Time Dragons

Basic Information

Anatomy

Their appearance is marked by slender, spiny features sweeping back from their faces, combining elements of ancient and new growths. The cracked scales on their bodies hint at their extraordinary age and the accumulated wisdom that comes with it.
The temporal abilities of time dragons are a defining characteristic. Greatwyrm time dragons can temporarily halt time, allowing them to travel to different points in time with companions, albeit with the limitation of only three uses over their immortal lifetimes. Their electrical breath attack possesses the unique power to displace exposed creatures into a future point in time.

Genetics and Reproduction

Time dragons reproduce exceptionally rarely through a complex and secret temporal ritual tied to celestial convergences. This intricate ritual occurs during specific celestial events, creating unique conditions for reproduction. Following this ritual, female time dragons undergo a gestation period marked by shifts in time and reality. The duration of this period can vary, and once complete, the offspring is laid in a hidden temporal chamber for incubation, which can extend for many decades. Offspring born from this process are seen as the guardians of the time dragon bloodline, inheriting a profound responsibility to protect the universe from temporal interference.

Growth Rate & Stages

Egg Stage: The life of a time dragon begins as an egg, which is the result of the intricate temporal ritual. These eggs are carefully tended in hidden temporal chambers, and they exhibit temporal fluctuations even before hatching.
Hatchling Stage: When a time dragon egg hatches, it gives birth to a time dragon hatchling. These young dragons are already sensitive to temporal shifts and exhibit early signs of their extraordinary abilities. During this stage, they begin to develop an understanding of temporal dynamics.
Juvenile Stage: As time dragons grow, they enter the juvenile stage, marked by an increase in size and temporal capabilities. They gain the ability to temporarily manipulate time to a limited extent. This stage is a crucial part of their development, preparing them for their responsibilities as guardians of temporal order.
Adult Stage: In the adult stage, time dragons reach their full maturity, both in terms of size and temporal abilities. They can temporarily halt time, perceive events across different points in time, and navigate the astral plane. This stage is when they fully embrace their roles as protectors of the temporal order.
Elder Stage: The elder stage represents the pinnacle of a time dragon's existence. They have mastered their temporal powers and play vital roles in overseeing the temporal order. Elders are responsible for guiding the reproduction rituals and ensuring the continuity of their bloodline.

Ecology and Habitats

They are drawn to celestial sites where celestial bodies converge, as these locations provide the necessary conditions for their rare and intricate reproductive rituals. Environments with temporal nexuses, where time is particularly thin or malleable, are also favored, enhancing their temporal awareness and abilities. Time dragons are known to navigate the astral plane, making places with easy access to astral realms advantageous for their activities. Remote temporal chambers, where they lay their eggs and incubate their offspring, are essential, requiring seclusion and protection. Cosmic vantage points and high, remote locations provide them with clear views of celestial events, further cementing their role as cosmic observers.
They display great respect for these environments, mindful not to disrupt the natural flow of time within them. In celestial sites and cosmic vantage points, they diligently observe celestial events and temporal phenomena, serving as cosmic sentinels. In areas with temporal nexuses or astral planes, time dragons actively safeguard these locations to ensure temporal stability. They are exceptionally protective of their hidden temporal chambers, considering them sacred and vital for the continuation of their species. Navigating the astral plane, they view these habitats as extensions of their duty as guardians of temporal order.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Time dragons have a distinctive relationship with sustenance as they feed on temporal essence, the energy of time itself, rather than traditional physical food. They possess the unique ability to draw this essence from temporal events, celestial phenomena, and their own temporal chambers. To acquire temporal essence, they can temporarily manipulate time without disrupting timelines, allowing them to sustain themselves.
The protection of their temporal chambers is of utmost importance, as these chambers serve as a vital source of sustenance and the incubation site for their offspring. Time dragons carefully guard these chambers to ensure the well-being of their young and preserve the source of their nourishment, all while respecting the natural flow of temporal events in the multiverse.

Behaviour

Within their species, time dragons share a profound kinship, recognizing the importance of their unique bloodline and working collaboratively. They cooperate to protect their temporal chambers and fulfill their responsibilities as temporal guardians. This cooperative nature includes the exchange of knowledge and shared efforts to ensure the preservation of the temporal order.
Time dragons lack natural predators due to their formidable powers. However, they maintain vigilance against any potential threats to the temporal balance they protect. When faced with disturbances that could disrupt the natural progression of time, they are prepared to defend their territories and temporal nexuses, upholding their role as protectors of temporal stability.
Their interactions with other species are characterized by a respectful distance. Time dragons do not directly prey on or interfere with other creatures, as their primary focus remains the preservation of the temporal balance and the safeguarding of the timeline

