Geidan (s.
geid) are relatives of
Dragons, having a shared ancestor. Like their cousins, geidan are large, capable of flight, and the capacity to manipulate kata energy around a Gap. However, unlike Dragons, they are generally not able to breathe fire.
The first Human interactions with geidan began when the Gaps were opened at the end of The Gap War. The creation of an extended rip between the Dragon and Human Realms allowed any species with the capacity to control the unstable kata in these areas to open up the Gaps at random intervals and fly through. This allowed Humans to reach the Dragon Realm to request assistance. However, because Dragons are only one species among many in that realm, and are vastly outnumbered by species of geidan, it has never been possible to control geidan access to the Gaps and, by extension, the Human realm.
Basic Information
Geidan are large, up to 40ft in length and often weighing up to 2mt. They have a variable wingspan, dependent on the size of the species, and hollow bones to enable flight. Their capacity for flight is somewhat predicated on their capacity to manipulate local kata bonds.
Skull
Geidan skulls have been recovered and studied to a limited extent, especially around the Gap at
Rad Ruinn, where bodies collapse into a narrow ravine that is much more accessible than those at
Nas Trinitar and
Amin Duum. Some measurements suggest a skull length of up to 1.5ft in the largest subtypes, with 15-20 serrated teeth. Skulls have horn pairs running down the nasal bones, used in combat and for display.
Post-cranial skeleton
Geidan have on average 30 vertebrae in the body and a further 45-50 in the tail, depending on subtype. Their forelimbs evolved into wing formations early in their development, probably around the same time that Dragons attained their own capacity for flight. The wings are in fact composed of extended finger joints, and have long claw attachments, for fighting and defence. Their back limbs are large but enable pushing off the ground, and their feet have three weight-bearing toes and a dewclaw to aid in combat.
Geidan reproduce via egg-laying, although little is known about the mating process or gestation period. This is due to the impossibility of approaching and studying geidan strongholds in the Dragon Realm. Very little research has been possible about this aspect of the species.
Some recent Gap-specialist theorists working on a long-term solution to the ongoing Gap crisis have suggested that attempting to research and destroy geidan nesting sites or preventing their reproduction may provide one solution to the problem. A contrary argument is that this would constitute a form of genocide, especially as not much is known about the relative sentience of geidan, and that it is better to work on permanently closing the Gaps.
Additional Information
The social behaviour of geidan varies between subtypes. The majority of large, flight-capable geidan appear from early research to hunt in small groups, possibly composed of siblings. Some interaction for reproduction with other groups allows for genetic variation within subtypes. The tendency to operate in groups may explain the tendency for multiple Gap attacks at once, as whole groups of five to six fly through the Gap at once.
This does not explain frequent solo attacks by geidan, however. Some Gap theorists suggest that solo attacks are a result of the highly unstable Gap openings closing on the Dragon Realm side and preventing other members of a geidan hunting group from progressing through the Gap to the Human Realm.
A few theorists have speculated that it may be possible to domesticate geidan. One branch of Gap theorists suggest that if geidan have a lesser sentience than Dragons, it may be more productive to attempt to domesticate geidan and use these for flight and transport. This would eliminate the need for ongoing negotiations between Humans and Dragons for their continued support of the
Amnari Alliance.
The main objection to this idea is that geidan have so far proved impossible to approach in the Dragon Realm, owing to the limited capacity of Humans to operate in that space. In addition, geidans' aggressive tendencies, and the impossibility of allowing animal-domestication specialists close to an active Gap has prevented any further realisation of the theory.
Geidan have a distinctive pair of horns above relatively small eyes, and a further paired row of horns along the top of the nasal bones. The majority have long, wedge-shaped skulls, similar to those of Dragons. However, several subspecies have flatter, rounded skulls with fewer teeth. These subtypes also have pronounced horns protruding over the front of the nasal cavities, which are used in combat to push, shove, and throw over an attacker.
Not much is known about the relative sentience of geidan species. Initial studies suggested that their sapience may be similar to that of Dragons, but that they were corrupted by their close relationship to the unstable kata surrounding the Gaps. Attempts to communicate with geidan have been almost impossible due to their aggressive tendencies and apparent extreme hatred for Humans. It is currently not known why this occurs.
Geidan eyes are positioned under extended horns, protecting them during combat, and from stray kata strikes during Gap-flight. Not much is known about their capacity for regular sight, smell, and hearing. Some researchers have suggested that their primary sensory modality is in fact related to their ability to manipulate kata. Geidan may be able to "see" or perceive kata in living species, and use this as a means to navigate. Their capacity to manipulate Gaps suggests they also use this ability to transition between Realms and within physical space.
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