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“It was us who raised Andromeda from the ashes. It was us who forged culture out of barbarism and peace out of war. Ours is the eternal legacy of power!”
“If order is to be defined; should wrath be brought down in waves of fire upon planets - the Draconis shall do so, and shall do it with fervor to stay the hands of many others”
- - Unknown
The Draconis (Plural: Draconis Posessive: Draconid; High Dracid: Drak-onisus Dweller of Drak) or Drakonisii are a race of bipedal reptiles originating from the planet Alcanti. They are the host species of the Draconid Imperium, notorious for their policy of 'Pax Draconica', a sense of superiority over species younger than their Imperium and a diverse spread across the First Gigaquadrant. This spread, their diplomatic extent and their spacefaring legacy have imprinted an indellible mark on the legacy of the gigaquadrant
Proud, arrogent, militaristic and cunning; many would at first mistake Draconis for predators with self-awareness or war-eager warriors presenting an air of civility or sophistication about themselves. Behind the mask of honour and martial prowess, many of the mare exceedingly intelligent, with their long-lasting civilisations proving as a testement to the proposals of their philosiphers, scientists and politicians and the cunning of their soldiers and commanders. With a recorded history of over three hundred thousand years and a track record of uplifting alien civilisations, they have become regarded as living precursors by some and a race of old men by others. Evidence of their past and present civilisations can be found throughout most of known space.
Along with this reputation, they share an odd, almost fraternal, connection with the Zazane, the Kicath and several of the Capreicornian tribes of the Cyrannus Galaxy that has intrigued scholars since each of these connections came to light.
Biology[]
Physiology[]
Draconis are carbon-based lifeforms, their genetic code consists of six base nucleotides that arrange themselves into a total of 38 different chromosome pairs. Each chromosome contains an estimated four to five-and-a-half metres of DNA bundled up into a structure between 6 and 11 micrometres in length.
The average Draconis has a standing height of 2.8m, but depending on how long they live a healthy specimen can reach four metres or more in height. Their lifespan is considerably long compared to lifespans of humans and other species with accounts of members living up to roughly 730 or even 800 years, reaching sexual maturity at 40 years of age and continue to grow throughout their lives, typically at a rate of a few millimetres per year after 45 years of age. The body is covered in hard scales of cobalt blue but colours of navy blue, auburn and even crimson have been reported, if less common. They have a row of deep crimson scales on the head and thicker scales along the back and stomach. Members of the species are one of the uncommon species of endothermic reptiles. Draconis possess thick strands of keratin that emerge from just behind the eye and from a spot at the top of the head that resembles hair. Members of the species often braid and style these into various patterns of hair as a symbol of status and sophistication. The side strands rarely extend below the bottom of the jawline while the top strands can reach the base of the neck. Draconis do not have tear ducts, the eye is kept moist and protected from sunlight with a dark-tinted translucent nictating membrane that passes over it which is designed to clear debris and keep the eye moist during high-speed flight, the transparency of these membranes means Draconis can go for long periods of time without blinking with their other eyelids and allows better visibility in the bright landscapes of Alcanti during the daytime.
A fully grown young adult can measure 2.8m to the top of the head and measure one metre in width. From head to tail they measure in at 4m long proportionally. A typical fully-grown adult will weigh on average about 420 kilograms or more and much of their bulk is centred around their core bodies and their muscular tail. The development of a large head - the skull cavity of which is two times larger than in a human - holds a large and complex brain that can contain as many as 7x more synaptic connections than in the human brain. Cognative ability is greatest between 45-500 years of age, with noticeable decreases in brain function when an individual reaches 550 years of age. Draconis muscle tissue is much larger in proportion to many human muscles and coupled with their size they are capable of significant feats of strength.
Draconis can constantly replace teeth and without the interference of gum disease or any other form of tooth loss it is possible to measure the rough age by counting how many teeth have been lost over their lifetime. This includes taking into account that the rate of tooth loss - which varies between individuals - with a healthy adult losing on average one tooth every 4-7 months. A venom gland at the back of the mouth allows them to spit a poison mixed with saliva at their chosen target. Hearing within the species is much better than in humans and they are capable of hearing sounds above the range of human hearing. Any sounds above 85db are discomforting to their ears with prolonged exposure to sounds above 130db causing noticeable pain.
