The people of the Tazu Nation are at best, complicated.  In essence, they are shape shifters, though they have only two forms they alter between, humanoid, and a draconic form.  In their ‘human’ state, Tazu are scaled, have fleshy webbings around their ears, slited, reptilian eyes, the tips of their tongues are forked, they have far sharper & harder than normal nails (not claws), and in the case of elders of the species, small horns adorn the forehead & sometimes neck and back.  As dragons, they are different from the natural species of riding dragon; they are slightly larger with more elaborate 6+ point wings, and of course Tazu dragons are capable of cognitive speech in a multitude of languages while in their draconic form; normal dragons are not.   There is speculation as to whether or not the Tazu is a ‘were’ species, such as the legendary but non-existent werewolves; however, there is no evidence of such other shifter types in the world.  (Some sources however, do hint at such creatures existing, while others claim that the Tazu, known for their preoccupation with their race’s superiority, eliminated such races from existence.)

 

There are also ‘throwbacks’ within the Tazu bloodlines, children born without the outward signs of their draconic heritage and the inability to shift into a draconic form.  However, such children, known as Moots, are capable of passing on their parents’ abilities to their children, i.e., a Moot’s child may manifest full Tazu shifting ability where the parent would not.  Moots have also been known to be compatible with other races where ‘full-blooded’ members are not. (i.e., Tazu purebloods are incompatible with Muilan and Lu’shun races, while Moots and half-blood Tazu, half-human mixes are.)  This is more evidence to the claim that all races stem from the human race, though most Tazu scoff at such accusations.

 

They consider themselves to be a superior race to many of the others, especially human; though they do not treat human underlings with the same kind of second-class citizenry as do the Clan- Tazu for one, do not consider humans a food source, and use the Clan’s dependence upon them as another example of Tazu superiority.  Powerful in the ways of magic and very powerful telepaths & prerogatives (but lacking in natural telekinesis), Tazu are also long-lived, ranging lifetimes from at least 300 to 500 years in some cases, though the average is around 350.

 

A running joke outside the Nation is that the species breeds often and conceives little has a basis in truth; Tazu go through powerful breeding cycles every year where the majority of the population shall return home for literally hours upon hours of consecutive breeding (this is of course for actual conception proposes, they do copulate outside of this time of year as well) with the actual conception rate being exceedingly low.  (about one in one hundred couples will conceive)  When it does happen, however, Tazu will birth either in a single one or two egg clutch, (if conceived in dragon form) or singularly (human form).  Once pregnancy has taken hold, a female will remain in her conception state until the birth; to otherwise shift is to risk the loss of the child.

 

Society: The Tazu Nation consists of a feudal system not unlike that of the Clan, though they are far more spread out than their counterparts, and hold a much more fluid base of class. (Clan are exclusively ruling class, while there are poor Tazu peoples)  They also share far more extensively their wealth and status with their human neighbors, though not without a certain amount of prejudice- humans are seen in the Tazu Nation as kind of a ‘little sister’ race, and while not malevolent as it can be in the Clan or Middle Lands, still has humans grating their teeth at times.  The King of the Tazu Nation is tazu, and does claim a shared bloodline with Montage, hence the country’s obvious ties with the Golden Way.  They follow a matriarchal line and give considerable state power to the office of the Queen, who is not actually married to the King.  The ruling Tazu Nation Queen is usually the eldest daughter of the Monortith line.  It is her eldest son that shall rule as King, while her Daughter shall rule as Queen and the next generation of heirs will follow from her.  Though this is typically a brother-sister rule, first and even second cousins have been known to hold it because of a lack of appropriately gendered kin.  Both King and Queen will have spouses of their own; however, while the King will often wed outside the tazu race to accommodate political alliances, the Queen shall not, as her children will rule.  The King’s office is mostly in charge of military, law, and foreign affairs, while the Queen’s office holds considerable power in the domestic and cultural side of the country.

 

Gem working is their greatest commodity (dragons DO like to horde) so there is a strong emphasis on a thriving economy.  Separate clans or tribes are not emphasized, though bloodlines are traced through the maternal side and closely guarded; the more ‘dragon blood’ within the body, the supposedly more prestigious the Tazu.

 

At their best: Tazu are strong warriors, exemplary crafters and hard-workers.  They are extremely dedicated to the arts and sciences, and are some of the most innovative thinkers on the Continent, blending magic and technology to suit the Nation’s human and draconic residents.

At their worst:  Tazu are prideful and obsessed with appearances and bloodlines, drawn only to material wealth and status.  They can be terribly bestial in their emotions, prone to jealousy, haughtiness and downright snobbery.

Famous bloodlines: Gradoth, Monortith (royal family), Panrith, Reignagoth, Attieth, and Chertith.

Country of origin: Tazu Nation, capital is Kidwellith.