The Raptok
Raptok are the lithe and swift Eastern
Dragon Kings. During the First Age, they were the unquestioned rulers of the
jungle city of
The Raptok
were the most urban and the most conventionally civilized of the Dragon Kings.
They enjoyed art, music and fine food, they took great pleasure in conversation
and the social niceties of life, and they enjoyed living amidst crowds. They
were also the finest crafters of the Dragon Kings, and the crystal and
vegetative items they made were in great demand by Exalts who found these items
both lovely and useful. The Raptok were also the only
Dragon Kings who used anything resembling mortal tools. As a result, their
cities appeared far less alien that the settlements of the other Dragon Kings.
The Raptok were also the only Dragon Kings who ate
both plants and animals. Although exotic, during the First Age, some mortals
and Exalts considered civilized Raptok cuisine to be
a delicacy. Raptok could thrive on a diet of normal
mortal food, although most preferred to eat at least some of their meat raw.
Today, Raptok
are the most common of the Dragon Kings, and any scholar familiar with Rathess has at least seen a sketch of them. However, only a
handful of savants realize that the so-called “stalkers” that lurk in the
towers and underways of Rathess
are the same beings as the glorious Dragon Kings who once lived there. A
character must possess four or more dots in Lore to know this fact.
Although they could be refined
diplomats and entertaining hosts at parties, Raptok
were also savage predators. Their code of dueling was somewhat more ritualized
and complex than those of the other breeds, but it was no less deadly. In
battle, the Raptok were fierce warriors who did not
hesitate to ruthlessly and utterly destroy their enemies. However, after a
battle, these same warriors would chat happily about art or literature while
they delicately cleaned the skulls of their enemies for display in their
elegant battle shrines.
Raptok attempted to lead lives based
equally upon the principles of honor and an enjoyment of worldly pleasure. They
avoided extreme excesses that distracted them from their duties but were always
willing to enjoy fine food, luxurious furnishings, well-made weapons or
beautiful adornments. They also valued cooperation and companionship and were
almost never loners. When in a Clutch of Dragon Kings or a Circle of Exalts,
they attempted to create consensus and work to ensure that the members’
relations are harmonious and peaceful.
Appearance: Raptok are slender and exceedingly
graceful. They have small scales, nimble clawed hands that are quite similar to
a human’s and a crest of brightly colored feathers that extends down their
backs and covers the end of their long sinuous tails. Humans considered them to
be the most attractive of the Dragon Kings. Raptok
stand between five and six feet tall and have flexible necks
that are more than a foot long and tails that can be more than a yard
long.
Breed Attributes: The Raptok
gain +1 to Strength, Dexterity, Stamina and Perception. These modifiers can
raise their Strength, Dexterity, Stamina and Perception above 5. However, they
may only raise these Attributes above 5 by spending either bonus or experience
points. Their tough scaled hide adds +3B/+3L to their soak. Raptok
are the most human of the Dragon Kings, both in their personalities and in
their physical form. As a result, they can use all weapons or tools made for
humans. The Raptok also have the most humanlike hands
of any of the breeds of Dragon King — they can use tools and manipulate objects
as well as any human.
Breed Abilities: Raptok excel at feats of manual dexterity
and social interaction and at dealing with other species. They have a natural
affinity with Craft, Socialize and Linguistics.
Innate Weapons: Raptok possess both sharp teeth and claws
but cannot attack with their tails.
Weapon Spd Acc Dmg Def
Bite +0 +0
+3L -2
Claw +1 +1
+2L +0
Common Natures: Caregiver, Conniver, Hedonist,
Leader, Martyr, Thrillseeker
Sobriquets: Stalkers, The
Walkers Among Men, The Lords of the Green
Concepts: diplomat, healer, magical crafter
I’m
quicker than a man
and
hungrier by far,
but
even I can talk
and
be reasonable.