A distinguishing feature is the pair of bat-like wings in the form of two long arms emerging from the back. The span of each wing of a typical adult measures between 4.5-5.2m, allowing for long-distance flight. With a total wingspan that can reach ten metres along with chest and arm muscles capable of exerting over 1kN of force under limitation allows a Draconis to reach speeds of over 210mph when airborne. Their hands consist of three large fingers with a single thumb directly opposite to the middle finger that are tipped with large claws that are typically maintained at a length of 15-20cm.
Draconis possess little sexual dimorphism and females bear very few differences to males. Distinguishing features include being slighly smaller and having lighter-coloured scales. Draconis reproduce in similar ways to most reptiles and will lay a clutch of eggs once a year. The embryo on average takes 12-15 Earth months to develop. When the baby is ready to emerge the eggshell becomes weakened and the baby uses a spike on it's tail to weaken the eggshell, it then pokes it's head through before emitting an ultrasonic cry.
The respiratory system consists of three sets of lungs combined with two air sacs each. Air flows down the windpipe and into the rear air sac where it is then driven into the lung as air from the forward air sac flows out, creating a continuous flow of air. Draconis can retain peak functioning as high as 6km above sea level under one standard atmosphere. It is possible for Draconis to close the passageway to the smaller third lung on the back, providing a store of air to lift the body. The lungs are made up of large numbers of micro-tubes laced with blood vessels where oxygen and nitrogen diffuse into to be transported throughout the body. Like many lifeforms on Alcanti, the core body temperature of a typical Draconis averages around 57 to 59 degrees centigrade, they are vunerable to hypothermia when core temperature drops below 55, and suffer hyperthermia at 64 degrees. Body temperature is maintained in two ways, both of which are dependant on surface area exposure. The first is that they are capable of fanning out many of the scales on their body. Like with their voice this can also be used for intimidation or to appear threatening. Draconid wings also act as radiators when they are hot, signs of this can be seen in an increased vibrancy in the colour of the membrane tissue, a product of the increased blood flow occurring in the membranes.
The syrinx produces croaking and rumbling noises which resemble something similar to a lion's roar, through speech the draconis voice is typically low and booming and members are known to make the previously mentioned tones within their speech when agitated or angered. Because Draconis possess a triple-branched syrinx their natural tone involves producing three different "voices" at once, with the rest state producing tones of largely similar pitch to each other. These three tones converge to produce a conglomerate voice that is usually very deep, on average measuring at an average frequency of around 80-90Hz. When agitated or in order to make themselves more threatening, Draconis can alter the three tones individually to produce a more varied conglomerate voice.
Diet[]
Draconis sustain themselves on a primarily-carnivorous diet, but are also capable of ingesting a small variety of plant material from Alcanti including Jumar (a melon-like fruit), perinberries and around 20 tuber species such as Barvosi. With an advanced metablolic rate it is possibe for a draconis to go for 1.5 months without eating as a result of an advanced digestive tract. Evolving on plains and to cope with high-altitude air travel Draconis can last up to seven days without water, most of which comes from ingesting the moisture residual in organic tissue.
Group Dynamics[]
Family groups are organised into broods of between 20-60 members. These groups are matriarchal and led by the oldest broodmother of the group and is the equivalent of the matriarch. The majority of broods normally consist of several males with the occasional female. Although marriage can occur between broods the bond is more flexible than in human societies and the two broods combine to become a single brood. Houses are formed form the combination of several broods and exist as the backbone of social dynamics, with Draconis often displaying preference to members of their particular house and it being a social norm for Draconis to be able to mate with any house member so long as neither is a close or moderate blood relative.
Within each generation there are at least two broodmothers who will care for the eggs. Any male within the generation who is not a direct relative of the broodmother is permitted to fertilise the eggs (Marriage is used to provide viable genetic material). A single broodmother cares for the fertilised eggs until they hatch and will care for the young for the first decade of their life. Baby draconis have little understanding of parental bonds and will regard the broodmother as their carer for the first decade before they are introduced to the rest of the brood. It is common for the father to watch the hatching take place and may show affection for the newborns but care remains the responsibility of the broodmother.
