Powerful, legendary, awe-inspiring; these are only some of the words used to describe these mythical beasts. Since the Primeval Era, the dragons have played a part in not only the ecosystem but in the history of
Nostrina and the culture of its inhabitants.
Origins
Based on the accounts of
Tarrentel a dragon whose insights have been critical to uncovering the mysteries of the dragons, their kind's birth is tied to an astral body known as the Dragon Star. This mysterious star is said to aimlessly travel through realms, bringing into question the nature of this star. A claim that is given credence by the fact that the only written record of this star appearing in the night sky of Nostrina dates back to the 15th century 1E.
While it remains speculation on the parts of the Monitors and Tarrentel, it is believed that this Dragon Star is the source of Dracolyth energy, a powerful energy that flows through the blood of all dragons. The theory states that the star radiates the energy unto worlds by its very presence, the flood of energy in turn giving rise to new dragons. Alongside the dragons, Tarrentel described the emergence of other lifeforms infused with Dracolyth energy. These creatures were as diverse in form and abilities, but unlike the dragons, were short-lived. He recalled an eventual great dying of these lifeforms, an extinction event that only the dragons would emerge from.
Another layer of this mystery is the existence of Arch Dragons. Asearring is the only known individual of this classification, and perhaps thankfully so. According to Tarrentel's accounts, a being like Asearring radiated high levels of Dracolyth energy through its very presence, which gave rise to new dragons. In ancient times, Asearring traveled across the many realms of the Expanse, spreading their kind into places untouched by the Dragon Star.
Arrival on Nostrina
Sometime during the Primeval Era, the Arch Dragon known as Asearring entered Nostrina from beyond. New dragons emerged through its presence and wreaked havoc upon the world. The primeval Nostrina won't stand against these intruders, soon leading to war between the dragons and nature itself. Scores of species went extinct in the ensuing fighting as both the dragons and Nostrina's native fauna sustained heavy losses. This war culminated in a battle known as the Ostenland Scorching, where Asearring and the mighty titan Gratowa clashed in southwestern Ostenland. The two giants fought for days on end, charring the land around them as the dragons and the native fauna watched the duel that would dictate the fate of Nostrina forever. Ultimately, Gratowa landed a killing blow on Asearring, ending the Arch Dragon's tyranny over Nostrina. Soon after the dragon's death, Gratowa succumbed to their wounds and perished in modern-day Serbakan.
The dragons suffered tremendous losses, and almost half of Nostrina's wildlife was wiped out in the conflict, leaving the future uncertain for both sides. Some of the remaining dragons chose to leave Nostrina, while others decided to stay in this ruined world, believing they had a place in the world they once invaded. In time, the world healed from this disaster, and life would continue as it once was, now with new inhabitants calling this place home.
Biology
Dragons are powerful reptilian creatures that come in many different shapes and sizes, though their common defining trait is the Dracolyth energy that runs through their blood. This energy allows them to be effectively immortal, resisting the effect of time and granting them their power, though the true nature of Dracolyth is still unknown. Dragon blood and Dracolyth energy have been the interest of many throughout Nostrina's history, although experiments on both have proven quite unpredictable and dangerous.
Researchers have divided the body types of dragons into three groups: Wyvern, Quadrapedal, and Great Serpent. The Wyvern body type comprises two legs and two wings and is sometimes wrongly classified as drakes or considered weaker than other dragons. Quadrupedal dragons, or traditional dragons as some call them, have four legs and two wings or four wings; dragons with this body type are the most common on Nostrina. The Great Serpent body type is a varied classification that includes dragons with long, serpentine bodies. Other extremities, such as wings or legs, are not considered with this classification, giving this body type the most diversity in the physical structure of dragons listed in this category.
Dragons and other Dracolyth-imbued creatures are divided into three categories: dragons, drakes, and arch dragons, which are currently exclusive.
Drakes could be mistaken for any animal since they have minuscule amounts of Dracolyth energy in their blood. As a result, drakes are bound to the rules of time and possess next to no extraordinary powers. As far as researchers are concerned, drakes are just simple animals locked into the same survival and natural selection processes.
Dragons are the primary form of Dracolyth-infused lifeforms. Unlike drakes, dragons are not a species but rather unique and powerful individuals. No two dragons are the same, each having unique properties and abilities that make them stand out among the broader population of dragons. Some are simple and animalistic, while others are wise and sophisticated. Perhaps the greatest unifying factor besides their forms is the great power these creatures possess. Dragons have permanently marked themselves into the histories and cultures of Nostrina's denizens, who are in awe of their power.
Arch Dragons are the apex of dragon kind, standing at colossal sizes and having near god-like power. The only known Arch Dragon to exist is Asearring, the harbinger of the dragons, whose remains lay exposed in the deserts Ostenland. The sheer amount of Dracolyth energy in his blood changed the landscape around his body, making it toxic to plant life and creating strange crystals within the sand. The true nature of the Arch Dragons is a mystery for researchers and for some, a potentially world-ending threat to fear.
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