Water dragons

Water dragons are really friendly! Just don't be anywhere near them when both Moons are full. Trust me.

Sayeth Aether trying to convince his sister to join him on one of his expeditions.

As their name suggests, Water dragons are extremely well suited for life underwater, their webbed feet and wings suited for swimming help them reach great speed and agility when they are in their element. Each water dragon is suited for seawater primarily but after a certain period of acclimatization, they can live in fresh water too.
Strongly affected by Moon cycles, Water dragons enter a period of heightened sexual activity once in 88 days when the two moons are full. This condition is called Chase and affects males to the point of them being unable to control themselves. Despite their sexual craze, they are one of the most open and peaceful draconic species of all, frequently found socializing with anyone they stumble upon, be it a hybrid or member of a foreign draconic species.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Water dragons usually have no horns or fur on their form. They are can have varying fins along their sides and webbed feet. High degree of variation prevalent from region to region, meaning that there may be many different subspecies of Water dragons that look entirely different from one another. Usually, their colors range from shades of white, blue, green, brown and red. Stripes and streaks run along their forms, some of which are luminescent and can be used to communicate underwater.

Biological Traits

Males are slightly bigger and stronger than females on average.

Genetics and Reproduction

Both sexes enter a brief period of fertility every time both Moons are full. Females lay 3-4 eggs after two weeks of gestation, all eggs need to be submerged underwater and take 70-95 days to hatch. Only out of three eggs has a female on average, leading to some gender inequality. Eggs are generally stored in shared hatcheries and newly hatched offspring are taken care of by the whole group. There is no sense of "family" although water dragons are able to tell if they are related with their counterpart thanks to their sensitive scent.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dragonets mature within 6-7 years and are generally given their adult name at the around that time too.

Ecology and Habitats

Water dragons need water to survive. Their scales are subtle and need moisture to stay healthy, spending up to two days outside of water is only slightly uncomfortable but each day after that their scales become dangerously dehydrated and may crack, causing anything from uncomfortable itching to a dangerous bleeding.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Their main source of diet is fish and seaweed. They are able to eat red meat too but are not equipped well to hunt outside of water.

Additional Information

Social Structure

There has never been a leader uniting all of the Water dragons as there is simply too many of them and they are too disorganized. Vast majority of the populace live far off and without a care in the Midrast Wain for anything outside their own small territory. A lot of Water dragons may not even consider themselves as a part of any tribe and tend to live a nomadic life.
Leaders serve mostly as a political figure in between tribes or other draconic races and their power is merely to represent their tribe but occasionally they can amass a small force in order to raid other tribes and steal from them or prevent others from doing the same to them.

Some tribes may have leaders with different priveledges or stricter hierarchy, given the vast amount of Water dragons out there in the world, there can be a lot of variation of both physical and psychological nature amongst Blues.

In general, Water dragons are the least aggressive of all the draconic races. Conflicts are rarely resolved with death and Chases are an event where all water dragons tend to mingle, regardless of whether they are a part of a tribe or not.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Spread out throughout the seas along the East coast

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Great sense of smell, some are able to flash their stripes and streaks to use as nonverbal language. Due to extended lungs are able to remain underwater for several hours without coming back for air.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

There are very few strict rules concerning the names of Blue dragons. They are granted usually in early years, hatchlings live their lives up to that point namelessly. Names of Blue dragons usually refer to real life things found in the oceans, lakes, rivers, or their vicinity and are decided and granted by the tribe's adult females.
The importance and age of a dragon tends to be reflected in the name. Shark or Storm would be highly important names commanding respect, whereas Seashell or Penguin are likely names of very young dragons. It is not unheard of for one Water dragon to be renamed more than twice during their lifetime.
The process of Naming always needs to be approved by at least two females (usually more) and must be witnessed by at least two other (usually more) male dragons. Being given a new name is always done in regards to a good service or as a reward.

Beauty Ideals

For both sexes it is roughly the same - being a fast and elegant swimmer. As such all water dragons with prominent fins and long bodies are more attractive.

Gender Ideals

Given the gender inequality, females who wish to avoid male intrusions during full Moons tend to either try and outswim any males chasing them or hide somewhere along the seabed. In such circumstances, if the dragoness is either caught or found, at least they can be certain that said male is a very clever or fast individual.
It is worth noting that homosexuality is very common amongst males.

Courtship Ideals

There are very few pairs of Water dragons, most females tend to have several potential males they like. If a dragoness decides to hide or swim away, she gives all their favorite males a clue as to where to look for her when the full moon begins. As such it is of utmost importance for males to court and be on their best behavior towards females all the time if they wish to have a chance at participating in Chase of their favored dragoness.

Relationship Ideals

Given the fact multiple males tend to chase after a single female, relationships between Water dragons tend to be very open. Water dragons do not form families around their own offspring, nor are mothers able to tell who are fathers of their clutches most of the time, the word "family" doesn't have a meaning to them.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Seaspeak - simple sign language used by Water dragons underwater by flashing their bioluminescent stripes and streaks.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

First Naming day tends to be at around second year and is centered around dragonets old enough to speak. Each of them is given their first official name by any tribe's adult dragonesses.
Second Naming day occurs when Water dragons leave their home tribe and join a new one. Each adult Water dragon must go through this ceremony before they reach their adulthood and experience their first Chase. New tribe's females and Tribe leader tests the youngster's skills and based on how they prove themselves give them their new name.
Third and every single one after that is decided when dragons earn the privilege for a new, more fitting name in place of their old one. It is always used to honor the individual, never to "demote" them, no matter how horrible or terrible they have become. This is generally performed after they prove themselves to be exceptionally wise, brave, skillful or when they manage to slay their first Freighorn.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Very open and friendly. Water dragons are naturally curious about the world around them, yet are not very well suited for long exploration journeys on land, so it is always exciting for them to meet a dragon from a different part of the world. There are also a great amount of Water dragon hybrids as a result of their friendliness.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragons

Genetic Descendants

• Hybrids

Scientific Name

Midrast Draconius Hydrol

Origin/Ancestry

Sun dragon - 25%, Moon dragon 75%

Lifespan

45 years

Average Height

1.6 - 2.0

Average Weight

80 kg

Average Length

3 m (including 1.2 m long tail)

Swimming New Waters

Given the fact most Water dragons are unaware of who their parents are, it is imperative that all young dragons reaching adulthood leave their home tribe in search of a new one to settle in to avoid accidental inbreeding. Swimming New Waters is a celebratory ritual that takes place several days before the next Chase starts and only rarely are young dragons excused from taking part in it (Most notably those trained as Water Clawstoppers may stay in case of emergency). Before departure, dragons are relieved of their First name and sent out as Nameless adults to seek their new home.
New tribes may or may not invite youngsters from other tribes to join them, the matter of which is decided by either the tribe leader or any female living within by giving them a series of small tests to perform or questions to answer. Youngsters knowledgeable of a specifically valuable craft and females are almost never rejected. When accepted, the new tribe formally introduces this youngster to the rest of the dragons within and give them their Second name.