Occasionally a broodmother will choose a single male who will fertilise her eggs. Although acceptable some consider this limiting to diversity but this does not appear to deter anyone.
Development[]
Draconis do not cease growth once they reach past a certain age. Instead, they continue growing throughout their lives.
Adulthood is divided into two distinct phases, the "prime" phase and the "elder" phase. In the prime phase, a Draconis will sport an athletic build a strong drive for activity and a degree of youthful energy. The slim builds of Draconis in the prime phase along with a set of retractable fins in their tails allow them to achieve significant degrees of aerial dexterity, establishing the Draconis as a species of flyers. Draocnis in the prime phase will sometimes express a desire to see far-off places in part thanks to an inbuilt eagerness to fly.
Around the third century of their lives, Draconis undergo a transformation of sorts. As a result of their increasing age and size, their bodies begin to exert a growth in girth, increasing the volume of skeletal muscle tissue and a hardening of their scales. In this elder phase, Draconis gradually lose their versatility in the air but most retain an ability to glide due to their still-impressive wingspans. Draconis in the elder phase are often respected for their age-bound wisdom, their strength and an improved resilience and stamina compared to the younger prime-phase kind. Along with the physical transitions, senior-phase Draconis have been known to become more conservative and family-oriented, often displaying an increased desire for offspring.
Draconis genetics are not built to have them die of old age but they will continue to grow (albeit at a slower rate) throughout their elder years. The oldest of the species eventually reach a state where their weight outpaces their strength and they become slower and more sedentary as the years progress. The point where movement becomes difficult is known as the "ancient" phase. There is debate as to whether this is considered a succcessor to the elder phase or if it is a second stage of the elder phase but it is commonly agreed that a draconis enters this period of life when movement in standard gravities becomes difficult due to increasing size and mass. And depending on the local gravity this phase commonly begins in the draconis' seventh to ninth century of life.
Psychology[]
As group preadators, Draconis are creatures who are highly cunning and analytical, preferring the company of large social groups. Due to a long lifespan, most Draconis a form of long view that can make them seem analytical or cautious. Because their perception of the passage of time is more rapid in comparison to humans, Draconis can often appear slow to come to a decision. Their conservative attitude to decision-making make Draconis tough to break emotionally and when one does it is often from a large buildup of negative thoughts and feelings as opposed to a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Children are generally considered curious and signal curiosity with either pointing or a direct question before looking at the parent or minder. Once reaching maturity they become far more open to socialising with the opposite gender even if the approached party is of a different brood.
Because Draconis lack tear ducts, they express sadness through loosening of the face and narrowed eyes although they are still prone to similar psychological effects and stimuli. Flickering the nicitating membranes over the eyes is a common common sign of psychological strain such as distress or sadness.
The typical Draconis attitude to the act of sexual intercourse is infamously one of repulsion, believing it to be a private affair that would be rude to boast about. It is not uncommon for other beings to mistake this attitude to a general disdain for intercourrse. This is largely because a quirk in the Draocnis brain makeup that makes it night-impossible for them to enjoy the act unless under the influence of sex pheromones emitted by the opposite gender. When exposed to these pheromones, Draconis - males especially - become frighteningly amorous towards the pheromone emitter. Because Draocnis culture treats the act as a largely private affair between two individuals, it is rare for a Draconis to express his lust in public. The severity to which Draconis act under the influence is suspected to be tied to the concentration and potency of the pheromone. As well as amorous behaviour, both males and females under the influence of such pheromones are prone to acting aggresive, argumentative, impulsive and short-fused. Males can develop a dislike for male companions, even friends, when under the influence.
Draconis experience the passage of time at 70% the rate Homo sapiens do. While their eyes and brains are capable of developing more detailed images, species with faster perceptions of time can appear jittery or impatient from their perspective, leading to misconceptions among them that shorter-lived species can be considered naive, impulsive and quick to judge by Draconis perceptions. Although ponderous, Draconis have an impressive eye for detail and can spot small details that may go unnoticed by faster beings. The downside is a reduced sense of reaction time.
