Dragonkin
- This article is about the race as a whole. For other uses and individual dragonkin, see Dragonkin (disambiguation).
| “ | The kin? Well, it's mostly just stories. Some say they were the first - the true ancient race of this world. They were sssupposed to have harnessed the power of dragons, making the wild creatures do their bidding. Somehow they manipulated the dragons' eggs and made them their own! Then the ssstories just end, as if they disappeared into the sssmoke. | ” |
— Neite, <ref>Neite, RuneScape. "The kin? Well, it's mostly just stories. Some say they were the first - the true ancient race of this world. They were sssupposed to have harnessed the power of dragons, making the wild creatures do their bidding. Somehow they manipulated the dragons' eggs and made them their own! Then the ssstories just end, as if they disappeared into the sssmoke." *</ref>
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The Dragonkin are a race created by Jas of powerful and intelligent dragon-like creatures known to have existed since before the Third Age. The Dragonkin were powerful and malevolent creatures that spread destruction wherever they went; however, heroes such as Robert the Strong eventually drove them back to their stronghold, where they are currently plotting their return.<ref>Varrock Museum timeline exhibit, display number 20</ref> Nevertheless, there are currenly about a dozen of Dragonkin active. Three of these appear to take care of protecting the Stone of Jas, with another being known to reside on Fossil Island. In battle, the Dragonkin have been seen to use melee, magic and exceptionally powerful dragonbreath.
At some point, they were enslaved by Jas for the task of guarding the Stone of Jas as its main guardians, as referenced by post-quest WGS journal. Also, the Balance Elemental was killed, and in Postbag from the Hedge issue 10 the King Black Dragon referred to "balance must have a counter balance, lest he forgot", and Guthix is God of Balance and the Dragonkin were believed by Movario to have been "Creatures brought here by gods to support them during the god wars." As learned in the Ritual of the Mahjarrat, the Dragonkin are not only guardians of the Stone, but their powers are derived from the Stone itself. When the Stone of Jas is used by an unworthy user, the Dragonkin will become enraged, stronger and seek out and destroy the individuals that used it, as the Kethsians and Lucien learned to their sorrow. Their role is defending the Stone of Jas and for that reason they hate it, but at the same time, they can't act without it, and for that reason, they love it too, as the power given to them when it's misused is what makes them strong, they are nothing without it<ref>http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=m-ch-fea&v=WQg_xYVKQJY</ref>.
The Dragonkin, while not immortal, have very long lifespans, and have been known to die only in battle. However, the Dragonkin are unable to reproduce, and because of this are said to have become afraid of death. To protect themselves and carry on their lineage, they created a race of weaker clone beings that could reproduce. Those corrupted versions of the dragonkin are known as Dragons <ref>Reldo, "A Tail of Two Cats", RuneScape. *</ref>.
Abilities
Not much of dragonkin combat has been seen, but what was witnessed was evidence of tremendous power. During a battle against Robert, a Dragonkin used powerful magic, almost killing him, after having defeated his loyal sidekick Odysseus, although Robert managed to retaliate and slay the dragonkin.
Strisath, Sakirth and Sithaph, three dragonkin active in modern times, however, have been shown to be even more powerful. After the primary guardian of the Stone was defeated, Jas's curse released the three from their prison. Lucien, an evil Mahjarrat with aspirations to become a god, stole the Stone and abused it. This angered the three kin, also strengthening them. They released some of their rage by burning parts of Mos Le'Harmless, a pirate town, but they still desired to destroy the False User. Just as Lucien used the Stone yet again after the eighteenth ritual, the Dragonkin arrived to the scene, immediately incinerating Idria in a display of power. They then demanded that Lucien give in, who refused and took on the fight. He easily knocked down two dragonkin, but Sakirth sneaked up from behind, first hitting then impaling Lucien, killing him, with the staff of Armadyl. Later, they were seen completely ravaging Edgeville with their dragonfire, which is considerably more potent than regular dragonfire, not just damaging humans, but immediately turning them to ashes and showed a vision of doing the same to Draynor Village. The three are still planning to wreak havoc.
Language
The dragonkin have a language, of which virtually nothing is known, as they speak in the common tongue most of the time. The only human known to understand the language is Robert the Strong.
Known words and phrases
- Hesente!
- Crasortius!
