Dratchkin

Supposedly the final beings created by the Divines, the Dratchkin have always been looked down upon as small, savage lizard-people and because of this have are oftentimes classified as second-class people if people at all. Despite this, the Dratchkin have had a long and varied history of struggles, survival, and even heroes. They live amongst the earth and stone of the world and as some might claim, have been shaped and hardened by the very same forces.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Two arms with hands, each with three fingers and a thumb. Two legs with feet, each with three clawed toes. A long tail attached to a compact torso for balance. A snouted head with two horns on top. Typically around four to five feet tall and with mild musculature for an overall diminutive frame.

Genetics and Reproduction

Despite their lizard-like appearance, they are a mammalian race and therefore give birth to live young after a gestation period of approximately six to seven months.

Ecology and Habitats

Most Dratchkin make their homes within deep cave systems set into mountains, making use of their strong grasping claws and low-light vision to dig and make their dwellings. Others, however, have made their living places outside of caves mainly in trees or in small hill-houses covered in dirt and grasses.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Typically, hunters and gatherers, the Dratchkin can make use of a wide variety of foods including meat, vegetables, and fruit where available. Hunting or gathering packs often venture out to places of known resources to hunt and gather, though some environments do allow for other close-grown crops such as edible roots or small domesticated wildlife, though the latter is rare. Most of the food collected goes to a common tribal larder to be shared out with the rest of the tribe as needed.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

All Dratchkin possess large eyes and sharp teeth but other features may vary greatly between individuals. One might possess greatly curved or even branched horns while another might have a lining of spikes along their jaw or snout bridge.

Average Intelligence

Most remain in relative isolation from the rest of the "civilized" world and therefore most pursuits are focused on survival. This is not to say they are a stupid race as numerous have displayed learning capabilities akin to that of the Humans or the Jogun.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their large sharp eyes can pick up light in even the darkest of areas. Their hearing is also a step above the average human. However, when compared to a human, their thick skin can sometimes be a detriment when it comes to picking up tactile details.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Most interesting is the Dratchkin's relationship with the Dragons. Most tribes both fear and revere the Dragons for both their size and strength but most, if not all, Dratchkin believe that they are the descendants or distant kin of the Dragons themselves. This has led some tribes to take on Dragons as both patrons and protectors.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Role name or abbreviation, Given name, Family name, Tribe name. ex. Ith'Rotan Hovis of the Solmet tribe.

Beauty Ideals

Most Dratchkin see long tails and wide hips as a sign of health and beauty and therefore desirable traits, but some see more Draconic traits (e.g. long horns, fangs, scale patches) as divine gifts and are highly sought after by some.

Gender Ideals

Given how most Dratchkin tend to possess strong running legs and an average upper body strength, there is little difference in roles between the sexes, having both male and female hunter-gatherers, workers, Dons, etc. However, the race does tend to favor Females in positions of knowing, mainly that being the Kai.

Courtship Ideals

The close nature of tribes and the limited food and resources available makes large tribes problematic with the risk of starvation and/or inbreeding. To counter this, it is common for two or more tribes to engage in a ritual of exchange wherein the tribes would meet on neutral ground in a sort of meet and greet, exchanging many things such as clothes, tools, herbs, metals, knowledge and so on. Once such exchanges are done, willing males or females from one tribe would select willing partners from the opposite tribes, whereupon they would effectively join the formers tribe. Should, however, a tribe become too big to be sustainable, a number of Dratchkin from the tribe will separate and migrate to a sustainable distance from the original, effectively becoming a new tribe.

Relationship Ideals

What most Dratchkin seek in a partner is, more often than not, the basic physical aspects that suggest a strong suitable mate, able to provide food, protection and strong offspring for both. For this, most females seek large partners for their strength just as males seek partners with thick tails and wide hips for fertility.

Average Technological Level

Being mainly tribal in nature, most Dratchkin have hardly passed the bronze metalworking level of technology, though some tribes have gained iron or even steelworking techniques from bartering with the Human or Jogun races.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most tribes speak a mix of Draconic and Dravish, with a focus on the latter, though some tribes closer to the other races have adopted the common trade-speak.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is considered good etiquette to defer to one's host. The youth speaks first, elders speak last; the eldest/leader has the final word before open discussion. Never touch another's horns uninvited.

Common Dress Code

Most Dratchkin prefer loose fitting clothes around the body and tight-fitting clothes around the arms and legs if necessary. Hooded robes and cloaks are common amongst both genders, especially above ground and in the open.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

It is tradition to exchange names or to speak one's name aloud before entering the home of another, even if the owner is not present. Dragons are treated with deferment and respect regardless of their disposition or allegiance, unless openly hostile.

Common Taboos

Never cause harm to a gracious host. Never attack a tribes Kai. Never eat meat under a full moon. Never eat the meat of a Dragon.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Reserved and cautious but even when dealing with Humans and Jogun, but highly respectful and sometimes worshipful of Dragons.

Scientific Name

Draconis Minimus

Lifespan

50 - 60 years

Average Height

1.2 - 1.5 meters or 4 - 5 feet

Average Weight

34 - 45 kgs or 75 - 100 lbs

Average Physique

Givin their naturally small size, most Dratchkin are not what one might call musclebound. However, their typically tough living conditions and environments have made most of them into a sort of "Survivalist Fit" of lean muscles and task-focused bodies.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The coloring is another thing that can vary greatly from one Dratchkin to another though most tend to pale or dark earthy colors such as greys, browns, blues, and even some rusty reds.

Related Ethnicities

• Alveri Dratchkin
• Taron Dratchkin