Hybrids

As for you Sayeth, you will clean the dens and homes of everyone within the Spiral mountain area and make sure to replenish their coal supplies. If anyone ever comes complaining to me about something from their caves missing, you will regret ever hatching out of your miserable egg.

Advisor Yriinth Tonitruum giving young Sayeth his very first assignment amongst Air dragons.

Hybrids designate individuals hatched from the union between two different draconic species, thus combining their traits and physiology into a unique combination. Sometimes Hybrids inherit the strengths of their parents, sometimes their weaknesses but usually it is a mix of both. It is not uncommon for some dragons to be so weak that they will not even be able to break through the eggshell or fail to develop altogether.
In broad terms, it is discouraged for two members of different species to breed and hybrids are shunned amongst the general draconic populace. The below article will not be as populated as others due to the nature of Hybrids and their tendency to be highly varied based on who they are hybrid of makes it impossible to generalize them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In broader terms, hybrids will never anatomically surpass the abilities of their parents. If for example one of the parents is an Air dragon mother and father is a Water dragon their offspring will never be as good of a flier as their mother nor as good of a swimmer as their father but they will likely be a much better flier than a Water dragon and better swimmer than an Air dragon.
Based on the above assumption, the theoretical hybrid could inherit broad wings and swimming fins along their claws. Their lungs will be expanded to allow for greater longevity underwater but they might also require water to survive and their bodies will be as lightweight and fragile as those of Air dragons. They might even be affected by Chase or could breed similarly to how Air dragons operate. Similar steps follow for diet, lifespan and others.
Coloration tends to be a mix of both parent species, although sometimes a hybrid may look so similar to a pure-blooded dragon that it is difficult to tell, in vast majority of cases a hybrid can be recognized at a distance because of their mixed coloration.

Genetics and Reproduction

Hybrids are capable of reproducing themselves, although tend to be less virile than their full-blooded cousins. Some hybrids may be completely infertile, especially if a hybrid individual is born of a union between two hybrids, chances at their offspring suffering from infertility rises.
Quarter hybrids (aka hybrids born of union between hybrid whose one half is of the same parent species as their partner) still count as hybrids although they might look very much like a full-blooded dragon. Subsequent pairings will eventually produce offspring that will be considered full-blooded, although they might still have a small quirk or unusual color pattern.
In very rare cases, a completely Grey dragon may emerge from an egg-shell of a hybrid union. These dragons are an oddity amongst their kind and tend to be rather weak and small even compared to the smallest non-hybrid dragons. Very few of these were able to reach adulthood.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dietary needs are usually inherited from only one parent species

Additional Information

Social Structure

Purely hybrid tribes exist only in Midlands or amongst groups of Wild dragons. The social structure tends to be based on a leading individual, although other forms of social structures exist there too. The tribe leader has the final word on who does what and where the tribe moves and generally is elected to its position by the tribe members as the most capable and trustworthy.
Hybrid tribes in Midlands are fairly small so there is no rigid hierarchy established and usually no need for more than one regent in case the current leader is incapacitated or unavailable.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Vast majority of Hybrids live outside of main draconic settlements amongst Wild dragons in the Midland

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Varies, inheritance usually goes from both parent species but never surpasses their abilities

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Generally based on Naming traditions of their home tribe and their parents.

Major Organizations

The most well-known group of Hybrids and Wild dragons in Midlands are Silk's Broadwings. This group formed on the common grounds of mutual protection from Witless dragons but eventually formed into a small nation of its own.

Beauty Ideals

Varies, based on where and how the hybrid was raised.

Courtship Ideals

Not many non-hybrids are interested in Hybrids as a mate, although some secretly court them, especially those that are known to be infertile for obvious reasons.

Relationship Ideals

Varies based on location, parent species and most importantly upbringing

Historical Figures

Sayeth Aether and Ayliith Aether

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Most draconic species tend to regard them as taboo individuals to have a relationship with but Hybrids themselves seek happiness and prosperity as well and so they tend to do what is in their power to have something at least remotely similar to a normal life. This usually leads them to either promiscuity or keeping their relationship a secret amongst their tribe - unless they live in Midlands where the majority of dragons are either hybrids, shunned from their original tribe or have been born as Wild dragons .

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Air dragons
• Fire dragons
• Jungle dragons
• Mud dragons
• Water dragons

Scientific Name

Midrast Draconius Hibridas

Origin/Ancestry

Varies

Lifespan

Between 40 - 60 years

Average Height

Varies (Between 1.5 m - 2.3 m)

Average Weight

Varies (Between 65 kg - 100 kg)

Average Length

Varies (Between 1.8 m - 2.5 m)

Average Physique

Varies based on parent species, usually averages out

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A combination of parent species, can create some unique combinations

Related Ethnicities

• Wild dragons