Mer-Girim
Demeanor: The Mer-Girim lore of their origins does not contain the typical fall from paradise or corruption story. They continue to live as they were originally created. This does not mean that they are free from corruption but rather, only an individual falls from grace. When an individual falls into corruption (not to be confused with making a mistake but rather intentionally committing an evil act) they loose the ability to procreate and will not pass their "flawed" genetics on. Sufficiently evil acts (such as the murder of another Mer-Girim) is punished with death in addition to natural consequences.
All Mer-Girim have the ability to ascend to dragonhood by following the Three-Fold Way (Es-Kigiri) but only a few take the Ritual of the Way (Kul-Kigiri) and even fewer accomplish the feat. The Three-Fold Way has three developmental goals - Honour, Courage and Wisdom that do not have to be achieved in any particular order. It typically takes a practitioner centuries to attain each goal.
At each goal the practitioner of the Way comes closer to ascension. The first goal manifests as a physical change in the Mer-Giri as they take on a humanoid draconian form, including wings which can be used to glide but not fly. The second goal grants the ability to fly (Baras-Giri can now take off without launching from an elevated place.) The last goal grants full ascension where they complete their physical transformation to draconic form and gain a breath weapon.
The change to draconian form grants the special abilities of the new draconian form while retaining the previous special abilities and other racial traits from their previous Mer-Girim form. The Mer-Girim have four major sub-races with distinctive clans within each sub-race.
Appearance: All Mer-Girim are immune to naturally occurring temperatures and do not usually wear clothing. Clothing that is worn is usually a mark of social or professional status. Typically only one piece of clothing is worn, such as a cloak, cape, or something similar. Jewelery is much more prevalent and also an indicator of social or professional status. All Mer-Girim can change the color of their skin on their face to reflect current emotional states and can be controlled with some concentration. Colors range from the natural green/grayish to red (anger), blue (contentment/pride), or brown (embarrassment or sexual desire.)
Lifespan: Mer-Girim and the Giri-Kurim live for 1,000 to 1,250 years. When a Mer-Girim ascends to a Giri-Kurim their lifespan begins anew. Mer-Girim children reach adulthood at the age of 100
Culture: Most Mer-Girim take the Mer-Girim, Urban, or Rural Culture.