Loscath

A Descendant of Elder Dragons?

When the High Dragons first went to Aslandail, we believed the Loscath were nothing but a pale imitation of our magnificent. It was one of our first mistakes that alienated us from the people we should've seen as our kind. They may stand on two legs and walk like the other mortal species but they still have the essence of a dragon deep inside them. And when they are able to channel that essence, their devastation can rival the power of even our own kind.

— "Treatise on the Loscath" by Lazu the Scholar

The Loscath are a species of dragon kin native to the realm of Aslandail. There is speculation the Loscath are descendants of High Dragons or even the Elder Dragons they come from but it is not confirmed as of the 13^th century DY. They carry the noble blood of dragons but also the humble blood of mortalkind, giving them a perspective few species would be lucky to have. Some view them as pariahs and abominations of the noble High Dragons. Other see them as symbols of the power of dragon blood and potential changers of the world.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Loscath share a similar stature to the majority of the other Aslandailian species. They stand at attention with two legs and two arms with a dragon-like head and snout to adorn it. Loscath, despite appearing lean, have a vast amount of muscle and even stronger bones than an average mortal species would have. This is to support the scales that cover their bodies, which are as tough as the scales of an actual dragon. The Loscath also have talons, sharp and able to rip through rock and low grade armor with ease as if it was paper. Their feet have the same talons and both sets are retractable, allowing them to wear gloves or footwear as need be. A tail adorns their backside where the tailbone would be and extends to the ground behind them.

Wings are a far rarer thing across Loscath as only the the Kato are able to have wings. Their name actually means "The Winged Ones", denoting their special status among Loscath. Many Kitan envy them and want wings of their very own, being stuck to the ground until their brethren.

Genetics and Reproduction

Loscath have two forms of reproduction: Egg based and Live Birth. For the Kato with their more draconic blood, they are more likely to have egg based birth when they mate with a Dragon or Loscath. This is divided into two stages: the first being a 3 month period where the egg grows in the mother until the shell is hardened enough to survive in the outside environment. As long as the egg stays at a viable temperature for the Loscath, the egg should hatch 5 months later.
Live births are far more common for Kitan but both subspecies can have a live birth if they mate with a non-draconic species. These usually lasts up 10 months for a pure Loscath but the more non-draconic blood introduced, the shorter time it takes for a pregnancy to occur.

Growth Rate & Stages

1. Childhood: 0 - 12 Years
2. Teenage: 13 - 19 Years
3. Adulthood: 20's - 600s
4. Elderly 600s - 700s

Ecology and Habitats

The Loscath were first found on the tropical Los Isle in the middle of the Los Sea. They were used to Mt. Alon and it's flow of lava that would cleanse the isle in a fiery cycle. However, thanks to their elemental nature, Loscath soon spread to the grasslands, marshes, forests, and desert of Aslandail. Some have even gone as far as the icy north and south, surviving with the isolationist Snow Devils.
Loscath cities used to be interconnected hoards/nests they built up over time. Their protective scales and elemental bloodline kept them safe from the extreme elements such as lava, blizzards, or other environmental factors. These were usually in high places they only had access to, offering them protection from potential predators or enemies. When needed, they came down to hunt their prey, using their natural abilities and tools with efficiency.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Loscath are used to a heavy meat-based diet, able to digest raw meat with ease. However, they can handle fruits, vegetables, carbs, and fats just as easy as other species can.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Loscath were native to Mt. Alon before spreading across Aslandail. Some are isolationists and stick to their isle but others flocked to the lands of other Aslandailians and even Faterrans. They love mountains and forests but can make their home in grasslands and deserts as well.
In Faterra, Loscath are seen in a much different light than back home. As a result, they mainly stay away from Faterrans or if they do live with them, group up together. They flocked to the north where few people were, islands not heavily inhabited, and surprisingly, Abavale where there is a large number of Aslandailians and even Loscath as well.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Loscath have their own variation of Draconic from which they give their own names. However, they also adopt names from cultures they are part of and even take names from the High Dragon traditions.

