The Beastiary
#4 of Dracon Chronicles Shadow Cradle
this is my way of giving you guys the background information, and the run-down of the world as it was imediatley before the events of this story, i was originally going to make this as basically a run-down from my perspective of the world, but i realised within 3 minutes i didn't know whether or not i'd have to put that as a journal or as a story or some other thing and I didn't wanna deal with that so this is basically a book written in-universe, in a way that sorta does the job. it's a beastiary and a combined set of like, political writings and sort of a guide to the continent of Knalga (which just-so-happens to be the continent on which all of the action so far, and most of the actio nin future chapters, will/have taken place) and I also decided, just to make sure it coutns as a story, to put the creation myth of the world (the most accepted one) at the end. it also should help you realise the political noise that's going on is various places (it focused on the southern nations mostly because the northern nations are a-holes and i didn't wanna discuss them(totally not because i couldn't come up with any distingtive northern nations)) don't worry, i'm working on the next chapter of shadow cradle.
The Beastiary and Combined works of Vincent Serbius Galagher, royal scribe to His imperial highness, High-king Garahmund the II, ruler of all of Scilisith, on orders from the war-goddess Rheda.
There are several types of dragons which go along a hierarchy, they are as follows
Tier 1(highest): Lys, Skygge, Elder.
Lys dragons have snake-like heads and longer necks and tails than other dragons, have bioluminescent blood, and they are considered one of the types of gods of the world. The only things capable of hurting a lys are shadows and skygge. The have thick scales and sharp claws, their teeth are however small and comparatively dull. Their fire-attacks are known to be hotter and brighter than other dragons capable of fire-breathing attacks, however generally last longer and they generally have less at their disposal. They can control light. Some have said that Lys are capable of instilling bravery in those who follow them, but this cannot be confirmed as being an innate ability instead of some other sort of explanation. How they age and how they breed are unknown.
Skygge have horns that curl from behind their ears to under their jaw, they are covered in fur but have thick scales on their chests and stomachs. Skygge aren't as large or as physically strong as lys, but are known to be more inquisitive, and have been described by the few who've known both to be more emphatic. Skygge can communicate with shadows, they don't have as much weight or as strong of natural defenses, however skygge do have an assortment of dangerous natural weaponry, they have serrated, shark-like teeth and needle-like fangs, they have cat-like claws with a minor serration along the inside edge, and on the end of their tail they have a small crystal of multiple colors which serves an unknown purpose, if the skygges horns are allowed to grow long enough they could be used to stab opponents, and can help defend the face and head from above and below. Some people have claimed that skygge can instil fear in the form of hellish nightmares in their foes, but there has been no evidence that this is from some magical ability instead of skilled manipulation and the legitimate threat of force. How they age and breed is unknown.
Elder Dragons are the species of dragons that originally inhabited the world, capable of adapting to an insane degree, capable of controlling their growth and even shrinking themselves over a prolonged period of time. Elder dragons scales adapt to camouflage themselves over time, and some have been known to grow gills in overly wet or otherwise aquatic areas. They can breath a fire or frost breath, and some have been known to use both(not at the same time) they breed in a similar way to most dragons and can inter-breed with most dragons, however few if any traits will be left behind of the elder dragon in such a coupling. After they reach a certain age (roughly 300 years old) their scales will be too strong to be pierced by normal weapons, and the only way known to kill them is to use either some sort of exotic poison, or to use an enchanted steel ballista bolt with serrated edges, designed in such a way that it would tear their scales off instead of attempt to pierce them, then a second, smaller bolt can be fired into the wound to deal the killing blow.
2nd tier: Fryse, Følelse, Raseri, Sygdom.
Fryse dragons are somewhat similar in appearance to a lys dragon, but their scales are pale white and silver instead of golden, and they do not have bioluminescent blood. Their metabolisms keep them from living in non-arctic environments, they have large stores of a powerful ice-breath attack, which is capable of freezing an adult human in warm furs solid. Other than that, they are very similar to lys, with heavy armor and deadly claws. They reach maturity at 30 years and old age at 700.