Being predators possessing a pack mentality, Draconis are rather cautious when around non-draconis, and often bear a tendency to view outsiders of their house with distrust. Although they consider other houses to be inferior to a lesser degree than non-draconis, this level of alienation does not prevent them from working together and such tendencies only linger when around other members of the species. As mentioned before Draconis are naturally psychologically strong-willed creatures and are also restrained. So although xenophobic, they are infrequently prone to such displays, keeping such attitudes to themselves they can come off as stoic, haughty or uncaring of other species. Facial expressions are often slight, identification capitalising on the enhanced eyesight possessed by the species. A Draconis grinning for instance (teeth included) is commonly considered by by members of the species as an unnerving sight and a potential sign of mental instability. This subtlety can cause confusion during politics between other species as a Draconis' own expressions can be too subtle to notice while they can also (without training) be prone to misinterpreting the facial expressions of others.
Because of the changes that they udnergo as they become older, becoming larger, stronger and wiser with age, many Draconis hold a deep-rooted approval that age grants superiority. Age is considered an appealing quality alongside size and strength both in social heirachies and in preferences for a mate. Draconis in a group will foten defer to the strongest member, typically doing so under the impression that this presumably makes hi mthe oldest and therefore more well-equipped to lead. Most Draconis see no issue in an age gap between two individuals of the opposite gender.
Subspecies and Ethinicities[]
With an extent over most known galaxies and a spacefaring history of over a quarter of a million years, Draconis are an immensely diverse species with dozens, potentially hundreds of different phenotypes in order to survive on alien worlds and a long history of genetic alteration in order to adapt and improve themselves. The Draconid Imperium's turbulent history has also led to the diversification of Draconis who adapted and advanced outside the influence of the Imperium. Despite this, the Alcanti-born subspecies remain as the most recognisable Draconis phenotype in the first gigaquadrant.
History[]
Contrary to popular understanding, the draconis are not a single species or genus. Over the millennia there have been several species who have taken up the title which began with the original drak'onisi that evolved on Alcanti but by the present day this original species - believed to be a winged, naga-like serpentine race - have faded into history with no known examples currently living. Alcanti and the core worlds surrounding Aldra however are littered with their architecture and it is believed this original species had laid the groundwork for modern draconid culture. While the term "draconid" itself has referred to the species that took up the mantle, the varied history of the inheritors has inaccurately applied the term "draconis" or "draconid" to any citizen of the Imperium.
The reasons for successor species taking up the mantle are varied, but it is accepted by scholars that each of the Imperium's Historical eras denote a reign of each of these successor species with the Era of the Prime Paragons being the Imperium as ruled by the original drak'onisi. Whether the succession was achieved by conquest, ecliping the previous generation or rescuing the Imperium from collapse, the inheritors have typically adopted the mantle of Draconis as their own. Most inheritors have bene recorded to undergo a change as they adapt themselves to become the Draconis, including genetic modification in order to reseble - either largely or in part depending on the trends of the inheritors - either the Drak'onisi or the previous generation. Whether out of reverace or a display of might, Alcanti has always been considered the homeworld of the Draconis no matter the generation.
To those who know of them, the original drak'onisi are held in reverence as the projenitors of the Imperium with immense wisdom due to the legacy they have left behind and the systems they established. Shrines and temples to the drak'onisi have been witnessed on a number of worlds the Draconis visit or inhabit. Due to the fragmented knowledge of the originals however, the portrayal of the original drak'onisi varies wildly from planet to planet.
The current inheritors of the drak'onis gained supremacy at the end of the Era of Tunnels. The current inheritors are believed by scientists to have originated from a small empire in the Milky Way Galaxy's mid-rim. After gaining influence within Draocnid society, this species began intermingling with declining noble Houses that had become stretched with the expansion into the Milky Way. It is unknown when the transition reached the point the species adopted the mantle of Draconis but it is understood by scholars to have been a diplomatic transfer of power.
