Dragons

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The Dragons are a race of sentient, warm-blooded, reptilian beings in the Tyrasii canon.

Contents 1 Anatomy and Physiology 2 Nomenclature 3 Society 3.1 Caste 3.2 Species 3.3 System of Marriage 3.4 System of Government 3.5 Language

Anatomy and Physiology

Dragon anatomy is very similar to that of the dragon of the European mythos. Male and female alike have four short legs, a stocky body, a long neck and tail, and a pair of wings whose span equals that of the body length.

Main article: Dragon Biology

Nomenclature

The correct terms for male and female dragons are "He dragon" and "She dragon" respectively.

Society

As with any modern society, that of dragons is full of complex rules, numerous traditions, and the blackest of taboos. It has its own language, systems of government, caste, system of marriage, and even its own unique form of commerce.

Caste

The dragons are divided into three castes (the names of which are approximated English pronunciations):

• Asha—the upper class
• Eshin—the laymen
• Xtucha—the exiles and outcasts

The class to which a particular dragon belongs is decided by several factors including species, bloodline, and association with other dragons. The primary influencing factor in a dragon’s social classification is bloodline—the son of an Xtucha will be shunned and mistrusted for his entire life unless he can somehow find redemption for his ancestor’s mistakes. His outlook is bleak, but if he can somehow manage to secure an Asha for a friend, he will be considered equal to an Eshin.

Species

There are several species of dragons:

• The Chan Shei (lloreséa panësi or lloresía in the elven language) are the elite—they are superior in every way but size, in which they are the considerably lacking; they are the smallest of true dragons. An elven martial art, Chan Shei Llesora ('art of the Chan Shei'), is named for them.
• The Fsatta (translated "accursed") are highly discriminated against; the other dragons see them as the bastard children of science and war—the one folly of the elves. The Fsatta came about during the Kuzur’l wars by means of the elves combining their own DNA with that of the dragons. The experiment was a success, but the Fsatta were almost all brainless savages, with a few exceptions. The main reason for the elves’ and dragons’ attempted genocide of the Fsatta is that they could procreate with humans, elves, and dragons and they did so of their own free will.
• The Techin are the commoners, the townsfolk. They are of average size and ability, and their intelligence is keener than every species but the Chan Shei and Psetín.
• The Nesfa are the largest dragons, surpassed in strength by only the Chan Shei and undercut in intelligence by only the Fsatta. These dragons were usually put at the front lines of a battle because of their immense size, brute strength, and eagerness to wreak havoc.
• The Psetín are an extinct species of dragons from the days of the Kuzur’l wars. Their characteristic marks were glossy black scales, iridescent eyes, and gemlike crystals that matched their eye color embedded in their foreheads. It is said that the first dragon king was a Psetín, and that his dynasty lasted fifty generations.

System of Marriage

The dragons’ system of marriage is far different from that of the humans or elves. The first thing that is decided is that the he dragon desires a certain she dragon as his mate. He will convince her to mate, and when she is in season he will do the deed. When she has finished healing (see Reproduction), the he dragon brings her out in public view and announces that she is his mate.

She can either acknowledge or contest his claim. If she acknowledges, they are mated for life—if one dragon dies, they are no longer mated and the other is free to seek another. If she decides to reconsider the relationship, she may contest the claim. If she contests the claim, she is instantly detached. If, however, other dragons know the truth, or if she lays an egg, she will be exiled or killed; adultery is a reprehensible crime.

System of Government

The dragons are governed by a king. Traditionally of the Asha caste, he is chosen by bloodline in a system akin to the elves’: if no prince can take the throne, a vote is taken, and the elected king marks the beginning of the new dynasty and the end of the old. Rare instances have put an Eshin in command, but only because his master was an elven king or queen.

The king’s power was absolute, hence the need for careful consideration when it came to the selection of a new leader.

Language

Main article: Dragon Language