Folelse dragons are gaunt, with very thin scales and covered in spines. They are fairly pale and have large nostrils and eyes, with somewhat smaller ears. Their heads are somewhat oversized for their bodies. From their spines they can emit powerful pheromones and chemicals capable of manipulating large groups of people and animals into doing their will. Their claws are large, but aren't particularly useful for hunting, instead capable of stripping bark from trees, it's believed this is to help them make their chemical cocktails, but can't be confirmed. They do not have wings. They mature at 20 years and reach old age at 1200. (they can only naturally make pheromones for a few species, but can gain the ability to make new pheromones if they eat a healthy member of that species(generally by having something they can control kill one))
Raseri: Raseri are often considered one of the most physically capable of dragons, and are fairly intelligent, however this is often not considered since they are covered in thick plates of natural armor, have long sharp claws and their tales are spiked and, sometimes, bladed. And the fact that they emit and that their blood is filled with a powerful pheromone which instills all those who take it in(including themselves) with uncontrollable rage, or fear (depending on the one taking it in). Their pheromones are however counteracted by the pheromones of a raseri of the other sex. Raseri have a deep red or, occasionally, light pink, scales. Raseri that are mated often-times make life-long bonds and are however rarely seen, because they are either good at hiding or will be hunted down by creatures which rage is only compounded by their being 2 in such close proximity, or trying to keep from more Raseri being born. They mature at 20 and reach old age at 800.
Sygdom dragons are arguably the most physically strong, they have thick scales and powerful claws, some of them have beaks, they generally prefer to feast on rotting, diseased corpses. They aren't particularly territorial, however most won't live in areas near them because of the diseases they spread. They have a breath attack which is a hot, sticky liquid filled with bacteria and disease. They do not have spines or spikes on their tails, and they aren't strong fliers, only capable of gliding a distance, not true flight. They are dark green and black in coloration, but are often covered in slime from their prefered habitats. It is unconfirmed whether they can breath underwater or hold their breath for extended periods of time. They mature at 15 and reach old age at 900.
3rd tier: Klippe, Vand, Skov, mog
Klippe dragons are a deep grey in color, have vestigial (blind) eyes, and large batlike ears. They are blind and use echolocation to move around, they do not have wings and it is doubtful that they could fly even if they did. They have claws sharp and hard enough to cut through granite. Their intelligence is unknown. They mature at 5 and reach old-age at 600.
Vand dragons live in the oceans, rivers, and lakes. They have multi colored hides, blue along the forewards half, with red and white stripes along the back half. Their wings are useful in both water and air. They do not have legs, instead having one long tail, similar to a whales orca dolphins. They are covered in long sharp spines which leak an incredibly dangerous venom, and their claws are known to be able to shred through boat hulls. They are allied with the Mer nations. They mature at 60 and reach old age at 400.
Skov dragons live in forests, have dark and bright green scales, they are territorial to an extreme degree, defending their territory from anything that means harm to the forest (woodpeckers, beavers, lumberjacks...) they have the ability to aid plants in growth and regrowth, and have a minor control of plants that they've helped (getting more control the more they help it) unless the suspect you of damaging the forest in their territory they are very peaceful. They mature at 50 and reach old age at 700
Mog dragons are very similar to crocodiles and do not have wings. They can breath underwater and can go into hibernation often. They mature at 5 and reach old age(not counting years hibernated) at 200
4th tier dragons: Braende, Aere, Grishked, Firben and metalic dragons.
Braende dragons are very dangerous creature, well known for going on rampages over large swathes of land. They are also considered one of the dumbest. They will burn and/or kill anything in their territory, which makes them natural enemies of skov dragons. They have thick armor, sharp claws and teeth, and massive reserves of the chemicals used to breath fire. They are also one of the most common types of dragons. They mature at 5 and reach old age at 200.
