Dragar

Lifespan: Average 140-200 years
Average weight: 70-90 Kilograms

Biology

The Dragar are one of the more unusual races of Auria, possessing a fine coating of scales rather than body or facial hair. These scales are mostly too small to be visible, and their skin appears relatively normal from a distance, but up close it is possible to see smatterings of scales coating parts of their bodies- the most typical places include the joints, the front of the chest, and around the sides of the face. Some dragar may possess horns, or develop them later in life; it is typically believed that these dragar are destined for greatness, and these horns are likely to develop in Dragar that hold positions of authority.

Otherwise, Dragar are fairly stout and robust. Relative to other races, the Dragar are physically more imposing than all other than the Andovri.

Color wise, Dragari take after their environment and, more specifically, the dragons they are most related to. The Dragar of the auroric penninsula in the far southeast tend to have icy white hair and eyes, and pale skin, while those related to fearsome fire dragons spread across the heartlands will often have red hair and eyes. However, the relationship between the Dragar and dragons can at times be a murky one, and it has been known for the appearance of Dragar to change should they be exposed to resonant energies. For instance, should a southeastern dragar begin learning solar magic, they may change to become more in line with dragar from the carfdiniad forest, with golden hair and green or blue eyes.

Military

None of the Dragari tribes could be accurately considered to have a standing military. When fighting, typically the entire tribe fights together- For those whom fighting is their constant occupation, they serve as hunters, or contract out as mercenaries to other nations, bringing back spoils of war to their homes when they return.

Of course, there is little consistency amongst dragari forces for this and other reasons. Dragari tribes on the move might have a number of hunters, backed up by militia armed with thick dragar broadswords and hunting spears, while the larger sedentary groups may have forces that resemble a professional military, clad in steel scales and with specialized units.

The Kingdom of Sathyras, as the most powerful dragar kingdom, possesses the most developed military as well. Here, like nowhere else, are the Dragar's association with those lesser dragonkin that remain in the world made apparent. Wyvern Knights fight astride their flying mounts, with whom they may share a close bond. Drake's transport entire bands of Dragar warriors into the fray, supporting them with waves of arcane fire.

As well, given the Dragar's typical proximity to these divine creatures, as well as their long lifespans, the Dragar are the most likely of all races to develop magical abilities. As a result, it is far more common among the dragar to have sorcerers and seers backing up their combatants with divination and more straightforward, combative magic.

History

The Dragar are the descendants of dozens of generations of ancient Dragon servants. Continuous exposure to the radiant divine energies of their draconic masters changed these servants, granted them new forms more similar to their ancient overlords.

Dragar, as a result, have no singular origin or homeland, but are scattered across the land everywhere a dragon may once have been. Most still cling to the long-decrepit lairs of dragons from millenia ago, though many live in nomadic tribes that venture across the hinterlands in search of game and, often enough, war.

Dragar tribes are typically small groups holding onto ancient fastnesses, surrounded by more powerful countries. These small enclaves are often resources to their neighbors, as Dragar are not only fierce warriors that frequently hire out as mercenaries, but also possess fine crafstmanship. Should their neighbors choose to treat with the Dragar more aggressively, they will usually find that even small groups of Dragar will defend their territory with unusual ferocity.

The only Dragar tribe that is a true regional power is the Kingdom of Sathyras, in the eastern badlands between the Abyss of Khora and Sea of Dragons. The Kingdom of Sathyras is built upon the long-abandoned lair of the Seraphim dragon Khora, before they passed into the Abyss and from history. The abominations that stray across the hinterlands from the Abyss long ago drove all other civilization from that region, and only through the fervent skill of Dragari monster hunters are they contained from running rampant over Auria.

So it has been for centuries, but in recent years the quantity and power of creatures has increased dramatically, straining the abilities of the Dragar to contain them.

Technology

Despite their insular, tribal nature, Dragari retain technology honed over centuries. The adventurous nature of the Dragar, combined with the wisdom they have honed over many years, has resulted in a surprisingly advanced society considering their limited numbers and resources.

This, of course, varies drastically from group to group- a nomadic tribe wandering the slopes of the Hyatic Mountains will not be as advanced as the finest smiths of the Kingdom of Sathyras. Those sedentary dragar tribes tend to be far mroe advanced in their craftsmanship, which is known for being sturdy and hefty.

Dragari weapons tend to be clean, flat blades, well sharpened and heavy. Swordstaves, axes, halberds, and broadswords are typical. Long-bladed spears with thin points to penetrate deep inside of monsters are typical equipment of monster hunters, while boar or bear spears are common for hunting parties. Otherwise, they may adopt weapons similar to the cultures around them.

Dragari architecture is simple and straightforward, but always designed to last. Hefty stone blocks, laboriously hewn, generally forms the cornerstone of any Dragar construction. Since many of these buildings are built into existing caves or lairs, they commonly incorporate the natural landscape into their construction.

Society

Dragar live in close-knit, communal tribal societies which range across the world. The larger Dragar tribes typically possess lesser Dragonkin such as Wyverns or Drakes. These powerful, divine creatures are fully sentient, and occupy a place in the tribe little different to the more humanoid inhabitants. Nowhere is this association more notable than in the Kingdom of Sathyras, whose monster hunters often fight astride wyverns. The association between these warriors and their wyverns is less like that of a knight and his steed, and more like that of two close friends.

Dragari tribes are self-sufficient and every member of them is expected to help. They nearly entirely rely on hunting and foraging for sustenance, though some limited pastoralism is not unheard of. The most celebrated tribesmen are the most skilled hunters- but these hunters are not notable for merely hunting deer or game, but ravenous beasts that other civilizations would run from in terror.

The Dragari meet many such creatures, as they commonly dwell far closer to the mysterious Heartlands of the continent than the other races. The rare hides, scales, teeth, and claws of monstrous beasts forms the backbone of much of the more arcane side of Dragari industry- Unicorn horns and reaver pelts may find their way into a legendary warriors equipment, while ground pixie dust and the eyes of a Reaver might be used in a divination ritual by the tribes Seers.

Though the Dragari as a whole seldomly find themselves going to war- they would have little chance of victory with their small size, and most other groups have long ago determined that picking conflict with the dragar is not worth the reward- it is very common for Dragari to hire out as mercenaries. These dragar are still loyal to their tribe first and foremost, and the payment for their service is usually something of benefit to their tribe. It is not uncommon for these Dragar mercenaries to charge exorbitant prices, for their ferocity is well known, even if they are a rather unruly sort.