Mountain Drake
Basic Information
Anatomy
Mountain Drakes are massive, wingless reptiles with a powerful muscular and skeletal frame.
Height (at shoulder): 7 to 8 feet
Length (snout to tip of the tail): 13 to 15 feet
Head: broad and angular, with pronounced ridges above the eyes. The eyes are large and expressive, usually deep amber or gold, with excellent vision.
Teeth: long, sharp, and serrated to grab hold of flesh and rip it.
Horns and Protrusions: two horns protrude backward off its skull, just above the eyes. A number of other spikes and ridges run along the top of its head, down through to the neck, torso, and tail.
Neck: short, thick and muscular. It is covered in thicker scales.
Chest and Abdomen: the chest is wide, deep, and thickly muscled, with larger, more plate-like scales than the back, thus providing extra protection to vital organs. Its underbelly is lightly armoured, but its scales are nonetheless thick and scaly.
Limbs: the drake has four powerful legs. Although its front limbs are a bit shorter than the hind ones, they are extremely muscular with very sharp, retractable claws able to rip even through armor and flesh.
Tail: thick and muscular, proportional to the body in length. It is a fierce weapon of balance and battle, striking mighty blows. Tough scales cover the tail, which ends with a ridged area bearing short spikes that can be used to aid in defense and balance
Scales: hard and slick but almost rough, feeling like well-kept stone. They are highly resilient and can withstand incredible physical force, though they possess no defense against magic.
Genetics and Reproduction
Mountain Drakes mate in an oviparous fashion, laying clutches of leathery eggs within exquisitely concealed nests. In the reproductive cycle, males and females perform a complex series of interlinked rituals as part of courtship displays to bond together. Mated female drakes lay two to three eggs for a gestation period of around three months.
The eggs are tended to by the mother, which dutifully keeps her nest safe. The incubation period takes another three months, and during this time, the mother would see to it that no predators or environmental challenges could harm her offspring.
Growth Rate & Stages
Hatchlings
Age: Newly hatched to 1 year Length: Hatchlings are nearly 2 feet long at about half of it's height. Description: The hatchlings are at a very high risk of predation and depend on their mother for protection. Their scales are softer, smaller and become harder as they grow. When they are at this stage, they mostly stay near the nest to learn how to survive.Juveniles
Age: 1 to 15 years Size: By the end of this stage, juveniles grow to be 4 to 5 feet tall at the shoulder and 8 to 10 feet in length. Description: Juvenile drakes grow quickly, muscles tightening and scales hardening. They start to venture out from their den and through the protective companionship of their mother, learn how to stalk. This is a time when sibling interaction and learning about territorial behavior also occurs.Young Adults
Age: 15 to 50 years Size: Young adults grow up to 5 feet tall and within the range of 10-12 foot length. Description: As they grow, drakes become more independent hunters and carve out their own territory. They refine their hunting, learning to cope with the trials of life alone. This is a time of monumental physical and psychological growth, establishing them as the top predators.Adults
Age: 30 to 100 years Size: Fully grown adults stand between 7 and 8 feet tall at the shoulder and measure 13 to 15 feet in length. Description: Adult drakes are in their prime, exhibiting peak physical strength and territorial dominance. They are highly skilled hunters and have established stable territories. This stage is marked by the pursuit of mates and the raising of offspring.Elders
Age: Over 100 years Size: Elders can reach up to 9 to 10 feet tall at the shoulder and 17 to 20 feet in length. Description: Hunting is dangerous and the environment challenges are fierce; this makes elders few. Drakes that reach this stage develop an increased amount of wisdom and caution. They tend to retreat deep into their territories and will expose themselves as little as possible to people or threats.Ecology and Habitats
The Mountain Drakes are living in the most hidden and jagged lands mankind is aware of. The environment where these creatures are best suited is a high-altitude mountain with jagged peaks and rocky crags that offer natural defenses against predators. Drakes build their lairs out of sight in caves or hidden alcoves within the mountains, hard for humans and other predators to get to. They use these lairs as safe spots for resting, rearing young and saving food.
Mountain Drakes are found in the highlands, much as you might assume from their name, but do on occasion travel to lowland valleys and similar places close by when they go hunting. These lower elevations also allow other hunting options, as valleys typically contain much larger groups of game. After successful hunt drakes will then return to their mountain homes, eating in the safety of their abode rather than meet humans.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Mountain Drakes are a predatory hunter, requiring their impressive size and powers to be maintained with the flesh of large herbivorous mammals. Deer, mountain goats and a variety of other large woodland creatures are their typical favorite targets. Drakes, being carnivorous ambush predators use their natural camouflage and stealth to fade into the environment before attacking.
