Yautjadragon

Yautjadragons have names of two syllables that end in 'n' when they are born. If they pass their Hunter-Trial at two years of age and become Blooded warriors, they attach 'de' to the end of their name. (Samurn becomes Samurnde.)

Yautjadragon surnames always start with "Mei'", which was derived from the Yautja words for brother (mei'hswei) and sister (mei-jadhi). These are not passed down through the generations, but are used to trace their yautja blood.

The first-generation yautjadragons got their surname from their yautja parent. There were only Mei'Rhakarndi and Mei'Dtande lines. Later, when the need for viable breeding populations was realized, the genome had been advanced enough that yautadragons could be born without the need for a true yautja donor to provide genetic diversity. This resulted in yautjadragons born with the surname Mei'Thwei, making them children of 'the blood' rather than a specific yautja.

The offspring of a pure yautjadragon couple would be named after their mother. If Chetande Mei'Rhakarndi had offspring by a yautjadragon male, her children would receive the surname Mei'Chetande.

The offspring of a yautjadragon and a non-yautjadragon would traditionally be named after the yautjadragon parent, regardless of them being the sire or the dam. Doubled surnames would also be possible, such as in the case of Kintwar Chxalli Mei'Sayen.

PURGE-type yautjadragons were introduced to try and counter the presence of Balespawn in the Nexus. They are physically and behaviorally identical to the original strain, but possess more abilities.

These ranks apply to purebred yautjadragons only. Crossbreeds cannot be ranked this way.

BLOODED yautjadragons are recognizable by their Blood Mark, the many thick braids their hair has been twisted into, and the mask and weaponry that they wear. This rank is earned by successfully passing a Hunter-Trial given after their second birthday. The Blood Mark is a prestige-marking which has been branded both on their forehead and on their hunting-mask. The Hunter-Trials and Markings are overseen by Rhakarndi herself.

UNBLOODED yautjadragons have no armor and are forbidden to braid their hair. They have no Blood Mark. Culturally they are considered weaker and less disciplined than the Bloodeds, for either failing or missing their Hunter-Trial, but they are not shunned or outcaste.

Males: 3' - 4' to head.

Females: 4' - 5' to head.

Males: 12' to 15' to shoulder.

Females: 16' - 19' to shoulder.

Yautjadragon hatchlings grow continually from birth, and reach their full adult size in 2 years, though at this point they are still considered juveniles. Sexual maturity and true adulthood is achieved at 3 years of age.

Natural browns are the most common color, followed by greys, creams, blacks, and whites. All colors are either mottled or speckled; there are no flat-tones.

Yautjadragons, belying their rather frightening appearances a force of honor to counteract evil creatures such as (most) xenodragons and hydras. They are generally fierce but just fighters, looking for similar traits (or potential) in their bonds. (This personality is not entirely true to their "parent" race, the Yautja, but was specifically adapted by Dr. Schroeder.)

Original Strain

• Acid Immunity: Invulnerability to acids.
• Huntermind Communication: The ability to communicate with all other yautjadragons in existance.
• Telepathy: The ability to communicate mind-to-mind.
• Teleportation: The ability to teleport anywhere within sight or that can be strongly visualized in the mind.

Purge Strain

• Acid Immunity: Invulnerability to acids.
• Balefire Immunity: Invulnerability to balefire.
• Corruption Immunity: Invulnerability to corruption powers and magic, specifically the powers of the Balespawn.
• Healing Powers: The ability to heal living things. The more grievous the injury, the more effort and energy that must be put into the healing.
• Huntermind Communication: The ability to communicate with all other yautjadragons in existance.
• Purification Powers: The ability to purify magical and Balespawn corruption. The more twisted the corruption, the more effort and energy that must be put into the purging.
• Telepathy: The ability to communicate mind-to-mind.
• Teleportation: The ability to teleport anywhere within sight or that can be strongly visualized in the mind.

• Hunting Mask: This mask is computerized, and capable of displaying a variety of vision modes (normal, thermal, infrared, and sonar) to aid the wearer in their hunting. The modes are changed via controls inside the mask, which the dragon operates with its mandibles.
• Wristblades: A pair of retractable blades attached to the right-hand gauntlet, the wristblades can cut through most organic matter with ease (including scales and thick hide), and are immune to a xenomorph/xenodragon's acidic blood.
• Shift-Suit: A device in the left-hand gauntlet that, when activated, turns the wearer invisible by encasing them in a field that bends light around them. The field coats the yautjadragon's body like a second skin, so any extra weapons and/or a rider will remain visible. (The wristblades will be invisible as long as they are retracted. They become visible as soon as they are extended.) It causes light to be distorted in such a way that the yautjadragon is somewhat visible while moving, but is completely invisible when stationary.
• Smart-Disc: This circular blade, when thrown, can cut through a whole file of humanoids, separating their torsos from their legs with a single throw. Then, once thrown, another device in the left-hand gauntlet summons the disc back to its owner -- so they'd better be prepared to catch it!
• Plasmacaster: Entrusted to only the most skilled and most responsible of yautjadragons, this shoulder-mounted cannon is synchronized with the wearer's hunting mask so that it aims anywhere that the user is looking. It fires a blast of superheated plasma that is lethal to most creatures when fired as a head or heart-shot. A mandible-operated control inside the hunter's mask fires the gun. It has a range of 1000 feet, but works best in close range where the shot is far harder to avoid.

Any non-yautjadragon discovered by a yautjadragon to be using yautjadragon weaponry will be promptly confronted and hounded until the weaponry is surrendered or forcibly confiscated. If it is found that the gear was stolen, the repercussions will likely be lethal.

Yautjadragons do not believe in frivolous decorations. Tattoos are the only modifications they will accept, since it is a sort of ritual of pain to be endured.

Males gather and fight one another to impress a female, but these battles are non-lethal and honorable, called Mating Duels. Females DO NOT rise in hormone-driven flights. The female may duel the winning male herself if she doubts his strength, but can still choose to reject him even if she loses. Matings only occur between Yautjadragons of the same status.

Yautjadragons cannot and will not breed with anything of xenodragon, hydra, or undead blood.

Yautjadragons also will not, under any circumstances, inbreed. Siblings are viewed as such and incest is unthinkable.

• Though Dr. Schroeder and his team created the yautjadragon species, Rhakarndi became its cultural head when she accepted the species as her children. Hers is now the final judgment when it comes to bestowing rank and weaponry upon individuals.
• Females are larger and stronger than the males, and the male-female ratio in the population varies between 3:1 and 2:1.
• Yautjadragons can survive bondless, but do not enjoy being so. They will always be on the lookout for a suitable battle-partner.
• Yautjadragon blood is neon green and glows. If it is mixed with xenodragon blood, it immediately negates the other blood's acidic nature.