#dzlethian

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can u describe the species of them? like what is different from us humans & them.

I'll... try to keep this simple. >.> Disclaimer that I'm still working out some of the finer details of Anryuu biology.

Although Anryuu assume a physical form that looks human most of the time, that's not their real shape. Their "true form" is the dragon one— but for all three species, shapeshifting is part of their early physiological development. The "secondary form" typically learned in looks human (as the cultural idea goes, because early Anryuu learned that the shape was the most convenient and functional), but their physical function is very, very different.

Similar to synapsids, Anryuu are "mammal-like reptiles". They maintain a constant body temperature mostly through body size (gigantothermy), and don't reproduce through live birth. The presence of their Aura system allows for a variety of physical traits that defy the logic of non-fictional creatures, and is also a core feature of many of their physical, sensory, and magic-related abilities. They mature much faster than humans in their early years, both physically and psychologically, and are much, MUCH stronger/more durable than humans, even in their secondary form.

Between the three species, there are also notable physical differences. To name a few— Daryans are notoriously sturdy in either form, with dense bone structure and a lessened capability for flight; Dzlethians have highly flexible joints, and a second pair of wings in their true form; Ghiasuli have powerful lung capacity and broad wings that make them the best fliers of the three. All three species can also partially shift between forms, such as bringing out only wings or claws in a situation that calls for them.

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are we ever going to know the story of the founders of major societies you mention? :3

Most likely, no. The span of recorded history for the Anryuu includes no more than the absolute vaguest bits of information about the founders/early rulers of their societies. A lot of that stuff happened so long ago that written records are sparse at best ...and that's not counting the other reason it's hard to find anything from too far back.

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Do the people look like lizard folk from dnd or is it more humanoid?

Also since they are reptilian do they have specific places for sun bathing/warming up? Like have they made up for some of their needs in their architecture?

(This all sounds super cool omg i might have to deep dive this blog)

The alternate forms commonly used by Anryuu look more or less "human", yep! Their ability to shapeshift develops early in their youth, and they end up spending most of their time in their secondary forms as a matter of convenience, social decency, etc.

However, there are some indications of species that stand out even in an Anryuu's secondary form: Dzlethians retain the horns on their head, Ghiasuli have pointed ears, and Giants (a theorized sub-species/relative of the Dzlethians) have both the horns on their head and a second pair located near the lateral end of the clavicle.

As for body temperature, Anryuu are likely mesotherms! This category includes lamnid sharks and leatherback sea turtles, which generate sufficient body heat through body size/surface-volume ratio and/or muscle activity to not be truly "cold-blooded". So nope, they do not need sunbathing accommodations. (Disclaimer: I may change this idea as I do more research on the subject.)

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Map time! This is... probably nowhere near "complete", but the general layout of all three countries (divided by the rivers) and locations of major cities/ritual sites is here, at least! :D

(Upper left is the Daryans, right is the Dzlethians, and the lowest area is the Ghiasuli)

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So the Anryuu's base forms are dragons. Do you have any headcanons for what type of dragons they are? Like, are the Daryan, Dzlethian, and Ghiasuli different types of dragons (eastern vs western, wrym vs wyvern, etc)? Or do they share common anatomy?

I have art! It is not exactly good art, but it's good enough! >3>

Ghiasuli —> Daryan —> Dzlethian

Ghiasuli are the "tallest", but they're nowhere near as sturdy/solid as Daryans. Their limbs are thinner and they don't have as much muscle mass, but they have large ribcages and massive wings that make them the best fliers of the three.

Daryans are a similar shape, overall, but much thicker/stockier than Ghiasuli. Their wings are proportionately smaller, and not designed for long periods of flight.

Dzlethians are the odd ones out. They're more lizard-like in general anatomy, and have two sets of wings instead of one. They're meant for traversing thick forests and steep mountain areas, so being small and agile has been a historical advantage.

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more worldbuilding questions hehe: matriarchal / patriarchal societal systems? which societies/races/clans view mercy and kindness as strength or weakness?

Matriarchal/patriarchal

Dzlethian society is female-ruled. They have a strict caste system with a queen on top, and common households are led by a matriarch as well. Males are generally treated well and have a good degree of rights, but they're not allowed to have much social power or control over their lives. Their system is highly culturally embedded, and deviations from it are seen as unnatural and wrong.

Ghiasuli society is male-ruled. However, their structure is "softer", in the sense that it's considered "for the greater good of the species", not something as innate or unquestionable as the Dzlethian way of doing things. Ghiasuli females tend to have slightly more control over their lives than Dzlethian males, but standards for their treatment are lower, and far more are outright abused.

Daryans don't have a dominant sex in their culture. Rather, they hardly see gender as a factor at all. Their determination of power is based on lineage and ability instead, and their culture doesn't have any particular distinction between male and female roles— which has been a subject of much disagreement with the other countries.

Mercy and kindness

Ghiasuli are the most likely of the three to see mercy and kindness as strengths— though it's in a very self-serving way. Their culture involves a lot of social strategizing and putting on a polite, presentable mask, so behaving kindly and mercifully in ways that benefit oneself is definitely seen as a good thing. Being kind, forgiving, and tolerant of others is important in their culture, but it's a surface-level practice that involves the balance of looking good and still protecting your own interests above all else.

