Draconids
A wide subspecies of giant characterized by their tough hides, reptile appearance, sapience and common ability to breathe fire
Basic Information
Anatomy
While a wide margin exists for what constitutes a dragon as the species has diverged a bit from the more traditional characteristics, some common attributes exist across the many subspecies. All dragons are moderately intelligent, they are skilled predators and cannot be fooled easily by traps or other ensnarements that humans sometimes set to try and capture them. Another commonality is all dragons breathe fire in differing intensities, as silk dragons breathe a cooler in comparison fire than that of a Kenko dragon which is known for its exceptionally hot breath.
Biological Traits
Draconids can be classified in many ways, the academics who know the most of them classify them by fire intensity, size, and by specialized habits. Noted habits of some draconids are nocturnal, a trait best typified by the Alchys, a dragon poorly understood but known for its very dark skin and strictly nocturnal lifestyle. Alchys are among the most dangerous dragons as they hunt during the night and are very keenly aware of their surroundings in pitch-black environments.
Ecology and Habitats
Draconids vary in their specific preferences but the majority prefer a more isolated and solitary lifestyle with a special affection for cold, damp, and steep caves or cliffsides. It is thought that dragons do this in order to keep away from predators, humans especially they have a weakness towards, as humans are able to eventually overwhelm draconids with enough numbers. While some draconids burrow in a den, some gather sticks, logs, branches, and leaves and fashion themselves a nest like a bird.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Keeping to themselves, draconids are known to be foragers and scavengers who will, if their size allows them, lift an animal carcass all the way to their den and eat it rather than where they found it. Smaller draconids act more like birds where they will eat fruits, small rodents, and even small domesticated animals like ferrets, chickens, cats, and dogs. This hunting pattern has made smaller draconids a pest in some human villages as they prey on these pets while larger draconids can be a bigger issue they help themselves by often staying away from human settlements or attacking their prey at night.
Biological Cycle
Draconids are quite notorious for not being able to die of old age, this is due to their strange practice of renewing their current body by covering themselves in ash made from their own fire and hibernating for a short time before emerging from this ash pile rejuvenated and biologically younger. This practice is best utilized by smaller draconid species like the Madinae. Humanity was able to discover this due to the generally calm and predictable nature of these small dragons who often maintain a nest nearby human settlements.
Behaviour
While it is unknown how more ancient dragons behaved, it is generally agreed upon that the smaller a dragon is, the more aggressive it becomes. This does not solely mean aggressiveness in so way as being dangerous, smaller dragons seem bolder in their dealings with humans and frequently make themselves known. Larger dragons on the other hand are much more reclusive, solitary, and sometimes even described as shy.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Draconid ash is prized for its valuable healing and fertility properties. As this is so recently a discovery, smaller draconid species are being allowed closer and closer into human villages in order to collect this ash. Some people have even begun trying to domesticate these smaller and more agreeable draconid species in order to utilize their ash and also to guard against pests like rats.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Draconids are known to mostly inhabit the northern stretches of land which cover from the Avepine mountains of Lakia all the way north to the Black Mountains of Iola and all the way east until the Teroare mountains. Draconids are not reported to live in the Haklan Highlands but these reports could be incorrect as the climate and altitude is actually quite suitable for them to dwell there.
Average Intelligence
Draconids are uncommonly intelligent creatures, much more so than the typical animal. Draconids are first and foremost, a predatory species that live by their ability to track down and acquire food, this can lead to them becoming ferocious scavengers who have the strength and power to lock down a kill from any other animal who might try and challenge them.
Some draconids however are more active predators who will pursue a target with speed and stealth, hunting in a way similar to birds of prey as they swoop down from the skies and grasp onto their prey with their strong claws. Draconids are difficult to trap and ensnare because they have good sensibility and often can think to avoid entanglements which make them difficult to kill or capture.
