Dragon
Dragons are one of the oldest surviving races of Dulūn, created by Aleyara. They hatch as wyrmlings, only around 4-7 feet in length, yet are unhindered in their growth, becoming as large as 100 feet long if their lifespan is not cut short, as they so often are by adventurers. Metallic and Gem dragons tend to have longer lifespans, as they are less often the targets of adventuring parties, but are not entirely off of the radar. Many mortals fear dragons, often rightfully so. Metallic dragons are often benign, though are keen to force their will where it is not necessarily wanted, and chromatic dragons tend to be mean-spirited as a result of being looked down upon and cast out by metallic dragons. Gem dragons tend to remain neutral, though some form allegiances to other metallic or chromatic dragons, tentative as these alliances tend to be.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragons are large reptiles, ranging in size from 4 to 100 feet long, depending on their age. They have large wings and are capable of flight, and many are able to climb, swim, or burrow as well. Every dragon has an innate ability to shapeshift from their dragon form to their regular form, the exception to this being white dragons. However, most dragons, especially chromatics, choose not to adopt this form often, as they prefer their draconic form - metallics, on the other hand, may spend centuries without ever reverting back to their true form. If viewed by someone with truesight, a dragon will appear to have their draconic form, as their humanoid form is no more than a disguise.
Genetics and Reproduction
All dragons are capable of reproducing asexually, with the capability to both lay and fertilize eggs. However, as the process of fertilization occurs after an egg had been laid, it is also possible for another dragon to fertilize an egg - this is most common when a dragon has chosen a mate, and these mates are most often the same type of dragon. However, there are some cases where a dragon will choose a mate that is not their same type, though this mate is almost always within the same group, be it metallic, chromatic, or gem. In these cases, the child of these dragons typically exhibits the traits of the parent with more dominant genes, depending on their dragon type. While it is not impossible for a dragon to have a mate from a different group, it is highly unlikely, both due to the fact that metallic and chromatic dragons despise each other, and that there is a high social stigma among dragons for this kind of "cross-breeding".
Growth Rate & Stages
A dragon starts out as an egg, which generally takes a few years to hatch. Once hatched, if not eaten by a parent (as many chromatic dragons are often inclined to do), they are either abandoned (typical of chromatic dragons), or raised for the first stage of their lifespan (typical of metallic dragons). Either way, they are then a wyrmling, around 4-7 feet long. This stage lasts for 50 years, until a dragon is considered mature, and known as a young dragon. At this stage they tend to be around 10 feet long. After they reach 100 years old, they are considered adult dragons, ranging from 14-18 feet long. This stage lasts around 900 years, until they are a milenia old, at which point they are considered ancient. At the beginning of this stage, they have typically reached at least a 20-25 foot length, and this size only increases the longer they live. Greatwyrms are incredibly rare, as they require a dragon to be upwards of around 2,500 years old, and if a dragon has lived this long, they can reach sizes upwards of 100 feet.
Ecology and Habitats
A dragon's habitat depends on its type. Red dragons tend to make lairs in large, underground caverns active with geothermal activity. Black dragons favour marshlands, while blue and brass dragons favour deserts. Green dragons are known for choosing lairs in underground cave systems with access to water and plant life, and white dragons tended towards icy mountaintops, as do silver and crystal dragons. Bronze and topaz dragons take a liking to the coast. Copper dragons prefer rocky areas, such as cliffs or hilltops, while gold dragons prefer smoother stone. Amethyst dragons like large bodies of water, both above and below ground. Emerald dragons usually find their lairs underground, in caves or burrows. Sapphires have a tendancy to make their lairs into labyrinths. Lastly, deep dragons find themselves at home in fungus-infested caves.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Dragons are an extreme case of omnivore, as they are capable of eating a wide variety of things, due to their very powerful digestive tracts. This includes many plants, including whole trees (trunks included), invertebrate animals, vertebrate animals (bones included), as well as even minerals and fungi. Traditional hallucinogens, alcohol, and other drugs do not have an effect on dragons, and they are even capable of eating highly toxic or poisonous foods, though most don't choose to, as they tend to come with an unpleasant taste.
Behaviour
When dragons find a mate, that dragon is their mate for life. Some dragons are known to also take a fancy to mortals, especially when polymorphed into a humanoid form, though they cannot form the same connections to mortals as they do to other dragons. When a dragon's mate dies, they tend to go into a depression that can last upwards of decades to even centuries long, and will not find another mate afterwards.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Most dragons have blindsight, and it is not uncommon for a dragon to have truesight, either.
Draconic Deities
Metallic Dragon Gods
Chromatic Dragon Gods
Gem Dragon Gods
Other Dragon Gods
Draconic Deity Family Tree
While undoubtably magnificent as a species, dragons each come with a large set of issues. Metallic dragons are often good-hearted, and are intent on always making things "better", though often disregard whoever they are helping's idea of what is actually better. Chromatic dragons, on the other hand, are driven to cruelty, as a result of being disowned by their kin, the metallics. And gem dragons simply cannot find it in them to care about anyone or anything other than themselves.
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