Fire dragons

By the light of my inner Spark, I am yours as you are mine.
Thus I vow for the next ten years, to share my nest and shed no tears.

Traditional Fire dragon vow of partnership.

Not even Fire dragons of Midrast Wain can breathe fire, but they do possess the knowledge of how to create one. And they sure like to pretend it is their breath and not the flint that kindled the blaze. A spark on a patch of grass and dry wood, followed by a mighty blow of breath - and it is very easy to convince most dragons that you are breathing fire as the firewood glows with radiant heat.
Settled in small family units in areas of relative warmth, some Fire dragons live in the mountains of their original home on East side of the continent, although many live outside amongst the drier environments, volcanoes or hot springs, making this the most de-centralized draconic species. In general, all of them prefer to have access to firewood or Hotrocks within their homes so they can comfortably live through the cold month of Freezan.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Compared to other draconic species, Fire dragons have the horns angled either upwards or forwards with a frill running down along their head and neck. Some have smaller horns on their snout or chin but there are no horn-like protrusions anywhere else other than their heads. Their entire form is covered in rough hide instead of scales, which allows them to more easily regulate their temperature.
Their body temperature is much higher than those of all other dragons, which may be one of the primary reasons they are called "Fire dragons" in the first place. Being both average in flight as well as on the ground makes them one of the most versatile dragons of them all, but because of their high temperature they despise swimming and avoid cold water.

Genetics and Reproduction

Fire dragons can breed at any time of the year. There is a slight increase to their libido when both Moons are full (once in 88 days).
Females lay 1-4 small eggs after 3 weeks of gestation. These eggs are preserved in heated nests, usually in well-sheltered area with one or both parents laying on top of them to keep them warm. The eggs hatch after 80 days of being laid, sharing exactly one color from mother or her parents and one color from its father or his parents.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dragonets reach adulthood in their 9-10th year for both sexes.

Ecology and Habitats

While preferring warm and dry climates, they tend to stay outside of coasts and high mountains. An ideal territory for a Fire dragon would be with a reliable food and water source a place to shelter and gather fuel. A constant source of heat such as a volcano or hot springs can also help them adapt to a land with a cooler climate.
Outside of their home territories in the east, Fire dragons sometimes band together with other species or Hybrids to form a mixed colony with them but they prefer to stay away from Mud dragons.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They are the only purely carnivorous draconic species. While their diet can contain fish, it is generally less desirable than red meat.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The rarer the colors of an individual, the higher in the hierarchy that dragon is placed. It is not uncommon to even have a hatchling in some places revered as a god and be assigned to lead the tribe from a very young age. Despite all this, family units tend to separate very often, even long-time mates may eventually tire of one another and decide to settle in separately somewhere else.
Once dragonets of their parents learn to fly and start closing in towards adulthood, parents usually send them off to find a place to call their own. This may sound barbaric but the dragonets at that age are usually able to fend off for themselves and welcome this as a challenge to overcome. Besides, "finding off a place for themselves" may sometimes mean they will just move into a cave that is not far off from their original home.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Majority of their populace on East side of the continent. Small colonies and Hybrids everywhere else.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Excellent sense of touch and temperature. Able to tell the temperature of an object or creature from a distance of up to 20 m.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Fire dragons use names coming from real things, similarly to Water dragons. Perhaps at one point in the past, both races were closer than is currently believed. Names may range from things abstract (Courtesy, Honor, Fearless) to things commonly seen in the world (Flint, Char, Ember, Wolf).
By combining them both, you get a possible Fire dragon name, such as: Fireseer, Radiantclaw, Charhorn.
Sometimes, if parents can't decide on the name for their offpsring, they will simply fight over it. In very rare cases, these fights can even turn lethal. Names tend to be decided upon hatching and initial appearance/behavior of the hatchling as there is nothing more embarrassing than naming your offspring "Blackslasher" only for him to be all grey and brown.

Beauty Ideals

The rarer the color, the more appealing said individual is. Simply being of black or deep red hide will by itself catch the attention of many potential partners. It is also common for dragons to impress their counterparts by painting or tattooing their horns with intricate designs and colors.

Courtship Ideals

Whenever a pair of dragons decide to start a family, it is customary to swear an oath for the next five years or ten years to remain together. Simply stating "I am ready to swear my oath" is a very courteous way to ask for a partnership, as it can be both easily accepted, delayed or rejected without sounding too rude. Generally being too direct is seen as offensive and so Fire dragon courtship may involve years of companionship and friendship before the pair eventually states their oaths.

Relationship Ideals

Ideally, mates remain together for the full duration of their oath and then they renew it right away. There are some Fire dragons, especially those that follow Strife, who are much less interested in maintaining a steady relationship with just one dragon and instead live a promiscuous lifestyle. Either way, Fire dragons tend to be extremely protective of their offspring and jealous should their mate be loyal to someone else.

Common Taboos

Abandoning faith altogether is considered a great taboo that nobody talks about yet there are some who have done so, especially those living on Wild dragons territories.

History

Fire dragons have a large history of spirituality and religion and no other draconic race is as zealous and as reverencing of their Gods as they are. Their life-paths come down from two main gods and two different life-styles, Ash-god Strife and Shell-goddess Perseverance.

Religion

Followers of Strife are embodying their gods primary qualities - strength and struggle. Whether it is by choosing paths that lead them to danger or make themselves stronger physically or spiritually, their hope is to get closer to their idol by seeking thrill and adventure. Dragons following in Strife's footsteps rarely stay in one place for too long.
Followers of Perseverance follow in the path of hope, endurance and fate. Those that wish to live their lives outside of constant struggles and maintain peace as well as say their prayers for those that died a violent death. Her followers tend to be mostly introverted, stoic and compassionate. Dragons following in Perseverance's footsteps are more open towards dealing with other draconic species.

Historical Figures

Stormreign - Liberator and Conqueror in a war against Mud dragons Charhorn - Self-appointed visionary and herald of Strife, Ash god of Strength and Struggle.

Common Myths and Legends

There is a myth about Fire dragons that speak about them being able to channel their inner heat in order to truly breath fire. At least, they seemed to have been able to do so in the past but it is difficult to say whether it is true or not.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Welcoming, fairly receptive and open as long as they conform to their spiritual beliefs.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragons

Genetic Descendants

• Hybrids

Scientific Name

Midrast Draconius Ignisin

Origin/Ancestry

Sun dragon 40%, Moon dragon 40%, Unknown 20%

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

2.0 - 2.2 m

Average Weight

100 kg

Average Length

3.0 m (including 1.5 m long tail)

Average Physique

Muscular

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The color they hatch with determines how they will be treated by others of their species. Their coloration separates into areas where it is most likely to observe their primary and secondary color to occur but slight variance occurs and may give even two individuals with the same color a unique patterned look.

Color rarity

• Rare: Pure Black, Mahagony (10% of all dragons have one of these)
• Uncommon: Amber, Auburn, Dark red (25% of all dragons have one of these)
• Common: Light brown, Light red, grey (65% of all dragons have one of these)

Color placement

• Primary colors are usually located along the back, sides, head and wing arms.
• Secondary colors are usually located along the underside and wing membranes.
• Either primary or secondary colors: Chest area, upper portions of wing-membrances, lower jaw, snout bridge, neck sides, hips, cheeks.