Raikana

Raikana are one of the four species of Dragons in the Drakepunk universe. Also occasionally referred to as "Ice Dragons" or "Lion Dragons". They are most similar to the depictions of dragons in European legend, with four legs, a pair of great wings, and impressive physical power.

Physical Description

Raikana are exceptionally large quadrupeds, with builds halfway between an iguana and a tiger. They tend to be between 10 to 15 feet tall at the shoulders, and between 30 to 45 feet long from head to tail. Their necks are quite long and serpentine, aiding them in catching fish from schools. Their tails end in bony clubs, which are used both to defend themselves in battle, and to smash through the ice during hunts. Their claws are both retractable, and extremely sharp. Most notable of all their features is that they are the only furred dragons, as both their neck, tail, and limbs are covered in thick white fur, hence the nickname "Lion Dragon".

Raikana are almost always white or light blue to blend in with their local environments. Each one has a pattern of turquoise scales across their face that are unique to each dragon, almost like a human's fingerprint.

Raikana will grow to maturity over the course of roughly seven years, and will live between eighty and one hundred years.

Abilities

Raikana are generally considered to be the most dangerous combatants out of all the dragons in a one on one battle. While not as strong as the Nakakana, as fast as Kahukana, or as durable as Rokukana, they occupy the comfortable middle ground as second best in all categories. Furthermore, their claws and tails are particularly dangerous natural weapons.

Raikana also possess a natural ability to manipulate temperature, storing pockets of supercooled air in their lungs, which can be disgorged in a blast of freezing cold and shards of frozen water vapor. This ability is generally considered to be the weakest breath weapon, as while it can trap an opponent temporarily, it is very rarely lethal on its own.

Culture

Raikana are solitary creatures, frequently living alone, and often nomadic. They are the captains of their own souls, highly independent, and occasionally abrasive. They are honest to a fault, and hate anything they perceive as dishonesty or wastes of time. They are direct, blunt, and extremely genuine people, with strong senses of their own identity. They also demonstrate a general "go with the flow" attitude, rarely concerning themselves with the future or wider events beyond their control, instead resting in a supreme self-confidence to face each day as it comes.

Raikana music takes much of the style of Nakakana music, which has been a source of much amusement to the Emperor Dragons. However, Raikana music is hardly derivative, but taken many of Nakakana music's elements and made them their own, frequently including heavier use of stringed instruments made from whale tendon and huge drums. Raikana Jazz is often slower, frequently incorporating more vocals, and at times becoming something closer to a Jazz opera, using the vocals and music to tell stories of heroes long past.

The slowest metabolisms in dragons are found in the Raikana, who also have the most bestial approach to their food: hunt, and eat right there on the spot. Raikana will gorge themselves on every inch of their prey, cracking bones open to suck out the marrow, and frequently targeting other megafauna such as whales and the great bears that roam the north. However, they are not utterly without cookery. Whole fish staked on horned whale horn, then roasted over great fires, are particularly popular, with much of the flavor coming from the combination of different roasted species, as the whole thing is oft devoured in but a few bites. Rarely, Raikana will gather for great feasts, where literal tons of food will be consumed over the course of a week. Raikana drink mostly water, but are also fond of imported cocoa, which they mix into boiling water to form a rich and bitter brew.

Raikana generally believe in a series of concepts collectively referred to as Tengri Herea, which literally translates to "Freedom from Egg". This belief holds similar views to bhuddism, as they believe that all life in the universe reincarnates, and are interested in escaping this cycle, this "egg of the universe" or Herea, not by acheiving enlightenment, but by becoming incredibly powerful and independent of anything that would bind them down. It's not necessarily a moral faith, but one that does have significant influence. Its adherents are usually remarkably diligent, ambitious, and individualistic. It does not have gods, but does have something called Kaikaora, which are similar to bohdisatvas as they are beings who became so powerful they transcended material reality and proceeded to the next stage of life. These beings are not worshiped, but are admired as exemplars of particular skills. A common blessing from this faith is "May you break the bonds of Herea."

While Raikana are generally solitary, they will form family structures, often spontaneously, and rarely lasting longer than necessary to see a child reach maturity. Most Raikana relationships are casual and fairly fleeting. Raikana families will most commonly reside in what can be considered their capital city of Kohatu Tengri. However, it would be innacurate to compare it to the capitals of other races. While it is recognized as a significant and holy site, the Raikana lack any true government structure. That said, if any receive word that Kohatu Tengri is in peril, or that their hunting grounds are being infringed upon, usually by the Nakakana, they will quickly assemble and drive off any invaders, then disassemble as quickly as it is done. This pattern of behavior has led to a long history of animosity between the Raikana and Nakakana.