Rumours and conspiracy theories persist that some of the original drak'onisi still exist as the most ancient and most powerful of the millennials, who have reached an age and metabolism that they exist as cosmic gods. Because of their extended perceptions of time, conspiracy theoeies mention an ability to manipulate events over millennia.
Culture & Society[]
The Draconis take pride in brood, friends and kind. Many venerate and respect their elders, preferring to see their elders buried in a tomb rather than a simple grave. Members of the species who feud still respect each other in death and those who would desecrate the burial site of another would not only be considered turning their back on brood but also themselves. They take pride in upbringing, education and martial prowess but would prefer themselves and their children to be home-schooled by an elder rather than taught by someone outside of the brood. Draconis take great pride in culture and the arts, with some of the most respected members of society being professionals in either visual or performing arts. Their long lifespan and complex brain means they can learn much compared to a more short-lived species, they take education as a source of pride and can be angered easily if someone tries to undermine their level of understanding. Teaching is a sign of respect within Draconid society and members of the species take pride in teaching others of their kind, if a Draconis is taught something new they gain respect from that member and this is one of the few ways for an outsider to impress the Draconis.
Creative arts[]
Creative works in Draconid society are characterised by the amount of time spent on the construction and the meticulous detail that goes into them, aided by an extraordinary ability to capture detail. Artists frequently emphasise the phrase "You cannot rush art" to the point where a single project can take months or even years longer than expected.
Draconid music primarily takes the form of orchestral pieces. The reason the popularity of such music has not died out is because it is not just the harmonious tones they enjoy but they also appreciate the effort that was put into creating such music, the engineering feats of a good composition and the amount of organsation and coherence required to create a truly great piece. Many aspects of their culture emphasise care and attention to detail and artists will frequently go into meticulous detail to make their work as close to perfect as is possible. Their music is renowned for its added complexity. Draconis compositions include finer semitones, allowing for more intricate pieces ot be conducted at the cost of the complexity of the instruments used. Orchestral groups following their prinicples of composition use a combination of instruments capable of playing either low-pitch range and high-pitch range notes with further divides the tasks in orchestral groups. Due to the added range of notes, it has been recorded that the intricacy of Draconid compositions has been lost on several listeners who may be unable to detect the finer changes in pitch.
These principles also occur in other genres, the advent of computerisation allowing for an orchestra's performance to be constructed digitally from vast libraries of instruments.
Film and visual multimedia is more varied in their society than music. The wide variety of available genres are emphasised to captivate and explore every level of a draconis' imagination. Like with music, directors and actors prefer going into meticulous detail to make their creations perfect and exemplary and rivalry with other artists is common. The end result is frequently of exemplary quality and even millennia later a piece of work, be it a building, film or musical score, can still be considered a masterpiece worthy of the modern age.
Social Structure[]
Modern Draconis groups are organised into houses which can consist of one or more broods typically bound by the marriage of an individual. "Houseless" draconis are rare and are generally considered inbred or the product of two uncombined broods or houses. Whatever the origin the houseless have been exiled from their parent house, even though they still register on a census they cannot serve in the military or in a respectable line of work, meaning that many resort to crime to survive. Brood members can request to found a new house if they wish thus increasing diversity and will usually keep cordial ties to the parent house unless certain circumstances prevent otherwise - such as a forbidden union, disgrace, or rebellious nature of one or more brood members - Although this separates the brood the new house is forbidden to breed with the parent house due to blood ties. The house system itself is believed to have existed in one form or another since the early clans. Over the millennia, the house concept has existed in various forms such as family clans, townships, administrative families and corporate dynasties, with the current system varying between corporate dynasty and administrative family depending where in the Draconid Imperium one looks.
