View source for Aydahar

{{Infobox strain
| title = [[Aydahar]]
| subtitle = Player Strain
| caption = The [[Aydahar]] (🔊 AY-duh-HAR or 🔊 EYE-duh-HARRR) are a race of draconic-infused humans originally of human origin, but whose ancestors are of a draconic lineage.
| strain = [[Aydahar]]
| scientific = Homo Draconus
| plural = [[Aydahar]]
| possessive = [[Aydahari]]
| substrains = [[Altin Aydahar]], [[Aq Aydahar]], [[Jasil Aydahar]], [[Kara Aydahar]], [[Kizil Aydahar]], [[Koke Aydahar]]
| image = https://imagedelivery.net/TNzzP2IqyQLYoHEs2ZN5aQ/a59abd3f-3a4d-4124-d733-7ba50caee900/wiki#.png
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| language = Common, Draconic
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The [[Aydahar]] are a strain of humans infected with the "seed" of Dragons.  An [[Aydahar]] come into this world through the union of a Dragon and a humanoid strain, or by the union of two [[Aydahar]].  Outside of their appearance, [[Aydahar]] life is essentially the same as that of the remainder of humanity.

The [[Aydahar]] territory, the country of [[[[Altinqor]]]], is the homeland of most of the Dragons of [[Otan]] and for good reason.  Dragons, who are normally quite aggressive toward anything but dragons, share a symbiosis with the [[Aydahar]].  As repayment for their kindness and protection, the [[Aydahar]] are often seen in service of Dragons, cleaning their nests and tending to their various needs.

In other regards the [[Aydahar]] conduct themselves as everyone else.  They seek power.  They often seek adventure and they are more than willing to leave their home country if adventure calls.

== Society and Culture ==
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The [[Aydahar]] strain is divided into six substrains and from this, their society has manifested six major cultural divisions. Independent of these six subcultures, however, there is a set of striking similarities. All six of the divisions have a progenitor type; the [[Altin Aydahar]] from the Metal Dragon, [[Kizil Aydahar]] from [[Fire]], etc.

[[Aydahar]] share their own unique language. To the uninitiated, the [[Aydahari]] language sounds like a pack of hungry dogs eating, but to the trained ear, the [[Aydahari]] language has grammar and inflections that are not too distant from the common [[Otan]]i tongue.

Like other humanoids, the [[Aydahar]] are diurnal, though they can adapt to a nocturnal schedule without any trouble as they must do for their most notable cultural similarity. All six varieties of [[Aydahar]] tend to their draconic progenitors. Dragons living with or near [[Aydahar]] will have their lairs serviced and cleaned by Aydhar of their type.

Some [[Aydahar]] go on to make a career of tending to Dragon needs, but nearly all of their kind will have spent at least some time in the company of a Dragon tending to one need or another.

== Physical Characteristics ==
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[[Aydahar]] physiology is surprisingly similar to humans. Despite their reptilian appearance, they are mammalian. Females produce milk after pregnancy and their ovulation and gestation periods are also identical to [[Human]]s. After birth, however, changes rapidly begin. [[Human]]-looking babies begin to develop elongated jawlines and the snout, typical of all Aydhar.

As the [[Aydahar]] age, their skin develops scales, much as humans develop hair. Their heads, rather than a coif of hair tend to produce a distinct pair of horns, though they may produce as many as a dozen horns. It is still possible for them to sprout human hair, and females in particular pride themselves in the ability to grow long locks if it is possible for them.

[[Aydahar]] hands and feet also undergo a significant translation, particularly the feet which take on a nearly talon-like form. Their hands bear claws far more substantial in density than [[Human]] fingernails.

Lastly, the [[Aydahar]] can grow tails and in rarer cases wings. The latter two mutations undoubtedly constructed entirely from the "dragon seed" can become quite advanced. The tails can become prehensile, with the ability to carry items and even wield weapons. The wings, fully formed will enable the [[Aydahar]] to fly, given the proper training.
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== Natural and Latent Abilities ==
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[[Aydahar]] naturally grow scales in the place of hair giving them a slight advantage to damage resistance. This resistance may be extended for certain types of damage depending on the type of [[Aydahar]]. A [[Koke Aydahar]], for example, might have enhanced resistance to electrical damage.

Additionally, the [[Aydahar]] almost always have tails, however, in some cases, these tails are prehensile. In these cases, the tails can provide balance and support, or even carry items and weapons.

Lastly, in rare cases, the [[Aydahar]] may take on one of the most coveted of draconic features; the ability to fly. Not all [[Aydahar]] with wings can fly as this requires training and a lot of patience. This skill can only be learned well from an expert with the same condition. Possibly a winged [[Ungir]] might be persuaded to train a winged [[Aydahar]], should they be unable to find a native trainer.
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== History ==
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The [[Aydahar]] are the only strain truly bothered by the Great Erasure. When the collective memories of all the history of [[Otan]] was erased, there were ripples in the [[Aydahar]] leadership. They "sensed" a past that other strains could not, possibly due to their draconic essence.