Dzlethians are the most likely to see mercy and kindness as a waste of effort, if not an insult to others. Since their culture holds individuals to such high standards, being granted mercy would often be taken as condescending, not kind. They're far more fond of taking care of themselves and proving their power than being shown pity by others. Their culture also tends to encourage a sense of selfishness that would prevent such acts of kindness, in the first place.

Daryans have a more case-by-case approach. In some scenarios, there's no point in mercy and kindness. In others, those values are the right thing to do. It's highly up to individual choice and the situation whether those are seen as strengths or weaknesses— though if they're taken to an unnecessary degree, "weakness" would win out. Daryan culture is far more "go with the flow" than the other two, with far fewer unspoken social rules, so it's harder to pin down specific traits that would predominantly be good or bad.

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I was wondering about the economy’s of each kingdom is either of the kingdoms super wealthy and others super poor?

The Ghiasuli kingdom is the worst off by a good gap. Their country is the smallest and has the least resources/population, so they tend to be on the weaker and poorer end of things among the three. While the Ghiasuli did have significantly more power in the past, currently, they're usually at a disadvantage compared to their two larger, more powerful neighbors. During the 300-Year War, in particular, they got caught up in the conflict between the other two and suffered economically for it. And of course, this historical disadvantage has left the country bitter and resentful toward those with more.

The Daryan country may be the most directly powerful of the three, but it does tend to hover around the same level as the Dzlethians. Daryans by far have the most land, resources, and people, and the sheer size of their country (and its large amount of usable land) means that they have a natural advantage over the other two. However, while they have a lot of power, most of their people aren't particularly wealthy— mostly due to the recurring problems with organizing society and maintaining any form of order.

The Dzlethian nation is probably the wealthiest. While they have a smaller population and far less usable land than the Daryans, they also have a higher focus on monetary gain and keeping a thriving economy. Dzlethians have a very organized and controlled society, and while the lowers castes in their system tend to suffer, the upper ranks may very well be the most wealthy and well-off of "normal" people in any of the three countries. However, their military might often pales in comparison to the Daryans, meaning that, despite their prosperity, they're not as likely to be victories in direct conflict.

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Dzlethian Cultural Values: Part 2

Value Structure

1. Individualism vs. Collectivism

Dzlethians fall somewhere in the middle on this scale. While individual advancement is valued, they also have strong senses of social connections and who is tied to who. Loyalty to these connections is important, often just as important as someone’s duty to themself. Large families often live together, and social duty is expected. Even so, people are typically expected to look out for their own interests.

2. Power Distance

Dzlethian society has a very high power distance. Those who have lofty ranks have a lot of power over those who do not, and the people who are low in caste are expected to accept their position in life and not contest it. Class differences are strict. Moving between them is rare. Inequalities are considered an important part of how society functions, with the class system held in strict, vital regard.

3. Uncertainty Avoidance

Dzlethians have fairly strong uncertainty avoidance. Their culture is very fixated on rules and order, and they dislike anything that threatens these. Strict adherence to these social codes of conduct is an obligation. They’re particular about rules, distrustful of others, and don’t take many risks. Rigidity is a common part of their behavior and viewpoints, and they’re not very accepting of other beliefs.

4. Orientation to Time

Dzlethians have a heavy orientation to the future. They’re fond of long-term goals, complex ambitions, and planning ahead. Riskiness and impulsive behavior are seen as foolish and inappropriate. Working toward something in the future is common, and the present moment is usually considered something to be used to produce the desired result later in time. They don’t often “live in the moment”, as it’s said.

5. Gender Equality

Dzlethians are very low in gender equality. Their society is heavily skewed in favor of females, with males taking a much lower role. Males have fewer rights, however, they also have fewer duties and aren’t placed under as many risks, and are also typically treated well by the higher-ranking females. This gender gap is very strict, with even the most modern generations considering it important to follow.

6. Assertiveness

Generally, Dzlethian society ranks high in assertiveness. Ambition and “stepping on the competition” are typically valued, with strength and ability to get what one wants also seen as positive. Competition and success are valued. Those with more gentle personalities usually don’t get as far in life and are often seen as weaker-willed or unable to stand up for themselves. Assertiveness is rarely concealed.

7. Being vs. Doing

Dzlethians are very much on the doing side of this spectrum. They highly value activity and industry and believe that they should always be working toward some form of accomplishment. Self-assertion is common, with most of them believing that only they can control their fates. Performance and success are highly rewarded, and slow-paced appreciation of the world is almost unheard of in their culture.

8. Humane Orientation

Dzlethians have a very low humane orientation. For the most part, they believe that people are expected to take care of themselves and that no one is responsible for the wellbeing of another. The main exception to this is females and their husbands, where they’re expected to care for the males and protect them as a societal show of strength and capability. Females are seen as more self-sufficient.

9. Indulgence vs. Restraint

Dzlethians are somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. While they don’t see excessive restraint from worldly pleasures as necessary, overly indulging in the same also isn’t viewed fondly. Moderation and cautiousness are valued more than either extreme. Dzlethians will do what pleases them to a certain extent, but they also won’t go out of their way to indulge so intensely that it reflects poorly upon them.