Seeing one Draconum on the battlefield is considered cause for concern. Two, most warlords would say, is unsettling. And while few would utter the proverb aloud, “Three Draconum a victory makes.” Though warlords have lost battles in which they commanded three of the mysterious dragonkin, each time it was due to their own incompetence--never was the saying “This battle is yours to lose” better demonstrated. Even those who hate and fear them admit Draconum are the greatest warriors one could hope to lure to one’s army.
So with warlords scrabbling to meet any price the Draconum might care to ask, why does the Land continue to see so few representatives of this magnificent race?
~Maleficius
Leader: Unknown
When you think of the Draconum, think of mystical Dragon People. Draconum are solitary, wandering warrior-monks seeking physical, magical and psychological evolution. Combat empowers the Draconum physically and spiritually for their next transformational Chrysalis, and they are driven by primal urges to battle in order to ready themselves for evolution.
From the day they are born until the day they are dispatched by an enemy, Draconum seek only two things: combat and evolution. As they wander the Land, Draconum look for opponents strong enough to challenge their brutally honed martial abilities with only one goal in mind: personal growth.
Born of the egg, Draconum spend the first months of their lives as wriggling hatchlings, filled only with the desire to eat and sleep and fight with their hatch-mates. These infant Draconum quickly grow into the loping, ferocious beasts called Whelps. These Whelps are frequently overseen by an adult Draconum and are often chained for their own protection—and to teach them the value of freedom. Chaining a Draconum is one of the cruelest punishments possible, and many dragon-men still wear their broken chains as a reminder that they were created by the Dragon Gods to be forever free. In the modern age, some Whelps are even learning to channel their rage at an early age, embracing magic or the martial arts in order to control their predatory instincts.
When a Draconum is old enough, it must undergo its first Chrysalis. By going to a place where magic is strong, such as the nexus of three or more ley lines, they undergo a painful and magical transformation into a Neophant. They now run on two legs rather than four and often grow wings that allow them to fly. These young Draconum then learn the arts of language, fighting and magic from their elders, preparing for the time they leave their family and walk alone for the rest of their lives. Each Draconum’s ultimate purpose is known only to themselves, but Warlords often profit from alliances with these lords of magical combat.
The Evolution of the Draconum
With the new levels of magical power available to the Draconum - not to mention the abundance of powerful veins and nodes of Magestone found throughout the Land - the Draconum are now able to Chrysalis into new and powerful forms. While the Draconum continue their ways of evolution, testing themselves in combat against worthy warriors in order to prepare themselves for the next evolutionary change, the awakening of the ancient Drakona instills doubt in some of the fierce dragon-warriors about whether the path of the warrior-monk is the proper path for their lives.
Key Transition Events:
The Drakona: As result of a band of Heroes awakening the ancient Drakona from their slumber, these ancient and cruel Draconum have begun to prepare an army of conquest. As they already sent flyers to scout the uncharted territories to the west of the Dragon City, and laid claim to the ore-rich region of the Kuttar Depths, these ancient warriors pose a major threat to the Black Powder Revolution, as well as the other factions of the Land.
Magical Surge: As result of the magical energies pouring through the Land, the Draconum undergoing Chrysalis are gaining new forms, magical powers - and even scale colors - never before seen in the Land. The so called "5th generation" Draconum are dangerously powerful, and may represent a major threat to the warriors they face in battle throughout the Land.
Subfaction: Dragon Mystics
Leader: Pathis Arcana
The Dragon Mystics follow the “path of the First Generation”, working endlessly to hone their mastery over magical energies. Unlike other sorcerers who shape their spells on the fly, the Mystics seek perfect control over magic. To that end, the members of the order study spells gathered over centuries from across the Land and understand many as well as their creators. There is no central collection of these arcane writings; the Mystics pass them among their members as widely as possible to ensure the survival of magical knowledge and give all its members access to as many spells as possible.
Background
When you think of the Draconum, think of mystical Dragon People. Draconum are solitary, wandering warrior-monks seeking physical, magical and psychological evolution. Combat empowers the Draconum physically and spiritually for their next transformational Chrysalis, and they are driven by primal urges to battle in order to ready themselves for evolution.
From the day they are born until the day they are dispatched by an enemy, Draconum seek only two things: combat and evolution. As they wander the Land, Draconum look for opponents strong enough to challenge their brutally honed martial abilities with only one goal in mind: personal growth.