While the etymology of names varies with region and lineage, traditionally most Draconis (more specifically those among the aristocracy) bear three elements to their names: Their given name, their bloodline name and their house name. While it is generally accepted for most such Draconis to identify their bloodline by the maternal bloodline, others will prefer identifying by their paternal bloodlines or combining them into a double-barreled bloodline name. The use of one's bloodline name is common when used among family members and rare when used by those outside the house while the use of the house name is common mainly to individuals outside of the house. When two houses combine though a marriage ceremony, the common practice is for the smaller house to adopt the name of the larger house. House names of the absorbed family are either or kept as a tradition by older members. Depending on the custom, this can result in double-barreled house names. Most Draconis are rather egalitarian in regards to the significance of an individual's gender. In ancient times, while males were the ones who trained and marched to war, females often stayed behind and manage the household or train to protect the hometown. The roles of broodmothers and bloodline matriarchs mean that females in Draocnid society often command great respect, and are generally seen as equal individuals to males. In marriage ceremonies, it is common for the smaller house to become a bloodline within a larger house. But when two houses of equal power merge, tradition dictates it is the family of the groom that adopt the house name of the fiancee. The significance of women when it comes to heritage can be seen in bloodline names: Due to the importance of broodmothers to the survival of a particular lineage, it is tradition for both sons and daughters to carry their mother's bloodline name.
Houses are classified into two categories: grand houses and common houses - the Draconis equivalent of noble and common families respectively - Although it is possible for a common house to elevate themselves by combining with a grand house through marriage such unions give birth to so-called 'half-bloods' and many grand houses frown on such a union. Both categories are often mixed in their own circles of politics, economics and rivalries. Although it is rare for a common house to mix themselves with the matters of an unrelated grand house, some families believe this helps them become a grand house (or at least give the illusion of such) however this is never the case, requiring confirmation from the reigning paragon to be elevated. Such actions by 'false houses' make more enemies than allies and can lead to the entire house becoming social pariahs. The senate may exile certain houses if they believe they are such a danger or threat to society to warrant this but most of the time this is done to common houses due to their lack of influence in government. A government department known as the House Census Order based in the city of Orras'Dacon keeps track of activities such as births, deaths, mergers and divisions of each individual house.
Ritual Cannibalism[]
A largely extinct practice in modern times, Draconis are a species that has in the past entertained a virtue in the act of cannibalism. The act was often a cultural phenomenon, carrying a social impact that goes beyond consuming the flesh of one's kind. In ancient times, powerful individuals and families would serve their enemies in banquets, either among themselves as a token of victory, or as a psychological tool when dealing with that enemy's allies, as to be fed the flesh of an ally was seen as an indicator of how dangerous the server was. Initially widespread and a celebrated act during the time of the Minosian Empire, the cultural motivations fell out of favour as the empire collapsed and faded into history, and today is largely maintained by individuals with romantic ideas on the methods of the Minosian Empire.
Even during the act's zenith of popularity under the Minosian empire, the act had rules and boundaries. To simply kill and consume one's enemies was seen as savage even among its most proud practitioners. Custom dictated that the act only carried meaning when done with ceremony, and that the body had to be prepared lest one be seen as celebrating the more animalistic connotations of the consumption of food. Wealthy and powerful Draconis often committed the act during grand banquets, where the victim was served as part of the festivities, and it was the host's duty to always take the first bite. There are numerous accounts of scheming magnates who invited their enemies to a banquet of reconciliation only to serve that enemy's ally as the main course.
In present times the act is a very esoteric one, with the only practitioners being enthusiasts in the ways of old or those holding romantic interpretations of the past. The largest group of Draconid practitioners currently known are the aristocratic wing of the Khaxvis Resurgence, albeit with less outward pomp and ceremony than the original periods of practice due to the need for a low profile. Like the traditional practitioners, Khaxvis practice the act as a ritual, primarily targeting members of House Ultanos as a display of power over their hated rivals.
Military Philosophy[]
Along with culture the draconis also take pride in military prowess; Members of the species are not considered an adult - both by peers and the state - without some formal military training. As a result of this military academies are treated like schools and each citizen must serve at least 10 years in the local military on their 40th birthday before gaining full citizenship. Upon completion they accept a single preferred weapon for sentiment that they will keep for the rest of their life. It is considered a point of honour to accept a deceased brood member's weapon upon graduation rather than a weapon directly from the local armoury - a tradition in keeping with Draconis values of respect towards relatives.
