Dragons

Previously known as "The True Kings", Dragons are a long forgotten creature, mostly used in children's tales and ancient history books. However, lying in the Pioz Mountains lives several hundred, along with many devout followers who would stop at nothing to let their rulers have dominion over Torra once again

Basic Information

Anatomy

Similar to what we consider to be "Wyverns", Dragons only have 2 legs, much like an eagle. Wing spans can massively vary, depending on the age of the dragon, or even down to the specific part of the Pioz Mountains they live, but generally they can be between 11-200 ft long. Colours also vary, with most having at least some form of red undertone to them.
Dragons are a very diverse species, not one dragon is the same as another, some are spindly and small, others are muscular and massive. There's not really one "dragon" that can be described that fits all dragons.

Genetics and Reproduction

Unlike how we would imagine dragons repopulating, with scaled eggs and such, dragons actually reproduce in a much different way. When a dragon nears the end of his life (which takes a very long time), they take out one of their 3 hearts and bury it in burnt ground (earth burnt by another dragon to combine their genes into a new dragon), where it grows. Once the dragon has passed, a new, baby dragon emerges from the dirt to replace it.

Growth Rate & Stages

When a baby dragon (called a "Draco") rises form the burnt earth of its parents, its wings are fused to their body, often taking around 8-10 months to fully grow. After this period, the Draco is now considered a Drezak, where only after it reaches the age of 85 can it be considered a fully grown Dragon.

Ecology and Habitats

While it's not exactly the optimal environment for a dragon, the Pioz mountains is where all current living dragons reside. They have made due, considering how huge the mountains are, for themselves and their followers (known as the Children of the Dragon)
Dragons make use of their "kids" to bring them any food or materials they may need, since they've been imprisoned on the Pioz mountains. After the Pioz Wars that marked the start of the New Generation, the most powerful Exoris put a perimeter around the bottom of the mountains, meaning if a dragon ever attempted to leave, they would be instantly atomised and erased from existant, leaving only their poor "kids" to wander Torra in search of their master. This perimeter doesn't affect any other being than the dragons, causing the Pioz mountains to be their cage.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Most dragons are pure carnivores, eating exclusively meat, despite the fact that there's absolutely no need for them to do this. They could live solely on the smell of pine trees if they really needed to, it's just that most dragons prefer the feeling of charred flesh in their mouth. Some dragons do live on practically nothing, while others feast on gold or other things of monetary value.

Biological Cycle

Despite being so close to the Chausian desert, the Western wide of the Pioz mountains becomes an icy wasteland during the winter months, causing most dragons to either flee to the Eastern side - where they bicker with the other dragons living there - or, like what most dragons have done, they simply move deeper underground in their caves, making use of their own body heat to keep them and their "kids" alive. During this time, dragons usually hibernate, turning into stone statues that radiate heat for their "kids". While they sleep, D'hifa's get told through dreams what their dragon wants and/or needs for after they wake up.

Behaviour

Dragons are very wise and ancient creatures, with some a more bloodthirsty temper than others. For example, Myserth was known for his wrath amongst the Geverian regions, ruling tyrannically and with the aid of the arts to keep him alive. Only after he was imprisoned at the top of Cresgate Mountain did he freeze to death, with his body still perfectly preserved in the glacier.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Most dragons never interact, mostly because they space they share would be too small, thus leading to arguments and inevitable destruction.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Flight is an obvious observation, same with fire breathing. Practically every dragon has both of these traits, minus a rare handful, there were even more types of dragons in The Beginnings that lived side-by-side with Man, but the Pioz Wars almost eradicated most of them, such as the Levant (Sea Snakes), Frozog (Arctic Dragons), and Xargsys (Earth Dragons).
Most dragons have incredibly durable skin, especially after waking up from their hibernation, where they turn into stone statues. It's impenetrable, only so by a specific and unused metal known as Medkruzium.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Teltos
Krazaec
Kaektug
Triltik
Baskrind
Strendreth
Drirdoshe
Urazox
Gozurciuk
Bajurzig

Major Organizations

As per their name, the Children of the Dragon are a religious group who worship the dragons. Each one has their own tribe that follows their every command.

Beauty Ideals

Dragons like to keep themselves well maintained, often clipping excess skin with their teeth or getting their "kids" to remove any blemish or any other deformity they may have.

Gender Ideals

All dragons are male, so there's no competition between them in that regard.

Courtship Ideals

The only time a dragon would seek out another would be when they are nearing death, so they could reproduce to continue their species.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Dragons speak a language that's incomprehensible and untranslatable by any normal means, only the D'hifa of a particular dragon can translate what they say. However, there are tales of an extinct race of Man who used to be able to communicate regularly with dragons, some tell of how they were slaughtered by those jealous, others say it was a skill that's been long forgotten, and that could be relearnt by one so intelligent enough.

Scientific Name

Draconis Dérkomai

Lifespan

400-3000 years

Average Height

10-10,000 ft

Average Weight

600kg

Average Length

12-1000 m