Tiamat & Bahamat

A Cornerstone of Scalykind Culture

The titles of "Tiamat" and "Bahamat" are quintessential to the cultures of kobolds, wyvarans, and the extinct species of dragons - they are fundamental cultural and religious titles that have immense significance among these people. On top of the social connotations that any child kobold could share with you, there are further layers that must be known to truly understand the meaning of this title. They are a symbol of trust and kindness in a fractious, competitive society.
However, that is not all there is - in addition to a title bestowed upon peers, it is also a deeply important religious concept. Tiamat and Bahamat, or Bahamut in some dialects, also stand in for the mighty nascent Gods of Scalykind, destined to come and save dragons from the brink of annihilation in their time of greatest need, and to create a new order wherein these dragons can live in peace and security - which would be much needed considering the fact that dragons are, as aforementioned, seemingly extinct...

Meaning

Kobold and wyvaran cultures are directly descended from dragon culture, and can best be described as rather Machiavellian - while dragons have certain social and religious obligations not to kill one another and ensure that harm between them done is not excessive, dragons and their cults see themselves as tantamount to a state unto themselves. The dragon is the state and government, the wyvarans and lesser dragons are nobles, and the kobolds his peasants and serfs. While an ideal resembling divine right ensures the safety of dragons in the conflicts of scalykind, their servants - the kobolds, wyvarans, and lesser dragons - have been fair game by comparison, and through them have the dragon overlords been targetted. Similarly, peer creatures tend to afford one another the same courtesy, except kobolds. Wyvarans will prefer to take their own captive rather than kill them, regardless of who they serve, but will not argue for one moment if their dragon overlord were to execute that same wyvaran peer. And yet, two wyvarans would be more than happy to feud and send their kobold servants into battle to gain power over the other. In essence, dragon culture is one that holds subordinates and superiors in close trust, but where one's peers are the primary rival, with a distinct hierarchy of power based on proximity of characteristics to the True Dragons.
In this culture, where one cannot trust one's own peers to not be scheming, there emerged a natural system to create dynamics and relationships of trust between peers. This is where the terms Tiamat and Bahamat are introduced. To refer to another being as Tiamat is to define them as the single most important female in one's life. Consequently, to refer to one as a Bahamat is to define them as the single most important male in one's life. This claim may only be made in maturity, as it is assumed that the mother and father of a scalykind creature are their Tiamat and Bahamat until they have come of age. Typically speaking, to offer one the title of Tiamat or Bahamat is seen as a proposal of a political alliance of the same calibre as a family connection through marriage in feudal politics, or an oath of lifelong friendship, trust, or love in dynamics with lower stakes of power.
While the exact etymology of the words are lost to time, it is understood that the 'mat' in both words defines the importance of the individual in-question, whereas 'tia' and 'baha' seem to be used to define the gender of the recipient.

Cultural Context

Among common kobolds and wyvarans, who have little prospect of political and military advancement, these titles are often used to seal marriage agreements. While many of the more powerful of scalykind of both genders and all races take many concubines of the opposite gender, most kobolds ultimately choose to take a single mate. If this relationship is one of love, then the courtship of both parties will likely result in the declaration that the other is one's Tiamat or Bahamat. This can also occur powerful draconic creatures choose to marry one another, and this is important considering the propensity of both genders of all scalykind to keep many lovers if possible and available. It is, however, considered to be truly strange to offer such a grand gesture to a creature lower on the draconic totem pole - it would be bizarre for a wyvaran to offer the title to a kobold. However, when they were still around, dragons offering the title to their very closest lieutenant was considered to be a high honour, justly given for meritorious service.
Among more powerful scalykind, where politics and military matters come into play, it is considered very important to pick one's Tiamat and Bahamat carefully - marriages for love are not frequently afforded this privilege unless an alliance between the two lovers was already in the cards, though as mentioned above, it is not unheard of. While the importance of Tiamat and Bahamat in scalykind cultures is respected across all rungs of the ladder, those creatures involved with the politics of the situation look at it as the single most important indicator of trustworthiness and respect for norms. It is not impossible or considered inherently wrong to change who one considers to be their Tiamat or Bahamat, but this is only normal after a prolonged period of distance or a falling out after a long, cordial relationship. To end even one or two of these relationships quickly is to make oneself look deceitful and difficult to trust. To do it frequently, or worse yet outright violate the principle of the term by taking hostile actions against a declared Tiamat or Bahamat is to label oneself a pariah to never be trusted. Given the long life of dragons, the oldest of this society have historically been able to protect and maintain these norms unchanged and persistent. Given how relatively recent the death of the dragons has been, and how passionate their former servants are for their return, this has not significantly changed in recent years.
The religious context of the term refers to the prophesized Gods meant to save dragons from the brink of extinction. Tiamat and Bahamat are the legendary Rainbow Dragon and Alloy Dragon - the former is the mother, the apotheosis of all the chromatic dragons. While some traditions imagine her as a five-headed dragon, with each head bearing a different colour, most envision her with a single head, and her entire body being covered in glistening rainbow scales able to reflect, concentrate and control light. Naturally, she will be capable of every kind of element and shape of breath attack her component creatures would be, in addition to a blinding, piercing, long-ranged light breath - essentially, a laser. Consequently, Bahamat is the alloy dragon, the apotheosis of all metallic dragons. It is believed that his hide will be coated with scales made of genuine metal, a mysterious alloy as durable as adamantine, and he will be capable of the same breath attacks as his counterpart. Furthermore, he will be capable of projecting conical bursts of molten metal. Their powers are, however, secondary to their role - for Tiamat and Bahamat, contrary to their component species, are said to be destined and eternal lovers. Their love and passion will bring rise to a new generation of dragons, Chromatic, Metallic, Primal, and Sovereign, saving dragons from the brink of extinction. It is likely that there is currently a group working on creating these Gods.

Type: Interpersonal, Platonic, Romantic, Diplomatic, Religious (depending on context)
Culture: Scalykind diaspora
Use: Frequent

Type

Religious, Special