Post by Not A Wizard on Jul 3, 2015 4:57:36 GMT
DRAGONS
Dragons are sometimes seen as something of the pinnacle of Mystic Kind, although this classification is subject to debate. While arguments range over whether they are actually the "apex predators" of sorts in the world of Mystic Kind, it cannot be argued that they are extremely powerful beings. That said, only the highest echelon of Dragons are what are revered and respected across the world as beings not to be trifled with. There are many species and forms of Dragons, but they are often partitioned into three major groups: True Dragons, Wyverns, and Dragonkin. However, each classification could be said to be a different species, linked only by a few common traits between them in the same way a man is related to a monkey.
TRUE DRAGONS
True Dragons are the beings commonly known as Dragons to the world. The truth about these beings is shrouded in mystery: They are more akin to God-Like beings than natural beings in the world, with the power to destroy cities and even countries on a whim. They are extraordinarily powerful, with even a single dragon being regarded as a threat even the Fae Courts will not take on unless absolutely necessary. It is unknown how many of these beings truly exist in the world: There are seven confirmed Dragons across the Globe right now, including the Dragon of New York. However, speculations and investigations point toward the existence of at least another dozen more, hidden in their lairs beneath the depths of the ocean or nestled atop mountains. Of those known to exist in the world, there are two that share dominion over the pacific ocean, one within the Atlantic, and one makes it nest inside the depths of Mount Everest.
By and large, True Dragons seem completely uninterested in the machinations of either man or mystic kind. Very rarely do they even deign to communicate with people: In all all recorded history, only has one dragon ever cooperated with the Fae Courts in any meaningful capacity, and even that Dragon has long since vanished from the World. When they do speak to "lesser beings" it is often haughty, as most of these beings seem to consider people in the same way that a man might regard mice. As such, they very rarely seem to even mind when beings infringe on their "territory", viewing it as little more than harmless vermin crawling about in their space. However, every Dragon is different, and when something is done with raises their ire the consequences are often disastrous. Pompeii, for instance.Even the other two classifications of "Dragons" are usually seen as little more than loosely related pests, and very rarely do they choose to associate with them. That said, Dragons seem to have an absolute -loathing- for Foriegn Demons, regarding them as abominations to be exterminated. Demons, conversely, seem to be repelled by Dragons and actively avoid them whenever they are able to.
Since association with True Dragons is so infrequent and strained when it does occur, it is almost entirely unknown what drives them or what they're goals and aims are. They seem to have a great connection with the earth, and many natural disasters are suspected to be the work of Dragons, but it is almost impossible to differentiate between a truly natural disaster and the machinations of a Dragon, so delving into this area of research is usually little more than superstition gone wild.
By and large, True Dragons seem completely uninterested in the machinations of either man or mystic kind. Very rarely do they even deign to communicate with people: In all all recorded history, only has one dragon ever cooperated with the Fae Courts in any meaningful capacity, and even that Dragon has long since vanished from the World. When they do speak to "lesser beings" it is often haughty, as most of these beings seem to consider people in the same way that a man might regard mice. As such, they very rarely seem to even mind when beings infringe on their "territory", viewing it as little more than harmless vermin crawling about in their space. However, every Dragon is different, and when something is done with raises their ire the consequences are often disastrous. Pompeii, for instance.Even the other two classifications of "Dragons" are usually seen as little more than loosely related pests, and very rarely do they choose to associate with them. That said, Dragons seem to have an absolute -loathing- for Foriegn Demons, regarding them as abominations to be exterminated. Demons, conversely, seem to be repelled by Dragons and actively avoid them whenever they are able to.
Since association with True Dragons is so infrequent and strained when it does occur, it is almost entirely unknown what drives them or what they're goals and aims are. They seem to have a great connection with the earth, and many natural disasters are suspected to be the work of Dragons, but it is almost impossible to differentiate between a truly natural disaster and the machinations of a Dragon, so delving into this area of research is usually little more than superstition gone wild.
WYVERNS
Wyverns are the most common breed of Dragons, and so are often mistaken for being actual Dragons themselves. This however, is wildly incorrect as they are entirely separate beings: If anything, Wyverns are merely a Mystic Kind similar to True Dragons, and it is unknown if the species has any genetic or spiritual descent from the massive True Dragons. Even the most powerful of Wyverns falls short of being labelled a True Dragon. This does not make their power insignificant, and many of the tales of old of dragons terrorizing country sides and destroying Cities are actually speaking of Wyverns, not True Dragons. Indeed, all these tales that end with a hero single handedly slaying the beast speak of Wyverns, or are on all accounts false. It is merely that True Dragons are of another level entirely, and are to Wyverns as God is to Man.
Wyverns have their own society and rules, and while they often live in isolated lairs and caverns they still form a "community" of sorts with those around them. Due to the lengthy nature of their lives, Wyverns can not have any contact whatsoever with another being for up to a decade and still be considered entirely included in a community. They meet infrequently but consider themselves close with those in their "social circles." Only rarely do Wyverns live together, usually keep it only to family: That is, children. Wyverns do not get married or create families as humans do, and while they develop close bonds and feelings for one another they do not associate this link with monogamy, and it is not uncommon for Wyverns to be entirely polygamous. Wyvern lives can span for centuries, so it is quite uncommon to find a Wyvern whom remains monogamous for their entire life. That said, while Wyverns are magical creatures capable of shape shifting, virtually no Wyverns have taken any being besides a Wyvern as a romantic partner, and of the few who have none have ever sired children. Wyverns are incapable of siring children with other species, regardless of form.
