of each other. Bonded lifemates will be able to extend this sense between dimensions as well as gaining a telepathic link (exception: humans will gain immunity to the painful effects of telepathy through the lifemate bond and will hear their partner's thoughts very faintly but will not be able to communicate fully via the telepathic link).

Bondfasting

While the lifemate bond cannot be forced on either party in and of itself, there is a ritual that can bind the pair together in such a way that they must perform the Bonding Ritual. Bondfasting is the exchange of blood between two lifemates and causes a permanent link between them. Should they be separated by only a few feet, they will both begin to feel pain around the chest and stomach areas. The further they move from one another, the greater the pain until it becomes completely unbearable.

Bondfasting is irreversible and can only be undone by performing the Bonding Ritual so it is naturally a very well-kept secret, knowledge hidden in one of the books handed down from Wyvern to Wyvern. It is also illegal and should the forced lifemate choose to press the charges, punishable by death.

The Bonding Ritual

The Bonding Ritual is another secretive, mysterious ritual, presided over by beast dragons. Both lifemates must have the sponsorship of a beast dragon and once again, bonded summoners would find this more easily gained than unbonded summoners. Should one of the lifemates not be a Dragon, it is possible for the beast dragon to summon a representative on their behalf.

There are a number of qualities both parties should display throughout the Bonding Ritual and the beast dragons will develop challenges geared to proving those qualities. Commitment to the lifemate bond, self-sacrifice on behalf of the other party, and selfless love are the main qualities looked for in lifemates, though if they so choose, the sponsoring dragons may challenge lifemates further.

Branding

Once satisfied that both lifemates have displayed all the necessary and desired qualities, the female is told to brand the male with a symbol of her choosing. This brand must be a permanent one and often takes the form of a tattoo or firebrand. If she refuses, the ritual is considered a failure.

Special: Bond Sense, Bond Telepathy, Lifemate Brand (Male Only)