Western Dragon

The western dragons are one of the sapient dragon species that live in Dracia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Of all the dragon species, prehaps no other is more recognizable than the western dragon; when people say 'dragon', this is what they mean.
Starting with the head, the western boasts a large skull adorned with a pair of large horns, whose shapes range from straight and unwavering to intricately curled. Framing it's head are either frilled or narrow ears, which are protected by a large tragus to protect from the wind. The mouth is full of small but sharp serrated teeth, the back more dull than the front for crushing. Their pointed, flat tongues are more flexible than a bird's or a lizard's.
A dragon's eyes are large for their head and come in many vibrant colors. A brow ridge protects a dragon's eyes from the sun's glare while flying. They are protected by both an outer eyelid and an inner, transparent eyelid. This, called a nictitating membrane, protects the eye from damage when flying or fighting.
Myths and stories tell that all the dragon species have slit pupils like a snake, but in reality a dragon's eyes resemble a human's, even down to the white sclera and expression. This uncanniness may explain peoples fears about how a dragon's gaze can be dangerous.
This species' entire body is encased in tough but flexible scales, with the largest along the belly and under the neck. They overlap like roof shingles to create a natural suit of armor. When dragons first hatch, the scales are smooth and snake-like; they develop their trademark hardness as iron from consumed food is deposited into their structure. In fact, small deposits of iron can be found in the claws, horns and teeth of this species, with the western having the highest concentration of their kind.
Their scales don't shed, at least not in one piece; rather they continue to grow by having the top layer peel away in small flakes. This protects the dragon while repairing any damage done to it. Western dragon scales can be just about any color but are often muted to help it blend into the environment.
It's four legs are positioned directly underneath the dragon like a big cat, giving it a faster gait but sacrificing it's stability. It's front legs are more dexterous than it's stout back legs, allowing it to hold and grab objects with ease. All four are equipped with sharp, curved claws perfect for piercing and slicing.
The western dragon's wings are the largest proportionally of the dragon family. Despite looking like another appendage, these wings are actually highly evolved parts of the ribs. They can be the traditional bat-like, feathery bird-like, or frill-like membranes that stretch from the shoulders to the tail. Many human depictions in art put the wing position on the shoulders, but actually are set just behind them. With the bat-like wings there is a membrane that attaches from the elbow to the base of the neck to increase lift.
These wings are packed with sensitive touch sensors, allowing them to respond to even the slightest changes in airflow. The signals from these cells activate an area in its brain dedicated entirely to flying and automatically make small adjustments. This gives the dragon high mobility even with large wings.
A dragon's wings aren't just used for flying though; while running they are used for balance, keeping them closed to increase their speed and pivoting on one wing when switching direction. And by leaning in their necks and tail, this allows even large adult dragons to turn sharply.
The tail of a western is long and flexible, held level with the body and provides stability when on the ground or flying. Some dragons have tails tipped with a spade shaped growth, grow long feathers or have a finned structure.

Internal Anatomy

The western dragon has a complex internal system that is like no other in the animal kingdom, appearing to take the best attributes from mammals, birds and reptiles.

Skeleton

Taking a page from birds, western dragons have hollow yet strong bones adapted for flying. They also have a sternum, or wishbone, for the flight muscles. The horns of these dragons continue to grow throughout their lives and are never shed, twisting into impressive decorations. Thus, a dragon's age can often be calculated by the horns' size.

Muscles

The western has a muscle system more similar to a big cat, with large pectorals for flight. These become prominent when the dragon sits upright. They also have strong muscles in the jaw and legs, able to easily crush bone in the former and pounce on prey for the latter. Since the dragon's muscles are incredibly efficient for oxygen uptake, they can maintain great lengths of rigorous activity like flying or fighting.

Vascular System

Their heart is four-chambered, a little bigger than their fist and has smoother, simpler walls for easier blood circulation. Said blood contains anti-bacterial properties to fight off disease and a lower but more efficient hemoglobin count to quickly transport oxygen around the body without making the blood thicker.

Respitory System

Within the western are enormous lungs attached to a complex air-sac system that permeates throughout the body. Some of the air reaches inside the honey-combed structured bones, allowing them to be bigger without adding weight and reinforcing the internal structure. This also helps to oxygenate the muscles and cool the body more efficiently, allowing the dragon to move faster. This dragon species' respitory system shares a similar arrangement to the extinct pterosaur's Pulmonary SASS (Subcutaneous Air Sac System).
The western dragon's primary habitat are the towering mountains, so their respitory system is adapted to cope with the thin air. They can easily survive over 9000 meters above sea level.

