User:1Maven/Race
The usage of the term Race in Tyria is what might be more accurately called Species or Genus in the the system of taxonomic classification recently developed by scholars of the Durmand Priory. All the creatures of Tyria listed in the Bestiary may be divided into the following loose classifications|
- Dragon
- Corrupted Slaves
- Major race
- Minor race
- Animal
It is important to understand that the same methods used to injure or kill one creature may be used to injure or kill any other. However, the NPC ranking of creatures of the same race indicate that they are more difficult to injure or kill given their greater experience, health, skills and traits. With increasing order of difficulty these are:
- Ambient creature (alternatively, a Critter)
- Normal (unnamed)
- Veteran
- Elite
- Champion
- Boss or Legendary, but not to be confused with Legendary weapons
- World boss or Epic
Dragon[edit]
Dragons, a generic term for many of the large, flying reptiles in Tyria. According to one prevalent, although disputed theory, Dragons were the dominant form of life until approximately 65 million year ago when a Great Cataclysm" destroyed most species and allowed for the rise of the mammalian Major races and similar humanoid-species (Sylvari).
Jormag, The Shatterer and Tequatl the Sunless are among the better known Dragons and World bosses.
Elder Dragon[edit]
- Primary article: Elder Dragon
The Elder Dragons are theorized to have survived the "Great Cataclysm" using their ability to hibernate for thousands of years at a time. Now reawakened, they are determined to reestablish their former dominance of Tyria.
Zhaitan[edit]
Zhaitan is the Elder Undead Dragon of Orr. The name is known to the races of Tyria primarily via dwarven legends. Zhaitan's spheres of influence are shadow and death.
Mordremoth[edit]
Mordremoth is the most recent Elder Dragon to awaken. Mordremoth's spheres of influence are mind and plants. Most Tyrians did not know about the so-called sixth or Jungle Dragon until Scarlet succeeded awakening it in early 1327 AE; most modern scholars believed there were five. This might be because the only references to a sixth dragon occur in a handful of dwarven texts and jotun stalea that lack any details about its nature or location. However, the Inquest's research into dragon magics have long allowed for the possibility of six dragons.
Jormag[edit]
Jormag is the Elder Dragon of the north, which forced the norn southwards from their ancestral home. He is a monstrously huge creature, like all the elder dragons. He lacks one tooth, which is enshrined in the main hall of Hoelbrak; it it easily 40 stories tall, even by norn standards. Minions of Jormag are generally being that had frozen to death in the unforgiving climate, although a sect of norn, called the Sons of Svanir serve the dragon willingly, even calling him the totem Dragon.
Kralkatorrik[edit]
Kralkatorrik awoke in 1321 AU in Northern Ascalon, homeland of the charr Blood Legion. Upon awakening, it flew straight through Ascalon to the Crystal Desert. As it flew, the land beneath it turned purple and all living creatures caught there were corrupted into the Branded, as the scar left on the land is called The Brand. It nearly destroyed Ebonhawke and all its citizens, including Queen Jennah who was visiting at the time. She called out to Logan for help, and he came, right before the battle with Kralkattorik in the Desert. Because of this, Snaff and Glint died, and Destiny's Edge disbanded. The forming of the Brand is also significant in that it wiped out all of Almorra's warband, and inspired her to form the Vigil against the dragons.
Primordus[edit]
The first of the dragons to awake in this cycle, roughly 250 years ago. He largely attacks subterranean areas, or places where lava has breached the surface. His minions are known as destroyers, constructs imitating flesh and blood creatures found above ground. His awakening is what introduced humans to both asura and norn, and forced the asura from their former homes underground.
The Sixth Dragon[edit]
The sixth dragon, commonly referred to as the Deep Sea Dragon, is largely a mystery. Even his name has been lost to history, although it is assumed to start with an "s". He is by far not the last dragon to awake, as he has made travel by sea all but impossible for years. However, few have even seen his minions... and lived to tell about it.
Forgotten[edit]
Elder race of serpents, associated with Glint and the Old Gods. None have been seen for a very long time.
Corrupted slaves[edit]
- Primary article: Dragon champion
Also known as Dragon champions and formerly known as Dragonspawn, these are several races of Tyria that have become corrupted over hundreds or thousands of years and are now the loyal-slaves of the Elder Dragons. These include:
The usage of the term Dragonspawn now generally refers to a particular Dragon who was the greatest champion of Jormag before being slain by Destiny's Edge in 1320 AE.
Major races[edit]
- Primary article: Major race
The five Major Races of Tyria are playable. Their power is centered in their Capital cities, which gives each dominance over one of the Regions of Tyria.
Minor races[edit]
- Primary article: Minor race
The Minor races of Tyria are Non-Playable, humanoid creatures who are not corrupted slaves of the Elder Dragons. Many, but not all of these, can talk, use tools or weapons. Each of the Major races has a Racial sympathy for one of the Minor races.
Animals[edit]
Also referred to as Beasts, these include all other creatures listed in the Bestiary not described above.
Specials[edit]
Do not fall clearly into one of the above classifications.
- Ghosts may have originally been of one of the known races. These tend to be humans, but not strictly so.
- Golem are non-living, machine-like magitech constructs created by the asura for any task, from various civil tasks to specialized combat roles.
- Elementals are personified creatures of a certain element, such as earth or ice. These tend to form humanoid form, although they lack faces or much intelligence. They seem to be naturally occuring, although elementalists can summon one to aid in combat.
