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This article is an expansion based on a canon element. For canon information on this topic, follow the link to The Witcher Wiki: Tatsu. |
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This fan-fiction article, Eastern Dragon, was written by Witcher190 and Adalwulf of Aedirn. Please do not edit this fiction without the writers' permission. |
An Eastern Dragon (Draconis Orientalis Nobilis), also known as a tatsu (Standard Tuyotukian: Dragon), is a species of true dragons that evolved from the golden dragon during what Nordling scholars refer to as The Age of Jade (4,129,042 BR - 2700 BR). This evolution introduced unique mutations, leading to significant physical and magical changes. Unlike their golden ancestors, Eastern Dragons lost their wings and golden scales, evolving into massive, serpentine beings with horns and beards. They developed a profound connection with the Elemental and Para-Elemental Planes, granting them even greater magical abilities compared to standard chromatic dragons.
Characteristics[]
Eastern Dragons are majestic serpentine beings, distinguished by their long, twisting bodies adorned with scales and patches of what might initially appear to be hair but are more accurately described as feather-like structures. These "feathers" are flexible and iridescent, adding a dynamic element to their appearance. They can shift colors and patterns in response to the dragon’s mood, elemental alignment, or environmental factors. These feather-like structures are not merely decorative; they play a crucial role in the dragon's magical abilities, often amplifying their elemental powers or serving as focal points for their spells.
Unlike their golden ancestors, Eastern Dragons lack wings and golden scales. Instead, they possess vibrant, colored scales that reflect their elemental affinities. Their heads are adorned with intricate horns and, often but not always, flowing beards, which contribute to their regal and imposing appearance. They have four strong limbs ending in sharp claws, capable of manipulating objects and defending themselves with precision and power.
Their deep connection to the Elemental and Para-Elemental Planes endows them with a wide array of potent magical abilities. They can control elements such as water, fire, earth, and air, manipulating their surroundings to their advantage. However, this bond makes them somewhat dependent on these planes, influencing their choice of habitat and behavior.
Eastern Dragons possess superior, human-like intelligence, enabling them to engage in complex thought, strategic planning, and intricate social interactions. They can shapeshift into various forms, including snakes, fish, eels, and humans, allowing them to blend into different environments and interact with other species discreetly.
Similar to golden dragons, Eastern Dragons are capable of speech in their true form, though they often prefer to use telepathy. This telepathic ability allows them to communicate silently and directly with other beings, making their interactions with other races both subtle and profound, given their large size and considerable wisdom.
In contrast to Western Dragons, who hoard gold and other treasures, Eastern Dragons (or Tatsu) that are pleased with their worshipers are inclined to share their bounty, which can encompass various forms of riches. They might bestow wisdom or grant wishes to those who revere them. Conversely, Tatsu can be vengeful and savage toward those who fail to show proper respect.
Prayers and sacrifices, including offerings of food and alcoholic drinks, are regularly made to Tatsu for purposes such as ensuring stable rains, securing bountiful catches, and obtaining protection from disasters. During times of severe crisis, humans—typically young women—might be sacrificed to appease a particularly wrathful Tatsu.
Eastern Dragons achieve flight through magical means rather than physical wings. They possess specialized magical organs that enable them to levitate and maneuver through the air with grace and precision. This method of flight is both silent and versatile, making them formidable opponents in combat and adept at stealth.
Biology[]
Eastern Dragons, as descendants of chromatic dragons, possess an extensive lifespan spanning several millennia; thus, they are considered demi-immortal. They experience a unique growth pattern where they continue to grow in size and magical potency as they age. This process continues until they reach a point where their bodies can no longer channel the immense energy of their respective Elemental Planes, leading to their death. In fact, many mages in the East, believe that new places of power are created when a tatsu dies.
Eastern Dragons reproduce more slowly than their chromatic ancestors, due to both their long lifespans and their magical dependence. They are almost a separate species, able to reproduce only with other Eastern Dragons or golden dragons. Crossbreeds from these unions are fertile only with either golden or Eastern Dragons, with offspring potentially being of either species. Like other draconids, Eastern Dragons lay eggs, which require a specific environment to incubate and hatch.
