Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- lore:creatures:greatbeasts:dragons [2024/04/30 01:50] – quiddlesticks
+++ lore:creatures:greatbeasts:dragons [2025/03/29 22:30] (current) – mooch
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===== Types of Dragon =====
-Dragons are as diverse as they are widespread, though there are a few general types they fall into. These have been compared to the different races which exist amongst mortals.
+Dragons are as diverse as they are widespread, though there are a few general types they fall into. These have been compared to the different races which exist amongst mortals. All true dragons can live thousands of years, with the oldest recorded dragon being more than ten thousand years old. Their souls are powerful, and have been known to linger and remain in the world after defeat or death.
-==== Classical Dragon ====
+==== Classical Dragons ====
 Usually referred to simply as a dragon, this type has four legs and two wings and a distinctly reptilian appearance, with bright scales and a head crowned with horns. They are what most think of immediately when the word "dragon" is mentioned. These dragons come in many forms, though many are attuned to fire or lightning and tend to nest high in mountainous caves.
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Also spelled "Lung", this type of dragon is somewhat more mammalian. They have four legs and no wings, yet fly anyways via magic. They tend to have a mane of fur down their backs and a tufted tail, as well as branched horns. These dragons are an important cultural icon in [[settings:cahyali:ruefang|Ruefang,]] Cahyali, but some also exist on Jaern. It is unclear if Jaernian Long originated from Cahyali, or if they are an offshoot of regular Jaernian dragons.
-==== Sea Dragon ====
+==== Sea Dragons ====
 These are important to distinguish from sea serpents, which are not sentient creatures. Sea dragons are far larger than other dragons, often bigger than even the largest sailing ships. They are thought to be native to Jaern. They may or may not have legs and wings, though either way they rarely have more than two pairs of either. Sea dragons also sport gills.
+==== Hydras ====
+This type of dragon may or may not have wings, but they do all have multiple heads. Sometimes, these heads all agree, and sometimes they fight amongst each other fiercely. Many hydras live near the coast and prefer rocky shorelines, while others are fully aquatic and only rise up to terrorize passing ships which disturb them. Prevailing wisdom advises to be careful cutting off a hydra's head, as two will grow back.
 ===== History: Jaern =====
-Jaernian dragons originated with Jaernian humanoids on [[settings:torandor|Torandor.]] Not much is known about how they came to be, or how the Torandorans interacted with them. What is known, though, is that when Torandor's destruction was imminent, they pooled their magic to escape into a safe pocket dimension, where they would remain in slumber.
+Dragons originated on the old world of Torandor. Not much is known about how they came to be. What is known, though, is that when Jaern's impact to Torandor was imminent, they pooled their magic to escape into a safe pocket dimension, where they would remain in slumber.
 A deal was struck with mortals: after two hundred years, a return portal was to be opened and the dragons would be let into the new world - assuming one was found. However, in the chaos of Jaern's advent, this deal was forgotten and the dragons would remain in slumber for more than two millennia more.
-In 10061, four obelisk artifacts keeping the dragons' slumber active were activated, making good on the forgotten promise. The portal opened, the dragons were awakened, and they [[history:jaern:gods_and_dragons#return_of_the_dragons|returned to the world.]] Ever since, dragons have mostly been keeping to themselves, and those which cause problems are usually dealt with rather quickly by adventurers.
+In 2537, four obelisk artifacts keeping the dragons' slumber active were activated, making good on the forgotten promise. The portal opened, the dragons were awakened, and they [[history:jaern:gods_and_dragons#return_of_the_dragons|returned to the world.]] Ever since, dragons have mostly been keeping to themselves, and those which cause problems are usually dealt with rather quickly by adventurers.
-**Jaernian Dragon Worship: The Cult of [[gods:kelvar|Kelvar]]:** On Jaern, there is an esoteric religion spreading which worships dragons, particularly one named Kelvar which ascended to divinity before the destruction of  Most of this worship is now centered on the island of [[settings:jaern:keerlevex|Keer'Levex]]. Most Jaernian dragons do not give much heed to dragon worshipers, though some enjoy being the subjects of reverence.
+**Jaernian Dragon Worship - The Cult of [[gods:kelvar|Kelvar]]:** On Jaern, there is an esoteric religion spreading which worships dragons, particularly one named Kelvar which ascended to divinity in ancient Jaern. Most of this worship is now centered on the island of [[settings:jaern:keerlevex|Keer'Levex]]. Most Jaernian dragons do not give much heed to dragon worshipers, though some enjoy being the subjects of reverence.
-**[[lore:races:lizards#draconics|Draconic Lizards:]]** This race, resembling small bipedal dragons without wings, was found within [[settings:jaern:kratal|Kratalian]] mountains in the late 10070s, having lived in subterranean cities unknown to the world all that time. It is thought by some that close proximity to draconic magic transformed semi-aquatic lizards into new forms, more similar to dragons. Some also believe that dragons created the draconic lizards, much like they did with the drakos.
