Dragons

The Dragons are an ancient race of creatures with an intrinsic connection to magic, believed to have existed in Taeva for as long as magic itself has. So great is their mastery over magic, it's commonly believed that the Dragons were the first mages to ever exist, and even today, the foremost duty of all Dragonkind is to preserve the balance of magic in the world. While many Dragons today prefer to keep to themselves, their presence can still have a great impact on the world around them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dragon's typically appear as large, winged, quadrupedal reptiles with long necks and tails, and horns of various sizes and shapes. Additionally, all Dragons also have fur mixed with their scales, most commonly as a large tuft on the tip of the tail, along their limbs (including the outside of their wings), a "mane" around their chest, and a horse-like crest that runs along their back from the back of their head to just shy of the tip of their tail. Being so intrinsically tied to magic, some Dragons can develop unique characteristics based on the magic of their environment (e.g. crystalline growths, plantlike elements, feathered wings, etc.).

Biological Traits

Despite their reptilian appearance, Dragons possess a number of mammalian traits besides their fur, such as being warm blooded.

While Dragons are already capable of living far longer than any other living thing in Taeva, they can further extend their lifespan by going into a hibernative state that seems to completely stop their ageing (or at least slows it to the point of appearing to stop). The downside to this is that for the duration of this hibernation, the Dragon is completely unaware of the outside world, with the world they wake up to often being completely different from the one they went to sleep in.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dragon's are an egg-laying race, often laying clutches of 3-4 eggs. No one knows how long these eggs take to incubate, as the gravid Dragon spends all of its time in their lair, but estimates place the process at around 2-3 years, give or take.

Growth Rate & Stages

Whelp: 0-5

Young: 6-30

Juvenile: 31-100

Adult: 101-500

Elder: 501-1000

Ancient: 1000+

Ecology and Habitats

Dragons can be found all over the world, though they prefer to make their homes in secluded places such as islands, mountains and caves.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dragons are omnivorous, though some have been observed eating gemstones as well. Some of the most powerful Dragons can even consume Aether, both in its original energy state and as Aetherite.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Dragon society is hierarchical, with a combination of magical aptitude, physical strength, wisdom, experience, and reputation all being taken into account when judging ones social standing.

Beyond this basic heirarchy, Dragons are grouped together in "Flights". Rather than being grouped together based on breed, colour, or breath weapon element, these Flights are instead organised along philosophical lines., with each Flight and its associatted Lesser Flights dedicating themselves to a specific purpose and way of thinking.

Sovereign

Considered to be the greatest and rarest of the Flights. United by their self-appointed task of providing guidance for the inhabitants of Taeva, including their fellow Dragons, the Sovereign Flight acts as the defacto leadership of all Dragonkind, and have a long history of lending their guidance to the various Mortal Races of the world. Generally, Sovereign Dragons possess gleaming scales, commanding features (including an impressive, sometimes crown-like set of horns), and a lithe, yet strong physique.

Monarch

Sovereign Dragons who've claimed a large swathe of territory that they rule over. These Dragons primarily act as the leadership of whatever other Dragons are living in their territory, and rarely, if ever, get involved with the affairs of the Mortal Races, unless a Dragon is involved.

Emissary

Sovereign Dragons who focus on providing guidance to those they feel will use it to the benefit of the many, usually leaders among the Mortal Races. This is often through magical means (such as visions), or through direct interaction with their chosen mark, typically while shapechanged.

Tyrant

Fallen Sovereign Dragons who seek to claim dominance over the "lesser" races of the world, often attempting to build empires with themselves at their head.

Arcane

Considered to be the most magically adept of the Flights. United around their original purpose of safeguarding and shaping magic, the Arcane Flight stand as the greatest mages and scholars of all Dragonkind. Generally, Arcane Dragons possess smooth scales, streamlined faces and horns (sometimes with a "beard"), and long, slender bodies.

Glyphscale

Named for the numerous symbols, runes, and glyphs etched into their scales, these Arcane Dragons focus on collecting and studying magical lore. This makes them the foremost mages of Dragonkind, and it's said their hoards contain many magical secrets lost to time.