There is a strained tension between Wyverns and the Fae Courts, stemming from an intrinsic belief in Wyverns that they are the planets natural guardians. Believing themselves descended from Dragons, they revere True Dragons and believe them to be natural calamities meant to protect the planet itself. Thus, they also believe this to be there mission, and from this misguided belief they often come into conflict with those whom tamper with or destroy what they view as the "natural order." This extends to all other beings, and they often treat even Nature Spirits and Deities with disdain and scorn, believing themselves above all but True Dragons. That said, they are not above cooperating with the Fae Courts for mutual benefit, and some are even quite amicable with the Courts. Depends on the Wyvern, really.
There is a legend that incredilbly old and powerful Wyverns can undergo a process to become True Dragons. However, this has never been seen nor verified, and like many legends is often regarded as not grounded in reality.
DRAGONKIN
While Wyverns are extraordinarily powerful even among Mystic Kind, they lack quite a bit in numbers. And a willingness to tolerate many others outside of their own kind. As such, it was not uncommon for Wyverns to take on menial Servants of other races to do mundane tasks for them, for one reason or another. Some used them to manage territories, some used them as amusement, and some frankly just used them as bodyguards while they hibernated. These servants usually were not terribly numerous, and were primarily made up of Mystic Kind far more often than humans, as humans lived and died far too quickly and were quite fragile for their tastes. This all changed due to the efforts of one Wyvern named Niv, whom is now hailed as the progenitor of the Dragonkin species.
Niv had a fascination with humans, and so often used ancient humans from early European cultures as Servants. While this was somewhat of a foolhardly decision in the eyes of other Wyverns, it was tolerated because it wasn't seen as particularly malicious, just kind of a stupid idea. They even generally ignored his habit of practicing magics upon them, usually with some... odd results. Some of the first examples of human-based Chimeras occurred at the hands of Niv, and it wouldn't be that large of a stretch to call the original Dragonkin Chimeras. While his decision to use and experiment on Humans was seen up to this point as silly antics by the other Wyverns, there was a massive outcry when he first unveiled one of his newest creations: The first of the Dragonkin, a being born of fusing Humans and Dragons. The initial reaction considered that it was somehow a hybrid born of the union of a Wyvern and a Human, a genetic impossibility. In fact, it was a brand new subspecies of itself, having traits of both Humanity and Wyverns.
Needless to say, the other Wyverns were much less than amused. The first Dragonkin met a quick, bloody end as several Wyverns ripped it apart before it had much time to react. Niv was given a stern warning, but he seemed unphased by it all. He continued his machinations, parading his creations before the other Wyverns as vastly superior Servants to all other Mystic Kind. After all, they were born of Wyvern blood, so they must be superior to other Servants. He proved their worth in using them as an advanced fighting force, sending them to assist his Wyvern companions against perceived threats. Scorn turned to Skepticism over the decades, before eventually it turned to envy. Soon other Wyverns asked, or demanded, that he create Dragonkin servants for them, obedient to them entirely. Niv's work expanded, as he crafted more and more Dragonkin, streamlining them into the race they are today so that they might reproduce and breed on their own without him needing to hand craft each one.
The population of Dragonkin exploded, as they reproduced at a far greater rate than was expected. While they possessed lengthy life spans much longer than an average human, they reproduced at a rate much greater than Wyverns, soon causing Niv to gain an over abundance of the Servant-race. He began gifting them to other Wyverns purely as a means to get rid of their excess, only for their spread population to begin growing more rapidly. Unaccustomed to such a fast growing race given their own extremely rare tendency to breed, the Wyverns were at a loss as what to do about the surge in population of their new servants. Some began culling their numbers (but this was seen as rather barbaric and rude by other Wyverns), while others simply let servants beyond a certain number go so it would not be their problem. However despite the issue of their growing population, they quickly became the preferred Servants of most Wyverns, as they were reminiscent of their own kind and so usually more agreeable to the Wyverns than having to deal with other mystic kind. Within centuries they had all but replaced mortal servants.
It wasn't long before the Dragonkin established a community of their own among those released from Wyvern service. And with the number of those in Servitude kept low, it wasn't terribly long before the rogue population of Dragonkin was the majority, with those serving Wyverns becoming the minority. Troubled by this growing society of "free" Dragonkin, Niv set out to contact them, and was pleasantly surprised to find they really weren't all that concerned about freeing their "enslaved" brethren. Most Dragonkin were quite happy serving their Wyvern masters, as most Wyvern treated them more as pleasant company than slaves, and very few were ill treated. The "free" Dragonkin population soon became rather entwined with the Wyvern culture across the globe, attempting to curry favor and please what they viewed as their progenitors. It became more of an honor to serve a Wyvern directly than a forced labor. It was at this time that most Wyverns placed strict reproductive laws upon the Wyverns around them, to ensure their growth would not run rampant.
Time went on, and the Dragonkin developed their own culture, heavily tied to Wyverns and some might even say reliant on them. While most Dragonkin are content staying under the patronage of whatever Wyvern they happen to serve or protect, some venture off on their own, eager for independence and their own sense of identity. While viewed somewhat as pariahs, there is usually little ill-will harbored towards these individuals, so long as they remain independent. Dragonkin whom fall into the service of other beings however, is viewed as sacrilege, and very rarely has any Dragonkin whom has pledged themself to anything besides a Wyvern lived very long.