Draconian (Dragonlance)
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Draconians are a fictional species in the Dragonlance setting of novels and role-playing games. Draconians are humanoids with dragon-like features. Each race of draconians is patterned after a different race of dragons.
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[edit] History
Draconians are created through the use of a powerful and undetailed spell, the exact workings of which are unknown; all is known is that the process requires the spittle of a Chromatic Dragon, an evil Arcane spellcaster and a Cleric of Takhisis (who cast the spell in tandem) and the egg of a Metallic Dragon. This ritual causes the subject egg to produce a number of draconian hatchlings dependent upon the type of egg. A Brass Dragon's egg can produce as many as twenty draconians, whilst a Gold Dragon's egg will only yield two draconians at most. This process was first performed on bronze dragon eggs.
Draconians were created to serve as specialists or shock troops in the Dark Queen's army. They were supposed to be more predictable than humans, and more tractable than ogres or goblins. Even though both male and female draconians were created at the same time, the existence of the female draconians was concealed.
Draconians are the result of the use of evil magic. The dragon embryos were corrupted by a ritual performed by Dracart, Wyrllish, and Harkiel.
There are many types of draconians, depending on which type of metallic dragon egg they were corrupted from. Baaz were created from brass dragon eggs, Bozaks from bronze, Kapaks from copper, Sivaks from silver, and Auraks from gold. Draconians are reptilian creatures which have small wings on their backs which can be used for gliding. Also, fighting them is difficult due to their large size as well as death weapons. Once they die, draconians can either turn to stone and burying their victim, turn into giant pools of acid which can choke as well as burn, or their bones can explode creating a small crater. They have green blood, as it is based in copper.[1]
Until the Chaos War, many believed draconians to be sexless. However, it was known by at least one man (Dracart) that female dragon eggs yielded female draconians. Indeed, Dracart wished to the destroy all the female dragon eggs in order to prevent a future rebellion by the draconians. Unfortunately, Dracart was prevented from destroying the eggs by Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness. Instead, she ordered them hidden at various locations around Krynn where they would not be allowed to hatch.
When the Whitestone Forces started to mount a serious offensive, Takhisis ordered Dracart to create a more efficient method of creating draconians. As a result, Dracart created the Heart of Dracart. The Heart of Dracart allowed for the creation of hundreds of new draconians from an existing draconian, essentially splitting the it's soul into many and killing the original draconian in the process. These draconian copies were not as smart, powerful, or long-lived, but were docile, obedient, and able to fight. Unfortunately, Dracart never got to use his artifact. It was stolen by Maranta, an Aurak draconian who wanted to prevent the draconians from becoming a mindless slave race. Once the Heart was in his possession, Maranta wished to destroy it. However, he could not bring himself to do it. As time passed and draconians began to age and die, Maranta feared for the future of the draconian race. Since there were no females to repopulate with, Maranta began to contemplate using the Heart of Dracart as a way to continue his species in some form.
Meanwhile, a Bozak draconian named Kang happened upon the female dragon eggs that Takhisis had hidden. After allowing them to hatch Kang discovered that the eggs yielded female draconians. Since the existence of the female draconians solved the survivability problems the draconian race, Kang decided to set out to find a homeland for his people.
While searching for a new homeland, Kang encountered Maranta. Upon finding out about Maranta's intention to use the Heart of Dracart, Kang was forced to kill Maranta and destroy the artifact. Kang then led his draconians, as well as Maranta's surviving draconians, to Teyr, an abandoned Dwarven city. The city of Teyr became the capital of a new draconian homeland.
[edit] Draconian characteristics
There are five distinct draconian species, one for each type of metallic (good) dragon. The races are: Baaz (brass), Kapak (copper), Bozak (bronze), Sivak (silver) and Aurak (gold). All draconians have some form of magic resistance and have different death throes. Also, all draconians (except Auraks) have wings, but only the Sivak can truly fly. The wings are too small to support the rest.
[edit] Baaz Draconian
Baaz Draconians come from the eggs of brass dragons and are the smallest and most common type of draconian. Baaz typically serve as soldiers. They do not possess any magical powers. When a Baaz is killed, its body turns into stone. If the killer is using a melee weapon, he or she must make a dexterity check (with a -3 penalty) or have the weapon be trapped in the stone for 1d4 minutes. The stone body will crumble at that time and the weapon will be released, unharmed.
[edit] Kapak Draconian
Kapak Draconians come from the eggs of copper dragons. They make good assassins and thieves. They can also coat their weapons with a form of poison, which paralyzes a victim for 2d6 rounds if a save vs. poison is failed. When a Kapak is killed, it immediately dissolves into a 10 foot pool of acid and all equipment it carried becomes useless. The acid causes 1d8 damage to anyone in the pool. The pool will evaporate in 1d6 rounds.
[edit] Bozak Draconian
Bozak Draconians come from the eggs of bronze dragons. They are skilled magic users and are typically evil clerics. They take pride in knowing a variety of spells. When a Bozak is killed, its scales shrivel and its bones are revealed. The next round, the bones explode causing 1d6 damage to targets in a 10 foot radius.
