Daughters of the Dragon

"One of the First Three non-human races."Booming footsteps, cast in shadow, dragon horns on looming maiden. The Daughters of the Dragon are female-only giants appearing like human women but with dragon horns, a dragon tail, and subcutaneous lattice of scales. They still mostly reside in the mountains but increasingly their presence has spread into the rest of the Fatherland as well.

Legend
Myth tells of an ancient dragon speared through the side by a bold knight. Bleeding profusely, it managed to escape and flew for a day and a half before collapsing atop a mountain peak. An elderly witch lived nearby with her seven daughters in a small cabin, and they found the fatally wounded dragon writhing in pain. In order to ease its suffering, the old woman produced a poultice and applied it to the gash after yanking out the spear. The initial shock was so great that the dragon crushed the hag in its agonized thrashing. Realizing what had happened once the salve took effect and the pain subsided, the dragon vowed to make amends with the old witch's daughters, and gifted them its own heart. After preparing and consuming the dragon's heart, the daughters were transformed, raised to the stature of giants and imbued with the dragon's strength.

They remained in the mountains but many a story tells of travelers disappearing when isolated from groups, or lone explorers who never returned from those mountains. These disappearances were attributed to looming creatures of otherworldly beauty, enormous women with slitted reptilian eyes that glowed in the moonlight. Labeled 'Daughters of the Dragon,' their sexual monomorphic nature provided the inspiration for a number of false folktales regarding their method of reproduction. One particularly pernicious myth claimed that they devoured men and then they gave birth to the next generation of Mountain Ladies. Since the Edict of Unification, physiological research has since entirely dispelled the notion of 'anthropophagogenesis' with the accurate reproductive classification of 'kleptogenesis.'

Not all stories about the Daughters of the Dragon claimed that they had no need for a husband, and legends of them marrying human men abound. One more basic children's tale is about a Dragon Daughter who- while staring up into the sky and asking the Living God for a man to end her loneliness, had a fir cone tumble right into her eye. Unable to get it out, her cries of pain drew a trapper (in some stories, in others a lumberjack or a river trader) to her side. She offered to work his fields for a season if he helped her, and he was able to deftly pluck the fir cone from her eye. The story ends with them marrying at the end of season of help and they lived happily ever after.

There are many tales of interactions with Dragon Daughters throughout the centuries, but some include details deemed impossible and are thus likely exaggerations. For instance, there are a trio of ancient Ortuesian churches that are claimed to have been constructed by a single Dragon Daughter in order to earn the favor of a prince. According to the story, after finishing the first one, she threw her hammer and where it landed five miles away she built another one. And then she did the same thing and built a third chapel, before at last getting the prince to agree to marry her.

Not all stories about interactions with humans were positive, and one compelling but unconfirmed myth presents a Dragon Daughter who styles herself as Vatgríma, the river bandit queen. Vatgríma lived in a castle at the mouth of an unnamed large river and robbed boats passing by, threatening them with hurled boulders until they offered her tribute to earn safe passage. Her reign of thievery ended when she was visited by a heroic Ortuist King, who rebuked her greed in a booming voice that turned her to stone. There are several locations where rock formations are said to be her still visible petrified body, albeit worn by weather throughout the centuries.

Description
Standing between 20' to 23' with an average of 21'6" (and weighing between 3.25 to 5 tons, with an average of 4 tons), Dragon Daughters are most well known for their considerable size. Getting past their stature however, one can definitely see the draconic influences of their anatomy:

Atop their heads they possess two (or rarely four) horns, similar to those of goats, often growing longer and more curled the older the Daughter.

Emerging from the base of their spines are scaled dragon tails of varying sizes depending upon the familial line of the Dragon Daughter. These range from so small and slender that they are largely vestigial aside from minor aid to balance, up to large enough to be used as an impromptu weapon with some even sporting a club-like bony mass or sharp spikes on the end.

A few Dragon Daughters possess a pair of wings upon their backs, though these are incapable of providing the ability to fly no matter their size. Most often they are entirely decorative but the largest of wings are able to slow the rate of descent from falls and provide a bit of gliding movement.

The fourth and most beneficial of draconic features is the flexible grid of subdermal keratin laminations that give their skin a vaguely scale-like texture.

Dragon Daughters sport a specific coloration of their draconic features based on their subtype: red for Fire Dragons, yellow for Lightning Dragons, and blue for Ice Dragons. Ones without an elemental affinity will often default to a pale purple or shade of gray.

Ethnicities
While the population of Dragon Daughters is not yet high enough for the formation of actual ethnicities, there are nonetheless three subtype categories that affect the element that affect their physiology and capability.

Ice Dragons


The Dragon Daughters of the Northwest are often referred to as Glacial Dragons, Ladies of the Snow, Ice Giants, or (as an invocation of danger in the wilderness) Blizzard Beasts. A more common sight than any other subtype of Dragon Daughter in the colder nations, Ice Dragons can most often be found in Nordia and Occupied Danmag, the northern parts of the Rossiyan Federation, and most notably of all, the Principality of Bielajaros which is currently ruled by Princess Valancina II, the young Ice Dragon princess.

