Feral Dragon

Feral Dragons are the fear of any sapient Dragon or Dragonborn and not only because they are larger and stronger. They remain the main carriers of the Dragon Scourge, the disease that decimated our population. But perhaps more than death, we fear to become feral ourselves if we are infected by it.

— High Sage Syronikir

Even though they look quite alike regular and Feral Dragons are quite different. Coming into contact with one will make the difference clear quite quickly. In contrast to the regular Dragons the feral kind does not have sapience and can not be reasoned with. They are larger, stronger and more fierce in battle than their sapient cousins.
However, what the Dragons and Dragonborn fear the most about them is actually their immunity to the Dragon Scourge and their ability to carry it.

Extra Information

Scientific Name

vaylaria . adrin (Vaylaria Adrin )

Name

Feral Dragon

Origin

Feral Dragons can possibly live anywhere depending on their type, but given that they are hunted, they are more often found in remote areas of the world.

Lifespan

Although it is not really certain what the maximum age of a Feral Dragon is, the oldest specimen known so far has been 3200 years old.

Biology

The Feral Dragons are in many ways like the regular Dragons. However, they do differ in some key points which could make it easier for a perceptive adventurer to tell the difference.

Physiology

Just like regular Dragon the feral kind are large, have wings and 4 legs. They are covered in scales which differ in color depending on the type of Feral Dragon. The color variations and general form of each Feral Dragon also correspond to the regular kind.
However, there are some differences in physiology, although they do require someone to look closely. The first difference is the size. An adult Feral Dragon will always be noticeably larger than a regular one.
Other ways to identify them is by looking at their general form. Although it is not the case for all of them, many types of Feral Dragons are leaner in form. Some of them can also be identified by the sharpness or size of the protrusions along the body.

Regular Dragons

The regular Ice Dragon has fewer and smaller protrusions.

White Dragon by Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual

Feral Dragons

The Feral Ice Dragon is larger and has long and sharp protrusions especially around the head.

White Feral Dragon by Jacob Wilson

The regular Electric Dragons have larger chest area and no long neck.

Electric Dragon by Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual

The Feral Electric Dragons are leaner in form and have a long neck.

Feral Electric Dragon by Ben Wootten for Pathfinder

Climate

Normally Dragons are capable to live in non optimal places depending on their type. However, they often still prefer to live in places that humanoids would frequent as well. This is not the case for the Feral Dragons who seem to be able to live in many places that would be considered outright dangerous.
For example a regular Fire Dragon would have no problem living near hot places such as a desert as long as their is a source of water nearby. A Feral Dragon of this type on the other hand can live in a more extreme environment. These Feral Dragons are known to live far away from water sources and even in active volcanoes such as the Arkash Volcanoes region.
How they survive such conditions is still unknown since most scientist who tried to research it have died. The current assumption is that the Feral Dragons are much more adapted to their preferred climate depending on their type. The Feral Fire Dragons can handle the volcanoes, while the Ice Dragons can handle artic conditions.
Another theory that circulates is that the Feral Dragons have some form of long hibernation period during which they need little water or food. The supporters of this theory mainly point to the relative few times a Feral Dragon is seen.

Mizarin Region

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History

Origin

Where the first Feral Dragons exactly came from is still unknown. The majority currently resides in the more remote and inhospitable places of the world such as central Avak'am, Volcanic regions and Idravil.
However, a regular Dragon can become feral Dragon by getting infected with the Dragon Scourge disease. In most cases the infected would die but the survivors lose their prior sapience due to the neurological damage caused by the disease. This loss of sapience causes also the rise in agression seen in feral Dragons in nature.
This started the theory that the first feral dragons came into being because of an old comparable virus. Feral Dragons themselves, however, appear to be immune to the disease but they are the main carriers.

Yamaderis misplaced this image by Kefkjaco with heroforge

Yamaderis misplaced this image by Kefkjaco with heroforge

The Hunt

After the epidemic of the Dragon Scourge the remaining Dragons and Dragonborn were even more fearful of any feral Dragons since any of them could be potential spreaders of the disease. This caused the Dragons and Dragonborn to organise large hunts to rid the civilised areas of the feral Dragons, including the ones who formorly were sapient.
Today almost no feral Dragons can be found near populations centres and especially around Dragonborn and Dragon settlements. Exact numbers are unknown but there are regular reports of feral Dragon sightings which are mostly from the remote regions of Niorath.

Further Reading