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{{Character|image1=Aeginae2.webp|caption1=Leviathans that dwell in the belly of the heavens.|location=[[The High Wilderness]]
{{Character|image1=Aeginae2.webp|caption1=Aeginae, roaming through the heavens.|location=[[The High Wilderness]]|allegiance=[[Judgements]]<br>[[The Burrower Below]]|alias=Dragons<br>The Devourers of Days|notable_members=[[Storm]]<br>
[[Nook]]<br>
[[The Silent Saint]]|image2=|caption2=|relationships=[[The Burrower Below]]<br>(progenitor)}}''"The Aeginae: Leviathans that dwell in the belly of the heavens. Usually, they are only glimpsed as sliding shapes – grand as mountain-ranges – in the fogs below. It is said that the suns have an ancient pact with them. That they are watchful. That they eat time."''<ref name = "the aeginae">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae|The Aeginae|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


[[The Neath]]|allegiance=[[Judgements]]
'''Aeginae''', known colloquially as '''Dragons''', are a race of enormous leviathans that serve as mercenaries for the [[Judgements]].__forcetoc__


[[Gods of the High Wilderness#The Burrower Below|The Burrower Below]]|alias=Dragons<br>
==Gargantuan==
''"This is one of the Aeginae. The star-dragons. The behemoth-mercenaries that the suns contract to enforce their laws. Before it, you are only a fleck."''<ref name = "aeginae story description">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae#Story_description|Story description|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


Devourers of Days|notable_members=[[Gods of the Unterzee#Storm|Storm]]<br>
Aeginae are massive behemoths who dwarf even mountain ranges. These beings travel the lower regions of the [[High Wilderness]], shrouded in cloud and mist, only glimpsed by nearby observors.<ref name = "the aeginae"/> Due to their enormity and power, the presence of an Aeginae can cause severe turbulence in the surrounding area,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae#Interactions|Try to escape its notice|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> and their roars are louder than thunder.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Attention:_the_Burrower_Below#Variable_Interaction_description|TransitC|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> Compared to one of these creatures, even a locomotive is merely a fleck.<ref name = "aeginae story description"/>
[[File:Nook.png|alt=A maw under the sea.|100px|thumb|[[Nook]]]]
Aeginae are known for their immense and curved, almost humped bodies,<ref name = "aeginae story description"/> covered in grey scales that are tougher than diamond.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Under_the_Ice#Interactions|Recover scales to mend your hull|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> They possess extremely large maws equipped with many sharp teeth and that extend deep into their bodies,<ref name = "sacrifice hours">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae#Interactions|Sacrifice Unseasoned Hours to distract it|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nook#The_Ruptured_Throat|The Ruptured Throat|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> leading directly to their large stomachs.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Writhing_Gullet#Story_description|Story description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> The Aeginae's preferred diet is, in fact, ''time'', which they have been observed to consume in the form of solidified hours.<ref name = "sacrifice hours"/> Aeginae also possess a number of yellowish eyes that dot their bodies,<ref name = "aeginae story description"/> each containing multiple irises.<ref name = "the aeginae"/>


[[Gods of the High Wilderness#The Burrower Below|The Burrower Below]]<br>
The progenitor of the Aeginae is the [[Burrower Below]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Airs_of_Terror#Touch|Touch (81)|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> a continent-sized entity that chews at the "roots" of the sky, revered by skyfarers as one of the three [[Gods of the High Wilderness]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Airs_of_Terror#Dream|Dream (21)|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> To expedite their journeys, the Aeginae make frequent use of the Burrower's ancient pathways that span throughout the heavens, which can make trips through these ways dangerous if a traveler has incurred the Burrower's wrath.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Attention:_the_Burrower_Below#Variable_Interaction_description|Variable Interaction description|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
[[Nook]]


[[The Silent Saint]]}}
== The Enforcers ==
''"This is one of the Aeginae. The star-dragons. The behemoth-mercenaries that the suns contract to enforce their laws. Before it, you are only a fleck."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae|The Aeginae|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
''"The Seventh Letter has long been banned by the Ministry of Public Decency. The last scene - with the Dragons - is not the only reason; but it's probably the biggest. There is a brief hiatus before that scene, to allow squeamish audience members to leave, and to darken the lights."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while|Watch the play for a little while|Fallen London|}}</ref>
[[File:Burrowerbelow.png|150px|alt=An eye with multiple irises.|thumb|A Dragon's eye.]]
The Dragons of the [[High Wilderness]] are more than just roaming leviathans, they have a pact with the [[Judgements]] to act as enforcers for their laws.<ref name = "the aeginae"/><ref name = "aeginae story description"/> They sometimes work as agents for the Judgements to directly enforce certain mandates,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Glory|Order Ovate, Glory|Fallen London|}}</ref> and in the event that a Dragon encounters an entity it deems delinquent, it will work to destroy it with extreme prejudice.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Under_the_Ice#Interactions|Look into the Saint's Eye|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>  


The '''Aeginae''' are a race of enormous star-dragons that serve as mercenaries for the [[Judgements]].__forcetoc__
According to the [[Seventh Letter]], Dragons are capable of rending even ''spacetime itself'' when at the height of their fury. They seem to work in groups of seven, and hold tribunals for captured prisoners. If the defendant is found guilty, the seven Dragons devour them; not even powerful beings like [[Messengers]] or even [[Judgements]] are spared from this punishment. The crimes the Dragons despise are numerous, but there appears to be one crime they hate more than any other: ''"Unlicensed Love"''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_4|Watch the play for a little while 4|Fallen London|}} ''"The Dragons [...] are seven in number. [...] Two more each are daubed with red - 'The Blood of the World,' [...] The [...] Dragon recites the crimes of the Sun and the Messenger - [...] Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love. [...] When the Dragon says the words 'Unlicensed Love', its fellows [...] rage [...] the Dragons [...] lunge forwards, to feed on their prisoners."''</ref>
 
