Dragon Masters Answers and Stereotypes
Dragon Masters are channelers, they call themselves Nemahglahkan (weavers of the Nemahg) or just Nemahgant and individually they call one another Greshan (a term meaning sibling). The Nemahgant are naturals at what they do... there are few choices involved and the power comes so easy to mind that many intentionally repress the access to the Dragon for many this has the side effect of repressing their emotions. The Dragon smolders in their aura even so and they all can sense one-another, animals and other wielders of power too sense them. In stressful situation or when they intentionally allow the Dragon to rise, this becomes a blatant thing. This aura of power and madness has been known to send grown men running. Their power normally begins to manifest around puberty though occasionally younger have been known to manifest the blood rage (the youngest recorded was perhaps 6 years old). The Nemahgs power takes the form of fire easily and the Dragon Masters channel it for attack when they are not simply drawing on it to enhance their strength and speed.
The Mark of the Dragon... A fair number are born marked by the dragon (a mutation of usual of color or even form mostly cosmetic in effect centered usually on the eyes or hands or head) . Their lives seem to have so few choices that many spend a better portion of their time trying to prove themselves as individuals they are so similar to one another they inspire strong stereotypes. Most wish they could somehow fit in to regular society.
Dragon Masters do not sleep... This while true enough doesn't mean they do not rest additionally they must perform daily transcendental meditations which bolster their minds and provide much of the functionality of sleep. If somehow forced unconscious Dragon Masters suffer horrible debilitating nightmares. Dragon Masters also seem to metabolate nearly twice the food of someone of their size, their skin is often perceived as somewhat warm to the touch like they are in a continuous state of fever.
Dragon Masters are often said to be virtually unkillable... In fact they are internalized healers of varying ability though usually quite high, most if you don't kill them outright will get better. This said it is dreadfully dangerous to try magical healing on them as this exposes the mind and spirit of the would-be healer to the Nemahg, and for those not born to it, this has meant extraordinary mental trauma and and in some cases even immediate madness, so they cannot avail themselves of healing from others further they avoid spirit contact with others (the idea of using this as a weapon dragonlords seem to consider worse than repulsive) though many do use a form of projective telepathy called mind speech this is more a convenience magic common to their parent culture.
Dragon Masters Cannot heal others... nor consciously direct their own healing talents on themselves it is for the most part an autonomic thing (see transcendental meditation for the exception) Their healing gift which some call the Unicorn Force is internalized and the Dragon Masters cannot even see the energies that it involves let alone control them (Garthan Lo'Shiaran has managed to do something he calls blood magic which is sort of a twisted and warped barely controlled set of effects which seem to be akin to healing but which are more destructive than helpful... see blood fires) This blindness to healing energies is attributed to the ever present Nemahg clouding that part of their mind.
Dragon Masters do not age... This is actually a side effect of the same internalized healing that makes them so hard to kill, and the fact that a mature Aurelian ages at perhaps one fourth the rate of the modern human. Their internalized healing combined with their racial lifespan means they effectively do not age. White eyes, Aurelian Head Council and Nemaglakan is over 1200 years old...and appears perhaps a young thirty excepting of course his hair and eyes are pure white. Aurelians have a social pace that matches their expected lifespans... they tend to be very patient compared to other folk. The world is a deadly enough place that even these near immortals die.
Dragon Masters do not feel pain... Effectively true so long as they are drawing on the Dragons power. This also influences other perceptions their sense of touch and "fine" motor skills suffer, in this battle state they tend to be extremely focused and may be vulnerable to attacks from unexpected sources. Another side effects of the above lack of sensing pain and the hard to kill aspect is that Dragon Masters tend to defend themselves somewhat poorly in battle relative to their aggressive skills and abilities. This is offset with unexpected impossible stunts of speed and strength fueled by the Dragon. Many will approach them too cautiously due to their aura in battle this serves as a form of defense forestalling many attacks they might otherwise be vulnerable to.
Dragon Masters do not get tired.... yes indeed they do get tired but most will tell you that mental fatigue is far more burdensome they are very good at ignoring fatigue and further do not experience its debilitating affects when under the influence of the dragon.
Most Dragon Masters serve as Justiciars, this position in Aurelia is actually somewhat broader in modern times than its original form and includes fire martial, peace officer, "healer" and guard as well as military and political emissary. Actual work as an enforcer of justice is very slim within their peaceful homeland, many of a Dragon Masters accouterments are in some way considered ceremonial, usually light weight they are akin to a badge of office, gifts of the Aurelian people they are usually covered with complex etchings and embroidering and moldings of Dragon forms these equipment are of fine quality but tend to offer more artistic merit more than advanced functional value.(The earthly dragons are beautiful war machines gene engineered to serve during the great wizard wars). Most Nemahgahnt wander the outskirts of Aurelias area of influence, particularly the younger of them and mete out justice in an occasionally brutal fashion which is actually more suited to the cultures they are visiting than their own. They are responsible for Aurelias expanding influence on the world.
