Vetaveyarun (Singing Dragon)

The Vetaveyarun, also known as the Singing Dragon, is an instrument originating from the land of Yaspukar, also known as the Green Walled Kingdom. Originally designed to accompany ceremonial choruses, it has since gained some popularity throughout the Rumaran Empire.
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The instrument comprises a long wooden body, typically shaped in a double S-curve, though variations exist. The mouthpiece, usually made from ivory, bone or wood, is attached to a bent brass pipe. It is played through embouchure similar to other brass instruments. The bell is made from brass as well, often in the shape of a dragon head, hence the name.
An unusual component of the head is the tongue, which is mounted to the inside of the mouth with a leaf spring, allowing it to swing freely. It can be prevented from movement by a fastening screw at the underside of the head. If the tongue is fastened, the instrument's sound is somewhat sonorous and harmonious, comparable to an alphorn. When loosened, allowing the tongue to vibrate, it adds a buzzing character to the sound, which is referred to as "growl".
The Dragon is fully chromatic over 3 octaves (meaning it can play natural notes and accidentals).
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"To master an instrument, you must first learn to play. To play the Dragon, you must first master it."
The Singing Dragon is notoriously difficult to play. While it does have finger holes, these are placed to be easily reachable, not to create proper intonation, meaning the Dragon is out of tune by design. As such, a player needs to adjust their embouchure and breath pressure to compensate, and this compensation is different for each note. What makes it worse, this is different for each particular instrument, meaning a player cannot simply pick up any Dragon and play it without preparation, as they first need to figure out how to compensate on the particular instrument. In addition, while there is a default fingering chart, players may also find that it not always works, and they have to figure out a different fingering for their instrument.
It is said these peculiarities give the instrument's sound personality and an almost voice-like character.
The Rumaran version of the Vetaveyarun has a brass body. Its tone holes are more properly positioned on the instrument, and are operated via a mechanical keywork, allowing for proper tuning. Yaspukarian musicians, however, would be deeply insulted if asked to play, or even just listening to this version. In Yaspukarian culture, a musician who managed to "tame the Dragon" is highly respected, and changing the instrument to make it easier to play is considered cheating.
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The design for the Singing Dragon was heavily inspired by the Serpent, an obscure french instrument that was the precursor of the Ophicleide, which, in turn, was the precursor of the Tuba. The Dragon retains many of the qualities and quirks of the original instrument, but the dragon head shaped bell changes the sound.