Additional Information

Social Structure

Time dragons operate outside traditional social structures, existing as solitary beings with unique cosmic responsibilities. They are part of the Temporal Council, a hidden universal assembly that includes representatives from celestial entities and time guardians. This council convenes during critical temporal crises to maintain the natural temporal order and ensure the cosmic timeline remains intact.
Despite their solitary nature, time dragons are interconnected through a cosmic consciousness that enables them to share knowledge and insights regarding temporal challenges. This interconnectedness facilitates cooperation when facing threats to the timeline. In this distinctive social structure, elder time dragons hold revered positions as overseers of paramount temporal phenomena, while younger members have specific roles and look to their experienced counterparts for guidance. This structure ensures the guardians are equipped to safeguard the temporal balance.

Facial characteristics

Their faces are adorned with slender, spiny protrusions that sweep back from their foreheads, embodying a blend of new and ancient growths. These dragons boast scales with a distinct appearance, featuring a cracked and creaky texture, reflecting their connection to the ages they have witnessed. Their mystical aura radiates from their faces, creating subtle, shimmering distortions in the air around them.
Time dragons have eyes that exude the wisdom of ages, marked by a penetrating and knowing gaze. When they reveal their faces, they command awe and reverence, leaving observers with a profound sense of the mysteries of time and the cosmos.

Average Intelligence

Time dragons possess an exceptionally high level of intelligence, which is integral to their role as guardians of temporal order. Their intellect is not only advanced but also deeply attuned to the intricacies of time and the multiverse. They exhibit a profound understanding of temporal events, causality, and the manipulation of time itself.
Time dragons' intelligence goes beyond mere knowledge; it encompasses the ability to navigate complex temporal phenomena, anticipate disruptions, and strategize to ensure the preservation of the temporal balance. Their intellect allows them to cooperate with one another and adapt to unforeseen challenges, making them formidable protectors of the cosmic timeline.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Time dragons have an innate temporal awareness that allows them to detect disturbances and anomalies in the fabric of time, enabling swift responses to any temporal disruptions. Their time sight grants them the ability to perceive events across different points in time, granting them profound insights into past, present, and future temporal dynamics.
Additionally, time dragons possess heightened extrasensory perception, enabling them to sense the intentions, emotions, and thoughts of those in their vicinity. This capacity aids them in diplomacy and negotiations, making them formidable diplomats and mediators. Furthermore, their astral awareness allows them to perceive and navigate the astral plane, enhancing their temporal and spatial mobility.

Civilization and Culture

Common Etiquette Rules

Time dragons are deeply committed to preserving the natural temporal order and adhere to a strict code of conduct that prohibits unnecessary interference with the timeline. When participating in the Temporal Council, they engage in harmonious discussions, show respect for elder time dragons, and maintain open communication to address temporal disturbances.
Their etiquette also includes maintaining discretion about their existence and revealing their true identities only to those who understand their cosmic duty. Time dragons prioritize cosmic awareness and are vigilant in addressing celestial events and temporal disturbances efficiently.

Common Taboos

Time dragons strictly limit the use of time travel, reserving it for dire temporal crises and avoiding its use for personal gain or trivial matters. Maintaining the secrecy of their identities and their cosmic duty is another fundamental taboo, as they only reveal themselves to those who grasp the gravity of their mission.
Interfering in mortal affairs is discouraged to maintain the balance between preserving the timeline and allowing free will to unfold naturally. Time dragons also refrain from manipulating time or revealing future knowledge to prevent disruptions in the natural flow of time. Disobeying decisions made by the Temporal Council is a grave taboo, as it undermines the collective wisdom of cosmic guardians.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Time dragons consider themselves cosmic stewards and respect the diverse roles that different species play in the grand scheme of the cosmos. As such, they hold a sense of responsibility to ensure that the natural temporal order remains undisturbed.
However, time dragons tend to exercise discretion and avoid direct interference in the affairs of other species. They value non-interference, allowing free will to shape the destinies of different realms, but they may offer subtle guidance or assistance in the face of cosmic threats.

Statblocks:

Time Dragon, Wyrmling
Time Dragon, Young
Time Dragon, Adult
Time Dragon, Ancient
Time Dragon, Greatwyrm

Scientific Name

Kingdom: Draconia
Phylum: Dracozoa
Class: Temporalia
Order: Chronodraconia
Family: Draconidae
Genus: Temporadraconis

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Time dragons exhibit a subdued and mysterious body tint, characterized by a range of somber blues, ashen greys, and ethereal silvers. Their body coloring harmonizes with their role as protectors of the cosmic timeline, evoking a sense of timelessness and a connection to the celestial forces they oversee. These dragons may bear intricate and enigmatic markings on their scales, resembling celestial patterns and sigils.