| Now, to understand what this is all about.....a bit of review is
in order here.
In some worlds the land of Krynn (which falls under the "Dragonlance"
is an Advanced Dungeons and Dragons setting where the forces of good fight
against the vile forces of evil. It has quiet the following, even with
objections made by some fans to certain changes in it. It is of a genre
that those like Mary Gentle parodied in her her book "Grunts" (which is
great fun, and recommended if you haven't read it). As far as the Dragonlance
books go, some have read them, and found them pretty enjoyable, in a turn-your-brain-off-and-just-enjoy-the-story
kind of way.
As for a an in depth review of the general races and timeline analysis
of this world, these two URLs are recommended:
http://www.edu.physics.uch.gr/~lookas/races.html
http://www.edu.physics.uch.gr/~lookas/timeline.html
What are draconians in general?
Well.....the information comes directly from here:
http://www.dragonlance.com/reference/races/races.cfm?SecID=9<P
>
The Races of Krynn: Draconians
Draconians are the human-sized corruptions of good dragon eggs. By using
captured good dragon eggs shortly before the War of the Lance, Wyrllish
the cleric, Dracart the mage and the ancient red dragon Harkiel developed
the process for corrupting the eggs into draconians. Though there is some
debate, and consequently some conflicting information on the subject, it
is generally agreed that draconians can't reproduce. (There are reports,
however, of female draconians.)
Draconians were the crack troops of the Dragon Highlords. Because
of their connection to the dragons, draconians are immune to dragonfear
and seem to worship the evil dragons. Draconians are more likely to follow
orders than the typical ogre or goblin (or mercenary, for that matter),
some types can use magic—clerical and magic-user spells, and when they
are killed each draconian has a special attack that is carried out at the
end of their life. Draconians are immune to human diseases and live to
be 1,000 years old.
The five types of draconians are as follows: Baaz, Kapaks, Sivaks,
Bozaks and Auraks.
The Aurak draconians are the only draconians without wings, and
the Sivaks are the only ones who can truly fly.
Baaz
These draconians are the smallest of their brethren, and are used as
common ground troops. They are of chaotic alignment for the most part,
and as a result are interested in getting what is best for them individually.
Baaz wear disguise often, concealing their wings and scales underneath
large hoods and masks when traveling through non-draconian lands. When
a Baaz is killed, its body turns to stone and then to dust, but remains
in solid form long enough to trap whatever weapon killed it within its
stony remains.
Kapak
Kapak draconians are generally the assassins of the group; they use
their venomous saliva to coat their weapons, which makes them perfect as
assassins. Like their copper dragon parents, Kapaks lure their targets
into traps and use any way they possibly can to gain an advantage. When
killed, a Kapak dissolves into a mass of poison.
Sivak
These silver draconians are the only ones who are able to truly fly
(the others may be able to glide, but not fly). These draconians are second
only to the Auraks in power. They generally attack with huge two-handed
swords, as well as their claws and armored tail. In addition to flight,
Sivaks have a unique (but limited) ability to shape-shift. When a Sivak
kills a humanoid-size or smaller creature, it may polymorph into the shape
of the victim. Once it shifts back to its regular shape, however, the ability
to take the shape of the victim is lost—until, of course, they kill again.
A Sivak will also assume the form of someone who has slain it: the "death
shape" will last for three days, after which the body will decompose into
black soot.
Bozak
Bozaks are perhaps the most magical of the bunch, with the exception
of their "enchanted" Aurak cousins. Created from the eggs of gold dragons,
the Bozaks are able to cast spells like a 4th-level magic-user. Bozaks
are cruel warriors, only sparing a life when it is to their benefit. Bozaks
explode when killed, injuring those unfortunate enough to be near it.
Aurak
The Aurak draconians are the special agents of the Dragon Highlords
because of their intelligence, cunning and magical abilities. Auraks appear
to be 7 feet tall, with thin limbs and no wings. Auraks have the ability
to cast Dimension Door three times a day. They also have to ability to
exert some mind control over their victims. When fighting Auraks, they
must effectively be killed twice. The first time their hit points are depleted,
the Aurak goes berserk and attacks when melee attacks only, forgetting
their magic spells. When slain, the Aurak becomes "enchanted" and immolates
itself and those around it, though it is immune to harm. After several
rounds, the Aurak explodes, injuring anything near it.