Vocal Tract

The dragon species' (not just the western) have evolved a unique combination of larynx and syrinx that gives them incredible flexibility when vocalizing. This can range from infra sound rumbles to uncanny human voices.
Western dragons especially have thicker vocal tracts that give them their famous roar; only an adult dragon can produce such a deep bellow that could be heard over 10 miles away. It's very dangerous for creatures to be close to roaring dragons, as the sound could not only rupture eardrums but can vibrate its body so much it can cause excruciating pain and damage internal organs.

Digestive System

Western dragons have an efficient metabolic system. Their teeth are not well adapted for chewing so they tear and swallow one small piece at a time. Their stomach acid is strong enough to digest bone, fur, hooves and horns, negating the need for a gizzard. In cases of food shortage these dragons can go for about 3 months without it.
The average adult western dragon needs to eat about 25% percent of its body weight every day for good health, with the younger population consuming more due to their growing bodies.
All dragons are endothermic, regardless of the magic it uses. Lacking sweat glands (save for the soles of their feet), they pant to release excess heat.

Nervous System

While their sense of touch is not as sensitive as humans thanks to their scales, the western dragon can feel temperature, pressure and texture from their snout and foot pads.

The Brain

The western, eastern and fairy dragons share similar features in the brain; large for their size, neurons tightly packed, wrinkled like a mammal's and entire areas dedicated for senses. These three dragons enjoy the same range of emotions as humans. In addition, while their senses don't become any sharper with age, the dragon's brain does get better at shifting through information.

Reproduction System

Like all dragons, the western has a cloaca, a single opening for waste and reproduction. The sex organs lie deep in their bodies so female dragons that are carrying eggs don't 'show', even late into their pregnancy.

Other Traits

This species exhibits many phenotypic traits, perhaps the most diverse in any dragon family. Because of this western dragons can sport different horns, tail decorations and body types even between siblings. Some dragon scholars wonder if this is more due to the type of onne an individual is born with rather than with random chance natural selection.
Males, called dracs (DRAHK), have a more stocky and squarish body while females, called dragoness, have more curved and slender features. Both genders can have mutations involving ridges of fur, feathers or frills on their bodies.
Western dragons have unique smells to them depending on their magikal abilities. These can be humid like rainfall or dry like stones. Human noses aren't sensitive enough to pick them up, though it is possible with training.

Biological Traits

An individual western dragon's appearance and breath are determined by their parent's, with the hatchling inheriting one or the other. It's magic, however, is more random; it could be one of the parents but in many cases the dragon's magic can come from further down the line.
Here's list of traits that dragons can have from most common to rare:

Horns

Straight: Common Curved: Common Spiral: Uncommon Twisted: Uncommon Bull: Rare

Scale Pattern

Pointed: Common Square: Common Round: Uncommon

Ears

Frills: Common Slender: Uncommon Round: Rare

Wings

Bat: Common Frill: Uncommon Bird: Rare

Tail

Normal: Common Arrow or spade: Common Frill: Uncommon

Genetics and Reproduction

Like all dragons, the westerns lay eggs. A dragoness' eggs take about 6 months to develop in their bodies and, after laying, take another 3 months to hatch. There's about 3 to 4 eggs per clutch that can be laid in any season once a year. Dragons only lay eggs when they're fertilized, unlike birds who lay eggs when broody. One parent takes care of the eggs while the other hunts, switching whenever the other needs a rest.
The eggs are about as big as a pillow (but much heavier), roughly match the color of the dragon within and look very much like polished elliptical river rocks.
As the final month approaches, the embryo becomes developed enough to hear noises from outside the shell. A good sign that the baby is close to hatching is when the egg twitches and vocalizes whenever it hears the parents.