Aere dragons are often considered fairly foolish, as they restrict themselves to strict moral guidelines, they are also not particularly strong as far as dragons go, being on average only a small bit bigger than a horse, and are often made into the mounts for nights, sometimes even if those knights are the ones they've trained. They mature at 1 year and reach old-age at 300, however many believe they reach old-age at 50, since that's the high-end of the average lifespan.
Grishked dragons are incredibly greedy, kleptomaniacal creatures with scales which take on the color and, if you believe the rumors, the strengths of metals which they lie upon. They have a second stomach for storing things they horde and a fire-breath based attack, as well as strong claws and thick scales. They're known to horde just about everything they can, and are often hunted for their hordes, but can sometimes be convinced to act as guards for roads, so long as they get a hefty tax from those who pass by. This is often used to the advantage of large merchant groups, since they can't tell the difference between what is valuable and what isn't valuable. They mature at 20 and reach old-age at 900.
Firben are arguably the dumbest race of dragons, being all but feral. They do not have forelegs but instead have over-grown wings. They have little natural armor, but are well known for grabbing those they hunt(or hunt them) and dropping them from a height to kill them. They mature at 4 and reach old age at 100.
Metalic dragons are Guld, Solv, and Kobber, which have gold, silver, and copper scales, and horde things that look like gold, silver, and copper. They all have a second stomach capable of holding things in.
Praeter dragons are dragons of other races heavily corrupted by the grey.
Non-draconic races.
Humans weak to both magic and the grey corruption, they are one of the most wide-spread races. It is believed that if the sun hadn't been created for a year or 2 more, humanity wouldn't exist today, since it takes their societies so long to react to/adapt to new things. Humans use light armors, and knights use heavy ones. They are known for using swords, bows, and sometimes spears. They have limited access to siege equipment. Southern nations mostly follow lunarin faiths, whereas northerners usually follow solarin faiths. There are many cults of primians, but they are relatively uncommon in the north, due to religious persecution. mature at 18, middle-aged at 30s, old at 60s.
Dwarves are relatively short, have thick body hair and good hearing with somewhat bad eyesight. They have very thick amounts of muscle and, when they eat well enough, fat. They are all but immune to the grey and magic. They are renowned for skilled warriors and blacksmiths, being one of the only groups to almost always have steel. They often use aces or crossbows, and have access to balista and explosie siege weapons. They use heavy armors. mature at 14 middle-aged at 80s, old at 300+ they follow many religions, mostly earthenis
Elves are a somewhat tall and lithe race, created when a grey-corrupted fae mated with either a human or a dwarf(it's unknown which) after the age of twenty elves become all but incapable of learning new things. All elves are powerful mages and often capable with bows or spears. Due to their learning problems they have very few good architects or blacksmiths, and thus many weapons and buildings are all but carbon copies of other ones, because they are usually either made by the single architect or blacksmith. They often live amongst nature and are allied with Skov, however are often considered cold and spiteful. They rarely use armor and use bows or magic as weapons (occasionally spears) and use magic for sieges. They mature at 10 and do not die of age, and stop aging at 20. Half-elves (with dwarves or humans) do not get the learning disability at 20, but almost always die at around the age of 40. They do not have nearly as much magical ability, but always have at least some amount of it. Half elves mature at 10 and reach old-age at 35. Half elves have been refused their rights for generations, and most kingdoms have signed agreements with the elves to send half-elves back to the elves if they are found attempting to flee. Elves and half-elves often follow lunarin religions.
The Fae are an all but immortal group of races native to the sidhe, which are born fully-grown and can only be killed with specific ways, and it is only permanent if they are killed in the sidhe. They have natural abilities very similar to magic.
Kitheris are a type of parasite which look like slimy tentacled creatures, with four beady red eyes, and many fangs in their strange mouths. They are believed to breath through their skin. When they attach to a host they either corrupt it into something very similar to a kitheris or fill it to the brim with kitheris eggs.
Mer are a race often(incorrectly) believed to be related to elves. They are an aquatic race 1 in every 20 mer are born with spines like a vand. They follow the aquaron religion.
Werewolves are humans infected with the grey, who prayed to and/or followed the primian religions god the altere wessen.
