Dragons

Patron Deity

The patron deity of dragons is Cerithis, Deity of the Sea

The dragons of Aethria are awe-inspiring titans of the sky and earth, embodying both the raw power and majesty of the Age of the Ancients. These beings boast scales that shimmer with an inner light, reflecting hues of emerald, ruby, sapphire, and gold, akin to living gemstones. Their forms, adorned with massive wings capable of eclipsing the sun, are a testament to their ancient lineage. Though once dominant, the Sundering significantly weakened their vitality. Many dragons now spend centuries in deep hibernation, gathering strength and recovering their connection to the fractured Aetherial currents, emerging only intermittently to hunt and reassert their dominion over the skies. Post-Sundering, the personality of dragons has become a reflection of their diminished state. While they retain their profound wisdom and commanding presence, many dragons exhibit a melancholic edge, a shadow of the grandeur they once embodied. Their pride remains intact, but it is tempered by a guarded caution and a yearning to reclaim their former glory.
Dragons are patient, often content to let centuries pass while they plan their actions or slumber in anticipation of better days. However, when roused, they are formidable and uncompromising, wielding their power with precision and fury. They retain their deep sense of duty to the world's arcane balance but are less likely to intervene directly, leaving mortals to grapple with the consequences of their own actions.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Dragon culture is one of adaptation and preservation. The Sundering disrupted the Aetherial balance to which dragons are deeply attuned, forcing them into long cycles of hibernation to regain their strength. Despite this, their reverence for the Aether and their role as stewards of ancient magic persists. Dragons consider themselves archivists of the world, and their lairs are often filled with relics, scrolls, and tomes detailing forgotten histories and secrets.
Rituals of Renewal, conducted upon awakening, are a cornerstone of dragon culture. These rites are often performed at sacred locations where the Aetherial currents are strongest, such as ancient ruins or the edges of the sea. Dragons also continue to honor Cerithis, the deity of the sea, viewing their relationship with the ocean as both a source of strength and a reminder of their enduring bond with the natural world.
Despite their weakened state, dragons remain deeply competitive. Clashes between dragons, though less frequent due to their long hibernations, are still regarded as sacred duels, reaffirming their place within the hierarchy of dragonkind.

Common Myths and Legends

The dragons' origin is a tale as old as Aethria itself, woven into the fabric of creation. It is said that during the Age of the Ancients, Cerithis, deity of the sea, shaped the first dragons from the tides and storms. From the depths of the Infinite Abyss emerged Aeranithar, the progenitor of all dragons, whose roar shaped mountains, rivers, and skies. Cerithis imbued dragons with the sacred duty to guard the Aetherial currents and bestowed upon them the freedom of the skies and the wisdom of the seas.
The Sundering marked a turning point for dragonkind. The cataclysm disrupted the flow of the Aether, scattering the magic they once safeguarded and leaving many dragons grievously injured or drained. In the aftermath, dragons retreated into hibernation, adapting to their reduced connection with the Aether by conserving their strength for millennia.
According to dragon legend, Aeranithar's spirit remains among the stars, guiding his descendants through the fractured world and urging them to endure. The Celestial Chorus—a hymn dragons sing during their sacred rituals—commemorates this origin and the covenant between dragons and Cerithis.

Genetic Descendants

• Nihilwyrms

Related Ethnicities

• The Sentient Races