Dragonrealm

Races in Nigeri

 There are 10 races in Nigeri:

Click on an above race or scroll down to learn about each.  This is far from a comprehensive description, and more information may be added later.  If you have any ideas that can be added to these please contact an administrator.

Daeris

The rarest and most unique race known to Nigeri are the Daeris.  Once human or elven slaves, the multitude of these vampires were bound to serve Synacra in what he felt would be his finest hour, but upon his death they were freed of his mind control.

No Daeris has died of natural causes, but it is well known that the easiest way to kill one is to pierce it with a weapon coated in a special poison, or to find a way to tear their quick-healing heart beyond repair.  While some would think this immortality a blessing, most Daeris see it as a curse: Every ten years, a Daeris must feed on a dragon's blood or they will develop a painful lepracy-like disease.  The priests of Synacra provide dragons captured from the Ordragc Empire beyond the desert to serve this need, and in exchange the Daeris are bound to fulful occasional duties for the Empire of the Black Dragon when called upon.

(Unlike traditional vampires, Daeris do not need to feed aside from the 10 year dragon feed, Daeris have reflections in mirrors, they can be out in the sun without dying, etc.)

Dragon

Dragons have and always will be the second most prominant species of Nigeri.  Generally 3 or 4 dragons survive per clutch of eggs, and most dragon couples will have a number of clutches over their lifetimes.

There are generally two basic types of dragon, the Glaschek (common western, up to 25 feet long from snout to tailtip with 4 legs and 2 wings) and the Uluga (Eastern-like.  Longer bodies at up to 40 feet long, 4 legs but no wings.)  Some Uluga are able to live underwater among merfolk leading to tales of sea serpants, but most dragons of both kinds are surface dwellers.  While some live in the scattered cities of the empires, most prefer caves, mountains, or forests as homes.

A dragon's lifespan is around 2,500 years.  The first 100 years of this is considered the growing stage where a young dragon grows near to their full size, develop their horns and claws, and learn the ways of their kind.  The first 30 years are spent with the parents, the rest is spent traveling, finding a mate, and figuring out where the young dragon is going to spend the rest of his or her life.

Unlike common rumor, only a few dragons have the ability to use flame or 'ice' breath.  those who do have special glands which emit chemicals that when combined in air either erupt into flame, or freeze.

Dramen

While the true origins of this race are debated, it is said Dramen were one of the races left over from an experament by the dragons to turn elves into dragons.  Dramen are skilled in blacksmithing, fighting, and hunting.  While most dramen posses a similar intellect to the average human, an occasional dramen can also posess the combined intellect of dragons and elves allowing them the chance to become a scholar superior to any elven or dragon scholar they may apprentice under.

Physically, Dramen have the stature and general appearance of an elf.  Unlike elves however, most dramen have horns that begin just above their hairline and travel along the curvature of their head in a backwards swoop, a proportional dragon-like tail, tough leathery skin (some may occasionally even have a patch of scales here or there).  Dramen also possess dragon-like claws on their hands and dragon-like feet as well as sharper-than-normal teeth and the slit-pupil eyes of a dragon.  The trait that stands out the most however is the draconic tail that all dramen have.  Some dramen also may have faint patterns of a dark shade on their skin.

Dwarf

Dwarves are another hominid race that traces its origins to that of the Dramen.  While at first looking a little like humans, they tend to be on the average about 1/3 shorter than the average human.  It is rare to find a dwarf above ground unless they are traders or training in an army.  Much like the dragons however, Dwarves find more comfort in underground caverns and mines, and have a greedy eye toward the unusual or valuable.  While many dwarves do have full beards, not all do.  Social status is measured instead by the size of their private hoard.

Dwarves are traditionally miners and smiths by trade.  Most metals for both empires come from dwarf mines.  Since few non-dwarves ever go into the mines, only the bragging that a single dwarf can dig a quarter mile tunnel through pure stone can be cited as the speed of a dwarf's digging.  This leaves the dwarves as a threat to both empires.

