Gold Dragon
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Courtship and mating among gold dragons is a dignified process. Prospective couples spend years together, debating, questing, and getting to know one another. Once that time is up, they request the blessing of the gold dragon leader, who rarely refuses. For such an orderly society, gold dragons express great freedom in their relationships, with no cultural expectation of remaining together for life or practicing monogamy. However, all gold dragons carefully instruct their young before sending them to spend time with foster parents in order to broaden their understanding of the wider world.
Ecology and Habitats
A gold dragon can live in a variety of places, but prefers seclusion in areas such as the bottom of lakes, high plateaus, islands, and deep gorges. A gold dragon's lair is always made of stone and typically contains numerous beautifully decorated chambers. Animals, and even giants, may act as guards within the lair.
Behaviour
Gold dragons typically assume humanoid forms, although they occasionally take on the guise of peaceful animals. These animal forms are often domesticated creatures that rarely draw attention. Gold dragons are known for their legendary patience and attentive listening skills. Unlike bronze dragons, they do not hold life as sacred, and when confronted by a creature that espouses views they find objectionable, the dragon will remember that creature and pay attention to its future actions.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Unlike blue dragons, who follow a strict hierarchy within a regional area, gold dragons adhere to a global hierarchy that they are taught to respect and honor from a very young age. The greatest of all gold dragons is elected from and by all gold dragons (how this is done has not been revealed) and serves for life or until they resign. When multiple candidates of equal measure are chosen, they must come to an agreement on sharing power, never resorting to fighting. Although the authority of this leader rarely needs to be demonstrated, they often serve as advisors to other gold dragons. They also act as representatives of all gold dragons and as enforcers and judges in the event of a gold dragon deviating from expectations.
Facial characteristics
Gold dragons have large, smooth, metallic twin horns, twin neck frills, and catfish-like barbels around their mouth. Wyrmlings lack these barbels, but they grow them fairly quickly as they age. By adulthood, they will have eight barbels, four on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw, but they will gain more in later stages of life. Their face is relatively short, with spines above the nostrils. A gold dragon’s eyes are slanted and narrow, with pupils that slowly fade as they age until they resemble pools of molten gold. Additionally, gold dragons have a long, pointed tongue, backswept frills on the lower jaw, and cheek horns that jut out to the side.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
~4,400 yrs.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Gold dragons have dark yellow scales with flecks of gold when they hatch. As they age, these flecks grow larger until they are entirely covered in golden scales.
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