The Dragonlands

The Dragonlands are an arid expanse of badlands, deserts and sprawling mesas to the northeast of Andara. For centuries, the rest of the world thought that no civilised people lived in this treacherous land, for the dragons which darken its skies make a formidable foe for even the most veteran of knights. This was not so, however, as some time during the Age of Dawn, halfling settlements along the border in Warmwood made first contact with an enigmatic race of dragon-men who called themselves dragonborn. These dragonborn spoke of a grand city made of gold, nestled high in the mountains, where they lived amongst civilised dragons with scales of glittering metallic hues. Today, the Dragonlands and its inhabitants are well-known and respected throughout the rest of Andara, engaing in all manner of trade and diplomacy with their scaleless neighbours.

## Geography

Large swathes of arid badlands cover most of the kingdom's surface, broken up only by a handful of sheer mountain ranges towards the centre and sprawling mesas to the east. The smallest and sheerest mountain range is known as the Jagged Peaks, great spires of rock that point towards the sky, holding the glittering city of Odinex aloft in their stony grasp. To the east of the Jagged Peaks lies the Spine of Kaxlnakzaar (often referred to simply as 'the Spine'), a snaking row of mountains fabled to have formed from collected sand and rock building up upon the immense skeleton of a gargantuan serpent known as Kaxlnakzaar, though there is little evidence to support this. Natural springs scattered throughout the Spine flow together down the mountains, joining to form the river Moax. This crystal-clear water flows down to lake Moax. Much of this lake is hot and acidic, being unable to support much life at all save for a small zone of clear water around the tributary. A jagged coastline of several headlands spreads into the Great North Ocean, with Trader's Bay bordering the western coast, and the Dawn Sea bordering the eastern coast. Somewhere amidst the slightly more verdant shrubland in the south of the kingdom lies the border with Warmwood.

Just on the horizon, barely visible from the northernmost headland of the Dragonlands lies Dragon's Reef, a barrier reef that supports a handful of small islands and atolls. This peculiar archipelago is littered with countless shipwrecks and home to countless curiosities and treasures that lie beneath the waves. Such treasures are of course well guarded, as the reef is known to be home to multiple dragon turtles, and other draconic leviathans have been rumoured to haunt the seas around it as well.

## Settlements

Much of the Dragonlands are inhospitable, either due to the hostile climate or fierce dragons which have already staked their claim to the land. The dragonborn, and many metallic dragons confine themselves to the great city of Odinex, or a few towns scattered nearby. There are also a handful of towns on the border with Miyr, but they are small and disconnected from much of draconic culture.

### Odinex

The name 'Odinex' roughly translates to 'Gleaming Nest' in an ancient draconic dialect, hinting at the city's history. Originally the hoard of an ancient chromatic dragon, Mount Yezzerak was besieged by an early clan of dragonborn with the help of a gold dragon by the name of Rakkonthran. With their newfound riches, the clan would go on to found a permanent settlement atop the mountain, decorating their bridges and roofs with some of the plundered treasure. As more riches were amassed from nearby lairs, more dragonborn clans and metallic dragons flocked to Mount Yezzerak, becoming a formidable force which eventually drove chromatic dragons out of the Jagged Peaks for good. By the time this was achieved, the settlement had grown into a bustling city by the name of Odinex, and the title of dragonking was bestowed upon Rakkonthran by his kin. Much of the treasure held within Odinex was used as decoration and building material, as a sort of 'shared hoard' for all its inhabitants. Thus, almost every citizen will protect the city with their lives, and countless ancient dragons have lost their lives trying to raid the city.

Today, Odinex sprawls across multiple mountain tops, connected by great bridges hundreds of metres long. The gilded architecture comprises thousands of pagodas, citadels and towers which all stretch towards the sky, and so many of the roofs are plated with polished gold and silver that it can be blinding to look upon at certain times of day. Atop the very precipice of Mount Yezzerak is the Grand Temple of Bahamut, the centrepoint of draconic religion and home to the Order of the Platinum Scale; a religious doctrine of paladins and clerics devoted to rooting out and exterminating any worshipers of Tiamat, from lone cultists to ancient chromatic dragons. The Pagoda of Rakkonthran has housed draconic royalty for millennia, and is currently ruled by dragonking Rolduurnax.