Growth Rate & Stages

When they finally claw out of their eggs, baby dragons are already the size of a small dog, with the tail and wings taking up most of the length.
Most of their anatomy is poportionaly correct though the head is more round while the wings are lanky. Their scales are smooth and their first teeth are just beginning to erupt from their wide mouths. Even though the dragon still has a way to go before it's strong enough to have full antomony, its already well developed to walk and eat.
Hatchlings (the name given to dragons younger than 1 year) start talking after a month, learn to fly in about 3 more once their flight muscles develop and begin spitting their first beath ability at their 6th month. The parents help when able with advice and teaching. Around this time they also grow fast, doubling their size after about 8 months.
Mentally, hatchlings are similar to human children of about 6-8 years old: full of curiosity, dependent on their parents for protection and soaking up knowledge like a sponge. However they are more prone to strong emotions due to their rapid brain development and amygdala. This usually happens around their 2nd year, often pushing the hatchlings to find quiet areas to be alone, far from anything that might upset them.
Along with these behaviors, hatchlings are skittish and timid. This may have evolved as a defense against creatures that may try to kill the young, such as wyverns or lindworms. So most hatchlings before their 1st year stay in their parents' caves.

Draeling

After growing into a draeca (a female between 5 and 29 years) or a drach (a male between 5 and 29 years), the youngling will start looking for a place for itself. This is often near its parents' lair but still gives its a taste of independence. Both genders are around the size of a horse at this point, though the males become more squarish in body while the females start to develop more slender features. At the same time their sex hormones start pushing them to court others. Dragons have a more relaxed view on sexuality than humans in general; straight, gay, lesbian, bi, asexual and more are readily accepted in their society.
Draelings (adolescence dragons) are much like human teenagers: impulsive yet insightful, confident if reckless and self-reliant but stubborn. And moody, but fortunately not as much as their hatchling years.
It's theorized that most of the dragons described and often slain in human myths were in fact draelings who were looking for their first lair, as these stories would describe the dragon to be much smaller than previously thought.

Adult

Western dragons become dragonesses (mature females) and dracons (mature males) after 30 years. At this point they're about the size of a small elephant, have fully developed sexual dimorphism and much slower growth rates. This is at the point where both sexes start looking for a lifelong mate.
An adult dragon's brain has also finally finished developing, leaving it to be more patient and easy-going than it's more rowdy years.
At this point, the dragon has developed a taste for a specific kind of hoard. Some are inspired by their family members while others take ques from famous dragons.

Wrym and Death

In ancient times, the western dragons usually lived for about 40-50 years due to their savage life. But once they became more intelligent and discovered their onne, their lifespan then drastically increased. Today they can live for over 300-400 years and are not as hindered by their age as other animals. A few even manage to hang on for half of a millennia.
Still, these older dragons (called wyrms) do show many signs of aging. Graying of scale colors, flaking around such scales, horns and claws, and wrinkles along the less scaled body are the most common identifiers. Stiff muscles and bones are the biggest complains you'll hear from a wyrm; they often use magik to lessen the pain.
Wyrms are some of the most powerful creatures to ever live physically. They are respected for their wisdom by other dragons and some have become tutors for draelings.

Magik Development

A dragon's onne gives it's body cosmetic effects over time, starting after they develop their breath ability. These include but are not limited to; a melodic voice or laugh, shimmering scales, a natural scent (piney, rain, dusty), metallic claws or horns, etc.
For some reason the most common onne affect relates to the eyes; while they don't change color they can become jewel-like, glowing or iridescent as their magik grows.

Ecology and Habitats

Western dragons make territories wherever there's plenty of food. They're often found in temperate, high altitude environments like mountains or alpine meadows. This is because they prefer to make their homes in caves, which are either carved out themselves or natural openings.
Such abodes are fairly simple; a long hall leading to some sleeping chambers that connect to a treasure chamber. Nests and food are kept in the sleeping chambers. While most of their treasure is kept hidden, some are displayed around the cave.

Dietary Needs and Habits

While built to be a predator, western dragons are omnivorous, eating a variety of fruit and vegetables along with different meats. This diet depends on where the dragon lives; those that make their homes in the mountains will eat mountain sheep, goats, deer along with wild berries, while fish, seals, dolphins and tropical fruit are staples for dragons living near the coasts. Westerns can use their breathe ability to cook (or soften) their meals for easier digestion.
These dragons employ a variety of hunting strategies against their prey, either techniques passed down from parents or learnt through trial and error. They stalk on the ground, dive from the air, chase down or set traps. Some even practice agriculture.
One such technique dragons use is the 'snatch and drop'; a dragon grabs their prey, flies high into the sky and then drops it. This tactic is brutal but effective for some of their more dangerous prey.

