Greetings,

I have three distinct types of dragons in Ithelak. There is a beast kind, a mortal kind, and an angelic kind. I have already written about the mortal kind, the Agmyloi. The angelic kind are also known as the Wizards, which can take practically any form they desire (within limitations of course). Sometimes they take the shape and power of a Kcumai. The kcumai are the beast kind of dragons.

The reason I call them kcumai instead of some more recognizable name, is because the only name that is at least relatively accurate and recognizable other than 'dragon' is dinosaur, which has a very modern sound to it which really messes up the essence of the poor beasts. I firmly believe that dinosaurs lived, and very probably still do live, with men (albeit on a very limited scale in these modern days). The references to dragons were in all assurance, references to dinosaurs, from what I understand to be true. Therefore, I have no more qualms about having them in my story and world than I would have including a sheep or a dog.

However I did not want to use the word dinosaur, however accurate it might be to do so. Therefore, I invented my own word: kcumai (a mixture of Tskarnorian Elvish and Old Aschian). This class of creature refers very broadly to a scaled creature, and more narrowly to a large, non-creeping scaled creature. Of course people will call snakes kcumai, and call winged and swimming scaled monsters by other names, but in general, these sorts of creatures are referred to as kcumai.

I also call winged kcumai wyverns to help differentiate, and so that I can say wyvern-rider.

How do you handle this? Do you agree or disagree with my view of dragons and dinosaurs? What do you think of my kcumai? Any questions or suggestions?

With joy and peace in Christ,
Jay Lauser

I like the sound of that.

I am curious, though: what... form I guess.. do the kcumai take? Are the wyverns like general imagined dragons? (Four legs, massive wings, snake/horse shaped head, etc.)

Yes, Wyverns are like your generic dragons in general. They do not always have four legs, but can also have two. Some types can breath fire, etc.

Non-wyvern kcumai take many forms. Some are ridden as you would a horse, others as you would a kangaroo.

I see.

So only some types of kcumai can do certain things? Only certain 'breeds' can breath fire?

Right. It is kind of like the variety that is found in the insects. There are common features, but there is seemingly infinite variety.

I see. That is very neat!

What are some of the other breeds, if I may ask?

Hmm.... well, there is the Mucalai, the ones that run like kangaroos. They are built slightly like the smaller predatory dinosaurs, but with spikes all over, which are used by the riders to lash their saddles onto them. They are used by the Southern Minorians, the riders of the Tskarnorian plains, and a few other people. They do not breathe fire.

Neat. So they are similar to raptors, but with spikes. That is very cool.

Yes. Thank you.

I think that this is a great idea!

I do have one question. You had mentioned shapeshifting, angelic wizards? So...would these be fallen angels that take the shape of dragons, or the holy type of angels that take that form?

Both fallen and heavenly angels take various incarnate forms in Ithelak. One of the favored forms is that of a great wyvern. They appear very rarely, however.

That is very cool!

I thought so.