VORAX IRONSCALE
DrakoniansDragon Egg Tender
"Every dragon is a miracle, not a weapon. Remember that when you look them in the eye.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Ember Hatchery, Drakon
- Civilization
- Drakonians
Appearance
• Physical: Vorax has dull bronze scales covering his forearms and neck, a mark of his partial draconic heritage. His eyes are a molten gold that seems to glow in dim light, and he stands slightly hunched from years of tending low nests. • Clothing: He wears thick leather aprons reinforced with fire-resistant scales, stained with soot and egg fluids. His boots are scorched dragonhide that have survived countless close calls. • Distinguishing Marks: A burn scar in the shape of a claw runs across his left shoulder from a protective mother dragon. He wears a necklace of shed hatchling teeth.
Relationships
- Family - Estranged from his miner parents who see his work as "servitude to beasts"
- Allies - The brood mother Kalythrix who allows him near her eggs, a fellow tender named Mira
- Rivals - Dragonbinders who look down on "mere tenders"
Personality
- Traits: Patient beyond measure, deeply empathetic toward dragons, quietly resentful of warriors who take dragons for granted
- Mannerisms: Hums draconic lullabies when nervous, always sniffs the air to check temperatures
- Voice: Soft and raspy from inhaling volcanic fumes, speaks in gentle tones even when angry
Backstory
Vorax was born to a family of miners but showed an uncanny ability to calm agitated creatures from childhood. During a cave-in, he soothed a trapped brood mother enough for rescue teams to save both dragon and eggs. The Dragonbinders claimed him for the hatcheries, where he's worked for twenty years, witnessing hundreds of births but never being allowed to bond with a dragon himself.
Daily Life
His days begin before dawn, checking egg temperatures in the volcanic incubation chambers. He rotates eggs, monitors heat signatures, and assists struggling hatchlings. During breeding season, he barely sleeps, living in the hatchery to ensure every egg survives.
Story Hooks
- 1 Vorax needs help smuggling Ember to safety when Dragonbinders announce an inspection
- 2 A rare clutch of eggs is being targeted by Frostborn infiltrators, and Vorax needs protection
Narrative Value
Vorax provides insight into Drakonian society's underclass and the moral complexity of dragon exploitation. He can guide players through hatcheries, provide dragon lore, or become a moral compass questioning the empire's ways. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════