Overview
The Draconic Ascendants are not "monsters" in the traditional sense; they are living manifestations of the world's primal ley lines. Massive, ancient, and terrifyingly intelligent, they view the shorter-lived races (like humans and even the long-lived Abyzzari) as interesting, albeit frantic, ants. Across the Dyade, they have become the ultimate wild cards—creatures of pure magic navigating a world increasingly choked by technology and undeath.
History and Lore
Before the worlds collided, the Dragons were the undisputed sovereigns of the sky and mountain. They claim to have been birthed from the first sparks of creation. When the Calamity happened and the worlds merged, the Dragons suffered a "Great Slumber" as the shifting mana levels nearly drove them mad. Now, they have awakened to find their skies filled with airships and their lands crawling with "metal-men" and "walking corpses." They are currently in a state of "Cold Observation," deciding whether to reclaim the world or simply let the smaller races burn themselves out.
Physical Descriptions
Titanic Scale: An adult Ascendant is the size of a small fortress. Their wingspans can blacken a village in shadow.
Living Armor: Their scales are harder than any alloy crafted in New London. Depending on their elemental affinity, their scales might shimmer like molten gold, deep obsidian, or frosted sapphire.
Ancient Eyes: Their eyes contain vertical slits and glow with an inner light that suggests they can see through illusions and even into the weave of time itself.
The "Weight" of Presence: Just being near a High Dragon causes a "Fear Aura"—a physical weight on the chest that makes it hard for lesser beings to breathe.
Culture and Society
Solitary Sovereigns: Dragons don't have "cities." They have territories. A single Dragon might claim an entire mountain range or a floating island.
The Council of Claws: Every century (or whenever something really annoying happens, like a Lich trying to take over), the eldest Dragons meet in the Cloud-Peak Summit to debate the fate of the world.
Hoards of Knowledge: While they love gold, modern Dragons in the Dyade have started hoarding Data-Cores and Artifacts. They realize that information is the new currency.
Common Dragons Sayings
"Your 'empire' is a heartbeat in my afternoon nap."
"Fire does not negotiate with the dry grass."
"To a Dragon, a secret is a snack; a lie is a poison."
"Wait. The mountains always outlast the storms."