Lore
Dragons — Deity: vast, scaled intelligences that occupy the edges of weather and water, described by witnesses as both storm and old river. Field Naturalist notes: Smell: a sharp metallic tang like rain on iron mixed with the sweet smoke of cedar and something older — mineral and damp. Sound: a low, resonant rumble that carries like distant thunder; the rush of great wings turns the air into a gale and, at close range, speech is a series of creaks and syllables that Set teeth to humming. Temperature: localized warmth that lingers long after the creature departs — breaths that can steam the air, scales that store sunlight into slow, comforting heat, yet certain species give off a cold, brackish chill near deep water. Observe markings: lacquered scales, curling horns, and eyes that reflect weather rather than light.
Origin: Various (Pan-cultural) • Global
Classification: Deity
Field Notes
Observations
- A persistent, unusual warmth or chill in a patch of sky or river, concentric scorch or ripple-patterns on nearby ground, and the metallic scent of iron in the breeze.
Encounter Advice
- taboo: Never seize or openly flaunt a dragon's hoard, never pour refuse into waters claimed by river-drakes, and do not use a dragon's true name flippantly — each culture maintains specific prohibitions tied to respect and balance.
- reverence: Approach with ceremony: lower banners, offer unbroken vessels of water or bowls of rice and incense at dusk, recite local honorifics or prayers; a sincere, measured bow or prostration acknowledges their guardianship and invites tolerance rather than wrath.
- offering: Pearls, carved jade, unbroken bowls of water, songs at the waterline or mountain pass, and carefully placed incense — offerings vary by tradition and should mirror local custom.
Abilities
- Wyrmfire BreathExhales a concentrated thermomagical flame capable of liquefying metal, searing runes and warping local reality in a single blast.
- Pearl of DominionGuards or clutches a living pearl whose presence grants control over weather, tides and local luck; its removal drastically weakens the dragon's influence.
- Hoard-BindImbues its treasure with a greed-binding enchantment that enthralls those who touch it and can animate gold to resist theft.
- Wingquake StormcallUnfurls its wings to whip the atmosphere into storms, creating tornados, lightning and sudden shifts in climate around its flight path.
Weaknesses
- Star‑forged IronWeapons forged from meteoric iron or star-metal can pierce scales and bypass many of a dragon's enchantments.
- Pearl TheftRemoving the dragon's pearl severs its weather-lore and greatly reduces its magical cohesion until the pearl is returned or destroyed.
- Broken Egg OathDestruction or theft of a hatchling's egg binds the dragon's life-force to that egg, weakening or enraging the parent until restored.
Lore Check: DragonsQuestion 1/15