Singular: Caradras Plural: Caradras Group: Legion of Caradras Communication – Mindspeech and their own language Size Ranges – 6'-8' at withers Colorations – Any; darker tend to predominate. Naming Convention – Nothing in English
General Information Nothing escapes the Underdark truly unchanged. Caradras were no exception.
The ancestors of today’s Caradras were created by drow magicians eager to court the favor of matron mothers. They promised the Underdark’s leaders a creature with the strength of a dragon, the magic of the unicorn, and a displacer beast’s ability to vanish amongst the stalagmites. In the end they were at least partially successful. Their creations, originally termed ‘karandras’, were more than powerful enough to devour their creators alive. Thus freed, these proto-Caradras fled for the wilds of the Underdark, eventually finding (or fighting) their way to the surface. Over the eons they grew, developed, changed- and finally found their way to Teragaia.
Caradras trace their origins to ancient equids and draconids. From their equine ancestors they take their overall body plan: four lengthy legs, a deep chest, powerful shoulder muscles and an arched neck ending in a deceptively-delicate head. Their draconid blood fills in the blanks left over, leaving them with scaled hides, agile paws and long, rather whippy tails. Every inch of a Caradras is meant to be dangerous. Jagged horns reminiscent of gemstone spires jut from their foreheads in cruel mockery of a unicorn’s horn. Blades as large and sharp as a farmer’s scythe adorn the ends of their mobile tails. Fangs protrude from their lips, talons from their paws, and leathery wings from their heavy withers. True to their mixed heritage, Caradras loom head and shoulders over pureblood equines. Even the smallest individuals bypass 6’ at the withers, while large specimens often top 8’. There does not seem to be any particular rhyme or reason to Caradras colorations; individuals have been spotted in every color known to man and in every combination thereof. Darker colors tend to predominate, but this is by no means a hard and fast rule. Caradras are born fluent in their native tongue and learn to mindspeak in Common by their first birthday. Most master the ability to conjure small fires and telekinetically manipulate small objects around the same time.
Caradras society is inherently and powerfully militaristic. The circumstances of one’s birth are considered immaterial. Only one’s ability to contribute to the legion matters. As such, ranks are directly related to one’s willingness and ability to fight. A Caradras’ rank is assigned at adolescence following a highly-ritualized ‘grand melee’. Barring rare exceptions ranks are immutable; they do not change as their bearer ages. Lower-ranking legion members are expected to obey the orders of their superiors, but only to an extent. There is no room for abuse or misuse of power in Cararas society. A’ni and Drada who anger their legionmates can expect to be put down in a most spectacular fashion.
Mating Information Sex is a casual affair among Caradras, involving no particular ritual or strict set of rules. So long as all involved parties consent, anything goes. Rank, sex, gender, age and number of partners are all considered non-issues. Abortifacient and contraceptive herbs are well-known among Caradras mares and are commonly used to control fertility. Most pregnancies are planned well in advance. Mares of any rank can have between one and three foals; that being said, mares’ pregnancies tend to sync up, meaning many foals are often born in a short span of time.
Bonding Information Caradras foals are relatively helpless at birth, and remain vulnerable for their first six months of life. Technically speaking they can bond at any time after weaning around six months of age. Most, however, wait until after they earn their rank in grand melees held every spring. Caradras yearlings are notoriously combative during bondings. They would sooner run wild than bond a humanoid who is in any way unsuitable. Hopefuls can expect to be poked, prodded and examined six ways from Sunday. Once a youngling finds an appropriate bondmate they will announce their choice and demand a new name. Caradras are fairly lax in terms of names, though they have a notable disdain for all names in English.
Ranks
A’ni - ‘General’ ***** There’s a saying among Caradras mothers: ‘no one ever hopes their foal will grow into an A’ni.’ The title of A’ni, or ‘general’, is highly respected, but it comes at great cost. A’ni carry the hopes of their legion on their shoulders. Decisions of great import fall to them, and when they fail, so too do the consequences. Attrition and stringent testing keep A’ni numbers to a bare minimum; there’s rarely more than one in a legion, and sometimes none at all. All A’ni are expected to be capable leaders and equally-capable combatants. The best among them learn to listen to their underlings and act on the best of their ideas. A’ni leave their manes and fetlocks untrimmed and devoid of the feathers that mark lesser ranks. Tradition holds they have no need for adornment to declare their prowess.