Biological Cycle

Western dragons can slip into a torpor if food becomes hard to find, which is usually done during the winter.
They can mate anytime during the year, though females can choose to not lay their eggs if environmental conditions aren't suitable.

Behaviour

Western dragons can be described as introverted and free-spirited in personality. They put emphasis on merit, individual skill and self-sufficiency.
Like many predators, when they're not hunting, dragons try to conserve energy throughout the day. They do this by resting during the warmer parts of the day. The western dragons sleep, on average, 10 to 12 hours per day; they experience REM sleep just like humans.
Western dragons are protective of their territories but usually forgo attacking outright, preferring to observe first to determine the intruder's motive. A dragon entering another's territory for the first time traditionally announces its presence before entering and then offering a fresh kill to them.
The amygdala in the dragon's brain is quite large, comparable to most predators. Thus any sort of flight, fight or freeze response is much stronger in them than it is in other sentient dragons. Draelings are taught consistantly on how to control their aggression, fear and other emotional responses.
These dragons have the most confidence in themselves, barring close to being arrogant. This is especially prevalent among the young adult population; such an attitude can lead to misunderstanding, disrespect and sometimes conflict between other dragons or creatures. Fortunately this wavers as the dragon ages, with most becoming humble with the onset of adulthood.

Philosophy

There are three tenets that most western dragons acknowledge: perfection of self, access to time and preservation of nature.
Of all dragons, the western variety hold self-sufficiency as an important aspect of draekin. Young dragons are expected to hunt game, gather treasure and stake out a lair of their own once the parents believe they have taught them enough. As an adult, they seldom ask others for help or advice unless the problem is something they never encountered before, a rare experience for a long-lived being. This makes it difficult for dragons to team up with others (their own kind or otherwise) or gather minions to complete a task, as many of them are a stern believer in the 'if you want something done right, you should do it yourself' phrase.
Despite their long lives, western dragons spend most of their time in the moment. They are capable of planning ahead if needed however, especially during times of food shortage. Some of these dragons (and their eastern cousins) take up goals to achieve immortality. The way most of them achieve this is not literally living forever; instead, they opt for more symbolic eternities, like ensuring their names or deeds are not forgotten by creating stories or having cherished items past down onto their kin. But a few will take the literal way of becoming immortal if the dragon believes that it needs a longer time to complete their goals.
Older dragons tend to develop a long-term view of events and often dismiss what they consider 'temporary' problems. Such a mindset can make negotiations with other short-lived beings difficult. This also colors their relationships with others, and they often come across as aloof or cold.
Finally, the western dragon's most prominent feature is their love for nature. They have a deep understanding of their impact on the ecosystem and seek to take care of its delicate balance. After securing a lair, the dragon spends a great deal of time exploring the surrounding area, making note of the animals and plants living there and observing what role each creature plays in its environment. In this way the dragon can choose which animal it can prey upon that won't effect the equilibrium or even change the ecosystem for the better.

Hoarding

The western dragons are famous for their hoarding tendencies. But there are a lot of misconseptions regarding their relationship with their poseccions.
These dragons are naturally attracted to refracting, sparkling and translucent objects. They prize beauty over rarity, taking pride in decorating their lairs with their collections.
While humans have many theories as to why dragons hoard, the truth is that, along with their beauty, dragons use their treasure to recharge their onne. By gathering a large amount of gems or metal in one place, their energies attract magik and allow it to seep into the area. The dragon can then tap into it and recover. If a western is planning on taking a long trip, it would take a large crystal or hunk of metal along with it to help recharge faster.
Along with gems and metals, western dragons also collect books, plants, animal trophies, food recipes, etc. Many hoards also contain human-made items like paintings and statues; how dragons come across such finds can vary. Such treasures are usually displayed in nooks and crannies of the lair.
Dragons take thievery of their items personally; if an item is stolen from their hoard it relentlessly pursues the thief, be it a small animal or another dragon.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Western dragons can either live solitary or in small families usually consisting of the mated pair and their offspring. Sometimes there's a grandparent or adopted hatchlings present. Males often leave their family earlier than females.
For multiple family groups that lair nearby, the dragons maintain a loose connection with each family. They often trade information, treasure and gossip at an spot where territories overlap called a thursig.
Despite their surprising social behavior, western dragons rarely work together to hunt unless that prey proves to be difficult.
A family or group of dragons is called a flight.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Dragon-made Items

