Dragonborn

"Mistrusted nomads, fearsome warriors, and powerful wielders of the magical arts. A cursed people driven from their ancestral lands for their ancient betrayal. Is there a more misunderstood and demonized people in the world of Orr than the Dragonborn?

— Rennian Kaldwell, Historian

The Dragonborn are feared, and hated in nearly all the realms. When their caravans arrive within a region, they must judge whether their presence will spark a conflict. This bitterness stems from the Dragonborn's ancient betrayal in the early ages of the world, for they served the Dragon Lords of old, and enslaved their fellow mortals during the time of tyrants. For this they were gifted with powers and abilities reminiscent of their namesake. Chromatic scales, draconic features, the ability to breath the same deadly fire, lightning, acid, and ice as their masters. In that ancient time the world belonged to them, and the other forces of darkness… and when that time came to its end, when those tyrants were hurled down from their mighty thrones, the Dragonborn were driven to the far reaches of Orr, and never truly forgiven.

Now they wander the world as nomads. Their tribes moving in great caravans upon the backs of ancient beasts that they have long herded. They are still bound to the ancient oaths they pledged to the Dragons of old, and when those primeval monsters have need they call those that belong to the color of their scales. It is said that the Dragons can control those of their colors, that they can see through the eyes of those bound to them, and in this way survey the lands of mortals and sow discord among them from the safety of their lofty peaks and hidden lairs.
There are only a few realms where the Dragonborn are able to travel relatively unharassed, so long as their caravans are kept far from the cities. In Iskandar, the Iskar Astartes allow them to make use of the grand peninsula. In the Freelands, they are allowed to journey among the Painted Steppe. In Nausica they may travel through the great wastes and deserts of Zarcania. These regions are difficult, harsh environments and thus the Dragonborn must sometimes chance an expedition further beyond them, inviting conflict to their people.

Caravan by Jasmine Zhang

DeathDragon Anubis by Stu Harrington

Colors of Power

While all those who gave the dark oath to the Dragon Lords of ancient times were gifted with incredible powers, and marked with changes that forever separated them from other mortals, each 'tribe' of Dragonborn were bestowed with unique abilities and natures depending upon the color of their scales.

Ebonnive (Black / Copper)

Those of the black scales are uniquely gifted in the arts of necromantic magic, and their breath of power is a splash of flesh-melting acid. It is said that the Dragon Lord Ebonnive, though believed to have been slain following the time of tyrants, was merely wounded and crawled far into the bellows of the world where she has been gorging on souls fed to her by her minions and tribes, and is slowly regaining the strength needed to return and reclaim her throne of terror.

Azurayle (Blue / Bronze)

The Dragonborn of the blue scales are masters of druidic magic, specifically those that can call upon the powers of storm and lightning. Azurayle in the time of tyrants was known as the terror of the heavens and would summon winds powerful enough to flatten forests, rains that drowned entire valleys, and of course thunder and lightning that shook and raked the world. When Azurayle was slain it is said with his dying breath he cast a spell of destruction that was the ruin of Zarcania, one of the first mortal realms in the lands of Nausica where he fell. A once lush jungle became a wasteland of charred sand, and glass by his final lightning bolt, and the army that fought him destroyed along with it.

Berylemere (Green)

The green scales of the Berylemere were a boon given to the Dragonborn who served the tyrant Dragon of secrets. They are gifted with powers of stealth, deception, and a breath of power that manifests itself as a noxious cloud of poisoned air. Berylemere was known for walking the lands in mortal shape, and revelled in turning communities against one another before revealing her true form and decimated her astonished enemies. Even among the other Dragon Lords she was mistrusted and reviled, and there is no record of her death.

Scarlaos (Red / Gold)

The red scales of the Scarlaos are the most feared, and mosted hated in the world of Orr. Even among Dragons, Scarlaos was deemed tyrant. His breath could turn entire kingdoms into smoldering ash and cinder. Where his wings drove him, death followed. Fearsome beyond measure, and a lord of fire, the Dragonborn of his scales are gifted in all arts of warcraft, and evocation magic, and like him can breath deadly flame. When Scarloas was slain, the mortals of Orr rejoiced, for none had ever inflicted such terror and misery upon the world, and have not yet since.

Palledrax (White / Silver)

Dragonborn of the white scale served the wise Palledrax of the north and are gifted in arts of clerical magic, and illusion. Unlike his siblings, Palledrax was tyrant only in name, for his kingdom offered respite and safe harbor to those that supped of his power and joined him. Palledrax meditated upon the works of his siblings and saw that the reign of dragons would one day reach its end. For this reason, perhaps, the Dragonborn of the white scales are given more freedom to roam the world unharassed, but are still mistrusted. Palledrax was said to have been slain by one of his siblings, though none can confirm this tale.

??? (Platinum)

In all of history only a handful of Platinum Dragonborn have ever appeared. Their nature is often as mysterious as the events of which they partake. Though they have participated in some of the greatest, crucible moments in Orr's darkest of hours, the annals of history do not remember their names, only their sightings. None can say from where the color of their scales derived, or where in fact they disappear, leading some to believe that such Dragonborn are the manifestations of Bahamut.

Dragonborn by John Tedrick

Appearances & Attitudes

The Dragonborn are of course identified by their draconic features, but because of their exclusion from the nations of the world, and the general fear that surrounds them, it is perhaps their caravans and nomadic nature which the people of Orr recognise them for in the modern eras. Their tents and structures are often painted in the colors of their tribal scales and are bright and pastel to act as a warning. The beasts that they use to move about the wastelands of the world where they have been forced to wander often serve the dual purpose of labor, and warfare to discourage attacks upon their people.
It is rare for Dragonborn to journey alone into the civilized lands away from their tribes, but it does happen. These Dragonborn face a dangerous world that is hostile to their intrusion, but if they are stalwart in the face of it, they can be adopted into communities of other mortals. In the lands of Dailar where the Magisterium rule and honor the gift of magic which the ancient Dragons perfected, Dragonborn as individuals are more welcome than anywhere else. The Freelands, a nation built upon self enterprise, is also more welcoming than other realms.
The Dragonborn are begrudgingly considered very wise even among races such as the Elves. Their tribal leaders have kept records from the early ages of the world that no others could possibly possess, and thus much of the world's knowledge surrounding the history before the events of the Cataclysm have been gifted to historians by the Dragonborn. Dragonborn also possess an innate power of persuasion, similar to dragons themselves. This is perhaps the most understated gift that was given to them, but it often backfires if those they are speaking to become aware of the subtle magic woven in their words (intentionally or not).
Whether there will ever be a time when the Dragonborn are truly accepted in the world, none can rightfully say. Their connection to the ancient enemies of mortal kind is a burden that perhaps they will forever bare, even if none of the Dragonborn alive are responsible for the oaths that were spoken in that age of terror. Only time will tell if such a betrayal can be forgiven, or if the Dragonborn can continue to survive in the harsh wastelands they are given to roam.