Despite their reptilian heritage, Ice Dragons do not even seem to notice the chill of winter and relish in the cold. At will, they can breathe such cold wind that it can cut through clothes right to the bones and even cause instantaneous frostbite to those unprepared for the low temperature. This has made them extremely valued in the service of institutions which can employ them for refrigeration purposes, though their rarity and pride limits the number of business which can boast Ice Dragon cooling to a mere handful.

Ice Dragons sport blue tails and horns and wings if present, though the shade of blue can vary from dark to pale. Ice Dragons are a little less likely to have wings than Fire Dragons or non-elemental Dragons, and have a slightly increased rate of bone clubs on the tip of their tails. As is befitting of a Dragon that takes after ice, they are more likely to be of cool temperament, slow to anger and more likely to contemplate and deliberate than other Dragon Daughter subtypes. This can have the side effect of making them seem standoffish to other races which may not know how to read the muted social cues that Ice Dragons display, but one who does manage to be persistent enough to melt their icy facade can find a faithful and long-lasting friendship.

Lightning Dragons
The Dragon Daughters from the East are called Lightning Dragons but are also referred to as Storm Giants, Thunder Dragons, and (informally and offensively) as Shock Lizards. Lightning Dragons have moved to Uropa from as far as the Wakoku Isles as well as the Khitan Union and southern Rossiya Federation, often as refugees from massive wars or a new dynasty instituting a nationwide Dragon Hunt as a part of their heathen coronation rituals.

The most nimble of Dragon Daughters, Lightning Dragons are also the smallest of the subtypes at an average height of 20'6". Their more slender builds grant them a lower average weight as well of 3 tons, but they are even lighter on their feet than their size would seem to suggest. They seem to prefer windy places and tall mountains, and during thunder storms they naturally attract bolts of electricity toward them, which provide a rejuvenating and energizing effect. Despite how terrifying this can be to onlookers, the safest way to experience a lightning storm is with a Lightning Dragon around, as she can ensure no bolts strike any nearby trees or buildings or people, surrounding herself with the tingle of crackling energy without allowing anyone or anything else to be harmed.

Lightning Dragons with the penchant for the Exhalation possess the ability to project a stream of high-voltage electrical bolts from their mouths. The scent of sharp ozone from a Dragon Daughter's agitated sigh is often the only warning before the jagged light of arcing lightning billows forth to leave foes writhing in the current and smoking from internal burns.

Matching the Eastern perception of Dragons, Lightning Dragons have golden-yellow horns and tails, and rarely sport wings at all. They have a slightly-increased chance of growing bony spikes on their tails, which are believed to aid with collecting static electricity from the air, or perhaps with projecting defensive shocks if threatened. The most common personality archetype for a Lightning Dragon is to be more mysterious and even deceptive regarding their intentions or true feelings. They tend to act proud and assertive if not standoffish, but can fairly quickly shift to a warm and accepting demeanor when faced with someone who is not frightened by their large size or dangerous displays of electric power.

Fire Dragons
Perhaps the most well-known of subtypes, the Fire Dragon is the stereotypical Dragon Daughter. Also referred to as Red Dragons or (often in literature) as Infernal Giants, they are capable of exhaling breath of pure flame or even spit globs of glowing orange lava-like saliva. They are naturally unbothered by excess heat and only the most stifling of atmospheres (which would kill a human) can cause them to perspire. As such, many of them can be found working in large industrial forges and refineries where the temperatures are too dangerous or exhausting for humans.

Fire Dragons have red scales on their tails, red horns, and - if they have them - red wings. Of all the Dragon Daughter subtypes, Fire Dragons are the most likely to possess wings by a small margin, but also the least likely to sport any sort of natural weapon on the tip of their tails. Matching their element, Fire Dragons are known as the most passionate and instinctive of Dragon Daughters, and have a reputation for being short-tempered and easily excitable. On the other hand, Fire Dragons are the quickest to make friends with those who they mesh well with, and are the least likely Dragon Daughter subtype to care about personal space or propriety when it comes to showing affection.

Capabilities
In addition to the protective nature of their reinforced skin which provides a natural armor, Dragon Daughters are notoriously difficult to kill. This is in no small part due to their size, but even when suffering severe wounds, the Ladies of the Mountain are capable of surviving proportional injuries that would incapacitate or kill a human.

Their colossal size gives Dragon Daughters a similarly massive amount of strength. This renders them capable of wearing armor thick enough to stop small arms fire and wield weaponry that would normally otherwise require mounting to operate. Such gear must be custom designed and is still extremely rare, but even unmodified weapons like field mortars can be carried by Dragon Daughters without the need for teams of horses and wheeled chassis.

