Dragons

Overview
Dragons (race denoted by a capital "D" and not to be confused with Ancient Dragons) are an artificial race of Shifters that came about as a result of the First War. Typically reclusive, Dragons make their home exclusively in the City-Kingdom of Drak in Northern Julkrest, and nowhere else. Ageless, they have existed in their current forms for thousands of years, possess immense magical powers, an acute control over Fire that would put even the Ahn'qa to shame and the ability to change from their Humanoid forms to that of a four-legged, two-winged creature resembling a bipedal Ancient Dragon.

The Fallen King

 * Before the political conflict known as the First War, a powerful group of Humans, Native Julkrestian Elves, Dire Wolves and Ahn'qa developed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Ancient Dragons that lived in the Spine. Calling themselves The Riders, and in the wake of a series of losing battles, the group was magically enhanced by the Goddess Mirah, bestowing on all humanoids that were able to Bond with an Ancient Dragon a sort of immortality, along with a control over magic that they wouldn't have been able to achieve naturally.


 * As the conflict escalated over the next few centuries, The Rider's began to shift the balance of power from the Gods to Mortals, worrying the Eldest Goddess, Arai, who was leading the military that The Riders opposed. In an act of desperation, Arai drew up from the depths of the planet an ancient Artifact known as the Shard. Using its power, she attempted to destroy the Bond between Ancient Dragons and humanoids but was unable to do so before The Riders took possession of the artifact.


 * Advised by Mirah, The Riders were presented a choice of using the power of the Shard for themselves, changing them and their Bonds into something fundamentally new. Most of the sitting leadership at the time disapproved of this, but a small faction within the ranks chose to accept the change. With the power of the Shard, the Riders and Ancient Dragons were fused into one being, shedding their individual identities and becoming a single creature, today known simply as a Dragon.

Political Alignment

 * Dragons live in a state of isolation, keeping heavy tabs on non-dragon individuals that enter their territory. Before the arrival of the Highland Elves, they were significantly similar to the Keepers, feeling their power was too great for mortal alliugnment,