Draconi

**Draconi (DRA-ko-nigh)** are a race of humanoid dragons native to Khothgard. They evolved from proper dragons of old as a result of generations of living alongside humanoids, and possess powerful draconic magicks. Most draconi were lost in the cataclysm that ended all mortal life on Khothgard. Thus far, the only known living draconi is Axel Voss.

## Appearance

Draconi appear at a glance to look just like any humanoid. Pureblood draconi families are very rare, so the average draconi takes on most of the physical traits of the non-draconi parent's race. However, there are a few key defining traits that identify their reptilian heritage.

Every draconi has tiny horns, about 1-2 inches, that curve upwards. They can usually be found around the forehead or temples, or rarely on top of the skull. Two small markings in the shape of dragon wings can be found just below each shoulder blade, each of which allows the draconi to summon a fully-functional wing for flight and gliding purposes. Finally, they have brightly-colored reptilian slit pupils that glow faintly, making their eyes visible in the dark.

## Powers and abilities

Being descendants of dragons, draconi boast potent magical abilities, and a natural affinity for fire. In fact, they are nearly immune to fire, and cannot be so much as singed. They can invoke elemental breath spells such as Go-Mela (fire) and Pika-Pi (lightning) that grow more powerful with age. Other notable traits include above-average flexibility, the ability to fly using the aforementioned wings, and minor darkvision.

Though their humanoid appearance is the standard, all draconi conceal within them their more monstrous forms. When angered or stressed to an extreme, a draconi will revert into their primal dragon state, equal to the size and strength of a normal dragon of the same age. This process, known as Dragon Shift, lasts a short period of time, but its potential for destruction is immense, and must be handled with caution and sensitivity. Thankfully, they are naturally pleasant and easygoing people, difficult to upset or worry. It typically takes something truly unforgivable to trigger Dragon Shift.

## History

For centuries, dragons were seen by Khothgardian societies as a scourge on mankind. One day it all came to a head: men attacked the dragons out of fear, and the dragons retaliated. The various races banded together as a single faction, and fought long, bloody wars against the dragons.

In the Khothgardian year of 9978-B, the war was brought to a close due to the combined appeals of a dragon and a desert elf general. The general in question managed to capture a dragon, the first person to pull off such a feat. Contrary to what most believed, he found that the dragon was not only quite intelligent, but also rather pleasant. The dragon, a priestess in her tribe, went from being the general's prisoner to a close friend. Over time the two fell in love, and together, they traveled the world to spread their ideals, and put an end to the war. They taught that dragons and people had no real reason to fight, and that their conflict brought only needless death and sorrow to both sides. At length, an agreement was forged between dragons and man, and they all have lived in peace and prosperity ever since.

Using their ancient magic, the dragons took on smaller, more humanoid forms, in order to better fit into society. As generations passed, this shape became the evolutionary standard, and a new race, the draconi, came into being. The general and the priestess, newly wed, were written into legend, and became known as the Harbingers of Harmony.

Historians debate who these two heroes actually were, but few know their true names: Leonidas Mercado and Kyria Voss. These two would begin the draconi-elf Voss family line that would eventually lead to the birth of Alexas Voss. Alexas would later marry a wood elf named Elias Aubryn, and the two would give birth to none other than Axel Voss.