Many unique items can be made from a western dragon's body. However it is a practice that is frowned upon; weapons crafted with dragon parts were once used to kill other dragons in bygone times. Such a memory is very much engrained in the westerns, and if a human is caught with a dragon-infused item the punishments can be severe. The following is a archive of dragon items that have been discovered:

Hoard Items

Due to their love of hoarding, western dragons often have man-made treasures in their lairs. They aren't picky about where the items originated either; their hoards could contain goblets from Great Britian, busts from Egypt, carpets from Saudi Arabria or frabrase eggs from Russia. If a dragon dies or is killed, people who plunder the hoard would come across such items. This may explain why odd treasures might appear in ancient sites.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Western dragons are frequently found in high elevation environments, ranging from towering mountains to open alpine meadows. It's not uncommon, however, for them to be found lower areas. Such decisions are based on the availability of food, shelter and comfort. They try to avoid anywhere with extreme heat like deserts, though.

Average Intelligence

Western dragons are as smart as humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Westerns have a variety of highly developed senses suited for their livelihood.

Sight

Western dragons have extraordinary eyesight, similar to a bird of prey. They can see in color and pick out details from afar, over a mile on a clear day.
One myth tells that dragons don't have good night vision, a common trait among daytime birds. However this is not the case; their eyes can adjust to lower light thanks to their tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like structure in the back of their eyes that reflects light and give the eyes another chance to absorb it. This gives these eyes, and other animals', their distinctive glow.

Smell

The dragon's sense of smell is their second strongest trait, rivaling that of dogs. Along with smelling in stereo, they can determine the emotional states of other creatures through their hormonal chemicals, differentiate between two of the same animals, if they're from a specific location and when it was there. Dragons can also sense parental heritage, determining whether one dragon is related to another.
Unlike reptiles, dragons don't use their tongues to smell.

Hearing

Western dragons can hear roughly the same as a human, ranging from 5 Hertz to 15,000 Hertz. Their ears, whether frilled or horse-like, have a large tragus (a piece of cartilage just outside the ear canal entrance) to protect it from the wind while flying. They are also sensitive to infrasound, aiding them to hear other dragons' roars from far away.
A dragon's hearing is designed for 3 dimensions (above, below, left and right this makes it almost impossible to sneak up on an alert dragon.

Taste

Like humans, western dragons can taste a multitude of flavors. Contrary to popular belief dragons aren't put off by sweet food; in fact, many dragons enjoy sweet-spicy flavors.

Touch

The scales covering a western dragon provide great protection but little sensitivity. If the dragon wants to feel something, it often uses the back of it's knuckle or it's nose since those have thinner scales.

Breath Ability

Western dragons are famous (or infamous) for their breath abilities.
This ability may have evolved from venom producing rear-fangs. After a few generations a small hole developed in front of the fangs, and then later muscles in the glands allowed said venom to spray out. Somewhere along the line the chemicals in the venom changed making them more combustible when exposed to air.
Today western dragons can produce not just fire; some can use acid, frost, lightning and everything in between.
To use their breath ability, the western dragon takes a deep breath before exhaling and contracting its mouth gland muscles. The chemicals instantly react when exposed to air; depending on what chemicals the glands produce they can ignite into flame, become acidic, turn to frost or spark into lightning.
While they are born using one breath, dragons can develop a second breath through training. And by adjusting their mouth they can also change the shape of said breath, from narrowing it down to a line or spreading it out like a fan.
This ability is among the dragon's most dangerous weapon. There are exaggerated but accurate stories of their fire turning metal into liquid, their acid eating away stone and their frost freezing whole trees.
However, a dragon can only use its breath a limited number of times since it requires a certain amount of chemicals to create the energy. On average a healthy adult can use about 5 small breaths (or 2 big ones) per day, with younger draelings only managing less than half that and older wyrms able to it many times a day.
The western dragon's breath ability, called onnekhis in Draon, starts appearing after the hatchling's first year. Its considered an important milestone for them and is celebrated as Sunnokhis, or 'Day of Breath'.