Dwarves average a life span of about 400 years.

((While dwarves CAN be stocky like in traditional fantasies, they aren't neccesarily in Nigeri.  And rarely does one ever use an axe.  Nigeri dwarves use chisel-like weapons and shortswords as well as short handled mining picks.  They make excelent engineers as well, and Black Dragon dwarves hold claim to almost all of the large modern technologies of the Empire of the Black Dragon.))

Elf

Elves are commonly considered the 'parent' race to the Daeris, Dramen, Dwarves, and Humans.  One of the most ancient races, elves live for as many as 2200 years, almost as old as dragons.  Because of this long life, the two races have learned to live together instead of quarrel like other races tend to do.

(Typical tolkein-esqe elves.  I'll add more when I put it together ~Ahgjan~)

Gryphon

Gryphons appear to be a cross between a lion and a hawk or eagle.  Their beaked heads appear to be a combination of both, with bird-like feathered wings but a furred lion-like body.  Some gryphons have lion-like legs, some with a cross between bird and lion like legs, and some with lion-like hind legs and crossed forelegs.

Gryphons live with their families for 20 to 30 years, with lifespans of just over 1000 years.  Rarely does a couple have more than thirty young in their lifespan.  Traditionally Gryphons live in forest tribes, but more of them are integrating into the cities of both empires.

Human

Everyone knows of humans.  Decended from elves, it is said that they and dramen were both created in the dragon experaments to create dragons out of elves.  Humans have a very elf-like appearance, but with the arrogance and enginuity of dragons.  The shortest lived race, no human has ever lived over 105 years old, but they breed quickly making them the most populated race.  Humans are an inventive race, and feel that their inventions over the centuries have earned them a dominant role in society (but no other race agrees).  Their traditions change on a regular basis - sometimes within half a century, and they no longer respect the ancient traditions older races continue to follow.  Humans have tried to hold many inter-species wars between rivaling groups in the past but other races have brough quick ends to all.  While the humans are part of both empires, it is out of reluctance, and most would prefer to have their own government.

Merfolk

Merfok are a unique species.  Like the Dramen, it is believed that they somehow originated from elves, but possibly before the elves arrived in Nigeri.  Merfolk are quick an agile underwater, excelent fighters and warriors but even better scholars and philosophers.  Most races once denied their existance because they rarely came to the surface of the sea, and when they do they appear to be large fish unless one is to take a closer look.  However in modern times, many seaside cities are adapted with canals and inlets to allow better integration with air-breathing races.

Merfolk are said to live a little over 1000 years old.  When necessary they can be out of an aquatic atmosphere but only for a few hours, and can adjust between salt, brackish,and fresh water within a few short moments.  Many still live in their capitol city in the sea, but some now live in more modern dwellings underneith land cities.

Nigeri merfolk are unlike traditional merfolk because their upper bodies are as much fish-like as their lower (see the picture on the right).  They have arms with webbed and clawed hands, and speak both dragon and elven languages.  They also are able to separate the end of their tails into odd leg-like appendages to walk on land, but rarely is this seen because it is strange and uncomfortable.

Shapeshifter

Information on this races is coming soon.

Unicorn

Unicorns are the most gentile, shy, and passive race in Nigeri.  Keeping away from most traces of civilization, they prefer forested areas of shade with the occasional mid-forest meadow.

While unicorns look much like horses, they are sentient and much stronger.  The Empire of the Black Dragon keeps all unicorns on their side of the continent as slaves, shaving off their horns for Synacra's use.  Those who escape to or are born into the Ordragc empire are offered safe haven in the northern and western forests.

The main physical difference between unicorns and horses is their horn.  A powerful ingrediant in potions and dark spells, the horn is sharp and long, able to impale a dramen or even break through a dragon's scales and stab into it's flesh.  The horn is also said by humans to provide a unicorn with its long life in the wild, although those who lose their horns to Synacra's service still sometimes will live to the same 600 years that those with horns can live to.