All members of the species are trained to treat officers with the utmost respect (both senior and subordinate) and desertion is seen as a vile act of cowardice. There are urban legends of deserters returning only to be stripped of all rank, privilege and social status, descending into the degenerate houseless. When a soldier is tried during a court-marshal the outcome can be as minor as expulsion from the military or demotion to the frontlines (if the offender is an officer) to becoming a member of the houseless or even exile from imperial space. Desertion is considered the greatest act of cowardice and punishment is considered on par with being a double-agent. Execution is reserved for traitors and betrayal of the state and - depending on the severity of the outcome - execution is typically by firing squad and is a public event for the most severe cases.
Body Decoration[]
Draconis take great pride in tradition and expression. As such, what they consider a "clean" body - one with no scars, amrkings or tattoos - is a body with no history or significance. As such, many Draconis take up the art of either painting or tattooing their bodies with various dyes, some (particularly those in nobility) also enjoy decorating their horns with engraving or gilding.
However it is not just any sort of body art that is culturally acceptable. While the visual nature of the patterns varies with culture and region, the preference is for geometric or repeating patterns. Draconis with Minosian heritage for instance will adorn their bodies with much more angular artwork than the flowing, more floral artwork that Ossilan Draconis may adorn themselves with. Within their culture, these patterns tell stories of family deeds, heroic accomplishments or artistic accomplishments. The amount of artwork that adorns a Draconis' body can also identify their station; Nobles will often adorn themselves with much more total and intricate patterns than Draconis with a lowborn heritage. A noble might have half of his face and both of his arms adorned with twisting, intersecting vines in six subtle hues of red while an ordinary citizen might be satisfied with a navy blue plaited band running down his left arm and a pair of vines running under his right eye. For a Houseless, either being adorned or being unadorned is a source of disdain by others: The former is a visual message for how far the individual has fallen, while the latter is seen as a confirmation that the individual is no one worth noticing or acknowledging.
The art of body adornment is not always done alone, and since classical times has been seen seen as an artistry that one can become a master at. As such, it is often preferable to be adorned by a professional artist rather than doing it yourself, and especially among the aristocracy the relation between an aristocrat and their body artist can be as intimate as the relation between their tailor or fitness instructor. Many official body artists treat the designs they impart as a language of its own, while higher profile artists might experiment with their own ways of conveying this visual language. A body artist well known for their designs or their connections can become a celebrity among the Draconis, popular artists can enjoy a similar kind of popularity to trendsetting fashion designers where it becomes a mark of social status to be seen wearing that artisan's designs.
Religion[]
Main Article: Religion
“Deep within his lair, the great Drakon fashioned all life as we know it from his hands, from this sacred earth he sculpted the first draconis with great care and love. Once finished he leaned to examine and admire us, his greatest work. As he did he donated his sacred breath, from which all life before had come”
- - Book of Divine Teachings 5:12-14
The Following of Drakon's Path is the state religion of draconis society but not the Imperium. The core philosophy of which is that the cult's namesake is a god who created the world and made the draconis. Teachings state that he made them as his magnus opum and all he asked them was that they appreciate the world he had created for them and to cherish their potential. The following's teachings state He had also blessed them with long life so they could admire his grander works and donate time to exceed in their passions. The book's teachings encourage self-improvement while keeping vague as to what directions of self-improvements are accepted. This has led to a broad number of Draconis treating such things as weapon aptitude, war strategy, leadership and artificial enhancement (both in the sense of practicality and appearance) as artforms in their own right.
Drakon is portrayed as a colossal dragon with scales of gold and is commonly portrayed shielding Alcanti with his wings. The following states that he deeply cares for both the world and the draconis, and that the phrase "his finest work" refers to the draconis as his favourite and best creation. These teachinga are the source of their racial arrogance and superiority. Much of the religion is based around his teachings to the early draconis; the appreciation of art, how to care for the world and to respect it and how to cherish what potential they had. After first contact with the Speeder the idea that the other species existed to serve them grew to include other sentient aliens. The cult's sacred writings also portray Drakon as a craftsman who's ability goes far beyond anything known in this universe.
