Kulshedra

The kulshedras, also known as fire-drakes or red dragons for
their burning breath and distinctive colouration, are an almost universally
feared and reviled breed of dragonkind. The fear and loathing that a kulshedra
inspires is matched only by that elicited by the gwythaint, for the fire-drakes
are known to be the most aggressive, rapacious and openly ferocious of all
dragon bloodlines.
Statistical Note: Monster blocks for kulshedras of other age brackets are to be found at the bottom of the page.
== Overview ==
The kulshedras were born of the flames of Immol, and the
influences of this primordial run thick within their veins. Immol is the
passion of raw emotion, the beauty of art and the devouring of matter by
all-consuming fire. Unfortunately, the red dragons are some of the most corrupt
of their kind and these elemental precepts are twisted and blackened within
their souls. The passions of a kulshedra are the spawn of sheer vice:
unconscionable self-absorption, grandiose narcissism and a jealous envy of all
others are their inheritance by birth, and their cruel personalities consist almost entirely of vanity, covetousness and an obsession with
appropriating valuables at any and all cost to other beings. In the fire-drake,
the consuming primordial fire is materialism taken to gross and obscene
extremes - the gold, gems and wealth of the world is to be theirs, lest they
lay burning waste to surrounding lands in retaliation. It is a mercy to the
world at large that these beasts spend a great amount of their lives slumbering
amongst the piles of baubles hoarded within their mountain lairs.
While dragon worship is common within Thaelis-Y'Aada, the kulshedra are rarely offered tribute by any except the kobaloi, due to their reputation for utter selfishness and brutality towards those why deem inferior to their own majesty (most all other species, that is). The primeval kulshedra, Mamonar, was slaughtered by his own progeny who sought to claim his territory and vast hoard of gold for themselves. It is said that once their father was slain, the younger dragons fought with each other fiercely over his yet-to-cool corpse for ownership of the most valuable treasures he had gleaned from the corners of the world. Being the largest and most dangerous of the dragons possessing flight and therefore the ability to conquer great swathes of the world, it is perhaps only the kulshedras' total unwillingness to co-operate with one another that has prevented them from coming to rule over the other mortal races as overlords.