Dragons

Physical Description

Lifespan

120-140 years; full maturity at 20 years

Height Range

6-12 feet (scaled); 8-10 feet (feathered)

Features

Two main lineages of dragons exist, the feathered and the scaled. Neither variant has any sexual dimorphism, with only one biological sex, having organs to lay and fertilize eggs. They have broad-boned builds and a digitigrade stance.

Feathered dragons have little diversity. They have long faces and an equine jaw shape, typically with sharp teeth and two horns on their head. Their wings and sometimes tails are feathered, and the rest of their body is covered in fur of varying length. They can be nearly any color, and are typically aligned with water or air as their elemental magic.

Scaled dragons have a variety of features. They typically have reptilian faces, but not always. All have reptilian tails, some with spaded tips or fins. Most have leathery wings, but these wings sometimes don’t develop fully or at all. Their scaled skin may or may not extend into plates; this feature is most common on fire, earth, and ice-aligned dragons. Water and ice aligned dragons may have webbed digits and spines, or prominent dorsal fins. Some aquatic lineages sport inefficient gills.

Culture

Values

Both variants of dragon value a balance of strength and knowledge, and believe the entire world is just balanced sets of opposing forces. They are generally social creatures and will stick with their groups, whether that be a town or family or friends. This corresponds to a heavy emphasis on loyalty, with betrayal of loved ones being considered a serious sin.

Language

Dragons have a spoken and written language known as Draconic. While others can learn to read it, it can be difficult for many other species to form the growling sounds required to speak their language.

Arts

Draconic art takes the form of sculptures and writing most often. It pays homage to the elements and the balance of the world; draconic fiction often involves stories of heroes restoring an upset in the order of things, and is popular even outside of their culture.

Traditions

Dragons tend to be a people of ritual rather than open celebration, with respect quietly paid to their loved ones and to their world.

A common gesture among dragons is the forehead touch. It signifies the deepest level of trust one can give, and is not reserved for romantic partners - it can be used with partners, friends, family, or anyone else considered trustworthy.

Magic Use

Dragons of both varieties are magically adept, but tied to a specific element, which corresponds to their breath weapons. Fire, ice, steam, lightning, wind, sand, and acid breath are the most common types.

Distribution

Halios

Dragons aren’t common on Halios, and the feathered variant is extremely rare. Much of their history dating to before the Daiten has been lost, and their largest town was completely demolished in the fall and the resulting crater.

Aegoros

Dragons are relatively common on Aegoros, but prone to chronic illness or deformity due to their sensitivity to the continent’s rich magical energy. The feathered variant is much rarer and tends to feel the effects of the continent’s magic more harshly.

Eutera

Eutera is where most of the dragons of both variants reside. They’re common there, and the Euteran dragons are the ones most immersed in their culture, able to organize relatively freely within the kingdoms and outside of them.

Unicorns

Physical Description

Lifespan

100-120 years; maturity at 20

Height Range

10-12 feet, not including horn

Features

Unicorns are graceful creatures with cloven-hooved feet and silky manes and tails. Their tails are long, tufted, and whiplike, not horselike. While their faces have a generally horse-like structure (though finer-boned), their noses resemble that of big cats and they have catlike eyes. They have prominent canine teeth in an otherwise herbivorous mouth. In older unicorns, the mane may spread to the cheeks and underside of the jaw, as well as further down the spine and along the upper part of the tail. The rest of their bodies are covered in fine, silky fur. Their most prominent feature is the large, curved horn rising from between their eyes. Most are pale in color, though darker coat colors do occur along with piebald spotting mimicking that of horses.

Culture

Values

Unicorns are prideful in nature, and encourage constant bettering of the self. Critiques are considered a sign another cares rather than an insult or an expression of dislike. Most unicorns strive to achieve and become more than they were.

Language

Unicorns have their own language, Cornian, that is both spoken and written. It is an elaborate and descriptive language, and others don’t generally get opportunities to learn it. The common trade language is always taught as well, and many will pursue education in other languages.

Arts

Unicorn-made products are considered luxury, and that is where many unicorns find themselves working. Fine art, excellent music, stunning clothes, and delicate jewelry are favored by the wealthy across all three continents, but particularly in Eutera.

Traditions

Unicorn celebrations follow the equinoxes and solstices, just four a year. They are elaborate displays of personal achievement where artisans sell their goods, others spend money, and the young are brought into the spotlight and their raw potential celebrated. New births are also causes for celebration. Funerals are quiet and quick affairs, focusing on the lost potential and the achievements of the deceased.

Magic Use

Unicorns have an inherent connection to the world around them. Their horns in particular are incredibly sensitive to magical energies. Though unicorns have powerful magical ability, many avoid using it as it feeds back into their senses and can overwhelm them quickly.

Distribution

Halios

Unicorns are fairly common on Halios, finding work producing luxury goods in the major Daiten cities, or forming their own communities on the eastern side of the continent.

Aegoros

Aegoros’ magical energy is overwhelming for unicorns. There are very few and the ones that are there tend to be isolated and keep to themselves.

Eutera

Unicorns are common on Eutera, especially in the west and center of the continent. Many travel to sell their works or find themselves in positions of nobility in the kingdoms.