They are strategic and crisp in the methods they use to hunt. A Drake will usually seek a place near well-used animal trails or bodies of water since prey is likely to appear in these places. When sense prey, this drake will kick start itself on a burst of speed and strength for a swift take down with the sharp clawed gashering at its disposal.
Any food in excess is buried at secret locations in their home range, which they can return to retrieve even when the chips are really down. By hoarding food, they are able to endure those season where prey is scarce; such as the harsh winter or dry seasons.
Biological Cycle
Spring
In the spring, Mountain Drakes become more active. For semi-hibernating species, this season marks the return to activity after a period of slowed metabolism allowed them in part survive colder months with less food. Prey emerges as animals come out of hibernation or return from migrating back to the area. Drakes therefore hunt more aggressively to refuel their depleted energy stocks from over winter. In addition, spring marks the start of breeding season. Male Drakes males are territorial and fight other males to attract a female. Mating pairs will breed, with the female starting to lay eggs in hidden nests.Summer
Mountain Drakes are most active during summer. Higher temperatures and longer days makes it perfect for hunting, territorial control. The profusion of prey resources allows drakes to accumulate fat deposits. They hunt more often and commonly stash any leftover food items in caches to live off of during the lean times. Females lay eggs in the early part of summer. They guard the nests aggressively, protecting from predators and concerns in family surroundings. Eggs hatch late summer and this second incubation period goes on through the summer season.Autumn
Once temperatures start to decrease, Mountain Drakes will become less active. They turn to titivating their nests and staking out the turf for when winter next comes. Hunting is still sustaining, however drakes exhaust their reserves. They still hunt, but more attention is directed toward saving energy. Hatchlings from late summer are still growing, and they continue to learn how fo find food on their own while staying with their mother.Winter
Mountain Drakes enter semi-hibernation in winter. During the coldest months of winter, their activity levels plummet as they conserve energy. Then, they withdraw back to their nests or lairs where the harsh climate cannot affect them. They scavenge and live almost entirely on body reserves. It can also slow their metabolism, which means they do not need to eat often. The thick scales of drakes combined with their fat layers keep them warm. They are on guard and ready to defend their turf, but try not expose themselves to undue activity.Behaviour
Mountain Drake is a super-intelligent, highly adaptable creature with the complex behaviors and psychology befitting intelligent creatures. Drakes are highly territorial, extremely aggressive towards interlopers and mostly solitary creatures. Through territorial squabbles, hierarchies are formed and maintained via the establishment of dominance displays with battles fought only when needed.
Mountain Drakes possess ability to solve problems, they have a strategic mind. They often use it to their advantage for hunting as well as avoiding near and far threats. This, along with their strength and intelligence has made them one of the most respected (and feared) creatures in their dimension.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Humans have hunted Mountain Drakes for years, due to their magic connection as well as the worth of their body parts.
Scales: Since they are relatively hardy and provide protection, scales are most commonly used in armor or shields.
Bones: Can be crushed into powder to make traditional medicine, which is said to have a strengthening effect.
Teeth and Claws: Fashioned into weapons, tools, and talismans believed to bestow inhuman strength or ward from harm.
Blood: It was highly desired for the magical properties many believed it possessed, and was often used in rituals or as part of potions. It isn't as desirable as before.
Being pursued without end by humans has turned the Mountain Drakes into a very rare endangered species. Measures to defend these wondrous creatures are thwarted by a fear of them combined with historical mistrust in magic.Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Mountain Drakes can detect the slightest sounds from great distances. They have great vision, even in poor lightning conditions which gives them a huge advantage. Mountain Drakes have a strong and keen sense of smell, often utilizing it to follow prey or detect other creatures in their territory.
Moreover, they are extremely attuned to surface vibrations. This warns them of nearby activity in their surroundings that may still not be in view landscape-wise. They are also adept at sensing the magic of their environment. Such an extrasensory ability could have evolved in response to the presence of many magical areas and would help prevent harm by avoiding them.
by DALL·E
Scientific Name
Draconiformes, Montisdraco robustus
Lifespan
150 years
Conservation Status
Endangered. Mountain Drakes are hunted and feared because of their association with magic.
Average Height
7-8 feet at the shoulder
Average Weight
800-1,200 pounds
Average Length
13-15 feet
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Drakes are typically slate gray in color, a shade that helps them camouflage against the rocky terrain of their mountainous homes.
Geographic Distribution
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