Dragons
Dragons are vastly powerful creatures with an innate connection to the magic of the world. There are many subspecies of dragons, but these can mostly be sorted into three subgroups; Chromatic, Metallic and Gem dragons. Chromatic dragons revere Tiamat as their progenitor and are typically evil, rejoicing in the suffering of mortals. Metallic dragons on the other hand follow Bahamut, who is also known as the silver paladin, and are generally good. There is no known progenitor for the gem dragons, and they are typically neutral in alignment. Regardless of alignment or color, dragons are a force to be reckoned with - an adult dragon can topple an unprepared kingdom with relative ease.
Dragons are however a rare sight on our plane - partially due to their own vicous competition. When dragons cross paths they will typically fight to the death, assuming they are not of the same alignment and goals, but even then you cannot bet on a peaceful alliance. Dragons seek power and wealth above all (though what they hoard vary greatly), and no single creature threathens them as much as another dragon. Even if a dragon survives encounters with it's own kind it is likely to die by mortal hands - either adventurers hired by a fearful king, or mages looking to tame their magnificent power.
Historically, dragons have usually appeared as envoys of different gods, and most deities have specific dragon species associated with them.
Today, dragons are nearly extinct - at least on The Alyssian Continent. The few adult dragons that were died in the Black Age, and today wyrmlings and eggs sell for a fortune on the black market.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragons have four legs and separate wings. They usually have long tails.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dragon reproduction is unpredicatable, and seems to vary based on the individual more than anything. On occasion they may reproduce in the traditional 'when a mommy dragon and a daddy dragon loves each other very much'-way, but this is rare. Dragon eggs may be created magically by older dragons, appear in the decomposing corpse of a dead dragon or even just appear in areas with high concentrations of ancient magic.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dragons can live for thousands of years, it seems as if their life expectancy is decided wholly by their own desires - and their tendency to make enemies. For while dragons who want to grow seem to never wither from age, few surpass the stage of wyrmling. In general dragons will kill any potentional rivals, wyrmlings or not. In addition their potentional for great power makes them targets for all kinds of forces - good and evil.
Wyrmlings
While a newborn dragon may sometimes be referred to as a 'Hatchling' in their first year of life, baby dragons are generally referred to as wyrmlings for the first five years. Wyrmlings are weak compared to their adult relatives, but a single wyrmling can still wreak havoc on a settlement - or anyone not well used to combat. Wyrmlings usually think quite locally, it's territory typically spans a farmstead or two within their parent's territory. It is worth noting that in the wyrmling stage they will usually stay with their siblings, so if you find one in the wild - beware.Young Dragon
Dragons of the second growth stage are typically referred to as young dragons, the teens, and a single young dragon is a difficuilt match even for a group of seasoned adventurers. Here a dragon will usually establish a proper lair, away from it's family. These territories typically span an area of approximately 80km (50 miles), and the dragon will fly in circles around it to keep tabs on what is happening - and to hunt. These dragons can be a significant threat or boon to any cities or kingdoms that happen to be located in it's territory.Adult Dragon
After a century a dragon is a truly might being, an adult dragon's terriotory can cover a whole continent. Most adult dragons will establish multiple lairs across it's territory, and will travel between lairs every few months to avoid overhunting an area. At this stage the lairs will be so filled with the dragons magic it starts to warp the enviroment. This warping is dependent mainly on the type of dragon, though individual variances of course apply. Examples of ways the envirment may warp is a cold, unntarul fog that obscures all light by the lair of a white dragon, and tiny beasts gaining the ability to speak by the lair of a copper dragon.Ancient Dragons
A dragon is considered ancient after 800 years, and at this stage it is one of the most powerfull creatures in the multiverse. These dragons alter the fates of whole dimensions, it no longer has a territory - just different lairs it flies between. The magic in the lairs influence the natural world for hundreds of kilometers.Greatwyrms
Greatwyrms are the oldest of the ancient dragons, so suffused with magic they are near immortal. They are considered avatars of the draconic nature, and their power is similar to that of a god.Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Dragon names are typically meant to either inspire terror or 'reflect the grandeur of dragon's ancient language' (read: be intricate and obscure). Regardless, most dragons are known by nicknames or common-ized versions of their name.
History
According to the ancient draconic song Elegy for the first world, Bahamut and Tiamat created 'the First World' and all the dragons. The world was then invaded by mortals and their gods, presumably led by Khalijan and/or Evander, though it is possible gods we have never heard of were involved - or that our current gods had different roles in the First World. Regardless, a great war followed - a war that the mortals and their gods won. While Tiamat fought to death, Bahamut made peace with the deities and became a deity of sorts to many. He kept searching for a way to free Tiamat, and eventueally sucedeed. Tiamat raged and began a war, and such came the divide between chromatic and metallic dragons - and the war tore the first world apart, creating the myriad different material planes that supposedly exists. If this elegy tells the truth, it would explain why dragons supposedly have connections to different versions of themselves across planes - known as echoes.
Comments