Aeginae
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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 enormous leviathans that act 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 behemoths who dwarf even mountain ranges. They travel the lower regions of the High Wilderness, shrouded in cloud and mist, only glimpsed by those nearby.[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 an ant.[2]
The Aeginae have hump-backed bodies,[2] covered in grey scales that are tougher than diamond.[5] They possess immense, deep maws equipped with many sharp teeth,[6][7] which lead directly to their stomachs.[8] Their 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 found all across 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 the heavens; this fact can make trips through these tunnels dangerous if a traveler has incurred the Burrower's wrath.[11]
HIC SVNT DRACONES
"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]
The Dragons of the High Wilderness play an important role in the starry kingdoms: they have a pact with the Judgements to act as enforcers for their laws, working under contract.[1][2] Dragons are known to act as agents for the Judgements to ensure the fulfillment of certain mandates,[13] and if 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 necessary.[15][16] They seem to work in groups of seven, and hold tribunals for their captured prisoners. If a defendant is found guilty, the Dragons devour them; not even powerful beings like Messengers or Judgements themselves are spared from this punishment. The crimes the Dragons hate are numerous, but there appears to be one crime they loathe moreso than any other: "Unlicensed Love".[17]
