Difference between revisions of "Age of Dragons: Sable Dragons"

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==The Enders==
 
==The Enders==
  
The Twelfth-born of the Goddess were her killers. The birth of their breed's progenitor ended the Mother Goddess, and since then the Sables have named themselves the ''Enders''.
+
The Twelfth-born of the Goddess were her killers. The birth of their breed's progenitor ended the Mother Goddess, and since then the ''Sables'' have named themselves the ''Enders''.
  
 
It is a truth readily apparent that all things end. A young child grows old, then death claims him. A living forest petrifies then crumbles to dust. An idea has its day, then fades to nothing. Given enough time, everything ends.
 
It is a truth readily apparent that all things end. A young child grows old, then death claims him. A living forest petrifies then crumbles to dust. An idea has its day, then fades to nothing. Given enough time, everything ends.
  
The Sables see that Creation itself is doomed to this same fate, and accept as inevitable that Dragonkind will die. They recognise also that even they cannot escape the ultimate nullification of all things, but by changing into something greater than Dragons they suspect that they can outlive the rest of their species.
+
The ''Sables'' see that Creation itself is doomed to this same fate, and accept as inevitable that dragonkind will die. They recognise also that even they cannot escape the ultimate nullification of all things, but by changing into something greater than dragons they suspect that they can outlive the rest of their species.
  
Thus there is the central paradox to Sable existence - they recognise the Omega in all things and they know that to struggle to survive is futile, but at the same time they try to deny death. They see the darkness of empty eternity, but they hope to master it.
+
Thus there is the central paradox to ''Sable'' existence - they recognise the Omega in all things and they know that to struggle to survive is futile, but at the same time they try to deny death. They see the darkness of empty eternity, but they hope to master it.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
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===Sphere Ratings===
 
===Sphere Ratings===
  
* '''Soma  4'''
 
* '''Sophis  5'''
 
* '''Pneuma  3'''
 
  
 +
*'''Soma 5'''
 +
*'''Sophia 6'''
 +
*'''Pneuma 4'''
 +
 +
''Sable Dragons'' value their minds above all else, knowing that it is willpower that changes the world, and willpower that leads to victory. All other concerns are secondary.
 +
<br><br>
  
 
===Birthrights===
 
===Birthrights===
  
'''Force of Will''' - Sable Dragons are adept at applying their strength of Sophis in place of their other shortcomings. Sable Dragons can cast death-aligned magic using Sophis instead of Pneuma. Likewise, they can use Sophis instead of Pneuma for any social tests relating to command or intimidation (though not for other social situations).
+
'''Force of Will''' - ''Sable Dragons'' have great reserves of willpower and powerful intellects. In mental conflicts and mental challenges, they add +1 to their starting ''Mental Energy''.
  
'''Denial of Ending''' - Sable Dragons fear mortality more than most, and will fight their own deaths till the very end. When making ''Resist Injury'' checks they may use their Sophis instead of their Soma.
+
'''Dispassion''' - The ''Cold Souls'' flaw, as described below, has its advantages. ''Sable Dragons'' cannot be seduced, are immune to sexual wiles, and resistant to being befriended.  
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
===Breed Weakness===
+
===Flaw===
 +
 
 +
'''Cold Souls''' - The void has infected the souls of the ''Sable'' breed, deadening their hearts. They are unable to fall in love, and are unable to feel lust or sexual desire. Even friendship comes very hard to them.
  
'''Fear of Mortality''' - Aware as they are of the finality of death, Sable Dragons find it hard to enter into situations where their life may be at risk. A Sable Dragon who voluntarily enters a life-threatening situation (i.e. does so even when he has choice or option not to) is at -1 dice to all dice pools till he leaves that situation.  
+
'''The Empty Womb''' - When a female ''Sable Dragon'' lays a batch of eggs, there is a 1 in 6 chance that the eggs laid will be empty of life, filled only with inky viscous liquid. Even with these stillborn broods, the ''Birthing Sickness'' still occurs - a double tragedy for the parents. Roll once only for the whole batch of eggs - either they are all empty of life, or none are.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Physical Appearance==
 
