Draconum

Draconum are solitary, wandering warrior-monks seeking physical, magical and psychological evolution. Combat empowers the Draconum physically and spiritually for their next transformational Chrysalis, and they are driven by primal urges to battle in order to ready themselves for evolution. From the day they are born until the day they are dispatched by an enemy, Draconum seek only two things: combat and evolution. As they wander the Land, Draconum look for opponents strong enough to challenge their brutally honed martial abilities with only one goal in mind: personal growth.

## Characteristic

> "...with warlords scrabbling to meet any price the Draconum might care to ask, why does the Land continue to see so few representatives of this magnificent race?"
> - Maleficius
>
>

Born of the egg, Draconum spend the first months of their lives as wriggling hatchlings, filled only with the desire to eat and sleep and fight with their hatch-mates. These infant Draconum quickly grow into the loping, ferocious beasts called Whelps. These Whelps are frequently overseen by an adult Draconum and are often chained for their own protection—and to teach them the value of freedom. Chaining a Draconum is one of the cruelest punishments possible, and many dragon-men still wear their broken chains as a reminder that they were created by the Dragon Gods to be forever free. In the modern age, some Whelps are even learning to channel their rage at an early age, embracing magic or the martial arts in order to control their predatory instincts.

When a Draconum is old enough, it must undergo its first Chrysalis. By going to a place where magic is strong, such as the nexus of three or more ley lines, they undergo a painful and magical transformation into a Neophant. They now run on two legs rather than four and often grow wings that allow them to fly. These young Draconum then learn the arts of language, fighting and magic from their elders, preparing for the time they leave their family and walk alone for the rest of their lives. Each Draconum’s ultimate purpose is known only to themselves, but Warlords often profit from alliances with these lords of magical combat.

Recently, with the new levels of magical power available to the Draconum – not to mention the abundance of powerful veins and nodes of Magestone found throughout the Land – the Draconum are now able to Chrysalis into new and powerful forms. While the Draconum continue their ways of evolution, testing themselves in combat against worthy warriors in order to prepare themselves for the next evolutionary change, the awakening of the ancient Drakona instills doubt in some of the fierce dragon-warriors about whether the path of the warrior-monk is the proper path for their lives.

Seeing one Draconum on the battlefield is considered cause for concern. Two, most warlords would say, is unsettling. And while few would utter the proverb aloud, “Three Draconum a victory makes.” Though warlords have lost battles in which they commanded three of the mysterious dragonkin, each time it was due to their own incompetence--never was the saying “This battle is yours to lose” better demonstrated. Even those who hate and fear them admit Draconum are the greatest warriors one could hope to lure to one’s army.

The Draconum are also master weaponsmiths, forging relics coveted by warriors all throughout the Land for their power, such as the loathed Serpentfang. Their prowess isn't limited to crafting, however, and they can enchant weapons for great effect, too - like the Enchanted Fuser Rifle. Bullets fired from this weapon dance around obstacles like a dancing swallow in flight.

## History

As result of a band of Heroes awakening the ancient Drakona from their slumber, these ancient and cruel Draconum have begun to prepare an army of conquest. As they already sent flyers to scout the uncharted territories to the west of the Dragon City, and laid claim to the ore-rich region of the Kuttar Depths, these ancient warriors pose a major threat to the Black Powder Revolution, as well as the other factions of the Land.

As result of the magical energies pouring through the Land, the Draconum undergoing Chrysalis are gaining new forms, magical powers – and even scale colors – never before seen in the Land. The so called "5th generation" Draconum are dangerously powerful, and may represent a major threat to the warriors they face in battle throughout the Land.

In the Age of Mists, the Apocalypse Dragon birthed thousands of twisted Mage Spawn and led them on a rampage that laid waste to the entire Land. The Dragon was finally defeated by mighty heroes in an epic battle that shook the world, and the egg that survived has been guarded by the Draconum for centuries— lest it be hatched. Yet now the Shyft have captured the egg, and the Apocalypse Dragon has been reborn! As its rampage begins anew, the heroes and warlords of the Land must once again face the Dragon on the battlefield.

### Post-Breaking

In several forgotten tombs beneath the Empire, Draconum chrysalis, now in their final stages of maturation are hatching. The Draconum that will emerge from these ancient incubators are an entirely new evolution, unlike anything the Land has ever seen. These long-lost invaders have timed their awakening to coincide with the prophecy that a leader of their kind would emerge at this appointed hour. Until that force is known, they seek to destroy, conquer, and amass power for themselves. Draconum have never been closely tied to any one faction and since The Breaking they are even more likely to distrust others, even their own kind.

