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Dragonkind

Dragons are viewed as one of the highest order beings of the Second Creation, but speculation still abounds regarding the evolution and true nature of Dragonkind. However, most scholars agree that they existed long before the Downfall of the Third Creation, with life spans stretching so long as to make them effectively immortal. It is thought that Dragons were the first Spirit beings to emerge at the dawn of the Second Creation, albeit in a much more primitive form than the Dragons found in present times within the Realm of Strife. The most common theory is that these primeval dragons began to absorb and master the spiritual forces at work in the Realms of Origin. After countless eons the dragons gained supremacy over all other beings of spirit and substance, becoming caretakers, guardians, and even rulers over their own Realms of Origin.

After the Downfall of the Third Creation, it is believed that like so many other beings, most of the Dragons were cast out of their Realms of Origin and exiled to the Realm of Strife. Though, some speculate that the Dragons remain one of the few creatures capable of crossing between Realms: if this is truly the case, then it is one of their most closely guarded secrets.

Regardless of the speculation’s of mere mortals, Dragons are undeniably powerful and intelligent creatures. While adept at magic, they are also very capable of wielding tooth and claw to deadly effect, and possess natural weapons and abilities that mirror the magic they control.

There are many different variant species of Dragons, referred to as Dragonflights. However, many of these Dragonflights share common characteristics, and are therefore grouped into four metaraces.

Chromatic Dragon


Chromatic Dragons are the most common metarace, “common” being a relative term, for no Dragon should ever be considered common in the Realm of Strife. Gaining their name from the variety of vibrant colors that their near impenetrable scales take on, the Chromatic Dragon in many ways resembles a massive winged reptile. Chromatic Dragons also lay eggs as do reptiles, however, it is here that any resemblance ends. Read more…

Perhaps most prominent of the Chromatic Dragon’s features is its ability to use its breath as a deadly weapon. This could be billowing flame, streams of acid, a cloud of toxic vapor, gale force winds, or many other forms of breath depending on where the Dragon draws its origin.

Chromatic Dragons are also well known for taking on the form of the mortal races of the Third Creation. For some Dragons this is the perfect disguise to meddle in the affairs of these mortal races. Others take on these forms to appear less threatening, or even out of admiration, coveting their mortal forms.

Draconid

The Chromatic Dragonflight is unique in that it contains both true Dragons and a subspecies called Draconid. Draconids are no true part of Creation, but instead a hybrid between Chromatic Dragons and the mortal races of the Third Creation. These creatures are the result of breeding programs; some voluntary and others quite the opposite, but generally always reviled by the mortal races. Read more…

This cross breeding is only possible because mature adult Chromatic Dragons possess a limited ability to manipulate the Substance of Creation and take on the forms of the Third Creation. In these forms they can mate with both males and females of the mortal races, their union resulting in hard shelled eggs, similar to true Dragon eggs, though generally much smaller.

Due to the limited capacity and often fatal risk to mortal females who bear Draconid eggs, those Dragons wishing to create Draconids on a large scale generally seek the more practical solution of having a female Dragon impregnated by a mortal male, allowing for a large clutch of eggs to be produced.

Metallic Dragon


Metallic Dragons are similar in size to Chromatic Dragons and share many of the same traits. However, the most obvious difference between these two Dragonflights is that the scales of the Metallic Dragon take on a metallic appearance. Another difference is that the Metallic Dragon does not have the natural ability to use their breath as a weapon and are more likely to fight with tooth and claw. Their bodies are well adapted for close combat, with claws, horns, innumerable spikes and barbed protrusions arranged across their massive bodies. Read more…

Metallic Dragons are as adept at spell casting as their Chromatic counterparts, and are even able to naturally project these forces in an aura around themselves to act as either a defence mechanism or a natural weapon.

While they too can take on the form of mortals, Metallic Dragons are less inclined to do so, for their draconic features and metallic skin easily betray their true form. While in mortal form they are likewise capable of creating Draconids. However, most Metallic Dragonflights see these practices as abhorrent and strictly forbid their kind from mating while in mortal form.

Proto Dragon


The recent discovery of the Primeval Dragonflight within the Realm of Strife has thrown many theories regarding Dragons into uncertainty and has led to the creation of the Proto Dragon metarace. This bestial and primitive form of dragon lacks the intelligence of the other Dragonflights, yet it dwarves them in both size and ferocity. Stranger yet is their complete lack of ability to use or manipulate the Spiritual forces of magic, appearing particularly susceptible to them. Read more…

Does the Proto Dragon represent the original form of Dragonkind before some among them evolved into more advanced species according to their Realms of Origin? Or did all Dragons arrive upon the Realm of Strife in this form, only to be altered by the rampant spiritual energies like so many other beings during the birth of the Realm of Strife?

Crystal Dragon


Crystal Dragons are extremely rare and have been seen by very few mortals that live. Unlike other Dragons, they do not lay eggs or even birth their young in the conventional sense, being asexual in nature. Instead, Crystal Dragons grow their young out of crystals native to their form. Young Crystal Dragons are essentially inanimate crystal structures shaped like dragons, beautiful to behold, and exceptionally valuable to own. Read more…

In this state, Young Crystal Dragons are so vulnerable to being destroyed or harvested that few ever make it to maturity. As such, adult Crystal Dragons are extremely protective of their young and will attempt to grow them in secluded dens deep in the earth, or even beyond the earth altogether. By the time the crystals are mature enough to take on a life of their own, they are already comparable in size and maturity to the Drakes of other Dragonflights.

Crystal Dragons possess neither a natural breath weapon, nor a spiritual aura, but instead have the ability to channel powers through their crystalline form. When they do take mortal form, Crystal dragons maintain crystalline skin, making it almost impossible to mask their true nature.

Dragonflights


Each metarace of Dragonkind contains many different Dragonflights, with their own variant qualities, habitats, temperaments, and attitudes towards ‘mortals.’

Dragon Ages

Dragons never stop growing from the moment of their birth until their death. Thus, the age of a dragon is equal to its relative size. Hatching at sizes similar to a full grown bird of prey, Dragons can grow to immense sizes if they survive long enough.

*Proto Dragons are naturally larger than other Dragons, and as such, are one creature size larger at each Age (with the exception of Ancient)

Codex of Dragonkind


The Codex of Dragonkind is the master list of all Dragonkind available for encounters and roleplaying for Realm of Strife GMs. While the framework for all known and theorized Dragonkind exists, not all entries are currently complete. The Codex of Dragonkind continues to expand as designers create new entries.

If you are looking for any Dragonkind that do not appear in this list please contact us to request that an entry be added to the codex and we will endeavour to publish your request in a timely manner.