Major Organizations

• The Unified Kingdom of Aslandail 
• The United Kingdom of Oterra 

Major Language Groups and Dialects

• Draconic (Los dialect)
• Draconic (Excelsis dialect)

History

The Loscath are one of the few species in Aslandail that have a definitive starting point: The Los Isle. The fiery volcano matched the fury and raw power of the Loscath as many fire based Loscath were born there. However, they wouldn't stay there as their longevity caused their population to skyrocket and take up space on the island. The dragonkin spread across the realm, their elements changing to fit their new homes as they acclimated to climates. It didn't take long for them to become apex predators in their environments and the other species to notice.
Nomadic groups like the Minotaur, Arachni and Hobgoblins saw them as a threat to their territory and it was common for the two groups to clash. Both sides lost many in their skirmishes and eventually bled into mutual distrust of each other. Others like the Incubi, Naga, and Scaltyr saw them as useful tools to be used in their civilizations. Loscath were often taken as mercenaries, laborers, and servants, useful but never truly equal.
The only place they found truly equality was with the Goblins and Devils respectively. The goblins were always fond of outsiders, and with the strength of Loscath, very much liked them. The devils usually stayed among themselves but liked to reach out to people who respected their boundaries. The dragonkin were one of the few that actually did that and as such, the children of devils and the children of dragons got along great.
Their world was turned upside down when the Leviathans came, the Elder species revealing the truth of their draconic heritage. However, they pained the High Dragons as evil pretenders and that the Loscath were the true successors to the Elder Dragons. And those works sparked a fire in the heart of all Loscath. The will to dominate and take what was rightfully theirs had finally awakened. And they brought a reckoning to Faterra when the War Between Realms came. They were shock troopers, using their power and speed to devastate any location they were sent to. Their existence sent ripples through Faterra as dragon-like people laid waste to their land.
However, that changed when the dragons and phoenixes aided in the war. The High Dragons quickly realized how close the two were linked and decided to use a bit of diplomacy with their cousins. When the truth of the Elder War was revealed, many Loscath refused to fight on the side of Aslandail as they were manipulated by the Leviathans the entire time. As they turned from the war, the war broke down and the Leviathans were defeated. The Loscath, along with other species, spread to Faterra after the war ended, some hoping to build up the areas they destroyed, others hoping to escape the Queen they didn't believe in any longer. Most of them simply wanted a new place to live and a rare few went to the High Dragons to be with others like them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

• Goblins and Devils are the most loved by Loscath in Aslandail as they accept them the most. This is most especially the goblins who actively bring them into their cities as friends. When most people would rather fear them or be general to them, the Loscath are very quick to keep their friends.
• In Faterra, the Wolven and Avin are the only two Loscath can stand to be around. The Wolven understand what it's like to be used since they haven't forgotten their time in chains and look to the Loscath as people who have gone through similar. The Loscath don't exactly understand but they accept it nonetheless.
• The Avin remind Loscath of Goblins though they are much more rude about it. If it weren't for the goblins being accepted by them, the Loscath wouldn't even be allowed in their lands. In the end, they make do with the species as long as they have a place to live.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elder Dragons

Genetic Descendants

• Hybrid

Scientific Name

Draco Dimidium

Origin/Ancestry

Kato, Kitan

Lifespan

700 years

Average Height

Male: 7'8"
Female: 7'0

Average Weight

Male: 270 pounds
Female: 220 pounds

Average Length

Wingspan: 30"
Tail: 5'10"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Loscath share the same color variation as High Dragons: Red, White, Blue, Brown, White, Black, Green, Orange, and all shades in-between. However, the colors don't always pertain to their elements as well, meaning that a Blue Loscath could breath fire instead of lightning.
Loscath usually have a variation in color where the bottom of their snout, their throat, the interior of their wings, and chest will be a lighter shade of color compared to the rest of their body. Sometimes, it could be a vastly different color that still compliments such as Red and Black.