New kinds of great dragons awake in ancient tombs. These beings combine the growth and power of the wild dragons of Wylden forests with the bright intelligence and an ancient wisdom. They declare themselves the true Draconum, but it seems the Draconum nation is as surprised by their coming almost as much as the Atlanteans. Whatever they are and wherever they are from, they claim the Land to be their heirloom; and as their number grows, they may soon have enough force to force that claim.

## Types

The many types of Draconum are usually evolutions of one from another, each form stronger than the last.

* Whelp. A first­-generation Draconum, the youngest of its kind. Little more than a ravening beast seeking the next meal. The broken chains on its wrists are reminders that it could be chained again if it misbehaves.
* Neophant. A second-­generation Draconum warrior that has only undergone one Chrysalis. Having just evolved from the bestial Whelp form, they are still adapting to their new, powerful bodies.
* Magna Draconum. A third­-generation Draconum that has mastered melee combat. Not having as much magic as the other Draconum, they make up for that shortcoming by being the best melee warriors in the Land. Magna Draconum generally train Scalesworn warriors in the art of combat.
* Magus Draconum. A third­-generation Draconum with potent magical abilities. “Magus” was originally a Draconum word meaning “wizard.” Tezla appropriated the term for his wizards to make his new Technomancers seem more dangerous.
* Mystic Draconum. A third­-generation Draconum that is a priest of the Dragon Gods. The Draconum believe that the Dragon Gods placed them in the Land countless years ago. They are among the most fanatical of all Draconum.
* Hierophant. A third­-generation Draconum that is the strongest of its generation, easily identified by its twin heads and potent magical capabilities. The Hierophant, upon undergoing Chrysalis, will likely transform into the Regal Draconum.
* Arcane Draconum - a third­-generation Draconum with potent magical capabilities and a passion for history and legend. Arcane Draconum are rare, and their travels frequently take them into dangerous places. Search for hidden veins of Magestone for use by their fellow Draconum during the dangerous Chrysalis ritual.

## Culture

The third­-generation Mystic Draconum are priests of the Dragon Gods - they are among the most fanatical of all Draconum. The Draconum themselves believe that the Dragon Gods placed them in the Land countless years ago.

The Order of Vladd, the vampire-princes of the Necropolis Sect, are something that the returning Draconum have apparently seen little of beforehand. Much in the same way that a cat plays with a mouse before tearing it's head off, the Draconum have been seen to toy with these nopheratu on the battlefield of the Land in order to learn the full capabilities of these powerful undead.

## Notable Members

Draconum Notable members
 Tyrsis | The Bloody Thorns | Alive
 Pathis Arcana | Dragon Mystics | Alive

## In tabletop

The Draconum, a minor faction composed entirely of unique warriors, define the high end of Mage Knight’s main character archetypes. The Magna Draconum is the game’s best close combat fighter. The Magus Draconum is its strongest wizard. The Mystic Draconum is the most versatile healer, while the Hierophant ekes out the Storm Golem as the game’s best ranged combatant. Although Draconum gain factional benefits, the fact is that their point values are so high, it will be a rare army that fields three or more in a formation. Therefore, most armies containing a Draconum will be built around it as a central character.

## Gallery

NeophantMagna DraconumMagus DraconumMystic DraconumHierophantMagna Draconum fighting a Chaos MageMagus Draconum fighting an Order of VladdHierophant fighting a Storm GolemDragon's Gate wallpaper.Ditto.Ditto.Ditto.Pathis Arcana wallpaper from the Sorcery expansion.

*****Draconum*****

***Sapient species***
 Alien to the Land

***Factions Portal***

1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20010609212439/http://www.mageknight.com:80/article.htm?cid=19035
2. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-2.0-Card-Set-Relics.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Apocalypse-Dragon-Rules-2005.pdf
4. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Board-Game-Ultimate-Edition-Walkthrough-September-2018.pdf
5. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Board-Game-Walkthrough-2012-March.pdf
6. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Board-Game-Ultimate-Edition-Expansion-Rule-Books-September-2018.pdf
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Lore-Expansion-Lancers.pdf
8. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Lore-Expansion-Rebellion.pdf
9. ↑ https://www.mageknight.net/wp-content/uploads/Mage-Knight-Lore-Expansion-Rebellion.pdf
10. ↑ Mage Knight Rebellion Trading Card Game
11. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20021007181819/http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mageknight/figures\_landing.htm?cat=draconum