Since draconians are unable to reproduce, they have dwindled in numbers
since the War of the Lance. At this time, draconians have taken up the
nation of Tyr as their home, and spend much of their time in an intoxicated
state. It is rumored that a group of draconians, in an act of altruism,
have managed to produce female draconains from other ancient dragon eggs.
(Thanks to Kaia Harris for the information.)
As it happens, the rumors of female draconians are very true....and
one Scott Chen stumbled right across them....
Now, the story of these particular draconians, their place in things
is kind of told in episode 16202.
Scott sits himself down on a convenient boulder, and starts to tell
what he remembers of the cause of Kang's distress. Admittedly, this is
second handed information he got from a fan of Dragonlance, but......
"Kang, you and your humaniod reptiles.....The mutated products of
Takhisis' warping of your bodies of the Metallic dragons' eggs." Scott
stops, clears his throat. "Jeeze, I sound like a stupid bard! I mean to
say that what is going on is really simpl
e. All the gods and goddess of Krynn have just evacuated Krynn space."
This brings gasps and muttering from the Draconian until Kang shouts his
men back into silence and gesture for Scott to continue.
"Kang, you know what the female Knight of Vision or whatever of Takhisis
told you? How she said that there was a war in the heaven, and that the
Krynn dieties were losing?" Scott asked.
Kang nodded mutely.
"Well, the final battle went something like this, from what
I've....heard from others who've read that history from that annoying neutral
historian that somehow knows everything of interest on Krynn. What happened
was that dwarven god Reorx, the SOB who was responsible for bringing Chaos
to Krynn by accident, was trying to get a drop of blood from that Elder
god to bring him under control. Well, Reorx turned.....yellow. He was frightened
shitless by Chaos. Chaos was a powerful being that could kill him, so he
didn't want to risk his life for his follower.....for the world of Krynn.
Tasslehof Burrfoot, a Kender for crying out loud, was the one who saved
the day. He was able to dodge Choas' attacks long enough to wound him with
his trusty weapon--Rabbit Slayer--and get a DROP of blood from Chaos. Reorx,
damn him, was at least able to use that blood to.....bring this battle
to a draw."
Kang and his draconians were hanging on every word that Scott
was saying.
"What it boiled down to is this." Scott continued. "Choas would
leave Krynn alone. He wouldn't touch it....in exchange for the gods and
goddess from Krynn had to leave, never to return. Choas will kill ANY Krynn
diety that tries to return....and/or ANY diety less powerful than Choas
who tries to set up shop on Krynn. Basically, folks, we are on our own
here!"
"But...but that means that all the magic would leave, also!" Slith
sputters.
"Not.....really, Slith." Scott qualified. "One god or another
was in control of the various shades of magic of Krynn. With their loss,
Krynn's citizens need to relearn how to tap a more primal level of magic.
Now, if I remember what will happen...."
"Will happen?!" Kang interrupts. "What? Are you saying you
are from the future?"
"No, Commander Kang, I am not!" Scott denied strongly. "I am,
however, NOT from this world. I'm from a planet called Earth. I do have
a REAL good idea what'll happen next, considering the power vacuum that
the absence of the Krynn gods. And let me assure you that you are NOT going
to like what that idea is!"
"I'm sure as hell NOT liking this discussion already!" Kang muttered.
"But it makes too much sense to deny what you are saying, human."
"The name is Scott, Commander." Scott said respectfully. Junior
whined, and Scott absently scratched Junior behind his ear. Junior made
a sound of pleasure and snuggled up to a befuddled Scott. He shrugs and
then continues.
"Now, the next most powerful beings on Krynn are the dragons."
Scott said. "With the gods not keeping them in check, they will do several
things. First, I remember something about dragons growing....much larger
and more powerful than they already are. Also, they are some of the first
beings to relearn how to use magic. They will make a grab for power....the
good.....the bad.....the neutral."