[edit] Sivak Draconian
Sivak Draconians come from the eggs of silver dragons and are the largest of all draconians. They are very cunning warriors and are also the only draconian that can truly fly. They possess a shape-shifting ability which allows them to take the form of anything they kill (provided it's smaller than the Sivak). It grants voice imitation and appearance only. This typically allows Sivaks to be spies. When a Sivak is killed, one of two things can happen depending on the killer. If the killer is smaller than the Sivak, the Sivak will shape-shift into the form of its killer, which is sometimes referred to as the "Death Shape". It lasts for three days, after which the draconian's body dissolves into soot. If the killer is larger or not humanoid, however, the Sivak simply will burst into flames and cause 2d4 damage to targets in a 10 foot radius.
[edit] Aurak Draconian
Aurak Draconians come from the eggs of gold dragons and are the greatest and rarest of the draconians. They are typically mages and possess many magical abilities (more than a Bozak). These draconians become more lethal in death than they were in life. When an Aurak is killed, a series of events take place. Upon the first death, Auraks immediately regain 20 hit points and attack with frenzy. While losing all magical powers they previously had, they are still lethal in hand to hand combat. They also are engulfed in a magical green flame, which causes additional damage. After 6 rounds or if they lose their hit points, they transform into a ball of green lightning that can strike all targets within a 10 foot radius. They are immune to damage in this form. After 3 rounds, Auraks explode causing 3d6 damage to targets within a 10 foot radius and also stunning those targets for 1d4 rounds.
[edit] Noble Draconians
These were created in an act of desperation toward the end of the War of the Lance. After the good dragons were liberated, Lord Ariakas ordered that the corruption ritual to be performed on evil dragons. However, the result was good draconians. Most were destroyed, but a few survive to this day.
[edit] Flame Draconians
A form of noble draconians formed from red dragon eggs, these draconians are extremely temperamental and will go into a fiery rage at the slightest provocation. Their breath weapon is so hot they sometimes forge their own weapons with it. They can also cast fireball spells.
[edit] Frost Draconians
A form of noble draconians formed from white dragon eggs, these draconians have, like white dragons, a limited intelligence and short tempers. They cannot be harmed by any cold, but are vulnerable to fire. They have a frost breath weapon, and upon death explode into shards of ice.
[edit] Lightning Draconians
A form of noble draconians formed from blue dragon eggs, these draconians are noble and are much like paladins, and they also have abilities akin to paladins, fighting always for good and trying to find acceptance from the people. They are very fond of Kiri-Jolith, the god of good war. They explode into lightning when they die.
[edit] Vapor Draconians
A form of noble draconians formed from green dragon eggs, these draconians have innate mysticism, or the Power of the Heart. They were able to use this power even before the Chaos War. They turn into a cloud of vapor when they die.
[edit] Venom Draconians
A form of noble draconians formed from black dragon eggs, these draconians are much like rogues. They have a poisoned bite, and turn into a pool of acid when slain.
[edit] Draconian Society and Psyche
[edit] Nationality
Draconians, being an artificially created race, did not have a language or nation of their own for many years. Rather, they inhabited Neraka, the location of Takhisis' temple, and learned the Native tongue. In recent novels, they inhabit Teyr. Due to their militaristic background, the Draconian city is surrounded by traps, such as falling boulders.
[edit] Society
Draconian Society is largely militaristic. Draconians are not given a last name at birth. Rather, they are given a basic name, and then referred to by their military rank. Draconians of the War of the Lance era are inherently evil, given to their corrupt origin. In the current edition of the campaign setting, Draconian characters are still mostly evil, but younger generations are now Neutral, or even good. With Takhisis's death, Draconians are now without a patron god. Because of this, there are very few Draconian priests.
[edit] Males and Females
Male and female draconians are inherently different, almost of different races. While Male Draconians are violent, and prone to drinking, foul language, and crude behavior, Females are more dignified, nurturing, and pacifist, although they find Crude qualities attractive. A Male and Female Draconian look mostly alike, but one can only tell the difference by close observation. For example, while Kapak males have poison saliva (as noted by their habit to lick their weapons before use), Females have inherent healing abilities. Also, a Female is slightly more likely to be neutral or good then a Male of the same age.
[edit] Racial Tension
Draconians are one of Krynn's most hated races. Prior to the War of the Lance, Baaz Draconians dressed as Clerics to hide their shocking nature until they had a chance to try and steal Goldmoon's Blue Crystal Staff. Even in modern Krynn (during the Age of Mortals), draconians harbor grudges against the other races, and have been known to eat Elves on rare occasions.
[edit] References
Ecology of the Draconian, Dragon Magazine issue 339, January 2006
- ^ Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman [November 1999]. “Book 2, volume 1, chapter 7, —Not destined to meet again in this world.”, The Annotated Chronicles, 1st edition, Wizards of the Coast, 559. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
[edit] External links
- Draconians at Dragonlance Nexus
- Draconians - TMI A site providing more detailed stats on the draconians.
