Protocol and Procedures with Dragons

During the course of ones life, you may encounter a dragon. Whether it be metallic or chromatic there is certainly one thing or certain, it's a lot bigger than you, stronger than you, and it demands your respect. Fear not though lowly adventurer, for you can take comfort in knowing that even these frightful magestic beasts maintain a draconic code of conduct that has been in practice for thousands if not hundreds-of-thousands of years.
You see, dragons have very complicated and thought out lives with very clear goals and an almost paranoid sense of self-preservation. What this means for you is, if you follow the proper protocol while in the audience of a dragon, they will most likely you leave without so much as a stern warning or a raised voice. A quick reminder though, this mostly applies to older dragons, as they have come to appreciate those who honor the sacred protocol and procedures.
So if you ever forget what you need to do when you meet a dragon just remember the following:

• Be Respectful
• Maintain Brevity
• Never interrupt
• Always tell the truth

Just by following these simple guidelines can guarantee that your next draconic encounter will go off without a hitch and you will live to tell the tale.

Now we take a deeper look into exactly what each point really entails.

Be Respectful

Being respectful to a dragon is much like how one would act in the presence of a king or queen. When you finish your approach, you take a deep bow signifying you respect the dragons power. Sometimes dragons even have in their lairs a special kneeling bench which is to be used when addressing the dragon. When those are present, you should always use them, otherwise a kneel will do. These actions show the dragon that you are here to address them and will not try any funny business while you are there. In addition, should you know the name of the dragon, you should always address them by their name. However, if you do not know thier name, you can always address them by "Great (Color) Dragon", or if they are ancient, "Ancient One." They will typically respond addressing themself in how they would like others to call them which is by their given or earned name. So for example, if Sir Knight were to enter Ashardalon's domain, bow then kneel, addressing Ashardalon saying, "Ancient One, I have come for a discussion of great importance", Ashardalon would respond in kind saying "Well met traveler, what does one need with the Mighty Greatwyrm Ashardalon?" Sir Knight would then address Ashardalon as "Mighty Greatwyrm Ashardalon" from then on. To not call a dragon by the name they have addressed themselves would be considered an insult to the dragon, not showing the respect it deserves. And depending on the temperment of that dragon, they could very then dismiss their visitor in a very hostile manor.

Maintain Brevity

When speaking to dragons, they have many things going on in their lives that require their undivided attention. So to continue with the respect portion of the protocol, one should keep their discussion with the dragon brief and to the point. Many draconic scholars spend days if not weeks preparing what they want to say to a dragon, only to edit down to a single parchment at most. Using concise and exact language with a dragon will make sure that the dragon does not dismiss you for being long-winded, or cause it to become easily bored with you. To continue with our example, Sir Knight wishes to ask Ashardalon if he can recive a blessing before his next quest. "Mighty Greatwyrm Ashardalon, I have come to request a blessing before I travel on my quest." With such a concise request, it has become very easy for Ashardalon to respond.

Never Interrupt

Perhaps one of the worst infractions one could do while in audience with a dragon is to interrupt them. Continuing with the respect portion, interrupting a dragon give the impression that what you have to say is more important than what the dragon was saying. And for that, most dragons will hastily remove troublesome pests from their domain. Even in the most dire of situations, protocol must be followed and the procedure must be done. So take great care in listening to every word the dragon speaks, they have done a great deal to decide exactly which word to say and how to say it. When dragons speak, context is a very important part of their language. For most listeners, this may sound like they are going off on a tangent, but fear not! The dragon is doing their best to give their most concise words so that you may understand everything they say to you and that exact meaning behind it. This is also a very subtle reason why most dragons have kneeling benches.

Always tell the truth

One of the great skills that dragons learn over the course of their long lives is the ability to tell when somebody is lying to them. They quite literally have heard everything and have spent the time to know what is the truth. So when addressing with the dragon, do not over-embellish, refrain from hyperbole and never ever lie. A great deal of respect has been maintained with your audience with the dragon. Make sure that you do not tarnish it in any manor as it will be impossible (in your lifetime) to regain that trust again. Even when dealing with difficult topics with the dragon, one must always put truth first.

History

When dragonkind was first born into the world, they were wild and unruly. Unchecked as the divine inhabitors of the world for them to live as they see fit. Eons passed and with it the dragons became more sophisticated and organized. Being the apex beings on world, they all concluded that they need a better way to address each other, and a method to allow the "smaller" creatures of the world to show their respect to them.
Early on, this was more closely related to a type of diety worship or some other primitive method of interaction. But once these smaller creatures became more intelligent and sophisticated themselves, a sort of silent understanding was established between them and dragons. Well, ones willing to talk with dragons rather than attempt to slay them. And from then on, it slowly evolved into what it has become today, a series of procedures and protocol one would use to address dragons.
This protocol has become so ingrained in the dragon that even if the dragon would be hostile to intruders, a respectful guest who addresses the dragon in the proper fashion will cause the dragon to follow protocol themselves, and the intruders could exit with their lives to see another day.
Now, be mindful that this guide is only for Non dragons interacting with dragons. The protocol for dragons interacting with one another is so absolutely inscrutable that it seems like only dragons themselves learn it from their innate being. Much like Xorvintaal, it is impossible for non-dragons to comprehend.

Execution

To boil down a typical encouter with a dragon that would follow the protocol would follow something along these lines:

1. Guest addresses dragon
2. Dragon greets guests and informs their title
3. Guest addresses dragon with title and provides brief abstract of their goal with the dragon.
4. Dragon responds to guests explaining what they are going to do and why, or ask for more information.
5. Guests respond, or give more detail depending on dragon's response.
6. Dragon either dismisses guests, or can continue having them present with much more relaxed protocol.

This is usually the steps followed in 90% of cases, but there are some exceptions in rare cases, usually with people who have built a relationship with the dragon already.

Observance

The Protocol and Procedure is followed whenever one wants to have a successful interaction with a dragon that does not involve fighting it. So from lowly adventurers to kings and others, if they follow the protocol with a dragon, they will be given their audience.