Since the Great Erasure, the borders of Atinqor territory have remained unchanged. There have been various incisions into [[Ali]]nqor, repeated by the [[Garis]] every few years. The only major incursion was during the [[Garis]] war in which the [[Aydahar]] took sides against the humans led by the [[Ortalyk]] Tzar and the [[Wizard]] Nikar.

When a peace accord was struck between the warring nations, the [[Ali]]nqor borders returned to their original lines, the [[Aydahar]] having neither gained nor conceded any territory.
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== [[Aydahari]] Substrains ==

=== [[Kara Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Kara Aydahar]] (🔊 CAR-ruh AY-duh-HAR) are native to the [[Kara Aydahar Region]] of the [[Altinqor]] Confederation. They share their genetic makeup with their Rock Dragon progenitors.

'''Overview:'''The [[Kara Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Lithos), also known as the Black or Rock [[Aydahar]], are the resilient inhabitants of [[Otan]]’s mountainous and subterranean regions, defined by their ancient connection to Rock Dragons. While the term "Kara" is the old-[[Otan]]i word for black, their scales can manifest in the color and texture of any naturally occurring stone, often accented by high-contrast, swept-back horns.  This substrain is particularly renowned for their stoic nature and physical durability, frequently serving as the steadfast backbone of Altinquor’s defensive fortifications and mining operations.

The defining biological feature of the Kara is a specialized internal organ that allows them to process and excrete liquefied stone through their pores, which then hardens into a dense, mineralized outer layer of scales. This "lithic skin" is chemically and physically reinforced by the specific types of stone they interact with most, granting them extraordinary natural resistance to acid as well as slashing and piercing weaponry. 

Due to their unique physiology, the [[Kara Aydahar]] diet often includes mineral-rich substances, and they are known to favor hearty, "crunchy" fare such as roasted Fissure Spiders, which provide the necessary nutrients to maintain their stony hides. Few other substrains have been known to truly enjoy the unique fare at a [[Kara Aydahar]] tavern, save possibly the [[Karangi]].
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=== [[Jasil Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Jasil Aydahar]] (🔊 JAH-zill AY-duh-HAR) are native to the [[Jasil Aydahar Region]] of [[Altinqor]]. They inherit their genetic makeup from their Water Dragon ancestors or possibly even an adult (or older) Water Dragon parent.

'''Overview:'''The Jazil [[Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Aquaticus) are the water-adapted substrain of the dragonfolk, instantly recognizable by their striking greenish or aquamarine scales. Their physiology is heavily modified for a life in [[Otan]]’s oceans and lakes, often featuring a prominent dorsal fin, webbed extremities, and functional gills. 

While they share the standard resilience of the [[Aydahar]] strain, the Jazil possess a unique biological affinity for the water, allowing them to remain submerged indefinitely. This aquatic mastery makes them the primary navigators and defenders of Altinquor’s vast coastlines and deep-water territories.

Because their biology is optimized for high-pressure and low-oxygen environments, the Jazil [[Aydahar]] are capable of conducting all aspects of life normally underwater, from mundane activities like eating to the rigorous training required of their archetypes. This specialized respiratory and circulatory system grants them a notable secondary benefit: a natural resistance to breathable poisons and atmospheric toxins. 

Culturally, they are known to consume a variety of aquatic flora and fauna that would be inaccessible to other humans, often utilizing their unique physical traits to harvest resources from the lightless depths of [[Otan]]'s fissures and trenches. This specialized diet prompts many peaceful envoys to brave the journey to Jazil [[Aydahar]] lands if only to sample the food.
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=== [[Koke Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Koke Aydahar]] (🔊 KOHK AY-duh-HAR) are the keepers of the [[Koke Aydahar Region]] of the [[Altinqor]] Confederation. They share their genetic makeup with their Lightning Dragon progenitors.

'''Overview:'''The [[Koke Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Fulgur) are the vibrant inhabitants of the [[Koke Aydahar]] region, renowned for their deep affinity for the color blue and their ancestral connection to Lightning Dragons. Their scales exhibit a stunning spectrum of cerulean hues, ranging from a pale sky blue to a nearly black navy, often possessing a deceptive metallic luster despite containing no actual metal. 

Within the hierarchy of Altinquor, the Koke are seen as dynamic and energetic, their temperaments often mirroring the sudden and powerful nature of the storms they associate with. This cultural obsession with their namesake color extends to every facet of their lives; their regional capital, Koke, is famously known as "The Blue City" due to the extensive use of blue pigments in its architecture and art.

Biologically, the [[Koke Aydahar]] carry the spark of their draconic progenitors, manifesting a natural propensity for creating or attracting electrical charges. This internal electrical capacitance allows them to generate significant shocks, a trait that, when properly developed and disciplined, grants them a formidable natural resistance to lightning and electrical damage. 

