Draken (archive)

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A brutal and aggressive species, the Draken are the most deadly fighters in the Dominion military. Sworn to serve the empire that bested their greatest warriors of old, they have dedicated themselves to conquering the planet Nexus for Emperor Myrcalus the Vindicator. They are a race of warriors and hunters, always seeking more powerful foes and more cunning prey to test their skills.

## Physical Description

Draken display both reptilian and mammalian characteristics. They are humanoid in shape, but walk with a hunched stance and have long tails that run roughly two-thirds the length of their bodies Both males and females bear a pair of heavy horns atop their thick, bony skulls, and have sharp claws on both their hands and feet. Their tough hides range in color from red-brown to gray-black.

## Homeworld

The Draken hail from Mikros, a small planet that circles a red giant star. Mikros has a tidally locked orbit with one side perpetually exposed to the searing heat of the sun and the other side hidden in cold, icy darkness. Forged in the heat and dust of this savage homeworld, the Draken see Nexus as a primeval wilderness where they can test their strength and skill in combat.

## Hunter's Implements

Draken believe that by employing materials from the hunting ground itself into their hunt they honor their old gods, and scans indicate the Draken have created a wide variety of implements for their hunts on Nexus. Some of these have utilitarian purposes - essentially primitive clubs and blades that can be employed to kill and maim. Scans show more than 70% of these implements bear more than one type of genetic material, probably blood, from multiple victims. Others, while possessed of a deadly visage, appear to be purely ceremonial and only have mild traces of genetic material from the Draken creator.

## Bloodshamans

Draken bloodshamans act as spiritual guides and holy men for both the clanlord and community at large, ensuring that the Blood Covenants are respected and followed by all. Bloodshamans are an integral part of preparations for war, chanting excerpts from the covenants as they engage in arcane rituals that are meant to prepare their warriors for battle.

## Huntresses

Hunts of all kinds are overseen by the village huntress and her lesser huntresses, as they have been for thousands of years. Huntresses teach techniques that have proven most effective over countless generations, develop new killing styles for the strange prey of Nexus, and judge the abilities of those who hunt for the clan.

## The Great Hunt

The Great Hunt is a Draken ritual somewhere between a recreational sport and a religious rite. Great Hunts are usually called by clanlords, officiated by huntresses, and blessed by bloodshamans with a great Bloodfeast. There are two levels of participation in the Great Hunt, one of which is open to almost any who will accept the challenge, and a higher level at which only the most powerful may participate. In the open challenge, Draken and their honored guests hunt wild game in the area and collect skulls for the sacred skullpiles. Members of the select, however, may hunt elite targets chosen by the clanlords and huntresses. Elite targets may be strange monstrosities from Nexus, imported beasts from all over the galaxy, or even especially cunning prisoners of war.

## The Bloodfeast

The Bloodfeast is a festival of Draken culture with origins on ancient Mikros. Bloodfeasts are organized for many different reasons, but usually to mark a special anniversary or occasion such as an historic victory or important visitors. Often a Bloodfeast is part of the Great Hunt ending that sacred event with a days-long orgy of food, fighting and epic tales of past battles.