Drada - 'Second ' *** Only marginally more common than the A’ni they typically serve, Drada are best defined as seconds-in-command. They are almost universally clear-sighted and level-headed, well-suited to their roles as de facto tacticians and strategists. While neither as forceful nor as skilled as A’ni, Drada possess the political savvy their superiors lack. No other rank knows as much about the legion they belong to, or more about individual members’ wants and needs. While this knowledge makes Drada valuable allies, it also makes them insufferably arrogant. Young Drada especially believe themselves above censure, a fact more unscrupulous ones use to their advantage. (...at least until they inevitably get caught.) Drada are typically quite long growing up, but earn a blue feather for their shorn manes once they grow into their role.
Melaer - 'To fight with magic' *** While most Caradras are capable of using some degree of magic, few choose to actively focus on these abilities. Fewer still excel enough to earn a title advertising their prowess. Melaer are magicians and healers all at once, equally comfortable slinging fireballs or mending shattered bodies. Some favor one type of magic over the other, but all are expected to master both. Many Melaer choose to augment their considerable talents with healing poultices and potions. Given how much energy casting requires- and how emotionally taxing their work is- Melaer are afforded remarkable protection by their legion. No matter how worn they are or how keenly they feel the wounds of others, they possess an innate and remarkable resilience. While rarely seen on the front lines, Melaer nevertheless shave their manes. Their rank feathers are yellow.
Velve - 'Blade' * While Velve comprise fully half the ranks of any given legion, there is precisely nothing ‘common’ about these most common of Caradras. Velve take their name from their primary weapon, the blades upon their tails, and use said blades to devastating effect. Every Velve is subjected to a rigorous training regime, one that hones their minds into weapons as much as their bodies. ‘Rank and file’ though they may be, Velve can step into any role the situation demands. They’re tough, they’re adaptable, and they work together with a kind of singleminded determination that’s awesome to behold. Off the battlefield Velve tend to be troublemakers and fire-starters, rarely content with the ‘dull’ life of a ‘mere civilian’. They’re prone to arrogance, especially where their martial prowess is concerned, and tend to lash out before thinking things through. As befits a melee-oriented rank, Velve adorn their hacked-off manes with red feathers.
Zahanzai - 'Scout' * Some call them thieves, others assassins, still others ghosts in Caradras form. Whatever you choose to term Zahanzai, their skill is unmistakable. Zahanzai take on any task that requires some degree of subtlety or stealth. This skillset requires a quieter persona, one that’s strictly compartmentalized and capable of independent thought whilst under immense pressure. Zahanzai often work alone and without the strict oversight most other ranks rely on. This freedom means returning agents are often treated with a degree of suspicion by their legionmates. The variegated dyes they wear whilst on missions do precisely nothing to dispel this unfortunate aura of mystery. Zahanzai crop their fetlocks and manes short lest they catch on brush whilst on the prowl. Their feathers, typically fastened into their forelocks, are some dull shade of brown.
Silinrul - 'Hunter' * The title ‘Silinrul’ is something of a misnomer. Its most accurate translation is ‘hunter’, and while Silinrul do handle the pursuit, acquisition and dispersal of prey, that is far from their only duty. Silinrul are responsible for acquiring the raw materials required to fuel a legion’s war machine. They hunt, they gather, they mine, they log, and when the circumstances allow for it, they trade. Every Silinrul is expected to have at least a passing knowledge of every craft, but most choose to specialize in one or two. Silinrul and Byrren have a tight and mutually beneficial relationship; in fact, they’re the only ranks known to preferentially mate with one another. That being said, Silinrul tend to be more independent than their Byrren rankmates. Many show a marked tendency towards free-spiritedness and playful rebellion. As noncombatants Silinrul are forbidden from cutting their manes and forelocks. They do, however, wear a wide selection of green feathers.
Byrren - 'Others' * Even among a culture as militant as Cararas’ there are those who lack the skill or willpower to fight. These noncombatants are termed Byrren, ‘others’, a title referring to their ‘other’ skills. While Byrren do not typically take part in battles, they, along with the Silinrul, are responsible for keeping the legion operational. Byrren care for warriors’ foals, construct shelter, maintain records, compose songs, craft armor, tan hides, bury the dead, tell stories and attend to a thousand other tasks unrelated to combat. Given their numbers, it ought to come as no surprise that Byrren are a wildly variable group. It’s nigh impossible to make any sweeping generalizations about them. That being said, a solid majority place great emphasis on the value of hard work, humility and cooperation. Byrren do not cut their manes or fetlocks, which often obscure their white rank feather.