Syrocko Drake [Bestiary]

Hey peeps!

I thought some of you might like to see the syrocko drake bestiary entry. Here it is!

Shami

Syrocko Drake

Description: Syrocko drakes are large reptiles with red scales, and black spines that protrude across most of their bodies. They can grow to be the size of a house, and are often surrounded by heat or embers. Syrocko drakes have sharp fangs and long claws.

Trial of Worth: In order to bond with a syrocko drake, one must survive a full day out in the desert without any assistance.

Tier: 3

Reproduction: Progeny—syrocko drakes make their nests out in desert dunes. In order to reproduce, a syrocko drake must consume prickly pears.

Evocation: Flames—syrocko drakes and their arcanists evoke powerful red flames with the intensity of a dragon’s breath.

Manipulation: Wind—syrocko drakes and their arcanists can manipulate the wind to the point they blast people away or even allow them to fly without the aid of wings.

Augmentation: Desert Passage—when syrocko drakes or their arcanists augment themselves, their whole body becomes superheated, to the point other people cannot touch them without harming themselves (as though touching hot coals) and they gain a form of sand-stepping (moving through sand as though water). When syrocko drakes or their arcanists augment others, they grant individuals immunity to fire and heat.

Imbuing: Desert’s Grace—syrocko drake magic often creates items that grant immunity to fire and heat.

Aura: Sandstorm—when a syrocko drake arcanist creates an aura, they create a hot sandstorm that blankets the nearby area. This destructive force of sand and heat can tear the skin off of someone in a matter of minutes, and is rather blinding.

Innate Abilities: Syrocko drakes and their arcanists are immune to flames, dehydration, and infection.

True Form Type: Virtue—the syrocko drake arcanist must embody the ideals of perseverance in order for their eldrin to transform. This virtue encompasses self-determination, and the willingness to persist, even at great risk or harm to themselves.

True Form Appearance: Once a syrocko drake achieves its true form, it gains more spikes, like a cactus, grows two more arms, and has eyes that glow golden like the sun over the desert. Sandy winds whip around it at all time, harming people it considers an enemy, but allowing allies to pass through it without injury.

True Form Ability: Survivalist—the syrocko drake, and its arcanist, only need to eat, drink, and sleep a tenth of what they used to. They are sustained, and mostly fed, through ambient magics, and are rarely fatigued.

In-World Lore: Syrocko drakes are strange creatures who most people don’t bother bonding with. They dwell in harsh deserts, and their Trial of Worth results in most people dying rather than becoming an arcanist. Because of this, it’s rare to see a syrocko drake arcanist, and most people know little about them. Legends claim they’re one of the toughest arcanists to kill.

Real-World Inspiration: Syrocko drakes are based on the real-world phenomenon of Sirocco Winds—hurricane-speed winds that rush up from the Sahara and crash over the Mediterranean. They are extremely hot and damaging, and myths have formed around creatures that dwell within. These myths are the basis for the syrocko drakes in the Frith Chronicles.