+The god Kelvar was well-known in ancient days, though she has been almost entirely forgotten through millennia of slumber. Her people were nearly destroyed by a faction based out of [[settings:jaern:therhine:centralia|Centralia]] and the [[settings:jaern:grp|Great Rice Patty]] calling themselves the Kingdom of Derago, which sought to drive dragons to extinction and siphon their magic using a captured piece of Kelvar's soul. The Kingdom was brought to its knees, and the threat to Jaern's dragons ended in the late 2540s.
+**[[lore:races:lizards#draconics|Draconic Lizards:]]** This race, resembling small bipedal dragons without wings, was found within [[settings:jaern:kratal|Kratalian]] mountains in the early 2540s, having lived in subterranean cities unknown to the world all that time. It is thought by some that close proximity to draconic magic transformed semi-aquatic lizards into new forms, more similar to dragons. Some also believe that dragons created the draconic lizards, much like they did with the drakos.
 ===== History: Cahyali =====
-Cahyalian dragons originated in the part of Cahyali within Esrior's Fold: that which is known to those inhabiting it. Before mortal civilization existed, they ruled Cahyali, having their own civilization. Millennia ago, though, the Fold did not exist and dragons traveled outside, to other continents. There they made contact with the Strygarii, another form of Great Beast.
+Cahyalian dragons originated on the continent of Esrior. Before mortal civilization existed, they ruled Esrior, having their own civilization. Some dragons came into contact with nascent mortal civilization, particularly in the islands which are now Ulos, and elected to teach them elemental magic.
-A war would spark after a long time of tense cohabitation, named the [[history:cahyali#the_stormwing_calamity|Stormwing Calamity.]] So bloody and destructive was this war that it nearly destroyed burgeoning dwarven and human civilization, sending some of them running across the sea into modern-day Pthora and Shinneok.
+Millennia ago, Esrior's Fold did not exist and dragons traveled outside, to the lands of Akhior and Nidaior. There they made contact with the Strygarii, another form of Great Beast.
-After the war ended, many dragons isolated themselves, fearing total destruction. Some left behind their mortal forms, leaving in spiritual form for the [[settings:kurago|Kurago]] or striking deals with gods to become servitors. Those which remained would become significant in the cultures of Ruefang and Vervand.
+A war would spark after a long time of tense cohabitation, named the [[history:cahyali#the_stormwing_calamity|Stormwing Calamity.]] So bloody and destructive was this war that it nearly destroyed burgeoning dwarven and human civilization, sending some of them running across the sea into modern-day Pthora and Shinneok. Dragons would flee back to Esrior alongside them, with some humans and dwarves even escaping on dragonback.
-**Long of Ruefang:** In Ruefang, a group of Long would assist in driving off a demonic invasion in the late 7800s. This act elevated the Long, and dragons as a whole, to a position of extreme reverence. Even today, the Long remains the primary symbol of Ruefang as a nation. Dragons are considered to be god-like beings, and temples across Ruefang are set up in their honor.
+After the war ended, many dragons isolated themselves, fearing total destruction. Some left behind their mortal forms, leaving in spiritual form for the [[settings:planes:kurago|Kurago]] or striking deals with gods to become servitors. Others fled to the great expanse, seeking out other, safer worlds to inhabit. Those which remained would become significant in the cultures of Ruefang and Vervand, or would sequester themselves in deep solitude.
-The Long would mysteriously disappear in the 8200s, and would not be seen again in Ruefang [[history:cahyali:modernage#the_ars_machina_incident|until 10081.]] A group of five arrived to assist in calming the disturbed Ruefang leyspring and cleansing a group of corrupted spirits which had been driving the Ars Machina Engine, a magical train which threatened the integrity of the leyspring and all of Ruefang.
+**Long of Ruefang:** In Ruefang, a group of Long would assist in driving off a demonic invasion in the late 7800s. This act elevated the Long, and dragons as a whole, to a position of extreme reverence. For centuries, they ruled Ruefang as benevolent kings. Even today, the Long remains the primary symbol of Ruefang as a nation. Dragons are considered to be god-like beings by Ruefangren, and shrines across the country are set up in their honor.
-**Dragons of Vervand:** [WIP]
+The Long would mysteriously disappear in the 600s, and would not be seen again in Ruefang [[history:cahyali:modernage#the_ars_machina_incident|until 2557.]] A group of five arrived to assist in calming the disturbed Ruefang leyspring and cleansing a group of corrupted spirits which had been driving the Ars Machina Engine, a magical train which threatened the integrity of the leyspring and all of Ruefang.
+**Dragons of Vervand:** In Vervand, dragons are referred to as the Dawnstrom. They have a long history of association with the people of the Vervish tribes. In ancient Vervand the Dawnstrom were revered as the sky dancers for the way they moved across the night sky, scales shimmering in the Làn-Dìom: lights caused by the elemental energy diffused from Mistik Ravine in Ulos. Unlike their Ruefang counterparts, the Dawnstrom were seen are a part of the natural cycle of the land, as they kept the plant life vitalized and in return benefited from the land.
