The Dracophage
Dragons have been a a part of life and myth since time immemorial, but always at a distance. When the first Deva was born, there were already dragons that held dominion over their own corners of the world. In the Dwarves' deepest caverns and halls, there is writing on the stone walls of Runefolk of old that dug too deep and woke them from their slumber. Old Miradi tales are handed down to small children about how they were born from Aja're, the World Mother, who had become the ring about Khurun. At least, this is how the legends go - the dragons that know the their own truth either slumber, have died, or are reclusive. Their patience too thin to share their long and ancient history with mortals.
What is known, is that when the Deva Empire rose to power, they contended with dragons for the reins of the world. Early in the First Age, the fledgling Empire lost many a legion in their attempt to enforce their will. Dragonfire laid waste to the horned ones and the ash from their cities blotted out the sun.
The tides turned when Deva minds created what would become known as the Dracophage. In a foul melding of magic and biology that has never been replicated since, the disease spread from one mighty dragon to another. The beasts' dominion over the world ended not with a bloody reckoning, but a whimper. Sightings of dragons lessened over the ages, and most of the larger dragons faded from memory.
Many were the graveyards that were made of their bones and it became a rare thing to see living dragons much larger than a horse. Larger dragons that escaped the spread of the Dracophage either retreated to their own domains or were hunted. To see a large dragon now is considered a blessing or a curse depending on one's beliefs or culture. Dragons are most often heralded as bringers of destruction and on other occasions, they are revered and worshiped for the power they possess. While the larger dragons that remain are powerful, they pale in comparison to the the handful of Ancient Dragons that slumber and hide away in secret places in the world.
Biology
Humans, elves, devahni and most of the other peoples across Khurun are carriers of the the Dracophage, though the disease does not affect mortalkind. Because of this, dragons avoid populated areas when they can. As a dragon grows larger and older their chances of contracting the Dracophage increases. Its rare for a dragon to stand bigger than about 10ft at the shoulders.
The exact nature of the Dracophage and and its origins are not known. Healing magic can slow its progression, but the amount of Shroud needed to heal something as large as a dragon is outside the strength of any single weaver. The disease is not inherently magical, and cleansing rituals that would work on conventional curses, have no effect on it.
The exact nature of the Dracophage and and its origins are not known. Healing magic can slow its progression, but the amount of Shroud needed to heal something as large as a dragon is outside the strength of any single weaver. The disease is not inherently magical, and cleansing rituals that would work on conventional curses, have no effect on it.
Contributors: The Honorable