Ancient elemental might
Dragonkin are one of the Twelve Mortal Civilisations and possess an innate connection to Second Tier Primordial Magic. Their elemental breath, immense strength, durable scales and ability to fly make a single Dragonkin capable of exerting the kind of force other peoples require entire military formations to match. Their elemental affinity is part of their nature rather than a learned school of spellcasting.
They are also exceptionally long-lived, intelligent and rare. That rarity prevents Dragonkin power from being measured by population alone; individual Dragonkin can accumulate knowledge and strategic experience over extraordinary spans of time. Their combination of physical might, elemental authority and ancient memory makes them one of the most recognisable high-power mortal species in Aethelgard.