Editing Draken History (section)

== Ashkarak – Fortress of the Scorched Bones ==

Ashkarak, a name spoken with both reverence and fear, stands as a testament to the unyielding will of the Draken and the brutality of the Bone Clan. Once an ancient Dworn fortress, it has long since been claimed and reforged by the Draken, reshaped into a bastion of warriors, dragon hunters, and elemental shamans. Located deep within the sun-scorched deserts, its blackened stone walls bear the scars of time, fire, and battle. The air shimmers with heat, the sun baking the very bones that are woven into its architecture and culture. Dragon remains, both trophies and warnings, adorn its gates, and at its highest chamber sits the Throne of the Fanglord, a seat carved from the skull of the mightiest beast ever slain.

=== Origins of Ashkarak ===

Originally constructed by the Dworn, Ashkarak was once a mighty desert outpost, built to defend vital trade routes and secure underground reservoirs hidden beneath the sands. For centuries, it stood as a monument to Dworn craftsmanship, with towering walls, labyrinthine tunnels, and deep wells that allowed its inhabitants to endure merciless heat, raging sandstorms, and countless invasions.

Yet, for reasons lost to time, the Dworn abandoned their mighty stronghold. Some believe it fell to war, a long-forgotten siege leaving it empty. Others claim the underground reservoirs dried up, forcing the Dworn to move on. A darker theory suggests that something stirred beneath the sands, forcing its builders to flee. Whatever the truth, Ashkarak was left to the desert, buried beneath time and silence.

It was the Draken of the Bone Clan who rediscovered it. Tracking a mighty desert dragon, a beast they had named Ashkarak, the clan pursued their quarry deep into the scorched wastes. The hunt drove them through treacherous ravines, across sun-blasted dunes, and over jagged cliffs, testing the endurance of even their most hardened warriors. Day and night, they followed the dragon's trail of fire and shadow, refusing to yield to exhaustion or the unforgiving sands.

Then, as dawn broke, the beast vanished over the horizon. Its path led them to something buried beneath the dunes, an ancient ruin of stone, lost to the world.

To the Bone Clan, this was no coincidence. The dragon had led them to their destiny, guiding them to a stronghold waiting to be reforged. They claimed the ruins as their own, hammering their mark into its ancient halls. Walls were rebuilt, tunnels expanded, and great halls hollowed out, transforming the Dworn fortress into a bastion of warriors, dragon slayers, and fire-born shamans. The fortress was given the name Ashkarak, honouring the beast that had led them there, binding the legend of the dragon to their home for eternity.

But Ashkarak is more than just a fortress, it is a proving ground, a battlefield, and a holy site. Here, only the strong survive, tested by the elements, by battle, and by the dragons they hunt. To the Bone Clan, Ashkarak is not simply a place. It is a symbol, a legend, and a relentless challenge that only the worthy may endure.

=== The Structure of Ashkarak ===

Carved into the walls of a massive ravine, Ashkarak is a fortress built for defence and endurance, offering both commanding high ground against invaders and access to deep underground tunnels that provide shelter and resources.

Though the remnants of Dworn architecture still stand, the Draken have reforged the stronghold in their own image, embedding dragon bones, ritual arenas, and towering fire pits into its design. The Bone Gate, a towering entrance flanked by massive dragon ribs, is crowned with the skull of an ancient beast, serving as both a warning and a symbol of dominance.

At the heart of Ashkarak is the Inferno, Grand Fire Pits that burn ceaselessly with elemental flame, fuelling the forging of weapons and the cremation of fallen warriors. Below the fortress, the Ravine Vaults form a vast network of underground tunnels, remnants of Dworn craftsmanship, now repurposed by the Bone Clan for water storage, shelter, and fungus caves that supply the Draken with alchemical ingredients as well as a food source in the harsh desert.

Within the heart of the fortress lies the Maw of Ashkarak, a scorched coliseum where warriors prove their strength through brutal duels, executions, and battles against captured beasts. Deep within the fortress, the Hall of Skulls stands as a sacred chamber, lined with the skulls of slain dragons, revered as both trophies and relics, while also serving as the final resting place for hunters who fell in battle.

At its pinnacle sits the Throne of the Fanglord, carved from the skull of the greatest dragon ever slain by the Bone Clan, a grim and towering symbol of dominion, power, and the unyielding legacy of Ashkarak.

=== Life in Ashkarak ===

Ashkarak is a crucible of survival, a place where only the strong endure and the weak are claimed by the desert or the blade. Every day is a relentless trial of endurance, where warriors are trained from childhood, hardened by the merciless heat, brutal combat, and unforgiving trials that define the Bone Clan’s way of life. Those who fail to meet its demands are cast aside, whether by falling in battle or succumbing to the punishing sun.