- Skethhzzzz! (this is suspected to be a Dragonkin equivalent of "hahaha")
Dragon equipment
The Dragonkin are the original creators of dragon equipment. Mr. Mordaut in a Postbag from the Hedge states, "As for dragon, I'm afraid that my knowledge of this unique metal is limited – the Dragonkin never divulged the secret of how it is made..."<ref name="postbag25letter2">Jagex. Postbag 25 - "The trouble with trolls", Letter 2. Postbags from the Hedge. *</ref>. Movario also believes that the Dragonkin created dragon metal, in his notes writing:
| “ | The demon birds, evil bird spirits of the east: dragonkin, or something else? I have so far deciphered that these strange phenomena are mentioned only cryptically, written down by adventurers who have become their hapless victims. The dragonkin's arrival seems to pre-date most things. In short, the arrival of these creatures - whatever they are - seems to signal the absolute destruction of any local area they Fare visiting. I suspect that they are creatures brought here by gods to support them during the god wars. Also, I suspect that they are responsible for the metallic 'dragon' items. Where this material comes from is still a mystery. | ” |
— Movario
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Fairy Aeryka near the Puro-Puro portal in Zanaris states that creatures called necrosyrtes made the dragon metal. Necrosyrtes is probably another name for Dragonkin, given that her description of them matches the Dragonkin, and that Necrosyrtes is a genus of Hooded Vulture, which closely resembles a Dragonkin. She describes them as being 'Not very nice', and implying that none have been active for eons. It's also suggested that the dragonkin are connected to dragon items in some other unknown way: in Postbag from the Hedge #19, a green dragon says, "If you have trouble with us lowly dragons, you have BIG trouble with Kin. They return soon; we feel power growing, calling to us, calling to them... The very weapons that make you strong bring Kin's return ever closer."<ref name="postbag19letter5)">Jagex. Postbag 19 - "The vampyres explain themselves", Letter 5. Postbags from the Hedge. *</ref> In Postbag #23, a dragon impling claims: "Dragon stuff? We found it in secret places. Many different worlds, many different places. All hidden. Deep down, in the darkness. Huge piles of things. Left for a long time, though their masters begin to stir."<ref name="postbag23letter6">Jagex. Postbag 23 - "Wise old musings and demonic drills", Letter 6. Postbags from the Hedge. *</ref>
Dragonkin Castle
In A Tail of Two Cats, Robert the Strong is shown fighting a Dragonkin in an unidentified castle. If you stand in the north-western corner of the first plunder room in the Pyramid Plunder mini-game and activate your Orb of Oculus, you can actually see the castle and what looks like the same floor as in the cut scene. An imp stated in a Postbag from the Hedge, "Regardin’ Morytania, we steer away from it. Dat place whiffs of dragon poop...which is weird-like, since there ain't been a dragon down dat way for a millemelum."<ref name="postbag23letter6"></ref>. Movario's notes obtained in While Guthix Sleeps mention Morytania, the Fist of Guthix arena and the Lunar Isles as having similar energies to each other, implying that the Stone of Jas once resided in all three locations. Given that the Dragonkin were tasked with protecting it, this supports the idea of them having lived in Morytania at some time.
The Ancient Cavern
The dragonkin are known to have created the Ancient Cavern underneath Baxtorian Falls. Movario's research strongly supports this notion: "Underground ruins of peculiar origin, reported to exist near the Baxtorian Falls. Upon researching the area, I was immediately struck by the precision of some elements within the caverns. [...] I returned and after only twelve days I found interesting, almost invisible arcane symbols - type 12, Possibly of the Second Age. Also, interesting markings near to rough-looking steps, the constructions within that cavern must be of Dragonkin origin." In addition, the key required to unlock the mithril door is called the Dragonkin key. As the Ancient Cavern contains a forge used to smith a dragon platebody, this further supports the idea that the dragonkin created dragon equipment.
The Dragonkin's Symbol
The Dragonkin are associated with a symbol with visual similarities to the Stone of Jas. It consists of a circle with a compass rose in the right half, and on the left half, a pattern identical to the one found on the Stone of Jas. There is also another Dragonkin symbol, which is only the compass rose without the Stone. This is because the Dragonkin symbol is actually a full compass rose, the half-stone-half-rose symbolises the Dragonkin's bonding to the curse of Jas. The symbol is seen on the floor in the cut-scene from While Guthix Sleeps, where three Dragonkin are shown congregating. The compass symbols are shown around the main symbol. The compass symbol is also seen on the floor of their castle from A Tail of Two Cats.
The symbol can also be found in the Spirit Realm, on the other side of the weak portal found in the ruins by the coast in level 47 Wilderness, where the symbol can be seen on the walls of the Spirit Realm's version of the ruins. It's unknown how the symbol came to be in the Spirit Realm, but it's possible that the symbols once existed in the real world, but were torn down and thus appeared in the Spirit Realm, similar to the Cursed magic tree's interaction with its real-world counterpart.
Multiple dragonkin symbols are seen during Song from the Depths, and also feature in the Grotworm Lair which is unlocked after the quests completion.
Other affiliations
Experience
The Dragonkin seem to have a relation to experience and skill, since Ancient Effigies (which appear to be an ornament of the Dragonkin holding the Stone of Jas) give experience, and the Dragonkin cutscene in While Guthix Sleeps can only be unlocked after unleashing the remaining residual energy from the Stone of Jas by putting XP into a skill.
