Drakeling

As we were making our way along the Great River Aldin, we found a small group of dragon-people sitting in a small group by the riverbank. They were dressed in rags and one was using a whittled spear to catch fish. With a short yelp, they noticed us and they began to scamper into the bushes as fast as their little legs could carry them.
~Orumar Ratiras, Travels of Orumar

Basic Information

Anatomy

What is most notable about the drakelings is their draconic tails, which many ritually cut or mutilate to show their bravery and tolerance for pain. They also have scales like dragons, although their scales are significantly smaller and not very sharp, giving their skin a bumpy texture. Coming with their capacity to breathe underwater, they have gill-like slits on their necks.

Ecology and Habitats

Drakelings live in swamps and near rivers so they can be close to their food and make the most of their ability to breathe underwater.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As a whole, they eat a variety of foods; most notably, they eat seaweed, water plants, and algae. This makes them very useful to those needing to clean algae or moss from canals and waterways.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Drakelings live in small family groups, who share a burrow/cave and food. Usually, the strongest males go out to collect food and the females and weaker males stay behind to guard their possessions and their young. Each clan or family group has a leader or chieftain who is the most well-dressed of the group.

Average Intelligence

Most consider them unintelligent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Due to the dark caves where they tend to live, they have gotten used to seeing in the dark. A few have been recorded to perform magical feats like other intelligent races.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

They have a small set of commonly used tools including knives, buckler-like shields, nets, and sewing needles.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

They speak a gibbering language that is rarely understood by non-drakelings.

Common Dress Code

They wear scraps of leather and cloth that are patched together, although there is attested cases of them wearing armour and carrying weapons.

Common Myths and Legends

There are definitely more legends about them than legends they have made up, but a couple of trickster-style myths are attested from them.

Lifespan

45 years

Conservation Status

A truce has been brokered with these creatures by the nearby humans and dwarves, who will not attack them as long as they don't do any mischief and keep their canals and waterways clean.

Average Height

Up to 4 feet tall.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The colours of a drakeling tend to be in the red-brown area, although a strangely-coloured one appears from time to time.

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)