Magik

Along with their hoard tendencies and their breath abilities, western dragons can tap into the magik that flows throughout the world. This energy then becomes onne within their bodies and could be controlled with enough practice.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Western dragons have strange yet flowing names, often borrowing name structures of European descent.
Traditional male names end with 'o', 'u', 't', 'r', 'n', 'd', or 'g'. Traditional female names end with 'i', 'a', 'm', 's' or 'l'.
A dragon's last name describes where they were born, either from a well-know place or a generic area. For example a male dragon born in a mountain range called the Gray Spires would be named 'Galto born of the Gray Spires'.
Sometimes if a dragon does something it deems important enough it would add a title to commemorate that accomplishment. For example a dragon that has gathered a large sum of gold would confer 'The Golden One' or 'Gold Gaurdian' as their title.

List of example names:

Galto Deltor Trianna Iridia Annathea Falizan

Beauty Ideals

A western dragon with a filled out base of the tail is considered sexy, perhaps because it signals a healthy individual. Condition of scales, claws and wings are also judged to determine the individual's self-sufficiency. This is true for both sexes.

Courtship Ideals

When searching for a mate, many dragons look for others that share their interests. The most common would be the same kind of treasure but others, like sense of humor, have been noted.
It's traditional for courting mates to lock talons while flying and spiral down to the ground, only to release at the last possible moment. This is to prove their worthiness to one other.

Relationship Ideals

Westerns are monogamous, staying with one mate for life and usually finding another if their first one dies. Both are expected to care for their offspring; since either has to stay with the eggs while the other hunts, one leaving the other without a good reason is taboo.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Western dragons speak Draon though they can learn to speak human languages.
Due to their unique vocal folds, a dragon can easily mimic a human's speech patterns. Many people who hear this for the first time say it resembles how a bird might 'talk'.
A hatchling is born with a high-pitched, childlike voice that like a human's will crack and make 'honking' noises as it passes through adolescence. A good sign that a dragon is an adult is when their voice deepens into a smooth rumble; while a female's doesn't grow as deep as the males their voices can still carry immense power.
Even if a dragon raises it's voice just a little, it can rattle windows and cause the chests of nearby animals to vibrate. One sharp bark can be enough to cause avalanches and shatter glass; a sustained roar will crumble rocks and knock down large trees.

Common Etiquette Rules

Gift Greet

If a dragon is traveling through another dragon's territory it is customary for them to announce their arrival (via roaring) and bring some sort of food, often freshly killed prey.

Dragonsong

Dragon's can sing, but it's not like a human. Those who have had the fortune to hear dragonsong liken it to a haunting trumpet or the Celtic carnyx. Dragons usually sing when they're together to establish territory.

Common Dress Code

Some western dragons decorate themselves with the treasure they've gathered. They're careful to make sure their jewelry is snug against their bodies; dangling chains or flowing capes can snag on objects or other creatures.
Common items are earrings, necklaces, rings, horn caps and embedded gems.

Necklaces

These consist of metal bands that fit snugly against the dragon, safety located below the throat.

Rings

Rings can be fitted on the front fingers or wing fingers.

Bracelets

Wrist and ankle bands are the most common. Sometimes a ring of bands are fitted along the tail.

Piercings

Though earrings are used, the wings and frills are too delicate for piercings.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Oral Tradition

Western dragons tell myths and folk stories about their ancestors and extraordinary individuals that helped dragonkind. This is one way to help preserve and give immortality for those that have passed on.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Hoarding Customs

Because hoarding plays an important role in a western dragon's life, there are multiple customs and traditions that these dragons follow.
Surprisingly, hoarding for status is a low priority; rather a hoard is meant to express that dragon's personality and vulnerability to others.
Because of their long life-span, most western (and eastern) dragons keep long lasting materials like stone and crystals in their lairs, so that they could enjoy such treasures practically forever.
Dragons who wish to go from acquaintanceship to life-long friends will visit one another's lairs to see their hoards. If they see that they enjoy the same thing, that friendship is assured. At the same time, courting dragons will show off their hoard to potential mates.
The tale of Into the Veil has influenced many dragons to gather gold, as these were thought to be the pieces of Galuran when he sacrificed himself.

