Editing Draken History (section)

== The Draken Peoples ==

=== Wyrmlings ===

Wyrmlings are the most numerous of the Draken, making up the majority of city-dwelling populations. Unlike their Drakeling cousins, they are less reptilian and more humanoid, with smoother features, lighter scales, and greater agility, making them more approachable to other races. They retain scaled skin, clawed hands, and slit-pupil eyes, but their flatter snouts and partially lip-covered mouths soften their appearance. Their shorter, thinner tails aid in balance rather than combat, and their scales display a wide variety of colours and patterns, including striped or speckled markings.

Wyrmlings are highly adaptable, excelling in both physically demanding and specialised roles. Many work in docks, sewers, and construction, valued for their strength and endurance. Others pursue trade, diplomacy, or scholarship, thriving in commerce, negotiation, and academia. Their resistance to disease and filth makes them ideal for underground maintenance, while their agility and sharp senses suit them for espionage and the criminal underworld.

Though often underestimated compared to the stronger, warlike Drakelings, Wyrmlings are resourceful survivors, able to blend into various cultures and thrive in diverse environments. Their adaptability and intelligence make them an essential presence within Draken society and the wider world of Tymora.

=== Drakelings ===

Drakelings are the rarer but far more powerful subrace of the Draken, embodying the raw physical might and combat prowess of their kind. Unlike Wyrmlings, they are significantly more reptilian, towering over most humanoids with their imposing, dragon-like stature. Their thick, hardened scales, often jagged or plated, provide natural armour, making them highly resistant to blades and fire. With elongated muzzles lined with rows of sharp teeth, and often adorned with horns or frills, they appear far more beast-like than their smaller kin. Their powerful tails can knock enemies off their feet, while their massive claws and fangs can tear through armour with ease.

Born into a culture of battle, honour, and strength, Drakelings are natural warriors, enforcers, and warlords. Many lead warbands, serve as personal bodyguards, or fight as elite shock troops, their unstoppable force making them invaluable in combat. Their size and resilience often elevate them to positions of leadership, where they command mercenary bands, hunting parties, and even entire clans. Many take roles as gladiators, high-ranking guards, and hunters of great beasts, claiming their hides and bones as trophies.

==== Drakelings in Draken Society ====

Drakelings hold a unique position within Draken culture, often straddling the line between revered champions and feared outcasts. Their raw power and warrior instincts make them ideal leaders of warbands, enforcers of clan law, and symbols of Draken resilience, yet their feral tendencies and territorial nature can make them difficult to govern. While many Drakelings embrace their aggression, some have learned to temper their nature, channelling their strength through discipline and faith to better serve their god. Within warlike clans such as the Bone Clan, they are held in the highest regard, often serving as Warchiefs, Fanglords, or Dragon Slayers. However, in structured and scholarly societies like the Skyholder Clan, they are seen as powerful but volatile, respected yet kept at a distance unless they can demonstrate control over their primal urges.

Drakelings do not require formal status to command respect or fear, their presence alone often ensures dominance. Even among Wyrmlings, there exists a deep-rooted awe and caution towards them, as their sheer size and power make direct confrontation a fool's errand. Many Drakelings embrace this natural authority, relying on raw intimidation and dominance rather than politics or persuasion. However, not all Drakelings seek to rule through violence alone. Some develop a shrewd understanding of power, using cunning and strategy to further their ambitions. Those with discipline and patience often become military commanders, warlords, or rulers of entire settlements, blending martial prowess with tactical intelligence to expand their influence.

==== Relations with Wyrmlings and Other Draken ====

The relationship between Drakelings and Wyrmlings is often complex and unbalanced. Wyrmlings, being the more adaptable and numerous subrace, often take roles as merchants, scholars, and city-dwellers, while Drakelings dominate the warrior caste. This divide has led to unspoken tension within Draken society, as many Wyrmlings view Drakelings as brutal and outdated, while Drakelings see Wyrmlings as soft and weak. However, both are necessary for the survival of the race, and there exists a reluctant mutual respect between them, at least when their goals align.

Within the Bone Clan, Drakelings are revered as living weapons, their ferocity and combat skills celebrated. In contrast, within the Skyholder Clan, they are often kept away from leadership roles, as their aggression clashes with the clan's philosophical and spiritual approach to power. While Drakelings can rise in status, it is far harder for them to gain the trust of the Skyholder elite, who prioritise discipline, wisdom, and self-control over brute strength. However, some Drakelings have found ways to temper their aggression, channelling their strength toward discipline and divine purpose, earning respected positions as defenders of sacred sites, spiritual warriors, and guardians of ancient dragon sanctuaries.

Despite these cultural divisions, some Drakelings have forged new paths outside of traditional warrior roles. A few have embraced spiritual pursuits, dedicating themselves to the Skyholder belief in ascension, though their devotion is often met with scepticism by their more battle-driven kin. Others have become scholars of warfare, studying strategy, history, and the nature of battle to evolve beyond mere brute force. These rare individuals are both respected and feared, for a Drakeling who wields both strength and intelligence is a force few can challenge.

==== Drakelings and the Outside World ====

To outsiders, Drakelings are the true face of the Draken, towering monsters of war and destruction. Many fear them as conquerors, raiders, or beasts beyond reason, whispering tales of bone-clad warlords razing villages and merciless warriors tearing through enemy lines like living dragons. This reputation is not entirely undeserved, many Drakelings thrive in the heat of battle, caring little for diplomacy or politics. However, while some revel in their fearsome reputation, others work to refine their image, proving that strength, when wielded with wisdom, can be just as valuable as brute force.

For those who take the time to understand them, Drakelings are not mindless brutes, they value honour, strength, and legacy, and those who prove themselves worthy may find loyal and powerful allies among them. A Drakeling's oath is unbreakable, and their respect must be earned through action, not words.

In the greater world of Tymora, Drakelings often find work as mercenaries, bodyguards, and commanders of warbands, their mere presence enough to turn the tide of battle. Some become warrior-kings, carving out territories of their own, while others remain nomads, travelling the world in search of worthy challenges. Those who have mastered both discipline and battle often serve as honoured protectors of sacred sites, personal champions of rulers, or elite warriors of faith, blending ferocity with devotion in service of their gods.