Draken
| Draken | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creator | Xero |
| Information | |
| Average Height | 100-150cm (Steward) 170-220cm (Aspirant) 240-275cm (Devoted) |
| Lifespan | 100 years |
| Hair Colours | Varied |
| Eye Colours | Varied |
| Scale Colours | Varied |
| Current Leader | Zamendrya (Draconic Leader) Exarchos Davion (Cultural Leader) Ring of Elders (Governing Leader) |
| Capital | Dragonhearth |
| Continent | Wyrmeron |
When Zamendrya first set up her lair in the mountains of Winterfury, she knew neither she nor her brood could properly fortify her new home alone. In wanting to build a proper city much like other civilizations did in Auria, the Dragonqueen titled one of her followers, Kataskev, the Creator and created a loyal race in her likeness that she named the Draken, granting them to Kataskev so that he may work to build a fortified city for their kind to live and prosper within. Immediately upon creation, Draken were assigned into building the city of Dragonhearth and the constructs that protect it.
Draken are a creative race much like the Fenik who Zamendrya gained inspiration from and as such they're known for their intriuging creations using an advanced material known as Dragonite. Found only in the heart of Winterfury, this metal is incredibly tough while still remaining relatively lightweight, becoming the core resource used in creating the weapons and automatons that the Draken make in Dragonhearth, a city itself built out of this material. Although they were created to serve the Dragons directly, Zamendrya soon realised that the core ideals of a mortal run in the veins of the Draken much like any other race and she thought it was best not to lock them into an eternal servitude of serving her empire. Thus, she freed the Draken and gave them a choice - stay in Dragonhearth as its citizens, follow one of the seven prime Elders, or go out and explore the world at their leisure. To her surprise, many stayed, wishing to improve upon the city under the wing of the Dragonqueen, though others left because they wished to see the world, soon settling down among the other mortals as a minority that often were viewed as dangerous due to their ties with the Dragons.
The Draken that left Dragonhearth faced countless years of ridicule and racism from other mortals across Auria and soon many of them decided to return to Dragonhearth or simply to avoid civilization, remaining in the wilderness as hermits who thought they didn't belong among the others. Some also found other lesser Dragon lairs in Auria and decided to live there, helping out the Dragons in whatever way possible, painting red flags onto themselves and their race as a whole due to this. Those that stayed in civilization would commonly live in the poorer, more shady places where attention drawn towards them would be low.
To this day, Draken live as a minor race in most cities around the world, rarely treated with proper respect though the days of harassment and bullying for them has largely passed.
Religion and Culture
As direct creations of the Dragonqueen, Draken have a deep-rooted faith towards the Dragons who they are born to serve. Most Draken see the Dragons as beings of worship and authority and will often always do whatever it takes to please them. Though most don't practice their faith in constant prayers the Ring of Elders, which is the highest form of authority in Draken society outside of the Dragonqueen and the Dragonlords, also hosts many events in lower Dragonhearth in worship towards their Draconic overlords.
Outside of the worship of Dragons, Draken have a diverse though isolated culture where they often dedicate themselves to advancing their technology while being stingy of sharing their knowledge with "lesser races". Indeed, in the minds of proud Draken other races are beneath them and unfortunately pride is a powerful affliction which runs through many of them much like it does in the blood of Dragons. For Steward Draken a savvy interest in Engineering is most common, being the first mortal race to begin practicing it to build the Dragonqueen her mighty city. A search for knowledge also runs rampant in their numbers as they chronicle much of the world's history, cultures and knowledges within their libraries though they pale in comparison to the pure knowledge hidden away within Upper Dragonhearth.
Aspirant Draken are often left at a crossroads between pursuing a life of combat to protect their home from invaders or to continue the interests they had when they were a Steward, returning to a simpler life. While Steward Drakens are no strangers to combat, it is often in the Aspirants that combat truly becomes a tradition as after their Rite of Ascension many pursue a goal of joining the ranks of the Devoted.
Devoted Draken are highly militaristic in nature due to the requirements of becoming a Devoted requiring many combat trials to have been completed. Though few in number, the Devoted are powerful Draken who have sworn to a life of combat in the name of the Dragons.
All of this is saying the Draken does not leave Dragonhearth however that is not always set in stone as they are always allowed to leave. Those that leave Dragonhearth have been founded to be highly curious and eager to explore the world to it's bones, seeking adventure and experiences beyond what one may gain from living in an isolated city. Many Draken take their knowledge of engineering to open shops where their build and repair mechanisms for others to earn a living.
Rite of Ascension
All Draken are born as Stewards which makes them small-sized in height and strength, making them good scouts or craftsmen. However, when a Draken comes to the age of 14, they may attend a Rite of Ascension overseen by Zamendrya. This rite includes a series of challenges including combat, problem solving and a show of intelligence. If a Draken successfully passes these trials, they are blessed by the Dragonqueen, allowing them to grow stronger and become an Aspirant. While Stewards work to build constructs and buildings, Aspirants are the core of the Draconic army, fighting alongside those constructs. A few hundred of them exist in Dragonhearth alone.
Aspirants may take a second test known as the Archon's Trial that is conducted only once every 5 years in Dragonhearth. Through this rite an Aspirant must prove themselves a powerful combatant by battling one of Zamendrya's consorts in the arena but if they are able to defeat them they are ascended further into the ranks of the Devoted, granting even further power by the Dragonqueen as well as the ability to fly in the form of wings. Devoted Draken are generally few in numbers but their feats of strength can be considered legendary.
Through becoming a Devoted, they also become a recognised Archon.
Society and its Structure
The society of Draken is divided into three roles which are the aforementioned Steward, Aspirant and Devoted ranks.
Stewards are often the lowest in their society being treated as simple workers and commoners who have yet to have proven themselves to the Dragons. Stewards are, however, also recognized as a fundamental part of the society as they make everything from their buildings to the Automatrons that defend their city which has swayed many to honour their kind. Some Stewards have gone as far as to become recognized among their peers and even be given titles usually befitted to an Aspirant or Devoted.
Aspirants are the core of the Draken army in Dragonhearth and most see them as soldiers ready to die for their kind even if the individual does not believe so. Aspirants who spend their time on matters other that combat and combat training are considered "wasting their potential".
Devoted are the major ruling class of their society and who make most of the decisions for their people. They are the Generals of War and Diplomatic leaders of their people that make sure nothing goes array but they are also few in number with every Devoted a recognized person of power in some regards.
Physical Appearences
Draken are short Humanoids that take on the appearance of Dragons, with a variety of looks ranging from person to person. Commonly, all Draken have skin which may either be rough and scaly or smooth, latex-like, snouted faces, long draconic tails and taloned hands and feet. The scales of a Draken can come in a variety of colours ranging from dull to vibrant while their eyes appear sharp like that of a Dragon. Draken may also have horns on their head which come in different styles.
As Stewards, Draken are short, reaching between 100-150cm tall. Their horns are on the shorter side and their tails are unable to grow fins or other draconic details.
Aspirants are much taller, reaching between 170-220cm tall. Their physical limitations are increased, allowing their muscles to grow further than what their Steward bodies allowed them.
Devoted are the largest, reaching between 240-275cm tall. They are different from the other forms thanks to their large wings that can carry them through the air.