Guardianship

Western dragons are acutely aware of the balance in their environment and take pains to keep the ecosystem healthy. If it's low in a certain species, the dragon would try to correct by introducing the same or similar animals.
Because of this, an keen eye can tell a lot about a dragon's attitude based on their territory. Forests filled with aggressive creatures could indicate an gluttonous dragon, while a more quiet area would often have a secretive dragon. Even if the Western behaves differently to others, their homes almost always give away their true natures.

Celestial and Seasonal

Like humans, western dragons can track the time by using the movements of the sun and moon, and can even learn to navigate using the stars. They celebrate the first day of spring, summer, fall and winter, usually by gathering at specific areas.
While the three sapient dragons recognize these events, they celebrate them in slightly different ways. For example, during ecilpses, especially when the sun completely disappears, western dragons will stand still, easterns will roar, and the faerie kin will play tricks on their kind.

Death

Since dragons live for so long and rarely have to deal with any threatening aliments, the death of one of their species is highly significant. Rituals are different for the late dragon's age at the time of death.
Traditionaly, the relatives of the deceased dragon are the ones to take care of the body. As stated before, most dragons send them off by creamation, but some members freeze or bury their kind.
The western dragons believe that when they die, their experiences and memories are taken by the dragon of death and secreted away within his hoard. He then releases the life force back into the world, where it either reincarnates into another dragon or other creature.
The dragons that choose to become guardians are said to be allowed to keep one memory to live forever with.

Common Taboos

While predatory, these dragon hold great respect towards their prey; toying with creatures meant to be eaten is frowned upon, so they learn to kill quickly at a young age.
The western dragons have a more lenient view of their primal instincts for hunting, mating and establishing territory; while they are taught that they have a time and place for such things, these dragons don't see behaviors as shameful. This is in stark contrast to most human cultures and, surprisingly, eastern dragons, who are taught to suppress their instincts.
Expressing emotions are also viewed in a similar light as instincts, more than eastern dragons but less than faerie dragons.
Divorce is shocking for dragons, who must rely on the other to protect it when caring for hatchlings. Often the unhappy couple will split only after their offspring can fend for themselves. This is why dragons can court for years before laying eggs.
While a loving couple shares just about everything, the western dragon species keeps their hoards seperate.
It's considered bad luck for anyone other than relatives to take care of a dead dragon.
Secrets are important to western dragons; these can be newly discovered spells, resources or mineral veins. Usually, the dragon would only tell their closest relatives or trusted mates.

Common Myths and Legends

Human Myths

Humans have featured this dragon in a myriad of myths, most often as a monster that needs to be slain by a hero. In reality, many of these were at best shorthand for seemingly impossible obstacles; at worst, propaganda.

Western Dragon Beliefs

Western dragons have a hybrid of panthesis and ancestral worship in their culture. They believe that their species was created to keep their environments in balance, sort of like a keystone species.
They have an acceptance of the divine in the natural world, especially in themselves and others that they believe can wield magic.
In addition, the western dragons believe that those who have died become part of the environment. The living can communicate to those who have past on through dreams.
The beliefs western dragons have do share many similarities to druidism and other earth religions.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Western dragons have a good relationship with the faerie dragons.
Western dragons see the lung as haughty and condescending.

Humans

Though humans were the major cause of some dragon deaths (and the entire reason why dragons fled to Dracia), most western dragons only want to be left alone and seek no relationship with humans. However some have taken upon themselves to observe them, if only to see how they're progressing with their technology and how they're changing their environment.

Scientific Name

Draco Ignisoris sapiens

Lifespan

300-400 years

Conservation Status

Critically endangered

Average Height

3 meters (about 10 feet) at shoulder (adult)

Average Weight

900-1000 lbs. (adult)

Average Length

15 meters (almost 50 feet) from nose to tail (adult)
Neck: 3 meters (about 10 feet), varies between individuals
Tail: 9 meters (about 30 feet), varies between individuals
Wing Length: 30 meters (about 100 feet) (adult)

Average Physique

While there are some physical differences between sexes, both have well-built bodies.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Western dragons can come in a variety of colors, ranging from natural to more vivid tones. On average a male has a darker scheme while a female has a lighter one.
Most dragons have four main colors: scales, underside, horns and claws, and eyes. The underside and under the wings have the same color tone and are lighter than the scale color. This helps the dragon camoflauge against the sky while its in flight.
A dragon's eye colors always match the color of their magic.

Geographic Distribution

• Greyscale Mountains

Related Myths

• The Founding Myth for Dragons