Relic

Arcane Dragons who focus on studying and preserving history. Lairing in ancient places, Relic Dragons fill their hoards with historical tomes, artifacts, and ancient weapons and armour, and will part with them under the proper circumstances.

Wyrd

Arcane Dragons with a strong connection to Wild Magic. Lairing in places with strong ties to Wild Magic, such as near rifts to the Fae Realm, Wyrd Dragons are endlessly fascinated with the chaotic nature of Wild Magic, constantly experimenting with it and normal magic alike even as they work to keep it from potentially ravaging the world.

Oracle

The rarest and most enigmetic of the Arcane Dragons. Lairing in extremely secluded places, Oracle Dragons are said to possess the power of foresight, meditating in seclusion for vast stretches of time on potential futures.

Grim

Fallen Arcane Dragons who seek to increase their power, often turning to dark magic in the process.

Valorant

Considered to be the most physically powerful of the Flights. United around their shared pursuit of furthering their physical prowess, the Valorant Flight stand as mighty warriors and defenders both. Generally, Valorant Dragons possess hard, smooth scales, strong features, large horns, and powerful physiques.

Warden

Valorant Dragons who've dedicated themselves to the path of the defender. These Dragons will often lair close to places of civilisation while still remaining out of sight, standing guard over their chosen ward, ready to come to their aid in the most dire of circumstances.

Crusader

Valorant Dragons who've dedicated themselves to combating evil in all of its forms, chiefly focusing on fallen Dragons. These Dragons hold themselves to strict codes of honour, and are often seen as being the closest thing among Dragons to knights.

Slayer

Valorant Dragons who are driven to seek out strong adversaries to test themselves. It's said that ancient Slayer Dragons will travel to far-flung destinations in order to sate their desire for strong opponents, including the Giant-dominated continent of Aesuth to the far west, and even other planes.

Warlord

Fallen Valorant Dragons who seek to establish their dominance over all others through the trails of destruction they leave in their wake.

Wealdspeaker

A Flight best known for their connection to nature. United around their desire to safeguard the natural world and its inhabitants, the Wealdspeaker Flight can be found in a wide range of environments, often lairing in remote, out of the way places. Generally, Wealdspeaker Dragons possess numerous traits evocative of their home environment, including bark-like scales, beast/moss-like fur, and horns resembling antlers or branches.

Beast

Wealdspeaker Dragons who've formed a powerful connection to the various wild beasts of the land, sea, and sky. Bearing many traits from the various creatures they share their territory with, Beast Dragons are often considered to be the wildest of the Wealdspeeker flight.

Primordial

Wealdspeaker Dragons who've formed a connection with the primordial elemental forces of nature, such as fire, water, and wind. It's said that the oldest Dragons of the Primordial Flight gain bodies made entirely of their element, in a similar manner as the Giants.

Guardian

Wealdspeaker Dragons who've formed a powerful connection with the land itself. Dragons of the Guardian Flight possess powerful druidic magics alongside their elemental breath weapon, and often align themselves with various other nature-aligned entities.

Calamity

Fallen Wealdspeaker Dragons who use their connection to nature and the elements to terrorise the Mortal Races as living natural disasters.

Reveler

A Flight best known for their gregarious personalities, as well as their willingness to interact with members of other races. United around their shared curiosity around the Mortal Races and the wider world, the Reveler Flight can often be found wandering the world, or mingling with the Mortal Races in disguise. Generally, Reveler Dragons possess sleek, vibrantly coloured scales, elegant, streamlined features, and lithe, slender physiques.

Wanderer

Reveler Dragons who seek to explore all corners of the world. Rarely settling in one place for long, Wanderer Dragons live a nomadic existence, always seeking out interesting new locations to visit.

Song

Reveler Dragons who've developed a keen interest in the cultures and traditions of the Mortal Races. Out of all Dragonkind, the Song Flight has the most frequent interaction with the Mortal Races, often spending years at a time living among and interacting with them while shapechanged.

Venomtongue

Fallen Reveler Dragons who use their persuasive abilities to manipulate the Mortal Races to their own ends.

