Moth Dragons

**Dragon species** are Fyrwinn (when released).

## Community

Mothdragons live in a pure strict patriarchy and a clan is called "hive". This "hive" is always ruled by a male, a king. Only a male can become king, as only males have the genetic prerequisites to inherit the ability to subdue the will of all other clan members and impose his will on them. This submission of the will is painful for those affected, who also have no way of defending themselves if they do not have the ability themselves. There are no dynasties among the Mothdragons, any male with the ability to bend the will of others can become king of a hive. The Mothdragon community has a strong military character. Most of the time, the king is also the highest-ranking general.

There are no rules as to how a king rules his hive, nor is there a strict mate choice among Mothdragons. Some kings choose only one mate, others claim all the females of the hive for themselves, leaving no mate for the other males.

In rank above all others is the king. After that come high-ranking generals and soldiers, who can be both female and male. As far as skills are concerned, there is no difference made with the Mothdragons. If you show talent in something, you will be encouraged in it. Be it military training, organizational training, or training with the master smiths or treasurers who manage supplies and possessions, but also keep records of the population and each member of the hive.

They are an invasive species, always on the lookout for new territory or treasure, and moreover will not be interested in other species unless they give them an advantage in trading. Due to their advantages at night and the almost silent flapping of their wings, they are outstandingly good assassins and kill skillfully from the darkness, which is why they are also happy to offer themselves as mercenaries if the price or any other basis for negotiation is right.

The individual member, the individual does not matter, just the collective. So they motto is: Not the individual, just the whole. What means: No individual matters more than the overall integrity of the hive.

## Faith

They don't care much for art or mythology, few stories are passed on.

Mostly only war stories and tactics are passed on. But they believe that dead souls do not perish. The body remains and no longer contains anything of the person you once knew. Some believe that particularly sensitive Mothdragons can still sense the souls of the deceased in the hereafter and contact them. However, these "shamans" are rare, as training is considered a waste of time in most hives. Not infrequently, such particularly sensitive individuals are also responsible as healers in order to prove their usefulness to the hive in other ways.

Followers of this religion occasionally eat the bodies of their loved ones to keep them close. Public holidays hardly exist. Probably the most important holiday always takes place during a complete solar eclipse. On these days they believe in the supremacy of darkness and that this phenomenon only encourages them that at some point the world will be shrouded in darkness so that they no longer have to hide during the day.

## Physiology

Mothdragons usually have low physical strength, which is why they try to compensate for these deficits in other ways. They are nocturnal, nearly blind and unable to see color, however sunlight can damage their eyes and they do not like the intensity of the sun's rays. They see through self-generated or body-emanated ultrasonic waves, which are reflected from surfaces that they receive with their antennae on their heads. In addition, each representative of this species has two types of powder, which are hidden in small pockets in its wings. One powder paralyzes, the other puts the opponent to sleep. The powder reaches the neuronal cells of the brain via the mucous membranes of the nose or eyes, or through inhalation or open wounds, where the chemical reaction can trigger these disorders and sometimes lead to permanent damage.

They also have two spikes on the insides of their mouths, which they can shoot like a harpoon. The poison they contain is not necessarily deadly, but it causes unbearable pain.

Each spine takes about a day to regenerate after being fired. Individual abilities keep popping up.

### Colors and Patterns

Their basic color is always black, the secondary colors can change from individual to individual. It rarely happens that an albino is also born. His survival within the clan is even less likely. What all Mothdragons have in common is the antennae on their heads, which are reminiscent of two feathers.

### Habitat

Mothdragons are not yet widespread in these lands. They usually come from the Misty Realms, a mist-shrouded archipelago of dead coral in whose mostly extensive caves they hide during the day. They prefer dark, but dry and also warm, spacious and ore-rich caves with promising hunting grounds nearby.

### Behavior

Mostly rational, Mothdragons often appear calculating and judicious, being able to quickly switch sides depending on what promises them the greatest advantage. They are only absolutely loyal to their own hive and its members, everything else is a question of price. In a conflict of decisions, they decide on the choice that seems the most logical and safest. Due to their fragile structure and strict hierarchy, they would never take risks or have little chance of success. So it can also happen that females give up their younglings when the danger is too great to get them all through or there is not enough food. Because while younglings need several years until they can support or fight the hive, the female can continue to cooperate and in better times, possibly in the next year, also have new younglings. Nevertheless, there are also mothers who fight for their offspring, but rarely receive support in this decision. There are almost no traitors. What can happen are loner survivors of a hostile takeover or disease.

### Diet

Mothdragons are primarily carnivores and only occasionally will their meals be supplemented with vegetarian fare. But fish is also on their menu, and sometimes they do not disdain carrion. Bones rich in marrow are particularly popular. Where they originally came from, food is scarce, so every resource is used to the best of its ability. Therefore, cannibalistic traits are sometimes nothing unusual, especially after a fight for the rank of king, the body of the loser is rarely wasted. In some cases, it also occurs that the king of a hive makes underperforming younglings disappear in the most useful way possible.

## List of Mothdragons

* Phuram (female healer)
* Hephaestus (young king)