Dragons

Dragons are among the most powerful and dangerous creatures in the world. They may resemble giant reptiles with large wings, but they should not necessarily be spoken to as such. Dragons are creatures imbued with powerful magic, usually extraordinary intelligence and enormous longevity. 
Dragons have a very muscular body, hard, almost impenetrable scales, a thick neck, a horned head with a sharp-toothed mouth. They walk on four strong legs (or two legs like wyverns), balance their body with a long tail and often have huge wings with leathery skin. Apart from their resemblance to reptiles, they also have feline characteristics. Their eyes, for example, have a very large, vertical iris and glow in the dark at the slightest incidence of light. 
Some dragons use their power to amass great treasures and conquer kingdoms. Others, on the other hand, are secret members of the mortal races and steer them unnoticed. However, they must always be on their guard, as their numbers have dwindled considerably and many mortals hunt them because of the legends about their wealth and magical abilities. In general, dragons are loners (at least when it comes to other dragons), as they can hide better or do not need to share their wealth. 
Both metallic and chromatic dragons can take the form of simple beasts or mortals.

Civilization and Culture

History

The dragons came to this world as strangers. Even before the First Age, they appeared one day from the astral sea and challenged the giants for dominance.
When they arrived, they were divided into two camps. The metallic dragons followed Bahamut and the chromatic Tiamat. The dragons were bound to the will of their master or mistress by a covenant. However, the two army commanders often argued, for example about how to deal with the remaining giants. This discord weakened them and enabled the dwarves, orcs and goblins to defeat them.
Bahamut joined the mortal races in the wake of their defeat in the First Dragon Wars and instructed his dragons to protect and guide the young races. Only their magic was kept a secret, at least until Cyric stole it and gave it to the mortals.
When Bahamut and Tiamat met on the battlefield in the Second Dragon Wars, the latter destroyed the magic that gave the two leaders their absolute power over their respective dragons. With this act, Bahamut gave the dragons free will. And while many of these dragons still follow their old ways, it is, after everything, now their own choice.

Origin/Ancestry

Extraplanar