Draconean

**Draconeans** (called ***Anevrai*** in the ancient form of their language) are a species of humanoid dragons that once ruled a global empire. After the Downfall of their civilization, when their human subjects rose up against them and poisoned their eggs, the Draconeans were reduced to a tiny remnant of their former range, the Sanctuary of Wings in the Mrtyahaima mountains. They left behind many ruined structures, which archaeologists would study for centuries, but it was not until the fifty-seventh century that the Draconean language was deciphered and it was rediscovered that the Draconeans were not humans but a different species entirely.

## Biology and Culture

Draconeans are bipedal dragons, standing a little over 2 meters in height, with large wings that allow them to glide but are incapable of true flight. Like other dragon species, their bones quickly decompose unless treated with sulfuric acid; the body Isabella, Suhail, Tom, and Thu Phim-lat found was boneless, the skeleton having disintegrated while the cold environment preserved some of the muscle and skin. Draconeans practice sky burial, leaving their dead exposed to the elements and scavengers. Since dragon bones decay quickly, this can leave boneless bodies such as that one.

They can control blood flow to their wings, opening the blood vessels when near a heat source and reducing the flow to prevent heat loss. Most Draconeans in the Sanctuary hibernate in the winter, but a few are chosen (different ones each year) to stay awake and mind the yak herds. Draconeans molt in the spring, and save their shed scales for use as insulation.

They are omnivorous, capable of eating much the same foods as humans, and engage in agriculture. They have domesticated small dragons called mews to keep pests away from stored grain, and also use them for carrying messages between villages.

Draconeans are subject to developmental lability, like all other dragons, with the environment of their eggs determining physiological features of the hatchlings. Indeed, it is believed (but not proven) that the origin of the Draconeans was from the eggs of an unknown dragon species bathed in human blood; this is supported by the Draconean epic referring to *āmu* (humans) shedding blood upon the Draconean created by the gods, while *issur* (dragons) breathed life into it. Those born in the Sanctuary are only able to live in cold climates; even Kudshayn, whose egg was laid at the warmest tolerable range, cannot tolerate Scirling summers without refrigeration. The only other survivor of his clutch is his sister Teslit, whose health problems prevent her from traveling outside Yelang.

Eighty percent of Draconean hatchlings are female. Thus, females occupy most of the leadership, labor, and warrior roles, with males serving as priests and scribes (the two jobs are synonymous). Males live together, while females live in sister groups. There is no concept of marriage as in human cultures. Villages in the Sanctuary are each led by a sister group and an elected male, but the Sanctuary as a whole is led by elder females of unrelated sister groups, again with a male adviser.

### Body language

Draconeans have different body language and gestures from humans, some of which are impossible for humans to replicate due to their lack of wings.

**Wings cupped around body:** Respectful, similar in meaning to a bow or curtsey. Imitated by humans crossing arms over their chests, which some Draconeans have taken to doing when in human dwellings.

**Wings cupped around one another:** Similar to hugging.

**Wings tucked tightly against back:** Discomfort. Similar to humans entering fetal position.

**Wings spread:** Anger or alarm, used to make a Draconean appear bigger; similar to a cat puffing up its fur. Two Draconeans doing this to each other is like a staring contest, to see who can leave their wings exposed to cold the longest.

**Wings drooping:** Like sighing.

**Wings rattling:** Silently laughing.

**Nostrils flaring:** Curiosity; similar to a human raising their eyebrows.

**Holding muzzle shut:** Equivalent of putting a finger to one's lips.

**Hand reaching high:** Sincerity; like a human placing a hand on their heart.

## In the series

### *Within the Sanctuary of Wings*

In the aftermath of Lady Trent's discovery of the Sanctuary and its population of surviving Draconeans, she helped them broker an alliance with the human nations of Scirland and Yelang. At the time, a new dynasty founded by Giat Jip-hau had just taken the Yelangese throne, and since dragons are powerful symbols in Yelangese culture, the Sanctuary sent three females and one male (a compromise for the Yelangese, who consider four a deadly omen, and the Draconeans, who consider it an auspicious number) to accompany him to his coronation.

### *Turning Darkness Into Light*

Several decades later, Draconeans have found limited acceptance around the world, as many humans still consider the religious texts demonizing them to be fact. Only Scirland and Yelang consider an attack on a Draconean legally equivalent to an attack on a human being; other countries consider it "cruelty to animals". Scirland maintains a caeliger base in the Sanctuary, and it is not a sovereign country, but more of a Scirling colony. The Falchester Congress of 5662 was convened to decide the fate of the Sanctuary, and whether it would be accorded international recognition as an independent nation. To accomodate the Draconean delegation, who could not handle warm temperatures, it was held in the winter month of Gelis.

### "The Long Fall"

Nine years after the Falchester Congress, Draconeans have (with the approval of human governments) begun establishing enclaves within countries near the Sanctuary, such as Khavtlai.

## Known Draconeans

### Current

* Ruzt
* Zam
* Kahhe
* Atlim, brother of Ruzt, Zam, and Kahhe
* Seymel (deceased)
* Yaminet (deceased)
* Tarshi (elder)
* Habarz (priest)
* Sejeat (elder)
* Urrte
* Kuvrey (elder)
* Esdarr
* Esmin (priest)
* Iztam
* Ahheke, daughter of Iztam
* Kudshayn, son of Ahheke (priest and ambassador)
* Teslit, daughter of Ahheke
* Mazte
* Neshim (priest)

### Mythical

* Hastu
* Peli, mother of the four from one shell
* Samšin, golden-scaled, inventor of laws and justice
* Nahri, green-scaled, inventor of agriculture
* Imalkit, blue-scaled, inventor of metalworking
* Ektabr, black-scaled, inventor of writing
* Tayyit, who found the four and taught them to speak and live like people

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Within the Sanctuary of Wings* (page needed)
2. ↑ *Turning Darkness Into Light* p. 44
3. ↑ *Turning Darkness Into Light* p. 263
4. ↑ *Turning Darkness Into Light* p. 137-140
5. ↑ *Turning Darkness Into Light* p. 171