## Culture and Tradition

What outsiders know as draconic culture is often based upon the practices and traditions of the dragonborn clans of Odinex, though the kobold clans and chromatic dragons also have their own culture, though they are much less inclined to share it with outsiders.

### Religion

Draconic religion is usually monotheistic; metallic dragons, most dragonborn and other citizens of Odinex worship Bahamut, whilst the chromatic dragons and their minions worship Tiamat. Finally, religious kobolds, who make up a relatively small portion of the kobold population, worship their patron deity Kurtulmak. Bahamut is the only one of these deities with any sort of noteworthy temples, and his worship is usually colloquially referred to as the dragon faith, even though he is not the only draconic deity. The Order of the Platinum scale is the biggest religious order devoted to Bahamut, and its name holds weight across Andara as a zealous doctrine devoted to the destruction of evil. Paladins and clerics from this order undertake seemingly impossible tasks, such as scaling a mountain to slay a dragon and claim its hoard, or destroying entire cults with just the help of a few other companions. As such, these individuals often die in the field, and it is commonly held belief that anyone who finds their remains and claims their belongings will receive blessings or spiritual guidance from Bahamut.

Additionally, the Old Faith and Wild Faith have some footholds within the Dragonlands, and whilst worshipping the gods of these pantheons is not outlawed, it is few and far between. The inhabitants of Dragon's Reef hold the ocean god Yen in particular reverence, and the ancient dragon turtle deity known as Sekhrevek is also worshipped by some of the dragons that inhabit this region.

### Marriage and Family

Marriage is a relatively small part of draconic life; only dragonborn engage in this practice, dragons and kobolds have no concept of marriage or monogamy.

Family life for most dragons falls under the umbrella of clan culture, as most dragons and dragonborn who live in Odinex or the border towns will belong to a clan, which dictates their social standing. Unlike dwarvish clans however, draconic clans are far less concerned with bloodlines and familial ties; a dragon will join a clan based on popular vote after proving their worth. Clan culture is also somewhat less important to dragons than it is to dwarves, as not belonging to a clan is rarely something to be ashamed of, rather it is a personal preference. Quite a few dragons prefer to go it alone, uninterested in the idea of sharing their wealth.

### Food and Drink

Being more or less obligate carnivores, draconic cuisine is almost entirely meat-based. Any use of vegetables or plant matter is purely for use as flavouring and seasoning, and they rarely form a substantial part of a meal. Most of their meats are sourced from hardy goats, chickens, and fish. These meats are usually heavily seasoned with pungent spices to deter birds and pseudodragons from stealing meats during the hang-drying process.

Common dishes in the Dragonlands include curries, spit-roasted carcasses and jerky. Certain meats are considered delicacies, and are highly prized and sought after. Such meats include tortoise, lion, and parrot, with tortoise being by far the most sought after meat in the kingdom.

Dragonborn are relatively new to the concept of alcohol, having been introduced to wine by the high elves. Since their kingdom's climate favours it, some dragonborn farmers have taken to growing grapes and producing their own wine, which gets mixed with spices to better suit the draconic palate. Spiced dragon wine is a said to be as delicious as it is expensive, and is highly sought after in most other kingdoms.

### Clans and Castes

Every dragon falls into one of four castes, which dictates their social status and influence, as well as the respect they command from others. Clans also fit into the caste system as a single unit; every member of the clan will be in the same caste. The caste system is, at its core, purely a measure of wealth. The richer a clan or individual, the higher their caste. By sharing wealth, and by extension social status and influence, shorter-lived races like dragonborn and immigrants such as humans and dwarves are able to keep up with nigh-immortal dragons who have had centuries to accumulate vast hoards by themselves, and therefore have their voices heard amongst the dragons.