==Physical Appearance==
  
'''Sable Dragons''' seem like the negative image of the Pure Dragons, with their scales coloured as the deep black of night, as well as having jet-black eyes and gleaming black long straight horns. Like the Pure Dragons they have considerable uniformity of appearance, though part of this lies in that it is difficult to distinguish facial features with the depth of their skin hue. Sables have an undeniably regal appearance - they move and act as if it is their natural right to rule. Other breeds find them somewhat intimidating, and a little cold and distant, but cannot help but acknowledge their sheer force of presence.
+
'''Sable Dragons''' seem like the negative image of the ''Pure Dragons'', with their scales coloured as the deep black of night, as well as having jet-black eyes and gleaming black long straight horns. Like the ''Pure Dragons'' they have considerable uniformity of appearance, though part of this lies in that it is difficult to distinguish facial features with the depth of their skin hue. ''Sables'' have an undeniably regal appearance - they move and act as if it is their natural right to rule. Other breeds find them somewhat intimidating, and a little cold and distant, but cannot help but acknowledge their sheer force of presence.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Society and Culture==
 
==Society and Culture==
  
Before ''Endless Night'' the Sable Dragons were a scattered and paranoid people, with individuals hiding away deep in isolated lairs, fearful of their neighbours. They would sometimes build small kingdoms within the lands of the North, but only so as to protect them from the world beyond. As Sables are so engaged in protecting their own survival, the idea of sacrificing pneuma to create children was always a little odd to most, so the Sables were of lower numbers than most. Still, Sables would occasionally meet, and were no less prone to falling in love than any other breed, so new generations were born, albeit in small numbers.
+
Before ''Endless Night'' the ''Sable Dragons'' were a scattered and paranoid people, with individuals hiding away deep in isolated lairs, fearful of their neighbours. They would sometimes build small kingdoms within the lands of the north, but only so as to protect them from the world beyond. As ''Sables'' are so engaged in protecting their own survival, the idea of sacrificing pneuma to create children was always a little odd to most, so the ''Sables'' were of lower numbers than most. In the absence of love the ''Sable'' population is sustained mostly by the ''Breeding Hives'', where enslaved ''Sables'' are forced to procreate, and have their children taken away by higher-caste ''Sables''.
  
When ''Endless Night'' arrived, he unified his Breed, using his blood connections to track down all his errant descendants and to dominate them psychically. The Sables were forced into close proximity with other Breeds and each other, and established as the heart of the new Ascendancy. The Empire of Night is now their Empire, and none are so foolish as to think they can fight their progenitor.
+
When ''Endless Night'' arrived, he unified his Breed, using his blood connections to track down all his errant descendants and to dominate them psychically. The ''Sables'' were forced into close proximity with other breeds and each other, and established as the heart of the new ''Ascendancy''. The ''Empire of Night'' is now theirs, and none are so foolish as to think they can fight their progenitor.
  
Despite their newfound power, Sables are still somewhat uncomfortable in being exposed to view, so still tend to lair in deep caverns. They prefer by far to lead from the back, so few within or outside the Ascendancy will ever see them. They may be masters of their empire, but they maintain an air of mystery by existing unseen for the most part.
+
Despite their newfound power, ''Sables'' are still somewhat uncomfortable in being exposed to view, so still tend to lair in deep caverns. They prefer by far to lead from the back, so few within or outside the ''Ascendancy'' will ever see them. They may be masters of their empire, but they maintain an air of mystery by existing unseen for the most part.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
==Lifepaths and the Blood Dragons==
+
==Lifepaths and the Sable Dragons==
  
Sable Dragons tend towards mental rather than physical pursuits, and ave a strong affinity for death magic. Most will study as [[Age of Dragons: Demonbinder|Demonbinders]] or [[Age of Dragons: Scholar-Sage|Scholar-Sages]], operating under the blanket title of ''Necropotents''.
+
''Sable Dragons'' tend towards mental rather than physical pursuits, and ave a strong affinity for death magic. Most will study as [[Age of Dragons: Demonbinder|Demonbinders]] or [[Age of Dragons: Scholar-Sage|Scholar-Sages]], operating under the blanket title of ''Necropotents''.
  
A more recent phenonomenon (though a growing one) is the Lifepath of the [[Age of Dragons: Ascendant of Shadow|Ascendant of Shadow]]. These Sables Dragons follow the belief in ''Shadow Apotheosis'', believing that they can escape mortality by transforming their bodies into Voidshadow, just as ''Endless Night'' has done so.  
+
A more recent phenonomenon (though a growing one) is the Lifepath of the [[Age of Dragons: Ascendant of Shadow|Ascendant of Shadow]]. These ''Sables Dragons'' follow the belief in ''Shadow Apotheosis'', believing that they can escape mortality by transforming their bodies into ''voidshadow'', just as ''Endless Night'' has done so.  
  