To earn their place, young Draken must undergo the Warrior Trials, proving their strength in combat against rival warriors or the deadly beasts of the desert. Yet, the greatest honour in Ashkarak is reserved for those who partake in the legendary Dragon Hunts, where warriors travel vast distances at the mere whisper of a great beast, seeking to earn their name in battle.

Those who fall in the hunt are not forgotten, their remains honoured within the Hall of Skulls, alongside the trophies of the dragons they sought to slay. Presiding over Ashkarak's traditions are the Bone Shamans, spiritual leaders who commune with the spirits of slain dragons, believing that each kill strengthens the tribe.

Meanwhile, the Blacksmiths of the Inferno, masters of their craft, forge weapons and armour from dragon bone and scales, creating gear that is not only practical for war but a revered symbol of power.

In Ashkarak, every aspect of life is shaped by conflict, fire, and legacy, and only those strong enough to withstand its trials may call it home.

=== Beasts of the Desert ===

The desert holds many dangers, but for the Bone Clan this just means more ways they can prove themselves worthy to attain the right to hunt dragons.

'''Dreadmaw Stalker'''

''"The sand shifts, and then the jaws strike, by the time you see it, you're already dead."''

The Dreadmaw Stalker is a massive, quadrupedal ambush predator, growing 8 to 12 feet long and standing up to 6 feet at the shoulder. Its rock-like, sand-coloured scales allow it to seamlessly blend into the desert terrain, making it nearly invisible until it strikes.

Equipped with heat-sensitive pits along its snout, it can detect prey from great distances, even in complete darkness. The Dreadmaw is known for its burrowing prowess, lying in wait beneath the sand before launching a devastating surprise attack, clamping down with its serrated jaws and dragging its victim below to suffocate before consumption.

Capable of preying on large desert beasts, it is one of the most feared creatures in the wastes. While some daring Draken hunters have attempted to tame a Dreadmaw from hatchling stage, fully grown specimens remain wild, untameable forces of nature. Their razor-sharp teeth and durable scales are highly prized among warriors, often used for crafting weapons and armour.

With the power to move unseen beneath the dunes, crush bones with a single bite, and strike with terrifying speed, the Dreadmaw Stalker is one of the deadliest creatures to roam the deserts of Tymora.

'''Ashfang Strider'''

''"It does not fear the flames, for fire is its ally."''

The Ashfang Strider is a large, bipedal lizard, standing up to 8 feet tall and measuring 10 to 14 feet in length. Its charcoal-black, heat-resistant scales and long, muscular legs allow it to thrive in volcanic deserts, where few creatures dare to tread.

Unlike slower, ambush-based predators, the Ashfang relies on speed and endurance, chasing down its prey across vast distances.

Its keen senses and forked tongue allow it to track even the most elusive targets, while its powerful hind legs enable it to leap great distances, delivering deadly strike attacks that can knock down even armoured foes. Though not the largest predator in the desert, the Ashfang Strider compensates with pack coordination, often hunting in groups of three to six to overwhelm their quarry.

While fiercely independent in the wild, some Draken hunters have successfully domesticated Ashfang hatchlings, training them as scout beasts or mounts due to their unparalleled speed and resilience. Their fire-resistant scales make them valuable in warfare, as they can navigate burning battlefields without harm.

Agile, relentless, and almost impossible to escape, the Ashfang Strider is a living inferno given form, a creature of flame and speed that rules the burning sands.

'''Thunderback Colossus'''

''"A walking fortress, its footsteps shake the sands like rolling thunder."''

The Thunderback Colossus is a massive, quadrupedal lizard, growing 15 to 20 feet long and standing 12 feet tall, making it one of the largest land creatures in the desert. Its thick, cracked stone-like scales give it the appearance of a moving rock formation, allowing it to blend into the wastelands as if it were part of the terrain.

Unlike most large desert lizards, the Thunderback is not a predator, instead feeding on hardy desert vegetation, including tough roots, cacti, and other plants resistant to heat and drought. However, despite its herbivorous nature, it is one of the most feared creatures in the sands, not because it hunts, but because provoking it is tantamount to suicide.

When threatened, a Thunderback charges with the force of a landslide, trampling anything in its path and sending enemies flying with the sheer impact of its bulk. Even dragons hesitate before engaging an adult Thunderback, as its rock-hard hide is nearly impervious to fire, claws, and weapons.

Some Bone Clan Draken have successfully domesticated young Thunderbacks, using them as living siege weapons and war beasts, but fully grown adults remain too stubborn and independent to be controlled.

With unstoppable endurance, the ability to withstand blades, arrows, and fire, and a charge that can shatter walls, the Thunderback Colossus is a titan of the wastelands, an unyielding force of nature whose presence alone commands fear and respect.