In order of importance, the four castes are as follows: Shang-Kzah, Tan Shan, Dekheng, and Ti-Yun. There is some debate as to whether the dragonking belongs to a separate caste of their own, to which the unofficial title is Gengti-Yun, though this is often dismissed by the dragonking himself as an unnecessary distinction.

#### Shang-Kzah

Literally translating to "Foot of the Mountain" in ancient draconic, this caste represents the bottom of draconic society. However, belonging to this caste should not necessarily be viewed as shameful. This caste merely represents the cogs in the draconic machine; small and individually insignificant, but a crucial part of society nonetheless. Most kobold clans, newly-formed clans and hatchling dragons belong to this caste. Their accumulated wealth could be comparable to that of a village. Some noteworthy clans in this caste are:

* **Clan Goldneedle:** The largest kobold clan in the Dragonlands, the Goldneedles are generally accepted to represent the race as a whole; when the dragons want to consult the kobolds as a whole, they consult the Goldneedles. Most others are seen as irrelevant or lacking the faculties to engage in diplomacy.
* **Clan Xu-Kang:** This relatively-new clan formed from the remnants of Clans Kilkazaar and Jikalashi, who decimated each other in a series of brutal battles. The remaining members of each clan agreed that they were both easy targets in their weakened states, and decided to unite their clans as the only hope to protect their now-shared hoard.

#### Tan Shan

Tan Shan, or the "Slope of the Mountain" in ancient draconic, represents the bulk of draconic clans as well as a large amount of younger dragons. Members of this caste live comfortably, though few are content to stay at this level for very long. The first taste of real wealth drives members of this caste to seek further riches with great eagerness and ferocity; there is much fueding between Tan Shan clans and dragons. Their accumulated wealth is often comparable to that of a small town. Some notable clans of this caste are:

* **Clan Kolbyre:** Clan Kolbyre is the clan of the dragon blessed; foreigners and pilgrims who revere dragons as demi-gods, seeking to taste some of their wealth and power by acting as sycophants to the draconic court. Members of this clan often find themselves saddled with all manner of menial tasks for more powerful dragons, gratefully doing their bidding as they slowly consolidate wealth that trickles down to them from above.
* **Clan Darkspyte:** Little more than the draconic mafia, this clan of lowlifes clings to wealth only by virtue of cunning underhandedness. Led by Khormankon the Flightless, an old black dragon who lost her wings centuries ago in a battle with a dragon turtle, this clan carefully plans its backstabbing and deceit as not to anger opponents they cannot win against, at least not openly.
* **The Goluuhrmad:** This strange clan of silver and white dragonborn dwells deep in the Hjelkar Tundra. Pholgaraan, the silver dragon who leads this clan, guards the hoard deep beneath the ice whilst she sends the mortal members of her clan out into the world to do her bidding.

#### Dekheng

Meaning "Peak of the Mountain", the Dekheng caste represents clans which have existed long enough to be considered dynasties, as well as adult dragons who have been amassing wealth for many centuries. These could be considered 'old money' in draconic society; they posses the wisdom to not underestimate those beneath them, whilst still possessing enough ambition to pursue a position at the top of the hierarchy. Their wealth rivals that of some cities. Some notable clans and dragons in this caste include:

* **Hysterion:** This cunning emerald dragon holds the prestigious title of "Court Knower", a position charged by the dragonking to amass knowledge just like one might amass wealth. Residing in a lonely tower called the Endless Library, Hysterion enjoys a mostly solitary life documenting and expanding her vast collection of literature and arcane artefacts, occasionally leaving the tower when she is called upon by the dragonking to provide counsel.
* **The Order of the Platinum Scale:** This revered order of paladins and clerics is one of the most ancient clans in history; charged by its founder Yakhon the Just with the divine duty of collecting any relics scared to Bahamut. Even the lowliest member of this clan is treated as minor nobility, and thus they carry huge diplomatic weight within the kingdom.
* **Clan Pholtona:** A clan of nomads, members of this clan have long had the wisdom to seek treasure and riches from lands afar, rather than wasting their efforts bickering over the wealth already accumulated by other dragons and clans. This clan has members from all over the continent, with some even claiming to hail from lands beyond Andara. Their hoard, which is rumoured to be sequestered in a hidden pocket dimension, contains a number of exotic artefacts and treasures from across the globe.
* **The Jagged Peak Conclave:** An ancient, exalted order of archers and hunters, the Jagged Peak Conclave traces its origins back to the Age of Dawn, and the goldlust of a young silver dragon named Eziline. As the legend goes, she came to a group of dragonborn nomads disguised as a fellow dragonborn, and told them a tale of a twinkling hoard of gold sequestered in the icy lair of Goritad, an violent white dragon, atop one of the northern-most peaks of the Spine. Beseeching their aid to storm the lair and claim the treasure, much of which had been stolen from dragonborn tribes, Ezeline rallied a company of twenty archers from the nomads, and began the perilous climb. The battle with Goritad was mighty, and culminated with Ezeline revealing her true form as she tore off Goritad's wing. Unable to fly, the already-weakened Goritad was swiftly felled by a volley of arrows from the dragonborn. Ezeline was one of the first dragons to defy the old ways of hunting alone, and in seeking aid from the fellow inhabitants of the Dragonlands, she had felled a foe far greater than her. This teaching was not lost upon the archers, who swore fealty to their new lord, that she might guide them forever more to fearsome quarry.

#### Ti-Yun

Roughly translating to "Clouds above the Peaks", the uppermost cast of draconic society represents individuals whose wealth cannot fully be comprehend by most people. Many dragons in this caste stay away from the dealings of society, consolidating power upon their immense hoards as they ponder questions and powers beyond mortal comprehension. Only ancient dragons and great wyrms could hope to attain this caste status, as their wealth rivals that of some kingdoms. Some notable dragons in this caste include:

* **The Everserpent:** No reliable source can fully explain what the Everserpent actually is; it is only considered to be a dragon by virtue of its sheer size and might. Burrowing deep beneath the ground, the Everserpent occasionally emerges to the surface to challenge ancient dragons for their hoards. Local legend dictates that the Everserpent buries its hoard at the bottom of the world, where no beings but the gods themselves could possibly hope to reach it.
* **Dragonking Rolduurnax:** The dragonking himself of course belongs to the Ti-Yun caste, as his wealth is in fact measured by the structure of Odinex itself. Every gilded roof, gem-encrusted doorway, and statue wrought of precious stone constitutes his hoard, which he partly shares with every inhabitant of the city.
* **All-Knower Kebusana:** The amethyst great wyrm Kebusana is said to store their hoard beyond the sky, leading many to believe that the stars themselves are her glinting treasures. Frequently flying beyond the sky, she has attained knowledge and enlightenment that would melt mortal minds.

## Ecology

The ecology of the dragonlands could be considered somewhat alien by outsiders. The seas surrounding it are dominated by a myriad of different sea serpents, krakens and aquatic dragons which all prey on anything they can find, from sharks and dolphins to pirates and sailors. Further inland, one could expect to find enormous flocks of axebeaks trying to avoid falling prey to bulettes which stalk the vast expanses of badlands. Dinosaurs are also incredibly common in certain areas of the Dragonlands, with species such as carnotaurus, velociraptor, and quetzalcoatlus preying on herbivores like protoceratops, diplodocus and styracosaurus.

Of course, by far the most common taxon within the Dragonlands is the dragons themselves. Whilst many of them are civilised and live in settlements, many more are bestial, and fill far more active roles within their food webs. All manner of drakes, pseudodragons and even chromatic dragons make up part of the kingdom's strange ecosystem, preying on almost anything they can find that is made of flesh.

Plantlife in the Dragonlands is similarly alien; large swatches of the most northern reaches have weird, sparse forests of cacti and spiny trees which produce beautiful, ephemeral blooms on winter nights. Further south, the scrubland is more uniformly covered in plantlife, with hardy grasses, aromatic herbs and dwarf oaks providing the bulk of the vegetation.