Harpies are similar to werewolves, but were elves instead of humans. Werewolves and harpies have a distinct feud.
Kat Ravale are a crab-like race with 6 legs and four arms, to in the place of "normal" arms with pincers with 4 parts instead of 2, and another small set on the chest which is more like the arms of dwarves/humans/elves/etc and capable of being used similarly to manipulate things. They are one of the oldest races native to this world, just as if not older than elder dragons. They lay eggs which are then fertilized by another kat ravale. They reach maturity within a few months and old age at 400, at 500 years old they begin having another kat-ravale grow inside of them, which is essentially a copy of themselves mentally and mostly physically, and which has the exact same memories as them. The "reborn" kat ravale will be a different color than it's previous form,their original form is grey, 2nd from(1st rebirth) is red, 2nd(3rd) is purple, 4th(3rd) is grey with golden markings. They have mandibles, they are capable of eating almost anything. There is a liquid deep underground similar to oil but non-flammable which increases their growth exponentially. Their carapaces are stronger than most weapons-grade steal, the only weapons reliable capable of killing them are siege weapons, other kat ravale, however they are also weak to excesses of hot and cold, and some magical frequencies have been found to cause their carapaces to crack and explode violently.
Eescruh are a race living on a large continent on the far side of the world, very little is known about them, other than that they are shorter than humans but taller than dwarves, have scales on their arms, stomachs, hips and legs, and that they are extremely violent, and have spines along their back. It is believed they have steel, but as said, very little is definitively known about them, some such absurd rumors such as they having eyes of multiple colors, piranha-like teeth, and speak a language of hisses and growls have become widespread, but these are all very unlikely. Other such outlandish rumors, such as them having so much steel that they hull their ships with it, and that they wield weapons made with the bones of dragons, or even more absurd, that the yhave steel claws which grow out of their hands, in all likelihood, they have some sort of weapon which drives though the attack to insanity, for that is the only way such madness could stick around.
Religions of the world are as follows,
the Solarians are the followers of the lys, they value honor, discipline, and strength and their "sins" are disloyalty and self-service. They often have images of the wild-hunt on holy armor. Solarin kings often wield the solar blades, swords gifted by the vaknir court to the original royal families.
Lunarins are the followers of the skygge, they value intellect, knowledge, shrewdness, and trickery. Their "sins" are oafishness, bigotry, and spite. They believe that the creation of the moon saved all life. Lunarin kings and queens often wield the lunar bow, an enchanted bow gifted to the original royal families by the Untvir court,
Earthenis is the religion of the dwarves, and has a much more "matter-of-fact" belief system, and hold that both lys and skygge were necessary to the existence of the modern world. They value honesty and strength of body and will over trickery or loyalty. Earthenian rulers often use the lunar bow or the solar sword.
Primians are the vile followers of a monstrous entity known as the "altere wessen", and it involves such bestial acts as live sacrifices of wolves and goats, and the burning of a number of herbs. The rituals are committed to gain the favor of the entity. They value nothing, and shun nothing.
It is in my belief that the Kat-ravale follow a religion in which "spirits" control the world, and certain creatures, specifically the kat-ravale, that are strong or wise enough will go to these spirits in death, becoming such creatures. They also seem to believe that the majority of races aren't capable of it because they either aren't strong enough physically, or aren't strong enough mentally, or simply aren't a natural part of the world. They also believe that dragons are natural representation of the elements and Natures of creatures in the world.
Aquaron is the religion of the mer, and little is known about it due to their hostile, reclusive nature.
Royal families are vast and many, and there are many nations to which they are the rulers of.
The Calrisian royal family has recently fallen on tragedy, the great king Calrik the VII has recently died, after coming down with an unknown illness which the healers couldn't cure. It is a shame that Calris has lost such a strong and influential ruler, and many nobles and merchants of Calris have expressed their doubts that the young heir will be able to get what is owed to him as well as his father could have done.