=== Desert Dragons – Masters of the Scorched Skies ===

Sleek, swift, and born of the burning winds, Desert Dragons are smaller and leaner than their mountain-dwelling kin, adapted for speed and endurance rather than brute strength. Unlike the massive, land-dominating dragons of the peaks, these aerial predators are built to ride the thermal currents of the desert, soaring effortlessly over the dunes in search of prey. Their wingspans vary by species, with some reaching 15 to 30 feet, though their bodies remain relatively lightweight, rarely growing longer than 20 feet from snout to tail.

The harsh desert environment has shaped these dragons into efficient hunters, their bodies covered in heat-reflective scales that range in colour from pale sandstone to deep crimson, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Their large, forward-facing eyes provide exceptional vision, allowing them to spot movement from miles away, while a series of heat-sensitive ridges along their snouts help them track warm-blooded prey beneath the sands.

Unlike heavily armoured mountain dragons, Desert Dragons have streamlined, flexible bodies, allowing them to make sharp turns and rapid dives as they pursue prey. Their wings are broad and adapted for gliding, enabling them to ride the rising heat of the dunes with minimal effort, conserving energy while they search for their next meal.

Desert Dragons are apex predators, preying on large desert lizards, antelope-like beasts, and even the Draken. Unlike ambush predators like the Dreadmaw Stalker, these dragons are pursuit hunters, using thermal updrafts to soar effortlessly before executing a sudden, high-speed dive to snatch their prey with razor-sharp talons. Their hollow bones and lighter frames allow them to strike fast and retreat quickly, avoiding unnecessary conflict. Some larger Desert Dragons are even known to carry off livestock or lone travellers, though they rarely attack well-armed groups or larger creatures unless desperate.

Despite their predatory nature, Desert Dragons are highly intelligent, with complex social behaviours that vary by species. Some are solitary hunters, fiercely territorial and attacking any rival that enters their hunting grounds. Others form loose colonies, where smaller dragons band together in temporary alliances, cooperating in hunts before dispersing once the need for food is met.

'''Types of Desert Dragons'''

While Desert Dragons share common traits, they come in different sizes and specialisations, each suited to a particular hunting style:

'''Sunfang Dragon''' – The most common variety, Sunfangs are mid-sized, agile dragons that hunt in packs, often working together to corral prey into deadly ambushes. Their scales shimmer like sunlight on sand, making them difficult to spot from below.

'''Dunewraith Dragon''' – A solitary, nocturnal hunter, the Dunewraith is smaller and faster than most dragons, relying on silent gliding and sudden bursts of speed to capture its prey. It has dark, dust-coloured scales and is rarely seen except under the cover of night.

'''Stormscale Dragon''' – The largest of the desert breeds, Stormscales are powerful gliders with massive wingspans, able to ride sandstorms and strike from within the chaos. Though rarely encountered, these dragons are considered omens of destruction, as their arrival often coincides with violent desert tempests.

'''Role in Draken Society'''

To the Bone Clan, Desert Dragons are both trophies and trials, to hunt and slay one is a mark of supreme prowess, proving a warrior's skill, endurance, and bravery. Their bones, scales, and fangs are highly valued, used to craft weapons, armour, and ceremonial adornments.

However, there are whispers of Draken who have formed bonds with these creatures, raising hatchlings or earning the trust of lone dragons through mutual respect and survival. Those who ride Desert Dragons are the stuff of legend, their presence in battle feared by all who witness the sky darken with wings of fire and sand.

=== The Role of Ashkarak in Draken Society ===

Ashkarak stands as a monument to strength and survival, a fortress that embodies the unyielding will of the Bone Clan. It is more than just a stronghold, it is a sacred proving ground, where warriors are trained, tested, and forged in fire and blood. Here, battle is not just a way of life but a spiritual journey, where the strong ascend through conquest and the weak are cast aside or consumed by the unforgiving desert.

To the Bone Clan, Ashkarak is the beating heart of their people, the very core of their identity, where their greatest hunters, warlords, and shamans are shaped. It is a place of legend, whispered of with fear and awe among Draken and outsiders alike. To the rest of the world, however, Ashkarak is seen as a forbidding bastion of death, a ruthless warhold where weakness is met with fire and steel. Few who enter leave unchanged, if they leave at all.

For the Skyholder Clan, Ashkarak is an affront to everything they hold sacred. To them, it is a blasphemous stronghold, a den of heretics and dragon murderers who defile the creatures they revere. They see the Bone Clan's obsession with slaying dragons as not just barbaric but a sin against their very existence, an act that will one day bring ruin upon them all.

Yet, despite its isolation in the scorched wastes, the influence of Ashkarak reaches far beyond its walls. Its warriors, hardened by the trials of fire and battle, carve their mark upon the world. Wherever they walk, death follows in their wake, and the legend of Ashkarak, the Fortress of the Scorched Bones, continues to grow.