Like their kin in other regions, their diet and lifestyle are adapted to support these high-energy biological functions. They are known to frequent city markets for standard ales and whiskeys, but their unique physiology allows them to safely consume local delicacies like the roasted Fissure Spider, fueling the metabolic cost of their bio-electrical abilities.
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=== [[Kizil Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Kizil Aydahar]] (🔊 KIH-zhil AY-duh-HAR) are the keepers of the [[Kizil Aydahar Region]] of the [[Altinqor]] Confederation. They share their genetic makeup with their [[Fire]] Dragon progenitors.

'''Overview:'''The [[Kizil Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Pyros) are the formidable, hot-blooded inhabitants of the [[Kizil Aydahar]] region within Altinquor, directly descended from the lineage of [[Fire]] Dragons. Their origin is often marked by a dramatic and intense biological union, where a [[Fire]] Dragon infects a human mother with its "essence" to produce the first of a line. 

Physically, they are easily distinguished by their vibrant red scales and unique white-tipped, backward-swept horns. As a substrain, they embody the fierce and aggressive traditions of the [[Aydahar]], often serving as shock troops or high-intensity guardians whose temperaments reflect the searing heat of their ancestral lands.

Beyond the standard resilience of their strain, the Kizil possess a specialized internal organ that allows them to produce and expel a devastating fiery blast, mirroring the breath weapon of a true [[Fire]] Dragon. This volatile biological capability requires significant discipline; with proper training, a [[Kizil Aydahar]] learns to regulate their internal heat, granting them a potent natural resistance to fire and extreme temperatures. 

Their specialized physiology likely influences their dietary habits, as they frequently consume high-energy or "spiced" fare, such as the roasted Fissure Spiders common to the Altinquor region, to fuel the metabolic demands of their pyrogenic abilities. [[Kizil Aydahar]]i fare is considered a delicacy by the [[Karazalik]], who are no strangers to spicy fare.
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=== [[Aq Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Aq Aydahar]] (🔊 ACK AY-duh-HAR) of the [[Aq Aydahar Region]] have a white coloring to their skin and features that match those of their Ice Dragon ancestors.

'''Overview:'''The [[Aq Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Cryos) are a specialized northern branch of the metal dragonfolk, inhabiting the most inhospitable peaks of the [[Aydahar]] mountain range in northern Altinquor. Within these frozen heights, they serve a singular role as the dedicated stewards and protectors of the Ice Dragons who have claimed the region for their vast hoards. 

The Aqs' proximity to the great wyrms has fostered a deep symbiosis; while the [[Altin Aydahar]] as a whole are known for their organizational prowess and knightly traditions, the Aq have adapted specifically to the demands of a high-altitude, sub-zero existence. Their society is defined by this duty, navigating the vertical terrain with a resilience that surpasses even their metal-scaled kin.

Physically, the Aq are distinguished by their striking snow-white coloration and a physiological resistance to extreme cold so profound that they are often seen traversing glaciers with minimal garments. Evolutionary pressures from their lofty mountain homes have made the development of functional wings far more common among the Aq than other [[Aydahar]] substrains. 

Their most exceptional mutation, however, is the rare "frost breath" mutation; a biological anomaly unique to the Aq and made possible only by their innate resistance to freezing. This ability allows them to stand as peerless guardians of the northern passes, wielding the very elements of their frozen environment to defend the hoards they tend.
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=== [[Altin Aydahar]] Substrain ===
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'''Description:'''The [[Altin Aydahar]] (🔊 ALL-tin AY-duh-HAR) inhabit and administer the [[Altin Aydahar Region]] and the capital region of the [[Aydahar]] Confederation.

'''Overview:'''The [[Altin Aydahar]] (Homo Draconus Metallus) are the preeminent leaders and protectors of Altinquor, characterized by their metallic-scaled hides and a biological lineage tracing back to the Metal Dragons. Physically, they are identified by a pair of swept-back metallic horns and scales that reflect the luster of their draconic progenitors. 

While their name "Altin" translates to "Gold" in Old [[Otan]]i, their metal connection is broad and foundational to their physiology, rather than limited to a single precious resource. Within Altinquor, they often manifest as a knightly class, utilizing their superior organizational skills to marshal diverse troops and safeguard the nation from the strange creatures and invaders that roam [[Otan]].

This substrain possesses a remarkable biological adaptation: a specialized organ that allows them to absorb and digest various metals. Through a biological process inherited from Metal Dragons, the [[Altin Aydahar]] excrete these processed minerals into their scale structure, effectively reinforcing their natural armor. Regular "consumption" of metals in this fashion grants them a significant defensive advantage, making their skin naturally resistant to the cuts and abrasions caused by slashing weaponry. This unique dietary requirement influences their culture and standard fare, which often includes high-mineral content to support their reinforced physiology.
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[[Category:Strains]]