"Oh shit." Kang says quietly.
"'Oh shit.' about covers it." Scott agrees. "You know the only
reason why the monochromatic dragons worked with you and didn't kill you
out of general principal was because the Dark Queen said to. She's not
here, now. At best, you draconians would be used as cannon fodder. I remember
reading about how you dodged getting put up as shock troopers by getting
your minotaur commander smashed on apple cider and shooting him from a
ballista into battle. Nice touch. I remember how you...left that last human
commander because.....he wasn't utilizing you as engineer....as agreed
apon. That human wanted you as cannon fodder and ditch digger....."
Kang and company growl at the memory. Scott nods, expecting
that.
"As for any metallic dragons.....Well, you KNOW what they'll
try." Scott reasoned aloud. "Kill you on sight, or maybe try and convert
you back.....to metallic dragons!"
"We like being what we are, thank you very f*^king much!" Kang
and company shout.
Scott waites for the angry shouts to pass, then.......
"Well, that is just great!" Kang says angrily. "If, this is
true!"
"I'll be vindicated when you draconians look up into the night
sky and only see ONE moon, instead of the usual THREE!" Scott rejoined
angrily. "That and the fact that nothing.....not spell.....not magic item
below Relic status WORKS! Either I'm right, or your Dark Queen has gotten
angry at you....taken away your magic. Not bloody likely, considering.
She'd shown her anger by killing the....female draconians most likely."
Slith give a quick glance at the chirping females, and back
at Scott.
"This Scott....does make a strong arguement, Commander." Scott
hears Slith say quietely to Kang. Kang looks at Scott, and nods in agreement.
"So, Scott, what....would YOU suggest I do, if you were in my place."
Kang says quietely. "Let us just find out, for a laugh.... or more."
What now?
Well, the next thing we see is that the Dark Queen had, as a last act
of spite, had stashed away some very modern 20th century weaponry from
various Earths for Kang's group to find and to use....to wreck havoc across
the land, apparently.
Problem is that Kang and his draconian followers are....different from
the stereotypical monsters of Krynn bard song. They'd grown tired of destroying
and killing...and wanted to build and create a niche in this world for
themselves....to live as a civilized race, perhaps. That said, one could
perhaps say that they weren't....evil any more? Scott thought so and so
decided to lend aid to them. He believed in Kang's group so much that he
even risked his life in defending the last and only chance that the draconians
had at continuing on in this world.
Kang and the other, hearing the sound of battle rush in and find Scott
dying on the floor, and a trail of blood leading away. Seeing what happened...and
what could have happened, there isn't much kang and the others can do to
help Scott. Dying, however, Scott gets kang to promise him to think about
what they'd talked about....what the evil dragons had in store for them
and what role draconians could actually play in this new world.
If nothing else, to spite those who'd have killed his reace's future....Kang
silenetly vows to keep a promise to a dying man....
So, later on that same day, as per request by Scott for the music he'd
like to have played at his uneral....Krynn is treated to some very strange
songs indeed!
Back at the landing zone with Roland and friends...
"Tiamat's blood!" Dragon Synizn mutters as strange, eldritch sounds
that could be called music bounce off the hills, "What is that noise?!"
Karma police arrest this man He talks in maths, he buzzes like a
fridge He's like a detuned radio Karma police arrest this girl Her hitler
hairdo is makin me feel ill And we have crashed her party This is what
you get This is what you get This is what you get when you mess with us
Karma police I've given all i can It's not enough I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll This is what you get This is what you get
This is what you get when you mess with us For a minute there I lost myself
I lost myself For a minute there I lost myself I lost myself For a minute
there I lost myself I lost myself For a minute there I lost myself I lost
myself
"Think it's some song from Radiohead?" Eddie Dean mutters, recognizing
the voice of one of the singers even though this particular song had been
written after he'd been abducted by Roland to Midworld.....
-
 He'd
preferred Metallica's brand of music, himself, really....to that.....
Go Back
|