Dragon Turtles are among the oldest and most revered species of True Dragon, created during the Second Age: Twilight of Creation by the Nieznane. Fashioned by Nieznane in the image of Mythia, the Archon of Water, and imbued with the elemental essence of Nieznane, the Nieznane God of Water, these colossal beings were born to bring balance to the tumultuous seas and combat the chaotic forces of the Elementari during The Aeonic Struggle.
Origins
The creation of the Dragon Turtles was a response to the devastation wrought by the Elementari of Water, whose primordial fury threatened to submerge the Prime Plane beneath endless tides. Sculpted with immense strength and grace, Dragon Turtles became the ocean's ultimate protectors, wielding the power of Water-Rifting to manipulate and calm the waters.
Their massive forms, armored with intricate, rune-etched shells and shimmering scales in hues of deep oceanic blues and greens, symbolized the harmony and power of the seas. These aquatic leviathans were equally revered for their wisdom and ferocity, embodying the perfect balance of nature's duality—calm and tempestuous, nurturing and destructive.
Species of Dragon Turtle
Dragon Turtles were not uniform in appearance or purpose, with variations arising to reflect the diverse roles they played in the oceans:
- Leviathan Turtles - The largest of their kind, these Dragon Turtles were living fortresses, with shells as impenetrable as the ocean floor. They were often tasked with leading battles against the Elementari, using their bulk and power to dominate the tides.
- Helmed Turtles - Smaller but no less majestic, these swift and agile Dragon Turtles served as guardians of sacred oceanic sites, such as the Seastone and underwater Riftways. Their Water-Rifting abilities were unparalleled, capable of shaping currents and tides with precision.
Archon of The Water
The Dragon Turtles were modeled after Mythia, the Archon of Water, a primordial being of infinite wisdom and enduring grace. Mythia, the guardian of the Seastone, serves as the spiritual guide of the Dragon Turtles, her influence flowing through every drop of water in the cosmos. Her teachings inspired the creation of the Nieznane, the Sea Elves, who inherited the Dragon Turtles' knowledge and reverence for the balance of the oceans.
Legacy and Mythology
During The Aeonic Struggle, Dragon Turtles were instrumental in preserving the Prime Plane from annihilation. They calmed raging seas, subdued tidal waves unleashed by the Elementari, and created underwater sanctuaries where life could flourish. Their battles against the Elementari of Water reshaped the oceans, forming trenches, reefs, and underwater mountains that still define the seas today.
In the aftermath of the Struggle, many Dragon Turtles fell to the World Eater Serpent, a Revenant Titan spawned from the cosmic Khaos of the First Continuum Crisis. This savage predator hunted the Dragon Turtles to near extinction, threatening to undo their legacy. Only the combined might of Avatar Vapora and Storm Giant Paramount Thoryn defeated the World Eater Serpent, saving the oceans from total devastation.
Unlike other True Dragon species betrayed during The Riftfire Rebellion, the Dragon Turtles found unwavering loyalty in the Aesir, who remained devoted to their creators. Yet, even with this faith, the rebellion brought sorrow to the seas, as the Riftfire's echoes corrupted some lesser dragons, transforming them into savage aquatic beasts.
The Seastone, guarded by Mythia, became a focal point of the Dragon Turtles' enduring influence. This powerful Worldstone is both a source of Water-Rifting and a vital link to the Plane of Aquos. The Cycle of Sea Avatars, initiated by Mythia, ensures the Seastone's protection and the balance of the oceans. The first avatar - Avatar Atla - united the scattered tribes of the Aesir and established the underwater city of Atla, forming the foundation of The Sea Realm.
Legends of Dragon Turtles persist in the lore of sailors, scholars, and the Aesir. These beings are venerated as the ocean's ultimate guardians and symbols of wisdom, power, and harmony. Their descendants, though diminished in power, still carry the legacy of their ancestors, their forms reflected in lesser sea drakes and marine beasts. Deep within the abyssal trenches, where light cannot reach, whispers of slumbering Dragon Turtles persist. It is believed that these ancient beings await a time when the oceans will once again need their guidance, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Primus gods' elemental champions.
Even now, Mythia’s presence flows through the oceans, her influence unyielding. Through her, the spirit of the Dragon Turtles lives on, safeguarding the balance of water across the cosmos and ensuring that the Prime Plane’s seas remain a source of life, beauty, and strength.