Physical advantages aside, the Dragon Daughters also possess a unique form of magic known by many different names, though the most common is the Exhalation. This form of magic is more akin to an innate ability than an arcane practice, invoking primal elemental forces to blast a cone of freezing wind, unleash a spew of crackling lightning, or breathe plumes of flame, depending upon the Dragon Daughter's ethnicity. While the immediate effect of this ability is easily observed and understood, there are myths and mentions in historical records of Dragon Daughters who have mastered this Exhalation to achieve far greater effects than direct elemental manifestation. Stories tell of Dragon Daughters who have - in moments of great peril or need - managed to shout to the skies and call down paralyzingly-cold blizzards or crashing lightning strikes or a wave of fiery meteors to devastate their enemies.

Limitations
Although size has its advantages it is not without its drawbacks. Being the largest target on the ground means drawing the fire from infantry and artillery and aerial units alike. While is is good for friendly ground targets who can appreciate a bit of a reprieve, it is certainly dangerous to be on the receiving end of so much concentrated fire.

In addition, Dragon Daughters must eat... a lot. Far more than the normal soldier, though luckily not as much as their size might otherwise suggest, due to their efficient metabolisms. They are notorious for their appetites however and while they are certainly worth the increase in logistical complications, it is still something that must be taken into account. As must sleeping arrangements and other base accommodations.

Finally, the majority- up to possibly 70%- of Dragon Daughters report an irrational fear of waterfowl. Labeled 'anatidaephobia,' this fear confounds Dragon Daughters and humans alike regarding the reason or origin, but there are numerous bits of folklore surrounding the antagonism of fantastical geese or transformed swans having terrorized the first few Daughters of the Dragon, even a story of one of the original seven being pecked to death by a jealous team of murderous ducks. These are all believed to be fictitious, yet the fact remains that most Dragon Daughters are unreasonably terrified of aquatic birds. Luckily this does not extend to Night Ravens, but there have been instances of Night Ravens bathing in lakes provoking a stress response from a Dragon Daughter wandering upon the scene.

Unification Status
Despite being one of the three original non-human races which accepted the offer of Grienzen citizenship, the Dragon Daughters remain one of the least integrated with human civilization. A large part of this can be attributed to the overwhelming awe — which can easily turn to terror — in the eyes of humans who first meet someone so large. On a more practical level, the difficulty of modifying existing buildings and infrastructure to be more accessible to beings who stand in excess of 20 feet tall has proved prohibitively expensive.

Some business have done better than others in adapting to the presence of Dragon Daughters. In addition to the specialized industries mentioned under the specific Dragon Daughter ethnicities, other fields seek out their services whenever presented with the opportunity. The construction industry in particular has seen widespread adoption of Dragon Daughter-friendly practices due to their ability to dig, move, and lift so much more material than any other worker, and significantly greater mobility than cranes. For the same reason they are highly sought-after at harbors and shipyards and train yards where they can load vessels and trains far quicker than even a team of human workers. Accordingly, many railroad lines have begun offering flatbed train cars for Dragon Daughters, including a few cushioned cars on luxury lines for more comfortable journeys.

The main source of difficulty in more thoroughly incorporating Dragon Daughters is certainly the challenges of accommodating their large size. Outside of the larger tar-packed streets, many roads are unable to withstand the pressure of a Dragon Daughter's footsteps, causing damage that needs repairing. Very few buildings are built to handle occupants of their height, with the majority of efforts to provide them with a place to live or conduct business being centered on large warehouses, which are also in high demand due to increasing industrial capacity. This process was only just beginning to become more widespread when the war began, putting the matter on the back burner, for now.

Humans
"'Small and fragile, like playthings or pets, yet more numerous than the rocks in the river. Just as the tall, mighty tree trunk cannot live without countless tiny leaves to support it and provide it with nourishment, neither can we anymore survive without the food brought by humans and their agriculture. Be on guard around them, however, for their word is without value and their promises eagerly broken. An honest human is a treasure without equal. Never agree to accept the reward for a task only after all work has been completed, or you will never be paid.'"

Night Ravens
"'One of the few peoples to appreciate the value of an elevated point of view! Willing to exchange interesting conversation and occasional companionship for food and anything that glitters, Night Ravens make enjoyable though expensive and inconstant friends. Just be sure to never reveal to one a bauble which catches your fancy, or you very well might awaken without it.'"

Wolfen
"'There is little more bothersome than that which thinks itself ferocious far beyond its worth. With whimpering 'snarls' and nibbling 'bites,' the untamed wolf seeks to prove his strength, but only proves himself a nuisance. But a well-mannered wolf can be an ideal companion, more hardy than a human and less likely to steal than a Raven. Give a meal and throw a branch, and receive in turn a worthwhile companion.'"

Fey Cats
"'Fleeting little things with inscrutable intentions. Rare is it to befriend a cat of the woods, and nearly never worth the trouble. They speak of a kingdom lost but have not the grace to accept the change, like the valley that mournfully howls over no longer being a mountain.'"

Burrowers
"'Tiny, scurrying things, so often beneath notice. But do not overlook the value of nimble fingers that can deftly remove small but painful barbs. Nor forget that they can sometimes deliver such barbs into sensitive flesh in the first place.'"

Sea Hounds
"'When water overtakes mountain, the boulders must tumble away. Those that remain are ever changed by the submerging. Do not trust that which the ocean has changed.'"