Drak'hai
Proud traditionalists and martial masters, drak'hai cast off their draconic overlords centuries ago. They maintain strong warrior traditions while navigating modern challenges to their conservative values. Their emphasis on honor, merit, and liberation from oppression shapes clan-based society and leadership throughout The Crescent.
Physical Characteristics
Drak'hai possess imposing draconic features including scales, sharp teeth, claws, and tails. Their tall, muscular builds reflect generations of martial training and warrior culture. Most drak'hai show large amounts of ritual scarring across their bodies, save the face. Scale color reveals dragon ancestry, with red and black-scaled drak'hai often bearing substantially more ritual scarring than their bronze or copper-scaled kin, representing a greater shame in their ancestry.
Most drak'hai mature by their late teens and live approximately 65 years. This brief lifespan drives their urgent approach to honor and achievement. Young warriors must prove themselves quickly in martial and leadership roles.
Culture and Governance
Drak'hai society operates through hierarchical clan structures that emphasize honor, merit, and personal achievement over birth. Leadership positions require demonstrated martial prowess and ethical conduct. This creates competitive but principled governance systems.
Honor-based spiritual traditions focus on overcoming oppression and achieving martial excellence. The annual scale-shedding ceremony sees old scales ritually burned as symbols of growth and renewal. Daily Dusk Vigils require communal silence at sunset. All drak'hai cease activity to reflect on ancestral deeds and honor fallen warriors.
Honor in Modern Times
What does true honor look like in a world that's moved past traditional warrior values?
The modern reality:
- Merchants wield more influence than sword-arms
- Problems are solved through negotiation rather than combat
How do ancient codes of martial excellence apply to modern challenges? Can a drak'hai find honor in compromise, or does adaptation betray everything their ancestors fought for?
Traditions
Hatchling Breath Ritual: At one year of age, young drak'hai attempt their first intentional breath weapon use. The manner and potency predicts the child's future strength and clan roles. Red and black-scaled children require more intensive preparation and control practices.
Skyfell: Celebrated on the 7th of Stormtide, this tradition honors freedom spirits and liberation from dragons through martial demonstrations, honor duels, and reenactments of their ancestors' revolt.
Relations with Other Peoples
Drak'hai maintain complex relationships shaped by their history of liberation and their conservative values. Other races generally respect their honor and martial strength, though some find their traditionalist approach inflexible.
Drow: Complex relationship despite sharing opposition to dragons. Both peoples value strength and independence, but they compete for influence and leadership roles in mixed communities.
Their fierce hatred toward dragons of all kinds remains absolute. Red and black-scaled drak'hai face additional scrutiny from other peoples due to ancestral connections to more destructive dragon bloodlines, creating internal tensions within drak'hai society itself.
Ancestral Shame
Red and black-scaled drak'hai bear the visible mark of descent from the most destructive dragon bloodlines.
Even within drak'hai society, they face suspicion and must work twice as hard to prove their honor. The extensive ritual scarring they bear serves as penance for ancestral sins they had no part in committing.
Other peoples may react with instinctive fear or hostility, making social situations fraught with tension.
Character Creation Notes
Drak'hai work well as fighters, paladins, and sorcerers, reflecting their martial traditions and draconic heritage. Consider which clan shaped your character and how their scale color affects their social standing and personal challenges.
Regional Backgrounds: Honor-bound warriors, clan leaders, city guards, or reluctant diplomats navigating between tradition and progress represent common drak'hai paths.
Cultural Integration: Drak'hai characters often understand hierarchical power structures and military organization, having grown up in clan-based warrior societies.
Key Motivations: Drak'hai urgency stems from their shorter lifespans and drive to prove honor and worth quickly. What pushes your character to excel in martial prowess or leadership roles while upholding traditional values?