Yashoi Drakonis
Many records claim that the yashoi have been around for as long as the althian - if not longer - yet few records really solidify this. Part of this comes from the fact that the Koushikan Dynasty used to be an isolated country in bygone eras, letting this peculiar species of long drakoni develop in the ways that they have. Unlike the althian, they do not claim to have ancestral ties with the Endless - claiming it is blasphemous for mortals to align oneself with a deity. Their population is thriving, and although they can be found all over Lumyr, their largest numbers remain in Koushika. Despite being smaller in size compared to Elyssius, Koushika is often dubbed the "can of sardines", as the country with the most dense, closely packed population.
Anatomy and Build
Very different from their brethren, the yashoi have smooth, almost glass-like scales, covering their long, lithe bodies. Despite appearing glassy, their scales aren't hard to the touch but quite the contrary: they're rather soft and reflective! When light shines just right on a yashoi's body, it can reflect various shapes and colors. Their bodies, necks, and tails tend to grow extremely long, leaving them with stubby arms and legs in comparison to the rest. Because their bodies take up far more mass than their short limbs can handle - most yashoi resort to crouching or walking on all fours. Being unable to enter doors without breaking one's neck greatly supports their choice of going quadruped. Although their bodies are light - even lighter when in flight - it all comes down to yashoi not enjoying their awkward attempts at looking normal.
Beliefs and Religion
Their natural ability to fly without the need for wings gives them another trait akin to that of the Endless. Being strongly spiritual in their beliefs, yashoi do not take kindly to that statement. Their understanding of the Endless is different from the other species. They are commonly seen as spiritual energies and forces of nature, rather than massive dragons that once roamed the land. That said, they do believe that they had physical forms - the personification of their element. For example, river Endless were long, watery serpents. Being religious is part of their culture - similar to how one is taught manners - yashoi are taught to respect nature and express their gratitude to the world around them. It is rare for yashoi native to Koushika to be atheists.
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The origins ability of flight is a mystery. No one truly knows how they do it, but it sure happens. Many theories have sprung up around this, from the plausible to the truly absurd. And yet, wingless flight is a myth-come-true in the yashoi.
Mentality and Culture
Socially, they are very distant and reserved. Despite living in big numbers per small area, yashoi are not keen on physical affection. Most of them will avoid physical contact, as much as possible. Their solitary nature extends even to their architecture - many yashoi will choose to live in small apartments or large homes with enough rooms where they don't have to see each other much - a strong contrast to the loving family homes of althiar and miuvolke.
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Despite this, like any community of drakoni, they do foster fond feelings for their families. It's especially evident in their unconditional loyalty and dedication to their clans. To their brethren, this cold shouldered attitude is hard to comprehend, but to yashoi it's a comfortable way of life.
Their immense pride also contributes to this. More than any other species, yashoi are prideful and snobby - especially those native to Koushika. They thrive amongst their victories, achievements, and feats of honor. They celebrate their ancestors of recent past and think kindly of the lessons they taught - contrary to the althian who draw their inspiration from legends and heroes of bygone eras. Yashoi appreciate the things they've experienced in their life more than things they've only heard inaccurate stories of. Amongst some yashoian families rests a belief that a bloodline which continuously inherits the same magical affinity is considered pure. The chances of this are extremely slim, rarely occurring for more than a generation or two, however.
Yashoi culture and architecture is very unified - no matter where in Koushika you travel, you'll see familiar scenery, familiar beliefs, and familiar traditions. Only certain clans occasionally change their interpretation because of a a legacy passed down through generations - something the Koushikans are very proud of. Because of this unity, many yashoi develop a desire for variety in smaller doses. Yashoi are the most adventurous of the drakoni in terms of tourism. They love traveling, and learning new things, with wanderlust ever present in their hearts. Yet at the same time, most yashoi hate change and uncertainty, rarely leaving their home region that they grew up in for long periods at a time. Adventure is only nice in small doses for them.
The yashoi's ears are often mistaken for hard horns when in reality they are soft and flexible. Although not always consciously, their ears tend to move according to the yashoi's emotions, making them an easy giveaway about how the drakonis is feeling.
As the yashoi grow, so do their bodies, becoming longer and longer. Their limbs barely grow in comparison to their bodies, typically only growing big enough to comfortably support the yashoi's weight. Because of this, it is rare to see a very large individual move around in a bipedal stance. Similar to the althiar, most yashoi pick a preferred stance when they reach adolescence.
"I hope you grow up to be as long as Sakeru!" is a form of insult among yashoi youth. Sakeru was the longest yashoi in recorded history, greatly exceeding the ridiculous sizes of his kin. His endless struggles of trying to live comfortably are well known, oft inflicting fear on young growing yashoi who do not wish to meet the same fate.