+Sightings of the Dawnstrom became less common after the Shinnean invasion of Ruefang, and altogether stopped in the age of the Dahabu empire. There have been trace reports of Dawnstrom sightings but nothing substantial. The druids of Vervand believe they will reemerge when Vervand is in dire trouble.
 ===== Lesser Dragonkin =====
 Many dragonlike creatures exist across both Jaern and Cahyali: cousins of dragons, but not dragons proper. These are referred to as lesser dragonkin. Some are simply relatives of dragons in the same way that monkeys are relatives to humans, and some are lesser creations of dragons. The status of draconic lizards as lesser dragonkin is hotly debated, so they are not included here.
+Lesser dragonkin are usually not considered Great Beasts, and are usually classified as draconic, as well as terrestrial or aquatic depending on habitat.
 ==== Drakos ====
@@ Line 50: / Line 60: @@
 Drakos come in a few variations, named for their elements: Aerodrako (air), Terodrako (earth), Fajrodrako (fire), Akvodrako (water), and Glaciodrako (ice). A drako is about as intelligent as a bear, and most are solitary creatures. They are predators, hunting larger game such as deer and tuna in their natural habitats. They can be tamed, though this is rare and usually only possible through magical power such as that granted by [[gods:osiris|Osiris]].
-Drakos were created by true dragons through powerful magic thousands of years ago, when mortals were only barely starting to settle down into agricultural villages. When Torandor was destroyed, many drakos managed to make the trip, and have happily repopulated Jaern since. As for Cahyali, drakos were created before the Stormwing Calamity, when dragons were the undisputed masters of the continent, and have become just like regular animals since.
+Drakos were created by true dragons through powerful magic thousands of years ago, when mortals were only barely starting to settle down into agricultural villages. As for Cahyali, drakos were created before the Stormwing Calamity, when dragons were the undisputed masters of the continent, and have become just like regular animals since.
 ==== Wyverns ====
 The wyvern is the flying cousin of the drako. It has two back legs, and its front limbs are wings. They come in all the same elemental variations as drakos and are believed to have a similar origin, being created by true dragons millennia ago. The names for the elemental variations are Aerovern, Terovern, Fajrovern, Akvovern, and Glaciovern.
-They are slightly smaller and more social than drakos, and form packs of family groups to hunt and raise young. They tend to eat smaller game, and people often see them as "wolves of the sky". Due to this social aspect, wyverns are far easier to tame than drakos. Some nomadic rondos on Jaern and the people of the Oxis Alliance on Cahyali have tamed wyverns, using them as flying mounts.
+They are slightly smaller and more social than drakos, and form packs of family groups to hunt and raise young. They tend to eat smaller game, and people often see them as "wolves of the sky". Due to this social aspect, wyverns are far easier to tame than drakos. Some nomadic rondos on Jaern and the people of Ulos on Cahyali have tamed wyverns, using them as flying mounts. In the Ulosian military, wyvern-riding military detachments are referred to as //dragoons.//
 Wyvern tamers say that they are quite intriguing creatures, each with their own colorful personality, but one thing you have to watch out for is the breath weapon. And the piss - the piss reeks something awful.
@@ Line 66: / Line 76: @@
 Wyrms are rare, with about the intelligence of a snake or bird of prey. Due to their relatively poor intellect, attempts to tame wyrms have never quite succeeded, save for particularly bold young druids and Osiris worshipers who make a game out of riding them and seeing how long they can stay on the feisty creatures' backs.
-==== Amphitheres ====
+==== Basilisks ====
-These elusive creatures have only been seen a few times flying high in the skies of Jaern and Cahyali, and debate exists as to whether these are truly a separate dragonkin or Aeroverns with their legs tucked in tight. They resemble wyverns, with the distinction that they have no back legs: only a pair of wings.
+These are thought to be a unique type of drako or wyrm, having been modified by powerful earth magic and imbued with alchemy. They are rare, and have only been seen in certain parts of [[settings:jaern:geleia|Geleia]], [[settings:jaern:lojem|Lojem]], [[settings:cahyali:vervand|Vervand]], and [[settings:cahyali:arenti|Arenti]].
+As the legend goes, someone bit by a basilisk or who fails to resist its magically-infused hiss will, slowly but surely, turn to stone. Restoring someone who has been petrified by a basilisk is the subject of many old adventuring tales.
+==== Fairy Dragons ====
+These are tiny creatures, with no actual connection to the [[lore:creatures:dreamt|faerie]] or the [[settings:planes:dreaming|Dreaming]]. Some have gossamer, insectile wings, while others have leathery wings like a true dragon's. It is mostly agreed that the origin of fairy dragons is magical. Instead of a half-spade on their tail like some dragons do, most fairy dragons have a small toxic stinger, much like a scorpion's.
-Very little is known about amphitheres. Massive bounties exist for any intrepid adventurer who manages to catch one and bring it back to a place of study.
+They are easily tamed, friendly, and playful creatures. They act much like foxes in the wild, making warrens in the earth and in trees and running about in loosely organized packs. Mages and priests often tame them as useful and adorable familiars.