Facial characteristics

Dragons have a reptilian face and horns. Depending on the individual Dragon, there may be a number of variants in their appearance (e.g. antlers in place of horns, a "beard", etc.).

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Dragons could be found all over the world, with each type preferring an environment that suited their physiology.

Average Intelligence

Dragons are among the most intelligent beings in Taeva, with hundreds, if not thousands, of years of knowledge and experience to their name. Additionally, some believe that Dragons are capable of passing down this knowledge at birth through some unknown means, as evidenced by the fact that whelps are capable of speech and possess a solid grasp of low-level Draconic Magic only a few days after hatching.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dragons have two eyes, and two ears around the base of their horns. Being powerful spellcasters, Dragons have great skill both in using magic, as well as sensing its presence.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

No one truly understands the naming traditions of Dragons, as they seem to be all over the place. Some names are short, some long, some melodic, some harsh, and everything in between. The Dragons claim that there's some meaning behind their names, though they seem to be the only ones who know what these meanings are.

Male names: Yghinth, Edroith, Ordorriass, Tyvorrom, Ralrzrydur, Migaith

Female names: Yllass, Frydhaess, Nothae, Cheldrilth, Aeninthet, Reylyth

Beauty Ideals

While individual Dragons may have differing opinions on what's considered beautiful, some common traits that are considered attractive include some combination of strength, intellect, and/or experience.

Courtship Ideals

What little information exists on Dragon courtship seems to indicate that when two Dragons consider each other to be worthy mates, they remain with each other for life.

Relationship Ideals

Both parents are expected to contribute to raising their offspring until they can take care of themselves.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is said that dragons have great respect for those who can prove themselves to be their equal in either strength or wits, or at least come close. Additionally, appealing to the personality of a Dragon, or at least presenting them with an appealing gift, can help one get into a Dragons good graces.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Dragons are often considered to be prideful creatures by nature, especially when dealing with any non-Draconic beings. Even among Dragons who have generally friendly relations with non-Dragons tend to be condescendingly compassionate in their interactions. While it's generally acknowledged that such pride naturally stems from the vast difference in strength, intelligence, lifespan, and magical aptitude between Dragons and other mortal races, this attitude has been a source of great frustration among those who attempt to interact with them.

Being creatures who's lifespan can stretch into the thousands of years, Dragons have a very different perception of time compared to the other mortal races of Taeva. They have very little interest in the present moment, considering it to be nothing more than a fleeting moment compared to the millennia ahead of them, preferring instead to focus on the long term (Many Dragons consider the relative haste with which other races live their lives amusing). The most obvious example of this trait is their approach to decision making: A Dragon would spend months, years, or even decades mulling over a decision, analysing every possible detail and potential outcome before committing themselves to a course of action. The only times a Dragon would make what could be considered a "snap decision" would be if they, their hoard, or their family/ally is directly threatened.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Draconic Hoards: One of the most recognisable traditions among Dragons is their habit of building hoards within their lairs. It's believed that Dragons first began forming hoards as a way to pass the long years of their lives, analysing every detail of the items within their possession as a way of stimulating their minds. As such the contents of a Dragons hoard often reflect the particular interests of that particular Dragon; Some keep a vast arsenal of enchanted weapons & armour, others build great libraries filled with texts on a variety of subjects, others keep galleries of priceless works of art, etc. Alongside their physical and mental abilities, the size and quality of a Dragons hoard is a key indicator of their standing among fellow Dragons.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Since their fall, the dragons have become more reclusive from the rest of the world, preferring to keep to themselves, though one can sometimes gain an audience with a dragon if its been sufficiently appeased.

Lifespan

4,000+ years

Average Height

On average, Dragons can be measured at 12 feet tall at the shoulder.

Average Length

The average dragon is often measured at being around 55-65 feet long, with the neck making up about 14 feet of that length.

Average Physique

While body types tend to vary between individuals, all dragons are generally well muscled.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A dragons scales and fur can come in a variety of colours, often influenced by the element they're the most closely tied to (e.g. dragons that are closely tied to the element of fire are more likely to be red). In addition, a fairly powerful dragon is said to start developing glowing markings on their body, though there are very few examples of this happening.

Related Materials

• Drakonite
• Kythorite