Coga-val

Overview

Coga-vals are a species of Dragon Foe Lakis that live in volcanic environments, underground magma pools, and sometimes the mantle. Because of where they live, they are among the rarest and most mysterious Laku in the world. Not much is known about them, as even other Dragon Foes scarcely spot one.

Characteristics

Coga-vals are reptilian hominids usually covered in hot rock and lava. At full height they are twice as tall as a human and are proportioned similarly. Though it is considered immodest by a Coga-val to do so, they occasionally are seen without rocks on them, displaying metallic grey and orange scales that make up much of their bulk. Many small horns protrude from the top and back of their head, protecting their skull from attack and from the intense heat of the environments they live in.

While their magical stamina is strong, a Coga-val has only moderate magical ability, and on a normal basis, their magic is used to shield against excessive heat while traveling through magma chambers or in the Earth's mantle. Though their bodies are built for high heat, they cannot survive in it without magic, making long trips deep underground a risky endeavor fit for only those with high stamina and proper preparation. The spells they use to shield against the heat are intuitive and structured similarly to a simple shield bubble, though this spell only blocks some heat. Most Coga-vals, by the time they are adults, can dive into lava without even thinking, as their own magic automatically activates.

When not shielding against heat, Coga-vals are capable of using inverse magic, also called corrupt magic by some. Coga-vals are voracious eaters, particularly fond of flesh from any sort of animal, be them Lakis or otherwise. By utilizing inverse magic, they are capable of hunting and killing with magic from afar, but they must be careful as they cannot heal themselves if injured. Because of this, they tend not to hunt in a normal sense, but instead they ambush and kill suddenly with magic before their prey has a chance to fight back.

Dislike of Dragons

Like all Lakis species allied against dragons, Coga-vals have no qualms about attacking or killing them if one strays too close. Dragons rarely enter territory claimed by Coga-vals, making this kind of attack very rare. A Coga-val is much more likely to attack and kill a human exploring their volcanoes than kill a dragon, but Coga-vals take more pleasure in attacking a dragon. As inverse magic users, Coga-vals are shunned by those dragons that are aware of the type of magic because the nature of this type of magic goes against the the life-defending stance of the dragons.

No one outside of their species know for sure, but it is believed Coga-vals would join any sort of organized resistance the Dragon Foes might start against the dragons, and their ability to perform inverse magic would prove invaluable in that case. However they, like any creature of magic, would have to deal with a far more dangerous threat before warring with dragons: humankind.