The Eastern Dragons' profound connection to the Elemental and Para-Elemental Planes grants them a wide array of magical abilities. This connection, however, also makes them somewhat dependent on these planes for their sustenance and power. They also draw energy from these planes to perform magic, heal themselves, and maintain their immense physical forms.
The magical abilities of Eastern Dragons are extensive and varied, stemming from their elemental affiliations. This includes abilities like telepathy and elemental manipulation. However, their reliance on these planes means that any disruption to their connection can weaken their magical abilities. The magical power of an Eastern Dragon is roughly equivalent to that of various genies of their respective Elemental Plane.
Habitat[]
Eastern Dragons typically inhabit regions abundant in elemental magic, meaning Places of Power, and more specifically, powerful Places of Power, which align with their connections to their respective Elemental and Para-Elemental Planes. Their preferred habitats are places where the energy of their respective elements is concentrated, allowing them to draw sustenance and power from their surroundings. They will only eat in cases of extreme necessity, following a primarily carnivorous diet, or if they have changed forms. This is because the energy obtained from food helps them to slow down the process of using up their magical reserves if they are traveling and have not found a Place of Power.
History[]
In many regions of the Far East, Eastern Dragons, or tatsu, were revered as deities and venerated with a deep respect that often bordered on worship. Unlike in the West, where dragons faced near extinction due to relentless hunting for their treasures, their alchemical properties—such as their tears and teeth used in medicine and elixirs, their blood used in cosmetics, and their tail, which is considered a great delicacy in some parts of the world— and fear, the tatsu were integral to the cultural and spiritual life of their human counterparts. Their longevity and divine status allowed them to influence local traditions, ceremonies, and even governance. Over the millennia, these dragons were often seen as protectors and benefactors, shaping the destinies of kingdoms and communities.
The reverence for tatsu persisted across various dynasties and empires until newer religious or ideological movements supplanted their worship. As societies evolved and new faiths emerged, the Tatsu were gradually relegated from their prominent positions. Many dragons, disillusioned or uninterested in competing with these new beliefs, withdrew into secluded lairs or entered long periods of hibernation, often falling into legends and folklore.
Despite their diminished roles, the legacy of tatsu remained influential. In times of prosperity or crisis, their ancient temples and shrines were visited, and their rituals were performed in hopes of invoking their favor or appeasing their anger, as already mentioned with the sacrifice of humans. The historical accounts of their interactions with humans are rich with tales of both benevolence and wrath.
This led to the only reported case of a tatsu being killed by a human, or in this case, a mutant, when Gilgasmesh, the founder of the School of the Dragon, killed the Eastern Dragon Watatsumi in the Tuyotuki Islands.
The legend says that the Eastern Dragon was punishing the inhabitants of a coastal town for having overfished that year. However, it turns out that there had been a bad crop year on the island, so the villagers were unable to trade and needed to secure food for the rainy season when they could hardly go out to fish. This situation did not matter to the dragon, and it was about to destroy the village if not for the timely arrival of Gilgasmesh. How the witcher killed the dragon is unknown, but it is believed to have been after challenging it to a duel and killing it in its human form.
During the Tuyotukian Civil War, the Eastern Dragon Shenlong was awakened by the Aen Hagde elf geomancer Hoseki to destroy humans while she was being tracked by the School of the Dragon Witchers and Fabio Sachs' Expedition to the Far East, who eventually succeeded in locating her. Hoseki then used prayers to awaken the dragon. However, upon awakening, Shenlong read the minds of those present, and, impressed by their complexity and potential—particularly that of one member of the Fabio Sachs expedition—decided to give humanity a second chance. Shenlong's intervention persuaded Hoseki to reconsider her stance. After delivering this judgment, Shenlong flew away and was never seen again in the Tuyotuki Islands.
Behavior[]
Eastern Dragons are known for their profound wisdom and complex temperaments. They exhibit a range of behaviors influenced by their elemental affiliations and their historical reverence in various cultures. Generally, they are solitary creatures, preferring isolation or seclusion in their lairs, which are often located in places rich with elemental energy. They are highly territorial and can be extremely protective of their domains, which they consider sacred.
As mentioned before, their interactions with humans can be either benevolent or wrathful, heavily dependent on how they are treated. Eastern Dragons value respect and honor, responding well to sincere worship and offerings. They may bestow blessings, gifts, wisdom, or even wishes upon those who revere them properly. In contrast, they are quick to unleash their fury upon those who disrespect or threaten them, often through natural disasters or direct confrontation.