Some draconids however are more active predators who will pursue a target with speed and stealth, hunting in a way similar to birds of prey as they swoop down from the skies and grasp onto their prey with their strong claws. Draconids are difficult to trap and ensnare because they have good sensibility and often can think to avoid entanglements which make them difficult to kill or capture.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Draconids are exceptionally sensitive to rapidly changing climates and temperatures. Most of the time they prefer a temperate climate with more of a preference on the colder side as they have grown acclimated to the cold more so than heat. Draconids typically are susceptible to illnesses born from a rapidly changing climate and most of the time will flee north in search of more chilly temperatures if their current habitat becomes too hot for them.
Civilization and Culture
History
Draconids share a long history with the other giants, it is said that draconids were alike pets to the Jotnar as they were strong and loyal beasts which commanded great respect among the ranks of the old giants. The Jotnar Dawn Kings were said to each have a legendary Draig as their mounted steed, these Draigs must have been true leviathans as the three Jotun kings themselves were each large giants in their own right. In iconography, these Draigs are depicted as silver, black and red and correspond to the monarchial honorifics of the king that rode them. King Voldugr rode the silver dragon Frannsach, King Hrunir rode the red Ainiargus and King Kronaðr rode Basdūh, the Black Death. These three dragons were thought to be the most powerful dragons born and from their line came many of the later draconid species.
Other powerful Draig dragons are known as Fuerig, the dragon killed by the legendary Herodi hero Gundhar, was thought to be a powerful Draig as well as known to be a dragon of "fire and death" as it is said to have slain a large multitude of challengers and warriors prior to falling to Gundhar. Since the times of the Archaic age, draconids survived a turbulent time for their species as warming weather caused many to die of illnesses and more to retreat into the cold mountains where many have stayed since. More recently, draconids have rebounded due to cooler climates and have now begun to emerge from the slopes and become more active in the world of man.
Other powerful Draig dragons are known as Fuerig, the dragon killed by the legendary Herodi hero Gundhar, was thought to be a powerful Draig as well as known to be a dragon of "fire and death" as it is said to have slain a large multitude of challengers and warriors prior to falling to Gundhar. Since the times of the Archaic age, draconids survived a turbulent time for their species as warming weather caused many to die of illnesses and more to retreat into the cold mountains where many have stayed since. More recently, draconids have rebounded due to cooler climates and have now begun to emerge from the slopes and become more active in the world of man.
(Alchys Dragon)
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
Biologically immortal
Conservation Status
Dragons are a very rare and endangered species of creature, hunted alongside the giants in the aftermath of their loss to humans in wars, the dragons were driven to the jagged peaks in Archaic times while the giants were driven to the far north to Iola and Drauheim. Separated from their caretakers, the dragons were slowly isolated and picked off by the increasingly bold human populations that lived nearby until dragons nearly disappeared from the world. In more modern times, some larger dragons have been reported to live near the summits of mountains or in some caves near villages where they've taken to raiding these settlements and stealing livestock as food.
Average Height
Between 3 - 75 feet
Average Weight
Between 200 - 400,000 lbs
Average Length
Between 10 - 80 ft long
Average Physique
Draconids vary in terms of size, the small silk dragon is the smallest of known draconid species and lives off of nuts, fruit, and the occasional rodent. Silk dragons are prized for their namesake as they are able to produce a fabric called Draig Silk. Said to be very similar to silk, this commodity has made this species prize commodities in the regions they are known to dwell in.
Other draconids are known for their size, the largest known dragon is commonly called a Draig, though it is generally called many things in various languages in places where dragon encounters occur. In Akhantal it is the Nagyfej, in Iola, the Holtauga, and in Lakia, the Altemori. Unlike other large dragon species, Draigs are known to stand their ground when attacked and usually have the strength and power to overcome even a host of enemies. The meaning of the word Draig in this case comes from the Gwerin word, taken from original Old Arish Ahdrag, which means "Wide Sight" and refers to the normally bright eyes of many dragon species.
Geographic Distribution
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