There are several sects within the following of Drakon's Path with varying ideas on how to interpret Drakon, his words to them, the opinons on origins and their race's ultimate fate.
Paragons are believed to be the chosen of Drakon; blessed at birth to lead their people forward. House Ultanos in particular believes their golden scales were a sign from Drakon that they are the rightful leaders of the draconis. As a result of this, a jut attitude and their overall popularity, the Ultanos line is one of the longest in the Draconid Imperium's history.
Alternate Variations[]
“We are broken, we are weary, but our light has not gone out...not yet”
After the fall of the Andromedan Galactic Commonwealth, the Draconis - though perseverence and the unnatural will of Uriel Ultanos possess one of the last bastions of civilization within Andromeda. Along with an increased naval presence, the Draconis sacrificed numerous civil liberties within the Imperium. They have not fallen as far as most, still retaining some semblance of advanced technology and exist as one of the most technologically-advanced societies outside the nearby Dominion of the Xhodocto
Once a proud people throughout their society, the luxury of the pre-depression era now primarily belongs in the hands of the wealthy and powerful elite who exert more power and influence than ever, their once tolerant society has been driven though circumstance to revere Uriel as a divine being. With faith becoming an increasingly attractive reason for survival, the Draconis have become split, with those following the now-dominant cult to Uriel, and those following the old Path of Drakon, with some donning the mantle of the Inquisitor, others turning to crime or supporting the enormous criminal cartels that emerged during the depression era.
If it can be considered a positive, the dire situations have led to a surge in Draconis displaying telepathic abilities, some suspecting this is a result of the influx of Radeon refugees into what remains of the Imperium.
“The Iron claw of the Patriarch rules all!”
As the ruling species of the Empire of Dranvamus, the Draconis are one of the most powerful species in ANdromeda. As one of the early members of the Gigaquadrantic Hegemony, the Draconis enjoy an immense sphere of influence and a great degree of autonomy with rumours that the reigning Patriarch holds the personal ear of Emperor Aedanius I.
Gallery[]
Quotes[]
Feel free to add your own
“Their similarities to the Thirteen Tribes are... curious.”
- - Tyranus
“Draconic beings like us, but with a much different mindset. Relations must be strengthed, biology must be studied.”
- - Jerkon
“To six I will count, and you shall vanish...”
- - Divin-Ra −
“There are many things that we and the Wyrms of Dranvamus share: wisdom, culture, faith, integrity. Together, we shall bring a new golden age of prosperity and light to Andromeda.”
“They're a lot like us...only they have a refined, formal culture. ...What happened to us exactly?”
- - Agent Zeta
“A formal and cultured race who have organized their society in such a respectable way that it would be difficult to deny their prim and advanced nature. They are like my own kind; honourable and venerated. I feel thankful that such a race is here to brighten the darkness of Andromeda and this Gigaquadrant, otherwise we would have given up hope for allies. Although, it is a belief of mine that they have not reached their full potential as a race and still require time to truly become the revered and cherished dragons we so respect them as.”
- - Tyraz Breek
“A cultured and noble species, that is for certain... but way too old-fashioned for my liking.”
“They are refined. And yet, they are warriors, like us. Their place at the throne of the galaxy is well-deserved.”
- - Abal'nyan
“Arrogant brethren of ours...”
- - General Venaliy
“Flying reptilian sausages...”
- - Aemonkian Insult
Trivia[]
- Draconis first appeared in the fiction universe on September 14th, 2011.
- They were Monet47's first ever fiction creation since returning to Spore in 2011.
- They have gone though at least four model variations.
- Due to their creator's desire to perfect them, they gained an extensive anatomical description.
- Due to their bulk, many alien species consider Draconis to be "fat."
- Out of the existing Draconis subspecies:
- Sons of Hedon were created by GreatDestroyer12
- Drasheril were created by TheImperios
- Drantoa were created by both TheImperios and Lucario Of The Gods
- Orothiltastrii were modeled by Cyrannian and fleshed out in cooperation with Monet47
- This page was a featured article in January 2014.
- The opening quotes were provided by Imperios and Xho