Worldbuilding Exercise: Drakefolk! (Patreon)

In the land of fantasy, dragons are one of the staples of iconic mythical beasts. Often gargantuan, reptilian in nature, impossibly clever and magically potent - these beings are often revered in fantasy realms for their long lifespans and intimidating power.

But what happens in a world where only some attempt to be domineering and are driven away, while others simply want to coexist with other mortals? A few generations down the line, you'd have the fulfillment of that wish in the Drakefolk.

Named for their ancestral lineage, Drakefolk are bipedal and dragon-like humanoids that only bear some resemblance to their more impressive ancient kin. For one thing, Drakefolk possess vestigial wings that are essentially useless for flight, and possess a combination of reptilian and mammalian traits. Their brightly coloured scales are often compared to the hues of different gemstones or metals, with different colours of scales often indicating ancestry of a unique dragon.

While Drakefolk do possess some ability to breathe elements like classical dragons, it is often a trait that is inherited and trained, and some folk can go their entire lives without breathing any. Regardless of training, their smaller size also makes it difficult for their breath to be as potent as a fully-sized dragon.

Even so, what Drakefolk lack in size and potency, they compensate for in breaching the gap between more mammalian humanoids and dragons. With more protective scales and powerful constitutions, Drakefolk are able to exist in practically any climate with minimal difficulty.

Combined with their equal capability in magic as with other humanoid species, Drakefolk make for hardy and dependable allies wherever one might travel the world.