Zilariuns have two native languages: Vourkeili and Vourkouva.

Vourkeili is their spoken language, for close or face to face conversations. It sounds similar to Finnish and German dialects, and translates roughly to ‘mountain tongue’. Vourkouva is their long-distance language that mimics various animalistic noises, like whistling, chirping, trilling and growling. The name roughly translates to ‘mountain call’.

In both languages, they lack gendered pronouns. In reference to parents they are determined by the ‘birth giver’ and the ‘protector’. Pronouns generally translate to ‘they’/’them’/their’ or ‘dragon’. Zilariun is used both as the species name and the word ‘dragon’, thus fitting as their primary pronoun.

On top of these native dialects, Zilariuns often learn the human languages to converse with them too.

Zilariuns are particular about birthing their offspring. Zilariuns commonly give birth in their true forms, laying eggs. They usually only lay a single egg, but in rare cases can lay two or three eggs. Eggs are laid in hidden locations away from the parents’ home, the birth giver usually being the only one to know the location of this nest. It is considered unusual if the protector knows about the location too, as their job is to protect the birth giver more than the egg.

Birth givers are a mystical connection to their egg, knowing when they are needed and when the egg is about to hatch. When the egg is ready to hatch, that is when the protector will be brought to the location of the egg and be there for the ‘true birth’.

During pregnancy, the birth giver loses their scent. They begin to release a scentless pheromone that makes their partner/s and family more protective of them to ensure increased chances for the egg to survive. The birth giver will appear more lethergic and will spend much of their time resting, relying on those reacting to the pheromone to protect them. The birth giver is pregnant with their offspring for 5 months, then the egg will incubate for 1-2 months. Once the egg hatches, the Zilariun whelp will be coated in amniotic fluids that are filled with the bacteria the offspring needs to obtain their strong immune systems. If they're able to safely soak in these fluids, they will have a strong immune system, and almost never fall ill their entire lifetime. During the first year, the whelp will begin growing their scales, feathers (if applicable), gems and horns. They spend 4 of their first 7 years in a toddler-like stage, before their ageing begins to progress as it's supposed to.

Typically, Zilariun offspring will be found close to their parents until they are roughly 56-63 years of age. Then they will begin to branch off and experience more of the world a bit more confidently. Usually around this age they begin to consciously explore their magic abilities.

Zilariuns are not necessarily religious, however they claim to have a sense of ‘connection’ to certain deities. This connection plays a strong role in a majority of important celebrations and festivities across Jaragornin. Zilariuns are often assigned a deity by their primary additional element or the meaning of their name. For example, Giranja means ‘little feather that drifts on the breeze’ so her assumed deity is Ciro, Minor Deity of Wind, even though she does not have wind based abilities.

Zilariuns have nine Deities and one god. The god has been forgotten, arely mentioned in history books or folklore books. Knowledge about the Zilariun god is hard to come by. The Deities, on the other hand, are well known. They have appeared before the Zilariun race many a time throughout the existence of the species. Not many believe they're real, but just as many claim to have seen and met at least one of the Deities.

There are two levels of Deity, the Major and Minor Deities. There are three Major Deities, who were created first: Aishakria the Major Deity of Light, Kyrin the Major Deity of Darkness, and Allyra the Major Deity of Weather. Due to her hermit-like behaviour, Allyra has been all but forgotten to have ever existed, which means the vast majority of Zilariuns believe their are only two Major Deities.

The rest of the Deities are Minor ones. Ciro the Minor Deity of Wind, Caldrada the Minor Deity of Ice, Zoryn the Minor Deity of Storms, Seikatsu the Minor Deity of Nature, Eraneuven the Minor Deity of Fire, and Alerun the Minor Deity of Water.

The Minor Deities are said to be created by the Major Deities, who sacrified one of their elements to create each Minor Deity.

The Deities, both Major and Minor, have been known to court a mortal mate and produce offspring with them, which have lea to demi-Deities and stronger bloodlines. Many of these demi-Deities are recognised by their larger size, light pink or white blood, and semi-transparent fins that run down their spines from their shoulders down to their tails. Fins like this have only ever been found on the Deities and their descendants.

You can learn more about each specific Deity in the 'Jaragornin Misc.' information page.

For Zilariuns, one of the most important things is honour, across all countries. Honour is ensured by the very existence of the gems under their eyes. To have any removed is of the highest disgrace to an individual. While some countries, like Eskwua, take it more seriously and it can end in death, other countries, like Niketra, simply view it as a fact f life and can have fake ones attached to cover up the mistakes.

Oftentimes, when a gem is removed in battle, it is after the opposing Zilariun has died. The victor will then remove the gems and they will later be attached to their armour or someo ther adornment. In battle, it is commonly used as a sign of warning. The more gems found on one's armour, the moredangerous they are.

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To the touch, gems feel firm and are incredibly durable, almost impossible to break or chip. However, they feel incrdibly sensitive and can be regarded as a ticklish spot on most Zilariuns.

Across the entire Zilariun race, face and body paint is a prominent part of their culture. Paint can be found on Zilariuns and some humans who choose to take part in their culture. Paint is worn for many festivals through the year, the most popular one being the Mao Mai Rechk festival, one that brings all Houses together in a celebration of the ongoing survival of the species. This paint differs between the individual and their honour to a select Deity. Each Deity is represented by a specific colour and style.

Paint is also worn during war, often black paint will be found in intricate details across the Zilariuns body in both forms.

The colour and design of paint can tell you a lot about the event. Paint can be worn for weddings, the death of a loved one, the coronation of a royal family, war, celebration. Some individuals or families, will develop their own paint style for events amongst families.

The Arcanas are an incredibly special group of Zilariuns. They've bee sighted a handful of times through history, often in time sof greater need. They're set apart from normal Zilariuns by being partially made up of their elemental abilities. There are multiple of each element, but it remains unconfirmed.

Some of the Arcanas are rumoured to live in the Nests of the Deities, occasionally acting as support and compoany for the Deities of their respective element. If someone can find the Nests, they can confirm the residence of the Arcanas.

There have been Arcanas found of the following elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Ice, Storm, Wind, Light, Dark, nature, and weather. There is mention, in some old history books, of an Arcanas that controls magic, similar to the witches found across Jaragornin.

The lifespan or exact abilities of the Arcanas have not been recorded in full.