Nova Lore doc WIP (Patreon)

I haven't been able to do much 3D work recently, but I've written some stuff for Nova's lore. This is a WIP, let me know what you think

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i3KdQJQVhZq9x4ERh5Rf52KX1bn7TBRIWKXqoH174OI/edit?usp=sharing

1. Origins and Ascension

Born as the runt of her clutch, Nova had two brothers who hatched from the same clutch. Her egg was noticeably smaller than the other two, which led to her receiving less attention and resources from her first-time parents, who were not as established as other mated dragon pairs. It was uncertain whether Nova would survive to adulthood, and her early life was filled with challenges.

When it was time for her to leave her parents' lair, she found it difficult to secure safe shelter and establish her own territory, as she was in constant competition with other dragons. These early struggles made a lasting impression on her, as she was no stranger to hunger and the threat of danger. As an adult, she is only slightly smaller than the average red dragon, with no outward signs of being a runt—except for her memories and experiences.

Nova has had no contact with her direct family since leaving their lair and is unaware of their fates. This is not uncommon among red dragons, who typically lead solitary lives or live in mated pairs. Her childhood home was in a dry, badlands or mesa-like area, where the natural terrain colors matched her own body colors.

Her early experiences shaped her into a cautious and observant individual, who would only strike when she had the advantage. As a young adult, her territory and lair were frequently raided or stolen, forcing her to move north to cooler, temperate climates and closer to other races. She spent a significant amount of time observing, gathering information, and studying the nearby kingdoms and states.

During this period, Nova devised a plan to become a ruler among lesser races. She believed that if she could maintain power, she would be well-protected from other dragons and gain influence as royalty. She focused on a particular realm that was embroiled in a decade-long power struggle among various noble houses. Patiently observing from a distance, she bided her time until one noble family launched an aggressive, overt attack on another. Seizing the opportunity, Nova left her mountainous lair for good, ready to claim her rightful place and ascend the throne as queen.

1. Rise to Power and Enduring Legacy

Nova's greatest accomplishment lies in her ability to maintain power for 300 years after her ruthless and bloody ascent to the throne. Her rule has become a cornerstone of tradition and history, and her kingdom now stands as a global center for free trade, science, and arts. The dragon queen remains popular among her subjects, largely due to the effective policies and government she established.

Recognizing the suffering of the common people during a decade of strife among rival houses and the constant threat of foreign invasion, Nova seized the opportunity to claim the throne. Her decisive strike took place at a decadent and unpopular royal wedding, where she eliminated the leaders of the major houses and the entire royal line. In the chaos that followed, the remaining nobles found themselves vulnerable to both rival factions and foreign enemies. Desperate for survival and the retention of their power, they had little choice but to pledge allegiance to the self-appointed Queen.

Nova, however, did not rely solely on fear to secure their loyalty; she also promised protection, influence, and access to valuable resources, all of which she would later fulfill. The initial months of her reign were marked by bloodshed and power struggles, but she acted swiftly to solidify her rule and reward her supporters. In tandem with her efforts to assert dominance, Nova utilized her hoard and the kingdom's treasury to provide for the common citizens who had endured raids and oppressive taxation. For these people, food and safety took precedence over the identity of their ruler.

To rally her forces, Nova employed her commanding presence and made a promise that would reshape the kingdom's power dynamics. She offered full emancipation to any slaves who fought in her army, thereby challenging the established order and the most powerful houses that had relied on slave labor. This bold move not only supplied her with a fiercely loyal fighting force but also weakened her opponents by dismantling the social hierarchy that had sustained their power.

When two neighboring kingdoms sought to capitalize on the turmoil by invading, Nova led her forces—now strengthened by the ranks of liberated slaves—to engage each enemy army separately in quick, decisive battles. The ensuing spoils of war, combined with contributions from her own hoard, enabled the Queen to win the support of her new subjects. Taxes were reduced, trade encouraged, settlements fortified, infrastructure improved, and borders secured. The freed slaves and common people played a vital role in the kingdom's progress, fostering its evolution into a thriving hub for free trade, science, and arts. Ultimately, the welfare and prosperity of the populace took precedence over who held power. Fear and apprehension gradually gave way to indifference and, eventually, contentment. The takeover was complete, and the crown firmly secured by the new dragon queen.