Abilities[]
Tatsu Physiology[]
Eastern Dragons possess a unique physiology that supports their majestic nature. As mentioned before, they are characterized by their long, serpentine bodies that lack wings but are exceptionally agile and strong. Their scales are vibrant and colored according to their elemental affinity, ranging from deep blues for water dragons to fiery reds for fire dragons. The scales are not only a means of protection but also serve as conduits for their magical abilities.
Their horns and beards are not merely decorative but serve as magical focal points. The intricate patterns on their horns can amplify their elemental powers, while their beards can channel and direct magical energy with precision.
The already mentioned magical organs that allow for flight are a remarkable adaptation. These organs enable the dragons to levitate and glide silently, making their movements almost ethereal. Their physiology also includes specialized organs for elemental manipulation and a greater magical absorption in comparison to other true dragons, allowing them to draw sustenance and power from their elemental plane connections.
Elemental and Para-Elemental Manipulation[]
- Elemental and Para-Elemental Breath Weapons: Eastern Dragons can unleash devastating breath attacks related to their elemental or para-elemental affinity.
- Elemental Control: Beyond their breath weapons, Eastern Dragons can manipulate their element in various ways.
- Elemental Immunity: Eastern Dragons are naturally immune to damage from their associated element.
Magical Abilities[]
- Shapeshifting: Eastern Dragons can transform their form to adapt to various situations or blend into different environments.
- Telepathy: They possess the ability to communicate telepathically with other beings, which can be used to influence thoughts, share information, or even induce fear. This power is particularly potent due to their high intelligence.
- Illusions and Enchantments: Eastern Dragons can cast complex illusions and enchantments.
- Healing and Restoration: They can heal themselves and others by drawing energy from their respective elemental planes. This ability extends to repairing physical damage and curing ailments, though it might be less effective if their connection to their plane is disrupted and are forced to pull on their magical reserves.
- Regenerative Capabilities: They can rapidly regenerate from injuries, with their healing abilities being amplified by their connection to their elemental planes.
- Scales as Magical Conduits: Their vibrant scales not only offer physical protection but also function as conduits for their elemental powers. They can deflect magical attacks by channeling them through their scales.
Flight and Mobility[]
- Magical Flight: Their specialized magical organs allow them to levitate and maneuver through the air with exceptional control and grace.
- Enhanced Agility: On the ground, their serpentine form grants them remarkable agility and flexibility. They can coil and uncoil rapidly, making them formidable in close combat.
Slaying[]
Despite their power, Eastern Dragons have at least five weaknesses:
- Elemental Affinity Sensitivity: Eastern Dragons are highly sensitive to their elemental environments. They can draw power from elemental-rich areas and may be weakened or disoriented in environments that lack their elemental essence.
- Dimeritium: This anti-magical metal can impede an Eastern Dragon’s ability to use its magical powers, though it must be present in significant quantities to be effective.
- Semi-Close Ard Gaeths: The semi-close state of an Ard Gaeth disrupts magical energy, causing the powers of Eastern Dragons to become unpredictable and unstable. At times, their abilities may manifest as intense, formidable displays of elemental force, while at other moments, their powers may wane dramatically, leaving them vulnerable or unable to fully harness their abilities.
- Limited Elemental and Para-Elemental Connections: Eastern Dragons cannot have more than two Elemental and Para-Elemental connections at any given time. This limitation restricts their versatility and power.
- Vulnerability When Shapeshifted: Eastern Dragons are more vulnerable to being killed when they are shapeshifted into another form. Their defensive capabilities and magical resilience are significantly reduced in these alternate forms.
Known Eastern Dragons[]
- Benzaiten (Dragon)
- Dilong
- Huanglong
- Jiaolong
- Mizuchi
- Panlong
- Shenlong
- Tianlong
- Watatsumi
- Wuyue
Trivia[]
- The Eastern Dragons are obviously based on their real-world counterpart.
- As a curious fact, the myth in the Northern Kingdoms of a dragon's heart being able to cure infertility derives from a broken phone effect of tales told by Zerrikanian merchants about Eastern Dragons and their magical organs.