Finally, weaker Sables may be coerced into becoming [[Age of Dragons: Fecund Breeder|Fecund Breeders]]. Although pursuit of this lifepath runs against every Sable instinct, it is not uncommon for a young Sable to being forced to "work his time" as a breeder before being recognised as a true Sable Dragon. The truly weak are never allowed to graduate beyond this lifepath.
+
Finally, weaker ''Sables'' may be coerced into becoming [[Age of Dragons: Fecund Breeder|Fecund Breeders]]. Although pursuit of this lifepath runs against every ''Sable'' instinct, it is not uncommon for a young ''Sable'' to being forced into this lifepath by his elders "for the good of the species".
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Outlook==
 
==Outlook==
  
''Strength-of-the-Lastborn'' is an Ascendancy Necropotent, and it is rare to hear his words:
+
''Words-of-the-Lastborn'' is an Ascendancy Necropotent, and he speaks for the Night:
  
* '''Pure Dragons''' - ''"The enemy, clinging to the worship of a Goddess who is already long deceased. Their resistance is ultimately futile."''
+
* '''Pure Dragons''' - ''"They say they study truth, but they deny the greatest truth of all: Their Goddess is dead."''
* '''Argent Dragons''' - ''"I admit, I fear their claws."''
+
* '''Argent Dragons''' - ''"Iron rusts. Stone crumbles. Armies perish. The Argents will die."''
* '''Solar Dragons''' - ''"Weaklings, especially at night time. I offer them mercy in a quick death."''
+
* '''Solar Dragons''' - ''"Scared of the dark are you? That's useful to know."''
* '''Hunter Dragons''' - ''"Brutal creatures! I envy their claws and teeth, but ultimately I am the better Warmaster."''
+
* '''Hunter Dragons''' - ''"Some say that their innocence of mortality is enviable. Why should I envy an idiot?"''
* '''Forest Dragons''' - ''"Mere numbers do not compensate for their physical weakness. We win every fight against them."''
+
* '''Forest Dragons''' - ''"They are just animals, doomed to short and meaningless lives."''
* '''Storm Dragons''' - ''"Hard to fight, if only because the cowards hide underwater. Still, they bleed as easy as any other wants you catch them."''
+
* '''Storm Dragons''' - ''"They know the wisdom that can be found in the darkest places, yet they blindly fight that wisdom."''
* '''Ashen Dragons''' - ''"Tricksy bastards, with more surprises in battle than you'd credit them for. All's fair in murder and war though, so I bear no grudge."''
+
* '''Ashen Dragons''' - ''"Children, playing at being kings and emperors."''
* '''Velvet Dragons''' - ''"A Velvet stole my heart once, and laid a Harlequin seed in my belly. I repaid him by bloody castration."''
+
* '''Velvet Dragons''' - ''"They have their uses, when employed as spies and infiltrators."''
* '''Chimerical Dragons''' - ''"They are blessed with insanity, yet theirs is the weak sort of madness, rather than the strong rage-laden kind. Easily killed."''
+
* '''Chimerical Dragons''' - ''"Their insane prattlings mean nothing to me."''
* '''Ghost Dragons''' - ''"I never trusted the Ghost Scholars. I am unsurprised that they betrayed the North, but my steelclaws will wreak revenge on their feeble flesh when we catch them."''
+
* '''Ghost Dragons''' - ''"Can you hear the sand running through the hourglass? Your time is almost up..."''
* '''Sable Dragons''' - ''"Endless Night has given us purpose and unity, and for that I am forever grateful. The Sable breed are his children, and they are worthy of our deference."''
+
* '''Blood Dragons''' - ''"Our servile avatars of murder. They are most useful."''
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
----
 
----
  
[[Category:Age_of_Dragons]]
+
[[Category:Age_of_Dragons|Sable]]

Latest revision as of 07:37, 30 June 2009

Age Of Dragons: Main Page -> The Twelve Breeds -> Sable Dragons


The Enders[edit]

The Twelfth-born of the Goddess were her killers. The birth of their breed's progenitor ended the Mother Goddess, and since then the Sables have named themselves the Enders.

It is a truth readily apparent that all things end. A young child grows old, then death claims him. A living forest petrifies then crumbles to dust. An idea has its day, then fades to nothing. Given enough time, everything ends.

The Sables see that Creation itself is doomed to this same fate, and accept as inevitable that dragonkind will die. They recognise also that even they cannot escape the ultimate nullification of all things, but by changing into something greater than dragons they suspect that they can outlive the rest of their species.

Thus there is the central paradox to Sable existence - they recognise the Omega in all things and they know that to struggle to survive is futile, but at the same time they try to deny death. They see the darkness of empty eternity, but they hope to master it.