While Guthix Sleeps
While Guthix Sleeps contains a teaser indicating that the Dragonkin will soon become more involved in the affairs of Runescape. The cut-scene at the very end of the quest shows three Dragonkin meeting in an unknown location, plotting to "Bring terror and pain to the small races". Another more hidden connection is in the quest journal for While Guthix Sleeps. The entry added after the Stone of Jas is first touched reads "I've seen a vision by touching the strange orb. It has communicated to me that it is the 'Stone of Jas', owned by Jas, and protected by the creatures he has enslaved for the purpose - the Dragonkin."
Fremennik
It is revealed on the book Basics of Magic and during While Guthix Sleeps that the Stone of Jas was found by the Fremennik tribe, who then became Lunar Mages after touching the Stone of Jas. Corroborating evidence from Fremennik histories state that "As we all know, from the tales told to us in the Secret Tongue, 'magic' was first discovered in these lands by V------- when he accidentally stumbled upon the Stone of Jas. The stone was clearly not of this world, and the mere touch of it unlocked something within the mind of V-------. As we know, the stone was instantly removed by those powers who walk a higher Astral Path than ourselves, but its very existence showed V------- possibilities that had never occurred to our kind before." — Basics of Magic, from Lunar Isle
Wilderness Volcano
The possible bones of a Dragonkin can be seen in the south central area of the Wilderness Volcano, which say "Could this have been one of the ancient Dragonkin?" upon examination. However their skull and neck bones look unlike that of Dragonkin.
Relation to Daemonheim
The Dungeoneering skill includes the Chronicles of Bilrach, which strongly suggest that Daemonheim was previously inhabited by the Dragonkin, whom Bilrach calls "Protectors of the artefact, enders of the Great Wars". Additionally, the skill makes strong use of an item known as the Ring of kinship. There is also a statue outside Daemonheim which strongly resembles a Dragonkin. Combined with previous references to the 'Kin', there is solid evidence that the Dragonkin were involved in the creation of the castle above Daemonheim, but for mysterious reasons had abandoned it by the year 1241 of the Fourth Age, perhaps due to their retreat from Robert the Strong or possibly because of The Rift that lies underneath their castle.
Destruction of Kethsi
Before the Third Age, a noted mage brought the Stone of Jas to Kethsi where it was used to bring prosperity to the plane. However, due to the continued use of the Stone by those deemed "false users", the Dragonkin experienced a buildup of rage that would only be reduced by violence. The Dragonkin repeatedly attacked the plane of Kethsi, gradually destroying the entire plane of existence.
The citizens of Kethsi did eventually find a means to harm and kill some of the Dragonkin with Bane-metal weapons tuned to the Dragonkin. Unfortunately, there was a limited supply of the metal and the citizens were eventually over-run. All that is left of their plane are the remains of a structure, several artifacts, and a diary detailing their eventual fall.
Queen Black Dragon
Kerapac, who is responsible for creating the Queen Black Dragon, was an experiment in an attempt to break the dragonkin's curse from "Him" (Jas). He had difficulty in manipulating her due to her colossal size, but created vessels in an attempt to control her. Other dragonkin seemed to have taken note of Kerapac's project, and one had created the King Black Dragon, who was let free after failed breeding with the Queen Black Dragon into the wild. Kerapac decided to store the Queen Black Dragon deep underground, to be restrained and protected by several artefacts. He abandons the dragon, leaving her in the cave where she currently resides.
Gallery
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A reference to the dragonkin by the Oracle.
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Varrock Museum display depicting Robert the Strong fighting a dragonkin.
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A view of the castle taken with the Orb of oculus.
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Another view of the castle taken with the orb of oculus.
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Dragonkin Concept Art
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The dragonkin in their castle, laughing.
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A dragonkin being killed.
Known Dragonkin
Currently, names of only four Dragonkin are known. Three of them can be seen during the end of While Guthix Sleeps and near the start/end of Ritual of the Mahjarrat quests. The last can be read about in the First dragonkin journal. There are "probably about a dozen hanging around... Runescape, or near to Runescape," with more characters going to be introduced to players "in the short or medium term."<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQg_xYVKQJY&feature=plcp</ref>
Trivia
- Before their graphical update on September 14, 2011, they were very similar in appearance to the Skeksis from the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal. They were also similar in that both fear the Prospect of Death. It was confirmed by Mod Mark during the London RuneFest get-together (28th January 2011) that the Dragonkin were actually based on Skeksis, due to his love of the movie The Dark Crystal.
- According to the fifth runescape's livestream the Dragonkin were created by Jas to protect his stone from being used for others purposes than Jas' , it's also mentioned Dragonkin both love and hate the stone at the same time.
- Movario, in his notes, recalls the Dragonkin-made symbols in Dragonkin-made Ancient Cavern may be of the Second Age, implying they existed on Gielinor before the Fourth Age.
- In the 5th postbag, to the King Black Dragon, he states "New challenges only bring them [the humans] closer to the end, to the precipice of the unknown, to the Kin, and they will show no mercy."<ref name="postbag5">Jagex. Postbag 5 - "Chaotic chat, family trouble and secrets revealled!", 5. Postbags from the Hedge. *</ref>