Throughout the megaverse several strange and wonderful races and cultures have risen and fallen, and persevered. Submitted for your approval is the story of one such race. It is a race of dragons, but they are dragons in appearance alone. I introduce you to the Vestri a race of literally monstrous proportions.

The Vestri can best be described as a draconian race. They resemble Japanese dragons in shape and size, but that is where the resemblance ends. The Vestri as a race possess no known magical abilities, nor have they ever developed psionics. The only other thing they have in common with regular dragons is physical power, and lifespan. However, the Vestri surpass the other draconian races in other areas. They have mastered the art of space travel, cybernetics, and recently interdimensional travel. Even without the power of magic the Vestri have used high technology to carve themselves an empire.

The average Vestri is born in a clutch of 2-10 eggs, and begins life with the trial of Urh. The trial begins when the last of the eggs has hatched all the clutchlings are placed together before a piece of meat. As the many attempt to feed a fight inevitably breaks out. These fights are seldom fatal as the clutchlings lack tooth and claw enough to do any lasting harm. However, there is a victor and it is that clutchling that becomes the leader of his clutch until the day he or she dies.

A Vestri is raised by his family in a manner quite similar to those we humans are accustomed to. Until he or she is twenty years of age and must face the trial of Mo'Trin. The clutchling is taken before his family's elders and recounts the history of his family and all of his ancestor's great deeds. The clutchling then gives his solemn oath to provide strength and honor to his family and is declared a Vestri.

Vestri grow to immense proportions, in fact they never cease to grow the entirety of their lives much like real dragons. Since this size and strength have given them dominance over their enemies in the past they have grown to revere strength above all else. This has lead to a great deal of the Vestri race to turn to cybernetics, and bionics to bolster their physical power. However, Vestri rarely become full conversion cyborgs in order to preserve their 'humanity.'

The Vestri have discovered the Megaverse and are currently seeking to make allies and establish trade routes with several other races. They are attempting to join the CCW, and it looks like they will become a part of the Consortium of Civilized Worlds soon. This has lead to a migration of Vestri into the megaverse each one seeking to win strength and honor for his family. Vestri are commonly found as lawmen, and occasionally as mercenaries fighting for the causes of good, and greed. They are very curious about their draconian 'cousins' and often look upon them with mixed awe and fascination. In fact, many Vestri attempt to hire out to dragons as bodyguards, or other lackeys simply to get closer to one and study them. Most dragons have taken this attention kind-heartedly, and more then a few are equally curious about the Vestri.

Vestri
Alignment: Any
Attributes: The number of six-sided dice to roll is designated. IQ 3d6+5, ME 3d6+5, MA 3d6+5, PS 4d6+20, PP 2d6+10, PE 3d6+10, PB 3d6+5, Spd 2d4x10
M.D.C.: 2d4x100
Horror Factor: 12
P.P.E.: 3d4x10
Natural Abilities: Nightvision 100 ft. (can see in total darkness), excellent color vision, resistant to fire and cold (does half damage, including M.D. magic fire and plasma energy), track by smell: 76%, instinctive swimmers 82%.
Combat: 2 Physical attacks per melee, plus those gained from HTH skills and boxing.
Bonuses: +2 to roll with impact, +4 to save vs. horror factor, +2 to save vs. poisons and toxins.
Damage: Restrained Punch 1d6x10 S.D.C. damage plus PS bonus, full strength punch does 4d6 M.D., power punch 1d6x10 M.D. (counts as two attacks), kick or slashing tail attack 4d6 M.D., bite does 3d6 M.D.
Magic: None
Psionics: As per a normal.
Average Life Span: 2000+ years
Value: Valued as trained warriors and bodyguards, not traded as slaves due to their dragon-like appearance and size.
Enemies: After applying for membership in the CCW the Vestri gained many enemies, none who have yet stepped forward to be counted however.
Allies: The rest of the members of the Consortium of Civilized Worlds.
Physical Appearance: Long serpentine reptiles that resemble oriental dragons in size and shape.
Size: 10 to 20 feet tall, up to 75 feet long.
Weight: 10-15 tons.
Rifts Notes: On Rifts earth the Vestri would be looked upon as a cybernetic dragon, or some other new D-Bee.  Can be any Men-At-Arms O.C.C. except Coalition most often borgs, headhunters, or other mercenaries.
Phase World Notes: In the Phase World setting a Vestri player character has the choice of playing a one of the following O.C.C.'s: Trooper*, Scientist*, Fleet Officer*.
* Use the CAF equivalent found in Phase World.