Drak (drah-k)
The Drak are one of the 4 races making up The Amix, and as such they have an inbuilt distrust to hatred for Animalians. This relationship originated from intense jealousy over The Animalian King's clear favouritism for Humans, for they were given thoughts - were the first Mind. Such feelings bubbled and boiled for a very long time as events around the humans creation only rubbed salt in the wounds, again and again after the instigation of The Ae's War. Eventually, the reptiles created their own Mind... the Drak.
Drak are essentially humanoid reptiles, taking features from all sorts in a variety akin to humans; everything from having different coloured skin to different shaped hands. For example, some Drak have tougher scales on the back - a feature taken from turtles - and others may have the poison glands of the snake. Such features that liken them to one particular reptile tend to prevent them from taking on specific features of others. Most on average will hover in the middle, taking on common shared features between many reptiles as a whole.
Of all the Amix races, Drak are the most, well, cold-blooded in their unending fight against the Animalians. They're ferocious and yet difficult to read, you don't see them snap until you already have their teeth in your arm.
Their patience comes in being slow to act until the right moment to strike, and when they strike it's with precision, it's direct and it's with venom.
As such, with a touch of luck in placement, the Drakish city Draelaren is one of the longest-standing cities in the world with the highest population of Drak worldwide. After all it was founded during in the Age of Turmoil, or so their pride claims at least.
Appearance
- A reptile that mutated into a humanoid form, not specifically a lizard or frog but all that is 'reptile.' Because of this, they seem to take on traits from multiple branches of reptiles
- Bulkier upper bodies, wide shoulders with thick forearms tipped with longer thumbs and forefingers padded and clawed like a gecko's.
- Thick necks with stretchy gullets, jaws that can unhinge like a snake'. Some have fangs like a viper and in rarer cases, the poison to go with them.
- Forked or slim tongues that scent the air from snouts shaped like an alligator and speckled with sensors for 'seeing' in pitch-black water.
- Slit pupils alongside rattlesnake tail 'ears' that act as emotion indicators.
- Long but strong tails sway behind thickly muscled legs that default into a squat so while they walk their hips twist and feet flop like that of a walking crocodile. They can stretch to stand taller, but tend to only do so to run or jump, in which case they appear froglike in doing so.
- All the while, the outer layer of the body is covered in tough scales while the inner, undersides are softer.
- Some Drak have 'specialised' forms, leaning more towards one reptile in resemblance or ability than others, for example, a Drak may have thicker scales on the back to obtain the protection of a tortoise shell, while another may have viper venom in their fangs and cobra frills.
Height & Weight: Draks typically average 6 feet / 1.8 meters in height. When stretching or standing to a running stance they can increase their height by another foot / 30 centimetres or so. Heavier and denser built than humans, with their weight increasing about 50% in relation to their height.
Features
Movement
While walking idly, Drak are slower than humans. But pushed up onto the full length of their legs they can match them in running speed and can jump a fair bit further.
Sharp talon-like claws, ridge-padded digits and mass strength make for a natural climbing ability that's almost as good as walking.
Their form allows them to hunch over onto all fours without hindering their speed, scurrying about in such a way that some argue is more terrifying than seeing them jump or run towards you.
Finally, while not as sleek and light as some reptiles in swimming they are still a touch faster than humans in the water.
Aquatic
Hearts beating slower and more athletic than the average human, a Drak can slow their breathing and hold their breath for about 15 minutes.
Taking after crocodiles, although shorter in snout length, Drak also have small spotted scales - sensory pits - around the face that allow them to detect minute motion when in water no matter the darkness or opacity. In theory this can apply to other liquids similar to water.
Finally, more specialised Drak may take more after turtles and have more fin-like limbs for increasing swimming ability.
Scaled
Covered in tough scaly skin to armoured plating, Drak are naturally more defended even when bare. Small offences of nature such as thorns or a snake's fangs are unable to penetrate the plating - unless of course, the snake is of human intelligence and intends to hit a vital spot.
More specialised Drak may take after tortoises and have hardened platting on the back like that of the shell which increases their defences ten fold.
Tricky Tails
Drak tails are thick with fat storage, allowing for them to go up to a week without food as nutrients are drained from their plumpness.
Additionally, as lizards are able, the tail can be dropped in case of attack to get themselves out of danger. In such cases, the tail will regrow after 1 to 3 weeks depending on their diet.
Finally, some Drak exercise their tail's dexterity so they become fairly prehensile.
Jaws
Patience in knowing when to strike, and when Drak do, it's with all they have; speed, strength, precision. They have a crushing jaw strength and a row of fanged teeth that make for horrific bites. Some have longer canine fangs like a snake, while others have uneven jagged points like an alligator.
Those who lean more towards snakes in form may have venom glands to back up their retractable fangs. Others may have the venomous saliva of the komodo dragon.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Family names are either very important if a Drak is of an honourable one, or entirely disregarded. As such last names are community awarded to carry on the glory to their offspring, or made up for one's self in some sort of self-serving motivation. Although such plans will fall apart quickly in Drak company as it will ring no bells - last names are as well known as the tales attached to them.
Other names
Drak names often have either a harsh syllable that is forcefully emphasised, or they take after existing words that are sinister or off-putting in some way or slant it in such a way that it becomes so.
Examples: Piers, Parish, Merc, Krash and Zragh
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
A majority will know Drakish even when in mixed communities as it is simply easier for their mouths to speak, however, they are obliging in learning to speak and write Penn. Drakish is also written, although less so, it uses Boric lettering and when spoken sounds like a variety of gargles and hisses differentiated by pitch, length and how wide the mouth is.
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