Dragonkin
Dragonkin are large, intelligent reptilian creatures imbued with magic. They live exceedingly long lives with histories that span back before any mortal civilization.
Dragonkin come in a variety of forms, colors, and abilities. The huge quadrupedal winged dragons that most mortals think of are often referred to as 'true' dragons, while other species are often referred to as 'lesser' dragons - a fact that is no small source of irritation.
While shorter lived humanoid species have developed diverse, complex and interwoven cultures, draconic culture appears to have mostly congealed into one particular set of traits. It is slow to change, and regional mannerisms are only slightly different.
Dragonkin
Under the umbrella of dragonkin there are a number of different categories of dragons. Each category is its own distinct species, though they are closely related and share many traits. Among each of these categories is an abundance of subspecies, with their own particular traits. 'True' dragons are what most mortals imagine when the word dragon is uttered. They are quadrupedal, winged reptilians capable of elemental breath such as fire, ice, or lightning. They are extremely intelligent, and live extremely long lives. Wyverns are smaller, thinner, and lack front legs. They instead use the knuckles of their wings to balance themselves on the ground. Wyverns do not have the elemental breath of true dragons, but do possess a potent venom. They are as intelligent as humanoids, but live longer. Drakes are land-bound dragonkin capable of elemental breath, but lack wings. They are the least clever or intelligent of the dragonkin, with some only somewhat more intelligent than an ape. Hydras are dragons that posses multiple heads. Other than this trait, hydras are incredibly varied, much moreso than other dragonkin. Some are wild beasts unable to be reasoned with, while others possess extreme intelligence. They are unpredictable in the largest sense.Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Though each species of dragonkin is different, all lay eggs. Depending on the sort of dragon, the rate at which these eggs hatch varies. Some, including many drakes, can hatch in as short as a month. Others can take years or more.
Each dragonkin is capable of producing offspring with any other subspecies in its category - a hydra is capable of producing viable eggs with any other hydra, regardless of their appearance or particular traits. The ancestry of the parents, however, has a major effect on the particular subspecies an offspring may be. This interaction is complex, and calculating the chances of each subspecies is often a significant factor in mating rituals. Many shorter lived races find the detached way dragons plan their children rather unnerving.