Born of the egg, Draconum spend the first months of their lives as wriggling hatchlings, filled only with the desire to eat and sleep and fight with their hatch-mates. These infant Draconum quickly grow into the loping, ferocious beasts called Whelps. These Whelps are frequently overseen by an adult Draconum and are often chained for their own protection—and to teach them the value of freedom. Chaining a Draconum is one of the cruelest punishments possible, and many dragon-men still wear their broken chains as a reminder that they were created by the Dragon Gods to be forever free. In the modern age, some Whelps are even learning to channel their rage at an early age, embracing magic or the martial arts in order to control their predatory instincts.
When a Draconum is old enough, it must undergo its first Chrysalis. By going to a place where magic is strong, such as the nexus of three or more ley lines, they undergo a painful and magical transformation into a Neophant. They now run on two legs rather than four and often grow wings that allow them to fly. These young Draconum then learn the arts of language, fighting and magic from their elders, preparing for the time they leave their family and walk alone for the rest of their lives. Each Draconum’s ultimate purpose is known only to themselves, but Warlords often profit from alliances with these lords of magical combat.
The Evolution of the Draconum
With the new levels of magical power available to the Draconum - not to mention the abundance of powerful veins and nodes of Magestone found throughout the Land - the Draconum are now able to Chrysalis into new and powerful forms. While the Draconum continue their ways of evolution, testing themselves in combat against worthy warriors in order to prepare themselves for the next evolutionary change, the awakening of the ancient Drakona instills doubt in some of the fierce dragon-warriors about whether the path of the warrior-monk is the proper path for their lives.
Key Transition Events:
The Drakona: As result of a band of Heroes awakening the ancient Drakona from their slumber, these ancient and cruel Draconum have begun to prepare an army of conquest. As they already sent flyers to scout the uncharted territories to the west of the Dragon City, and laid claim to the ore-rich region of the Kuttar Depths, these ancient warriors pose a major threat to the Black Powder Revolution, as well as the other factions of the Land.
Magical Surge: As result of the magical energies pouring through the Land, the Draconum undergoing Chrysalis are gaining new forms, magical powers - and even scale colors - never before seen in the Land. The so called "5th generation" Draconum are dangerously powerful, and may represent a major threat to the warriors they face in battle throughout the Land.
Leader: Pathis Arcana
The Dragon Mystics follow the “path of the First Generation”, working endlessly to hone their mastery over magical energies. Unlike other sorcerers who shape their spells on the fly, the Mystics seek perfect control over magic. To that end, the members of the order study spells gathered over centuries from across the Land and understand many as well as their creators. There is no central collection of these arcane writings; the Mystics pass them among their members as widely as possible to ensure the survival of magical knowledge and give all its members access to as many spells as possible.
Background
| Racial Composition | Draconum |
| Origin of Faction | Unknown |
| Age of Faction | Tradition dates back millannia |
| Geographic Control | Scattered across the Land |
| Religion | Dragon Gods |
| Magical Affinity | Unimaginable magical capability |
| Political Loyalty | To oneself, and to one's friends |
Official Position
| Atlantean Empire | Powerful human mages and resourceful warriors who are good to fight with or against |
| Black Powder Revolutionaries | Worthy individuals of amusing temperment and rightious cause |
| Elemental Freeholds | Zealots of the wild; nature's alliance of Trolls, Faeries and Elves is a potent one |
| Elven Lords | Nearly the equal of the Draconum masters, but never their betters |
| Heroes | Worthy companions and potent adversaries |
| Mage Spawn | Creatures to be eliminated before they breed again |
| Necropolis Sect | Treacherous foes that can never be trusted |
| Orc Khans | Their chaotic strength is tempered by the might of their warlike Khan commanders |
| Shyft | Too small to fight properly, and too stupid to run |
| Solonavi | Neither good nor evil, these spirit-beings pose a deadly threat. Hunt them down and destroy their allies and spies |
Who are the Scalesworns?
ReplyDeleteIn the event you have not found an answer to this question, the Scalesworn are those of non-draconum descent who pledge their lives to serving the Draconum. They are placed at the bottom of the status ladder in chains and similar to Whelps must earn their freedom. These people hope to receive martial and sorcerous knowledge which only the Draconum can impart.
ReplyDelete*Even though Drakona are often marked in game with the Draconum faction symbol, each mention of Draconum in the paragraph above is to that particular race as Drakona have a very different culture.