The Valgathrund royal family has often been plagued with incest and violence, however the current heir-apparent, Lord Haldisbury Valgathrund the XIII is a shining light of justice and how a royal should act, having been sent off to a Solarin monastery at a young age by one of his aunts, however his younger brother, Lord Hakner Valgathrund the second did not get such a fine schooling as a child, and is just as foul as much of his family, and the two have come to blows on many occasions. Lord Haldisbury has sent his remorse at Calrik the VII's father's death, and promised to try and help their two nations relationship when he becomes ruler, however his younger brother has publicly denounced such actions in the papers of the nation, saying that a friendship with calris would be the downfall of Valgathrund. I believe that such infighting amongst a royal family's heirs can only bring suffering, and am worried for how such actions will end.
The Vak-tul dwarven royal family, the Durn-Tuls, are known for a long history of respect and friendship with the Calrisian royal families, and have sold the late king Calrik the VII many ballistas, however due to the long travel and restrictive nature of philosophical and intellectual trade with the dwarven kingdoms i know nothing further about the royal family.
The Ban-Vil nation is ruled by the Ban-vil noble house, with a number of elves, humans, dwarves, and mixed breeds existing in it, it is known to have fostered positive relations with many kingdoms around it, if still leaving a bad taste in the mouths of those who discuss such a nation as it.
Kith-Van-Tureil is the elven nation within the dark-woods, and it's leaders are a council of druids and druidesses, from the time of the beginning. The closes thing they have to a royal ruler is the high-druidess Vinkiir, who witnessed the Celestial battle.
The Vif Carnas is ruled by a number of "noble" merchant houses, which constantly argue amongst themselves about the running of their territories and such, how a nation such as this is not only capable of functioning, but capable of making so much gold and being so stable as a power is unknown to me or any of my colleagues.
The Fiz Karuhm, the kingdom of the mer, is ruled by an imperial family, which delegates many things to 3 upper councils, which each delegate to several middling councils, which delegate to several lesser councils. The efficiency and the skill of these councils at ruling the empire is unknown, because all I ever saw whilst allowed to see them was infighting and arguing about even the most mundane of things.
The people of the continent Kalagna believe in two or three myths of the creation of the world, depending on whether or not they are solarin, lunarin, or Earthenin. they believe that when the world was born, it was surrounded the grey realm, which was itself surrounded by the sidhe. the lys came from the sidhe, burning the path of light through the grey, and created the sun which banished the chaos of the grey from the world, and depending on your point of view, began burning the world to a crisp, the Elder dragons waged war on the lys, either because of the worlds burning or to regain the chaos of the world, which one is unclear, which they lost, with almost 2/3s of the elder dragons being dead, then shortly afterwards the Skygge came down to the world, creating the path of shadows through the grey, and created the moon. whether to "bring darkness to the hearts of man" or to save the species of the world from being baked by the sun is heavily contested by the various religious groups of the continent. afterwards the skygge gathered the remaining Elder dragons and fought with the lys, after it set the moon in motion after the sun. it's unknown how the fight went, however the end is known and is one of the few fats agreed upon by the various religions, that both the lys and the skygge died, putting the last of their various light and shadow energies into their prospective celestial bodies. the fact of the matter is that it's unknown ifany of these groups is correct, and our own groups whih had similiar myths ahve all been wiped out, so we have no real cultural comparative
I wish to comtinue these reports, however my ship is leaving the Ban-Vilian port of Vith-Er-Ail in 3 hours, and I cannot afford to miss one of the few ships to leave to our own nation. I believe that an invasion of the southern half of the Kanalgan continent would be foolish at this time, however it would fair far better than the previous one. The Calrisian kingdom's alliances are in question, there is infighting amongst several nations, and the nations with the most military or financial power are either in the north and thus potential allies, or are in their own conflicts. the Calrisian king has passed away and his heir is untested and is unlikely to be able to take the reigns and command the respect and action of so many nations, however if he were able to do so the effects on our nation would be very negative, and I believe that if we were to succeed, we would only inherit the problems of these various nations, the rampant greed, the infighting, and the religious fervor could cripple us in the long term.