Three hundred years later, no one questions Nova's reign. The kingdom has grown immensely wealthy as a center of free trade, and the treasury—now the Queen's hoard—continues to expand through long-term investments and taxes. Under her wing, life in the kingdom is undeniably good.

1. The King Consort
2. Appearance

Nova's imposing stature is a sight to behold, with a wingspan of 36 meters, a length of 15 meters from nose to tail, and standing at 3 meters at the shoulder. The top of her head reaches an impressive 4.5 meters high. Her muscular build, especially her large chest which houses her wing muscles, is a testament to her strength and power. At around 400 years old (her true age unknown), she is still in the prime of her life as a healthy adult dragon.

The dragon queen's scales are a vibrant red, with her underside displaying a lighter cream color. Distinct yellow stripes adorn her neck, tail, and wing arms, while her wings exhibit the same red and cream hues. The yellow pattern on her wings is reminiscent of a butterfly's wing, adding an unexpected touch of grace to her formidable form.

Nova has six limbs in total, including her wings and four legs. Her back paws possess large brown paw pads, four toes, and a dewclaw, with dark grey claws. The underside of her hands and feet match the cream color of her body. Her forepaws have four fingers and an opposable thumb, allowing her to manipulate objects, albeit with less dexterity than human hands.

Her tail is wide, muscular, and not very flexible, serving as an anchor point for her wing membranes and providing balance. Her snout is blocky, and a prominent chin is a defining feature. She possesses no human-like feminine traits, appearing androgynous to the casual observer.

Nova's eyes are slitted like a cat's and have a captivating golden hue. Her head is adorned with six curved, elegant horns (three on each side) that curve inward behind her head, similar to hair flanking a central horn at the top, which is also swept backward. The six large horns are embellished with golden bands that resemble a crown. She also has eight smaller horns (four per side) emerging from her lower jaw. Her gaze exudes intelligence and regality.

In the air, Nova's large wings make her a force to be reckoned with. Though she does not breathe fire, she possesses glands on either side of her mouth that produce two liquids. When combined, these liquids ignite, creating a natural napalm-like substance.

1. Personality

Nova’s  personality stems from her origin as the runt of her clutch. Born into a world where dragons, particularly red dragons, crave power, renown, and legacy, she struggled to assert herself in a society that values physical might and competition for territories and resources.

Her inability to follow the traditional dragon path led her to devise a cunning plan to take over a kingdom. However, her motivations for ruling are primarily self-serving. Although she has learned that benevolence is key to successful governance, she remains an iron-fisted ruler, displaying tendencies of megalomania and a Napoleon complex.

As a workaholic, Nova devotes herself entirely to her reign, conducting state affairs daily and tirelessly seeking to expand her kingdom's greatness. She holds court frequently, addressing citizens' issues and regularly consulting with her council. Her realm and its inhabitants have become her prized possessions, a manifestation of the draconic instinct to hoard.

Nova's mother-knows-best attitude is evident in her rule. She is fiercely protective of her power, willing to sacrifice everything, even her own life, if it means maintaining her position. However, centuries of rule have softened her somewhat, as she has grown more invested in altruistic endeavors, such as supporting orphanages and projects that benefit her subjects.

Despite her flaws, Nova possesses a sense of humor, often delivering backhanded compliments that leave her conversation partners wondering if they have been insulted or praised. Her cautious and forward-looking nature means that she meticulously analyzes each decision, considering its long-term implications. Her preference for long-term investments sometimes puts her at odds with her subjects and advisors. Once committed to a course of action, Nova is decisive and resolute, making it challenging to persuade her to change her plans.

Nova is not one for hobbies, save for posing for artwork. She speaks eloquently, preferring clarity over embellishments, and has little patience for the mystique and obscure rituals often associated with royalty. As a dragon, her uniqueness is already unquestionable. Always keeping a close eye on her kingdom's finances, she maintains a more relaxed private persona, employing humor and occasionally opening up, though she still tends to keep her worries to herself.

