Dragons:
Dragons have been on Etrythia for centuries, and are the only creatures to have existed there before humans. Dragons can wield six different elements to varying degrees, of which are earth, fire, wind, water, light, and dark. Only Paragons can wield the entirety of an element, while Beginners can usually only control a form of that element. For example, a dragon who can wield the dark element may only be able to control the deepest and darkest of shadows at first before they begin their progression.
Different elements have different colorings, and the patterns or eye color of those dragons often further define the mastery of their element. Earth elements will usually be greens, browns, or tans and always have green eyes. The darker the green, the higher the mastery. Fire elements will usually be varying shades of red or orange. Their eyes are always red, and the darker the red, the higher the mastery. Wind elements will usually be varying shades of light gray and blue. Their eyes are always gray, and the darker the shade, the higher the mastery. Water elements will usually be varying shades of blue, purple, and teal. Their eyes are always blue, and the darker the color, the higher the mastery. Dark elements will usually be varying shades of dark gray and black. Their eyes are always purple, and the darker the color, the higher the mastery. Light elements will usually be either varying shades of white and/or gold. Their eyes are always yellow, and the lighter the shade, the higher the mastery. If the dragon has a pattern, it will typically begin as a lighter version of the dragon's base color before darkening and becoming more elaborate as more mastery is achieved. No dragon in recorded history has ever achieved black eyes and/or black patterning, at least in terms of mastery (one dragon species has naturally occurring black patterns).
Elements also have names that the dragon will discover either when he first gets the element, or after some time of using the element. This name is a dragon's true name, and while other dragons knowing it isn’t thought to cause harm, most dragons chose to share it only with their closest relatives and friends.
It's suspected that the different species used to have a particular element; however, in modern times it's not uncommon to see an Avelth dragon wielding the fire element, even though its build would suit the wind element much more.
Mastery Levels:
* Latent- has not yet gotten element or cannot get element
* Beginner- Is 15 years old and now has an element
* Novice- has practiced with element a lot, can now conjure it with minimal thought, patterns and eyes darken, pattern grows
* Paradigm- can now conjure element instantly, mostly immune to element/element is less effective against them (if applicable), pattern and eyes darken, pattern grows
* Champion- completely immune to element/element is less effective against them (if applicable), pattern and eyes darken, pattern grows
* Exemplar- can summon element from within them after completing a long process in which they must be in their element for an extended period of time, pattern and eyes darken, pattern grows
* Master- can conjure and control element with limited amount of it near, becomes stronger than other dragons (scales/feathers strengthen, faster, more stamina, etc), eyes and pattern darken, pattern grows
* Ascendent- element can be conjured and controlled even when there’s none of it around. Patterns and eyes darken, pattern is nearly complete
* Paragon- none have ever reached Paragon before, so it’s unknown what powers this rank achieves. It’s existence is only known because of the Ascendent patterns which are suspected to not be complete
Dragon Species and Description:
* Lyzian- feathered wings, fluffy bodies, generally small to medium-sized, the second fastest dragon in flight, rounded beak (like a Utahraptor), long feathered tail. Color and patterning depend on the element
* Ryzinthin- leathered wings, scaled bodies, neck and tail spikes (impressiveness and amount depends on gender, male > female), brawny and bulky, insane stamina, the fifth quickest dragon in flight, color depends on the element, has no patterns
* Yaegran- leathered wings and body, fairly bulky and brawny, despite their size they're the fourth quickest dragon in flight, have low stamina, can camouflage, pattern and eye color depend on the element
* Avelth- feathered wings that remain tucked in at sides when not in use, feathered bodies, small bodies (tiger size), fastest dragon in flight, have adapted to sleep midair, long wings, bird-like tail, has ear tufts, two-legged, large talon-like feet, falcon-like beak, always a shade of blue or light gray, patterning and eye color depends on the element
* Aselyer- has smaller wings than other dragons (allows them to press wings completely flat against their sides), worst stamina and slowest dragon in flight, sleek body (no horns to slow them down underwater), has gills, has dorsal fins along neck, back, and tail, tail resembles a fishtail, has clawed and webbed feet, scales cover entire body, wing membrane is only leathery part, need to completely submerge body at least once a month in water or else they'll dry up and die, color and patterning depends on element
* Farralyn- medium to large size, third quickest dragon, leathered wing membrane, back has small to medium sized scales, the underbelly is lighter colored and has thick,, large 'plates' covering it, has crown-like horns on head, other horns run down the neck, the tail ends in a point and has three spikes on the left and right side of it before the point, two-legged, uses wings to support itself (like a wyvern), always pure white or a shade of gold with white, always has black patternings, patterns and eye color depends on element.