==The Behemoth-Mercenaries==
''"You topple two barrels out of an exterior hatch and bellow the order to make full steam away from them. The behemoth's course shifts, fractionally. A maw opens, the size of an oceanic abyss. Its teeth are like suspended mountain-peaks."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae|Sacrifice Unseasoned Hours to distract it|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
Aeginae, also called '''Dragons,''' are massive, their bodies the size of mountain ranges. They are equipped with many sharp teeth, with which they feed on time; they also possess a number of lidless yellow eyes, each containing multiple irises. They make use of ancient sky-tunnels to expedite their journeys through [[The High Wilderness]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae|The Aeginae|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Attention:_the_Burrower_Below|Transit|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
The mother of all Aeginae is [[Gods of the High Wilderness#The Burrower Below|the Burrower Below]], a continent-sized behemoth that gnaws at the roots of the heavens; she is revered by the skyfarers as one of the three [[Gods of the High Wilderness]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Airs_of_Terror#Dream|Dream|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Airs_of_Terror|Touch|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
As is the case with other beings of great power, like [[Judgements]], death is not necessarily the end for the star-dragons. They can persist in the form of living winds, storms, and other similar phenomena.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Autopsy|Investigate a mysterious noise from the back of the laboratory|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Blindness_Throne|Ward them away with prayer|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Regent%27s_Grave|Why not leave things as they are?|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> An instance of this is [[Gods of the Unterzee#Storm|Storm]], worshipped as a god by zailors, who can still exert his influence over [[the Neath]] despite being dead for a long time.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Mind_of_a_Long-Dead_God|The Mind of a Long-Dead God|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Glory|Order Ovate, Glory|Fallen London|}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:37, 31 October 2021

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Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

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"The Aeginae: Leviathans that dwell in the belly of the heavens. Usually, they are only glimpsed as sliding shapes – grand as mountain-ranges – in the fogs below. It is said that the suns have an ancient pact with them. That they are watchful. That they eat time."[1]

Aeginae, known colloquially as Dragons, are a race of enormous leviathans that serve as mercenaries for the Judgements.

Gargantuan

"This is one of the Aeginae. The star-dragons. The behemoth-mercenaries that the suns contract to enforce their laws. Before it, you are only a fleck."[2]

Aeginae are massive behemoths who dwarf even mountain ranges. These beings travel the lower regions of the High Wilderness, shrouded in cloud and mist, only glimpsed by nearby observors.[1] Due to their enormity and power, the presence of an Aeginae can cause severe turbulence in the surrounding area,[3] and their roars are louder than thunder.[4] Compared to one of these creatures, even a locomotive is merely a fleck.[2]

A maw under the sea.
Nook

Aeginae are known for their immense and curved, almost humped bodies,[2] covered in grey scales that are tougher than diamond.[5] They possess extremely large maws equipped with many sharp teeth and that extend deep into their bodies,[6][7] leading directly to their large stomachs.[8] The Aeginae's preferred diet is, in fact, time, which they have been observed to consume in the form of solidified hours.[6] Aeginae also possess a number of yellowish eyes that dot their bodies,[2] each containing multiple irises.[1]

The progenitor of the Aeginae is the Burrower Below,[9] a continent-sized entity that chews at the "roots" of the sky, revered by skyfarers as one of the three Gods of the High Wilderness.[10] To expedite their journeys, the Aeginae make frequent use of the Burrower's ancient pathways that span throughout the heavens, which can make trips through these ways dangerous if a traveler has incurred the Burrower's wrath.[11]

The Enforcers

"The Seventh Letter has long been banned by the Ministry of Public Decency. The last scene - with the Dragons - is not the only reason; but it's probably the biggest. There is a brief hiatus before that scene, to allow squeamish audience members to leave, and to darken the lights."[12]

An eye with multiple irises.
A Dragon's eye.

The Dragons of the High Wilderness are more than just roaming leviathans, they have a pact with the Judgements to act as enforcers for their laws.[1][2] They sometimes work as agents for the Judgements to directly enforce certain mandates,[13] and in the event that a Dragon encounters an entity it deems delinquent, it will work to destroy it with extreme prejudice.[14]

According to the Seventh Letter, Dragons are capable of rending even spacetime itself when at the height of their fury. They seem to work in groups of seven, and hold tribunals for captured prisoners. If the defendant is found guilty, the seven Dragons devour them; not even powerful beings like Messengers or even Judgements are spared from this punishment. The crimes the Dragons despise are numerous, but there appears to be one crime they hate more than any other: "Unlicensed Love".[15]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Aeginae, Sunless Skies
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Story description, Sunless Skies
  3. Try to escape its notice, Sunless Skies
  4. TransitC, Sunless Skies
  5. Recover scales to mend your hull, Sunless Skies
  6. 6.0 6.1 Sacrifice Unseasoned Hours to distract it, Sunless Skies
  7. The Ruptured Throat, Sunless Sea
  8. Story description, Sunless Sea
  9. Touch (81), Sunless Skies
  10. Dream (21), Sunless Skies
  11. Variable Interaction description, Sunless Skies
  12. Watch the play for a little while, Fallen London
  13. Order Ovate, Glory, Fallen London
  14. Look into the Saint's Eye, Sunless Skies
  15. Watch the play for a little while 4, Fallen London "The Dragons [...] are seven in number. [...] Two more each are daubed with red - 'The Blood of the World,' [...] The [...] Dragon recites the crimes of the Sun and the Messenger - [...] Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love. [...] When the Dragon says the words 'Unlicensed Love', its fellows [...] rage [...] the Dragons [...] lunge forwards, to feed on their prisoners."