Her draconic appearance makes her difficult to read, granting her an advantage in negotiations and strategic planning. Other dragons and kobolds can interpret her body language more easily, which is why she often chooses kobolds as her private secretaries and assistants.

Beneath her regal exterior, Nova still carries the burden of her origins as a runt, feeling the constant need to prove herself. She harbors a secret desire to have children but fears they may try to usurp her – a valid concern in the world of dragons.

1. Distinctive speech pattern

In addition to her eloquent speech, Nova's speech patterns exhibit a distinct style that sets her apart from others. Her language, reminiscent of a Victorian-era noblewoman, is characterized by impeccable grammar, sophisticated vocabulary, and a refined tone.

Nova's speech often employs subtle wit and sarcasm, enabling her to insert cleverly veiled insults within compliments. This nuanced approach to communication allows her to assert her dominance while maintaining a veneer of politeness, leaving her interlocutors guessing at her true intentions (see appendix).

Despite her penchant for eloquence, Nova values clarity and conciseness in her speech. She avoids flowery language and unnecessary embellishments, focusing instead on delivering her message with precision and impact. This directness is indicative of her no-nonsense attitude and her impatience for obfuscation and pretense.

When addressing her subjects or conversing with advisors, Nova maintains a measured pace and controlled tone, projecting an air of authority and confidence. In more private settings, however, her speech may become slightly more relaxed, revealing glimpses of her hidden warmth and humor.

Overall, Nova's speech patterns reflect her unique personality and her status as a dragon queen, embodying a blend of elegance, intelligence, and assertiveness that is both captivating and intimidating to those who engage with her.

1. Relationships
2. Personal Values and Beliefs
3. Daily Routine

Nova, being a red dragon, strictly adheres to a diurnal routine. Her night vision is quite poor, making flight at night dangerous. She wakes up naturally just before dawn and begins her day with a series of stretches in her bed chamber to prepare herself for the day ahead. As the sun rises, she steps outside and takes off for her morning flight.

Her flight path varies daily, allowing her to observe different parts of her realm from the air. This time also serves as her hunting and feeding period, during which she randomly selects a domesticated or wild animal to kill and eat. The animal's owner is later reimbursed by the treasury, ensuring that Nova's unpredictable dining habits make it nearly impossible for anyone to poison her. As a strict carnivore, she usually eats every two days, depending on the size of her meal.

On the days she feasts, she cleans herself in a nearby river or lake to wash off any remnants of her meal. Nova is not a skilled swimmer and generally avoids large bodies of water due to a fear of drowning. Once she completes her morning flight and self-care rituals, she returns to the castle for a morning meeting with her private secretary to review the day's agenda and discuss pressing matters.

The remainder of her day is filled with various duties, such as holding court to listen to the concerns of her subjects, attending council meetings, conducting private meetings with ambassadors, and participating in public functions. Nova rarely takes breaks during her day, seeing them as a waste of her valuable time.

Evenings often involve social gatherings with nobles or foreign guests, featuring various forms of entertainment. However, she does not partake in state dinners, as she prefers not to eat in the company of others. After meeting her mate, Orion, Nova made slight adjustments to her schedule to allow for more free evenings and a half-day of rest on Sundays.

As the sun sets, Nova retires to her bed chamber, where she spends her private time with Orion, indulging in the rare moments of relaxation and companionship that their busy lives allow.

1. Her Castle
2. Her government
3. Her realm
4. On Magic

Magic remains an enigmatic force that subtly permeates the fabric of reality. While some species seem to possess innate magical abilities, they do not have direct control over these powers. Harnessing magic requires decades of diligent study and practice, and even then, success is not guaranteed. The impact of magic in this world is relatively low compared to other fantasy settings.