Character Creation: Game Rules[edit]

Sphere Ratings[edit]

  • Soma 5
  • Sophia 6
  • Pneuma 4

Sable Dragons value their minds above all else, knowing that it is willpower that changes the world, and willpower that leads to victory. All other concerns are secondary.

Birthrights[edit]

Force of Will - Sable Dragons have great reserves of willpower and powerful intellects. In mental conflicts and mental challenges, they add +1 to their starting Mental Energy.

Dispassion - The Cold Souls flaw, as described below, has its advantages. Sable Dragons cannot be seduced, are immune to sexual wiles, and resistant to being befriended.

Flaw[edit]

Cold Souls - The void has infected the souls of the Sable breed, deadening their hearts. They are unable to fall in love, and are unable to feel lust or sexual desire. Even friendship comes very hard to them.

The Empty Womb - When a female Sable Dragon lays a batch of eggs, there is a 1 in 6 chance that the eggs laid will be empty of life, filled only with inky viscous liquid. Even with these stillborn broods, the Birthing Sickness still occurs - a double tragedy for the parents. Roll once only for the whole batch of eggs - either they are all empty of life, or none are.

Physical Appearance[edit]

Sable Dragons seem like the negative image of the Pure Dragons, with their scales coloured as the deep black of night, as well as having jet-black eyes and gleaming black long straight horns. Like the Pure Dragons they have considerable uniformity of appearance, though part of this lies in that it is difficult to distinguish facial features with the depth of their skin hue. Sables have an undeniably regal appearance - they move and act as if it is their natural right to rule. Other breeds find them somewhat intimidating, and a little cold and distant, but cannot help but acknowledge their sheer force of presence.

Society and Culture[edit]

Before Endless Night the Sable Dragons were a scattered and paranoid people, with individuals hiding away deep in isolated lairs, fearful of their neighbours. They would sometimes build small kingdoms within the lands of the north, but only so as to protect them from the world beyond. As Sables are so engaged in protecting their own survival, the idea of sacrificing pneuma to create children was always a little odd to most, so the Sables were of lower numbers than most. In the absence of love the Sable population is sustained mostly by the Breeding Hives, where enslaved Sables are forced to procreate, and have their children taken away by higher-caste Sables.

When Endless Night arrived, he unified his Breed, using his blood connections to track down all his errant descendants and to dominate them psychically. The Sables were forced into close proximity with other breeds and each other, and established as the heart of the new Ascendancy. The Empire of Night is now theirs, and none are so foolish as to think they can fight their progenitor.

Despite their newfound power, Sables are still somewhat uncomfortable in being exposed to view, so still tend to lair in deep caverns. They prefer by far to lead from the back, so few within or outside the Ascendancy will ever see them. They may be masters of their empire, but they maintain an air of mystery by existing unseen for the most part.

Lifepaths and the Sable Dragons[edit]

Sable Dragons tend towards mental rather than physical pursuits, and ave a strong affinity for death magic. Most will study as Demonbinders or Scholar-Sages, operating under the blanket title of Necropotents.

A more recent phenonomenon (though a growing one) is the Lifepath of the Ascendant of Shadow. These Sables Dragons follow the belief in Shadow Apotheosis, believing that they can escape mortality by transforming their bodies into voidshadow, just as Endless Night has done so.

Finally, weaker Sables may be coerced into becoming Fecund Breeders. Although pursuit of this lifepath runs against every Sable instinct, it is not uncommon for a young Sable to being forced into this lifepath by his elders "for the good of the species".

Outlook[edit]

Words-of-the-Lastborn is an Ascendancy Necropotent, and he speaks for the Night:

  • Pure Dragons - "They say they study truth, but they deny the greatest truth of all: Their Goddess is dead."
  • Argent Dragons - "Iron rusts. Stone crumbles. Armies perish. The Argents will die."
  • Solar Dragons - "Scared of the dark are you? That's useful to know."
  • Hunter Dragons - "Some say that their innocence of mortality is enviable. Why should I envy an idiot?"
  • Forest Dragons - "They are just animals, doomed to short and meaningless lives."
  • Storm Dragons - "They know the wisdom that can be found in the darkest places, yet they blindly fight that wisdom."
  • Ashen Dragons - "Children, playing at being kings and emperors."
  • Velvet Dragons - "They have their uses, when employed as spies and infiltrators."
  • Chimerical Dragons - "Their insane prattlings mean nothing to me."
  • Ghost Dragons - "Can you hear the sand running through the hourglass? Your time is almost up..."
  • Blood Dragons - "Our servile avatars of murder. They are most useful."