Dragon gods:
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
- one for each element, gods are frequently called upon in serious times of prayer, but some dragons also use their name as a curse or swear
* Cysperia (sigh - spear - ee - uh): earth, typically called upon in prayers of healing
* Ragathone (Rag - ah - thon): Fire, typically called upon in times of wrath
* Asynth (ah - sin - th): wind, typically called upon for good weather or quick flight
* Prysc (pry - sk): water, typically called upon for more resources
* Serthi (seer - the): light, typically called upon for calm and peace
* Zythin (zie - thin): dark, typically called upon to pray on someone’s downfall; to wish destruction or ill will to befall someone
Humans- one of the lowest on the food chain. Not to be trusted and crafty/sly to survive. Extremely bitter toward other races because they arrived on Etrythia second but got stomped on and disregard by nearly all the species that arrived much later
Note: The human's version of history will tell that they arrived before the dragons, though this is false
Elygran- Human in every way except for their antlers atop their head. Antlers vary by Elygran, but both males and females have them and they get larger and sturdier as one ages. Elygrans are close with the Sivritha (a larger, more unique version of an elk), but dragons primarily hunt Sivritha so they're natural enemies. Despite this, Elygran are very peaceful in nature and do not like conflict. Only a small group actively participates in seeking out conflict and they're considered outcasts from the rest of their kind
Elves:
* Noble elves- blonde-haired and tend to live atop the forest or reside in castles built in places of great beauty. They seek peace and alliance with the dragons and are the closest out of all other species in achieving this.
* Forest elves- (generally referred to as common elves) live on the forest floor or at the lowest point of a noble elves castle, they tend to the livestock, crops, etc.
* Dark elves- originally either noble or forest elves but have chosen to break away from hair dictating what you do. Rather, all dark elves dye their hair black and must work to climb up the ranks. It is unknown where these elves call home, as they are very secretive and mysterious.
Dwarves- live in various mountains throughout Etrythia. The king of that mountain remains towards the top of it and lives there while everyone else remains on the outskirts and reports to the king for work/mining. Some dwarves will also guard the very top of the mountain all day, only stepping away from their post when the watch is switched. Generally, a castle/stronghold is carved into this mountain. Dwarves tend to stick to themselves and don't appreciate visitors. Have strong hate and fear for dragons and will kill any on sight. Also dislike elves and humans, though not nearly as much. They avoid Elygrans but are neutral with them. Only truly fine with the Golems and frequently do business with them. They're welcome visitors and have an alliance.
Golems- resemble a large boulder and are extremely deadly. Will hibernate for years in one spot and if disturbed will not hesitate to kill whatever has crossed its path. Tend to live a solitary life and spread out across mountain ranges. Because of this, dwarves and golems are thought to frequently interact, perhaps why they got so close. Golems also require a rare gemstone deep within a mountain's caves to survive and continue developing. 5 years without it development slows, 10 years it stops, 15 and they are dead after weakening the past years. It's thought the dwarves and golems reached peace through dwarves trading this gem in exchange for something else.
Falinthian- extremely timid and skittish, perhaps why sightings are so rare. Like to live deep within nature in forests, though some seem to prefer open fields. A humanoid creature with feline-shaped ears and tail. It's rumored that they are a shape-shifting species that can change form into their cat-like counterparts. They generally take the form of a big cat (lion, panther, etc), but even those who take the form of a house cat are larger than average. They Enjoy colder temperatures, some even thrive in the snow. They live with their families within their territory for life, unless they seek a mate. Upon finding one who accepts them, if male they will take the female back to their home, otherwise if female they will stay in the male's territory. Humans are often extremely fond of these creatures but will treat them as pets and attempt capture. For this reason, they avoid humankind at all costs, further adding to their elusiveness.
Hybrids- all hybrids are shunned throughout all races. Does not matter what race they are, they're unwelcome anywhere. Most die out quickly, as life is not friendly to those who live alone.