The magical abilities in this setting are simple yet practical, providing a touch of enchantment to everyday life without overshadowing the world's technology or societal structures. Examples of magical abilities include:

• Mending: The power to repair small cracks or tears in objects, such as a broken pot or a ripped piece of clothing.
• Light: The ability to create a small orb of light, providing dim illumination in a small area, similar to a candle or a lantern.
• Purification: The skill to cleanse a small amount of water or food of impurities, making it safe for consumption.
• Minor Telekinesis: The capacity to move small, lightweight objects at a short distance using the power of the mind.
• Soothing Touch: The talent to alleviate minor aches and pains through touch, akin to a gentle massage.
• Plant Growth: The aptitude to encourage a plant to grow slightly faster or healthier than it would naturally.
• Temperature Control: The capability to slightly raise or lower the temperature in a small area, making it more comfortable for those present.
• Weather Prediction: The proficiency to accurately predict the weather for the next day or two, based on the observation of natural signs.
• Sleep: The gift to induce restful sleep in a person or animal by touch or through a soothing lullaby.
• Animal Empathy: The skill to establish a weak empathic connection with an animal, making it easier to understand its emotions and intentions.

Magic also finds its way into various aspects of the world's technology, enhancing and simplifying existing devices or tools. Some examples of magic-infused technology include:

• Self-sustaining Clock: A timekeeping device powered by a small magical energy source, requiring no winding or batteries.
• Magic-assisted Lock: A door lock that can only be opened with the correct magical key, providing an extra layer of security.
• Magically-enhanced Quill: A writing implement infused with a minor enchantment, never running out of ink and requiring no sharpening.
• Light-amplifying Lenses: A pair of eyeglasses or a telescope that gathers and magnifies ambient light, allowing for improved vision in low-light conditions.
• Communication Stones: A pair of small stones that, when held, enable users to communicate with each other over short distances through telepathy.
• Enchanted Compass: A navigational device that always points towards a specific location, person, or object, as determined by the user during its creation.
• Heat-absorbing Plate: A dish or tray that absorbs excess heat, keeping food or drinks at the perfect temperature for consumption.
• Magic-enhanced Loom: A weaving apparatus that allows for more intricate and detailed patterns, as the threads are guided by a minor enchantment.

1. On Kobolds

In this world, kobolds are small, intelligent creatures with a keen sense of community and industry. They often prefer to live in self-sufficient communities, away from other races, and maintain a degree of isolation that fosters self-reliance. While some kobolds venture out on their own or engage in trade with other races, their overall isolation leads to a general mistrust from others, with one notable exception: dragons.

Dragons are far more likely to tolerate kobolds in their territories, and kobolds, in turn, are more willing to settle near dragon lairs, knowing that this reduces the chance of being bothered by other races. While kobolds do not worship or revere dragons, they have a unique understanding and ability to communicate with them, likely due to their shared reptilian nature and ability to read each other's body language. Some dragons even hire kobolds to expand and maintain their lairs.

One notable incident involving kobolds occurred when a group of them was causing disruptions along a trade road. Merchants petitioned Queen Nova to send troops to drive them away. However, instead of resorting to force, Nova hired the kobolds to construct the city's new sewer system. They completed the project in record time, and many of the kobolds decided to settle in the city, participating in various infrastructure projects under the new queen's rule. Today, kobolds are a fairly common sight in the city, working primarily as craftsmen or managing the miners' guild.

Kobolds are reptilian creatures, standing between 2.5 to 3 feet tall and weighing between 45-55 lbs. Their bodies are covered in scales, and they often display a variety of horns and spikes. Their dexterous tails further emphasize their reptilian nature, and they resemble miniature, wingless, bipedal dragons.

Appendix 1: A sample of Nova insults

• "Your wit is so remarkable, it's a wonder how it manages to stay so well-hidden. I am sure that others must be thoroughly impressed when they finally discover it."
• "I must commend you on your vast knowledge; it's truly astonishing how much you've managed to learn about so little."
• "You have a unique talent for making the most straightforward tasks appear quite challenging."
• "You have a real talent for finding joy in the smallest things."
• "You have such an interesting way of expressing yourself."
• "It's lovely how you never let the opinions of others affect you."
• "You have a wonderful talent for making the most of what you've got."
• "It's good to see you're always so... relaxed about your appearance."
• "You always manage to find the most obscure ways to contribute."