Drakkyl

Drakkyl, or Draconian, are an ancient race of humanoid dragonkin with skin matching the colour of its draconic creator. Drakkyl usually shares the same ideologies and alignment as their creators but they are still free-willed and fiercely independent.
Drakkyl are born intelligent, similar to dragon wyrmlings. A drakkyl has the knowledge and skills of a first-level character upon his creation. The ritual that creates a drakkyl does not magically compel the drakkyl to serve its creator, and it is common for a drakkyl's creator to use magic if they think it is necessary to ensure obedience.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Drakkyl look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though some lack wings or a tail. Their small, fine scales are usually brass or bronze in color, sometimes ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or copper-green. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.
The blood of a particular type of dragon runs very strong through some drakkyl clans. These drakkyl often boast scales that more closely match those of their dragon ancestor—bright red, green, blue, or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or bronze.

Genetics and Reproduction

Drakkyl who mate with other drakkyl of the same scale color will breed true, their offspring hatch as adolescents from eggs after a ten-month gestation period. Drakkyl who mate with other drakkyl of different scale colors frequently miscarry, but there are rumors of brown drakkyl, gray drakkyl, poisonous wyvern-like creatures, and even kobolds resulting from such pairings.

Ecology and Habitats

Drakkyl tend to prefer climates similar to the dragons from which they spawn, but they can be located anywhere.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

To any drakkyl, the clan is more important than life itself. Drakkyl owe their devotion and respect to their clan above all else, even the gods. Each drakkyl’s conduct reflects on the honor of his or her clan, and bringing dishonor to the clan can result in expulsion and exile. Each drakkyl knows his or her station and duties within the clan, and honor demands maintaining the bounds of that position.
A continual drive for self-improvement reflects the self-sufficiency of the race as a whole. Drakkyl value skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail, and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they give up on something. A drakkyl holds mastery of a particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members of other races who share the same commitment find it easy to earn the respect of a drakkyl.
Though all drakkyl strive to be self-sufficient, they recognize that help is sometimes needed in difficult situations. But the best source for such help is the clan, and when a clan needs help, it turns to another drakkyl clan before seeking aid from other races—or even from the gods.

History

In ancient Thassalon, the runelord Karzoug was attempting to create soldiers to supplement his giant army. He had many dragon allies and acquired some of their eggs (often without their knowledge). Using these eggs, Karzoug and his apprentices began conducting secret experiments in Runeforge. Eventually, these experiments bore fruit, and Karzoug discovered a transmutation ritual that would allow him to transform humans into draconic hybrids. These subjects became the first drakkyl.
The initial test subjects were enslaved humans, elves (including drow), orcs and goblinoids. Smaller races, such as halflings, gnomes and dwarves, could never be successfully converted. Once the procedure had a higher success rate, Karzough began converting his most loyal soldiers. They would be a powerful shock troop, using their cunning and agility to supplement the raw destructive power of the giants at his disposal.
Karzoug's apprentices suggested converting many enslaved females to use as breeding stock. The conversion ritual was expensive and demanded the consumption of great magic. Breeding could produce generations of soldiers that could be indoctrinated at a young age. Karzoug agreed on the condition that they create a contingency against possible rebellion. Converted soldiers were loyal. Natural-born drakkyl would have to have that loyalty forced into them.
With magical devices in place to control the drakkyl, Karzoug had his army. But over several clashes with the forces of Alaznist, the runelord of wrath, reports started to come back to Karzoug that some of the drakkyl were resisting the commands. It was not just the pureblood drakkyl that opposed his orders. Some of the soldiers that had been converted were also defying him. Enchantment magic was not the strength of Karzoug's apprentices, and their control mechanisms were not as potent as they believed. The draconic will seemed to be resisting the enchantment.
Karzoug was disappointed. The drakkyl were not as obedient as he had hoped. Rather than destroy them, he put them in stasis. He had invested far too much into his endeavour to let it go to waste. Given time, he would return to his project and find a way to utilize his drakkyl army. Earthfall wiped all records of their existence and the location of their status pods. The drakkyl vanished into history.
After Earthfall, many of these drakkyl stasis pods were discovered, and the drakkyl were freed. No longer under the influence of Karzoug, the drakkyl could now pursue their agendas.

Scientific Name

Dragon, Humanoid

Average Height

6-8 feet tall

Average Weight

200-350 lbs