Qíȕˈbībi - Waterdragon (kwíȕˈbībi)
The water dragons of Ulűri̋qi̋ are arguably the smartest major species of Elaqitan. Their knowledge can only be surpassed by traveling Lextari (book dragons). There are salt and fresh water dragons, each divided into two subclasses.
Physiology
Salt and freshwater dragons differ primarily in their dimensions. At up to 16 meters, saltwater dragons are significantly larger than their freshwater relatives, which are “only” around five to nine meters.
Their skin is covered with large scales that are colored light turquoise to dark blue, depending on the species.
They have long finned ears and long barbels. Depending on the species, they have larger or smaller curved horns. They can also oxygenate at least three times their lung volume to spend several hours underwater.
Both dragon families are characterized by sharp claws on their front legs and hind fins. There are webbed feet between the claws of the front legs. Their small dorsal fins on their backs also make them fast water gliders and swimmers.
Since the hind fins would be a hindrance when going on land, they can transform on land. The fins retract and hind legs grow, and small simple wings also grow. However, these are only suitable for short gliding flights. But water dragons don't dare to do much more than that. Their element is water and so these dragons avoid going on land as much as possible.
At a Glance
Common name: Waterdragon
Line: Dragon
Lineage:
Dragons of Salt Water
Dragons of Sweet Water
Habitat:Waters and seas of Elaqitan
Wave Riders - Deep Sea Dragons
Lake Dragons - River Slitherings
Life expectancy: up to 500 years depending on class
Size: 5 m to 16 m
Wingspan: 2 m to 5 m
Weight: 2 t to 7 t
Speed: up to 11 km/h
Appearance: large scaled skin, front legs and hind fins each with webbed feet and sharp claws, hind legs and wings on land, curved horns and barbels
Skin:
Diet: everything that moves
Sexual maturity: at around 50 years
Offspring: one to two eggs every 10 years
Habitat
Water dragons are native to the large waters of Elaqitan and, with the exception of deep sea dragons, live primarily in caves. They prefer caves that are partly under and above water or that have air chambers in order to be able to dry their scales. Most caves are connected by several tunnels, but dragons have a preferred "living chamber" that they consider their territory.
Dragon Hoard by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage
The dragon hoard of Lōmibúqò is located on the island of Milúúlùhû. The crater surrounded by large waterfalls is the home of the mighty surfers. At the edge of the abyss there is a simple bridge where the brave can take a look into the deep chasm. Travelers are often seen throwing coins into the hoard to appease the water dragons or to make a wish.
Diet
You have to pay attention to her melodious voice, which can captivate everyone and make you an easy meal. They have no particular preferences and eat anything that moves in the water and cannot speak.
Reproduction and development
Once water dragons find each other, they stay together for life. Mating only takes place every ten years because it takes that long to raise a young dragon until it “fleds”. To mate, the pair of dragons alternately swim into the depths, tightly entwined, and then jump out of the water with a swing. This process can take several hours. But there is a special feature.
During mating, the female dragon “hands over” the egg to the male, who fertilizes it with sperm in a belly pouch. After fertilization, the egg matures in the belly pouch for at least 28 days before it is born by the male in the water.
The dragon couple takes care of the egg together. The egg is transparent and made of colored crystal, making it a popular collectible among dragon hunters. Depending on the species, the eggs vary in color, size, weight and also the thickness of the shell. Dragons mature in the egg for another 70 days until they are hatched.
After hatching, water dragons are usually no bigger than a human hand. However, they grow tenfold in the first three years. At the age of 10, parental care ends and they have to leave the nest. They usually join a pack of other young dragons led by an old dragon. After 50 years, dragons are sexually mature and look for a male or female to mate with for the first time. They leave the pack and settle down with their mates. Dragons can live up to 500 years. However, they rarely reach such an old age because they are often hunted by humans or wage feuds due to their scales.
Egg of a Wave Glider by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney
Behavior
Water dragons are extremely narcissistic and can admire their own reflection for hours. They are great poets and shine with irony and sarcasm. They have a strong sense of everything beautiful, like to accumulate jewels, precious stones and treasures and love puzzles. However, puzzles shouldn't be too easy, otherwise they won't feel taken seriously. However, if they are too heavy, they quickly lose interest. Water dragons speak all of Elaqitan's languages without a dialect, which often makes them ambassadors on the four continents of the elements. The most important thing, however, is the dragon name(s). If you know their true names, they can be controlled. Therefore, they protect their name by a variety of others by which they are commonly known.
The Ghost of Wave breaking
Ship graveyard by Blue Fairy 74 via Midjourney
On the edge of the coast of Ùùqîîhrûbo (breaking waves) lies an old ship cemetery. The spirit of a water dragon is up to mischief in this place and initially ensnares the ship's crew with its voice, so that the ships run aground and sink. Then he can take possession of their treasures.
The dragon's skin is transparent, but has a slight white pearlescent sheen that makes it appear white from a distance. His eyes sparkle red and he loves puzzles. That's the only thing that stops him from capsizing a ship and abandoning the crew to their fate.
These are the riddles that Wendelin Ambrosius zu Bücherfelde asked the dragon when he met him on one of his trips around the world. Can you solve them?
1. We are like friends, but we never meet. We have a father, but no mother. One of us creates mountains, the other creates valleys. What are we?
2. I am one of three siblings and appear in many different forms. But I only live when it's very cold. What am I? 3. My name is divine, but I am not immortal. Shepherds worship me, but I am not a god. Who am I?
Ghost of Wave breaking
by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage
by Blue Fairy 74 - Midjourney-Collage
I like to think there's a dragon at the bottom of that crater who keeps getting annoyed at the coins landing on their head :D This layout is a huge improvement over its prior incarnation, well done!
Speculative-Fiction Writing
Thank you so so much, I appreciate it.
Well, the dragons now have a nice collection of coins in their dragon hoard and sometimes they have fun to swim up and scare the two-legged creatures ;)