The Dragonnet
'Dragonnet Riders are something not to miss if you visit the northern parts of Farden or Farside. Dragonnets are notoriously difficult to ride and the skills the northern clansmen exhibit when riding the small dragons is a sight to behold. A must see.'The Dragonnet is with The Denstag one of the most emblematic animal species of Alven.
The Well-Travelled Alvenite
Dragonets are small silver dragons that only thrive in the icy far reaches of the country. There are the only known dragon species to nest in Alven.
The clansmen of these harsh regions have learned to tame the intelligent and inquisitive beasts.
Many past Thanes and Chieftains of Alven have fallen in love with the species and have tried many times to bring a few dragons south for breeding, but it is sad to say that no Dragonnet has ever survived further south than the cities of Thornhelm or Kinholm on a long term basis.
Domestication
Dragonnets are not only very sensitive to temperatures, but they also are difficult to tame. They breed in the wild and only young wyrmlings no older than 10 years old can be taught to accept humans riders on their back and follow instructions.
From my own research into the species and conversations with Riders, I have found out that they are three different stages to taming a Dragonnet:
Stage one:
The first stage is to come close enough to the broods. At the age of 8 or 9, male wyrmlings leave the eyries where they were born, band together with other young males and create their own 'brood'.
When they are older and stronger, the male Dragonnet will be able to win a female or two of their own and start a new eyrie or challenge an older dragon to take over a well-established one.
Most of the domesticated dragonnets are male and in a brood.
Stage two:
The second stage is bonding with one dragonnet from the brood. There is a saying among the Riders that a Dragonnet chooses you, not the other way around. Often Riders refer to this stage as 'courting the dragon'.
Many offerings will be brought to the young wyrmlings. Dragonnets are very playful and they love a good game of tug and war. In the space of a few months, or maybe a year, a Dragonnet will have taken a shine to you and start to understand simple language and commands.
Stage three:
Finally, in the third stage, the Dragonnet will start to follow you wherever you go and can be introduced to his new surroundings. Once, a Dragonnet bounds with a particular human, they are inseparable - the human and his or her family become the dragon's new brood.
After that, bit by bit, the Dragonnet will accept a saddle and let someone ride on their back.
This process is also not straightforward: first lighter women or teenagers are placed atop the Dragonnet so the dragon can get used to bear weight on its back.
As the dragon matures and gets much bigger, then it is easier for a dragon to accept heavier loads.
Finally, after a few years' training, Dragonnet and rider will make one in the sky.
Domestic Uses
Dragonnets have traditionally been ridden into battle. They are fearless protectors of their Riders and can hold their own in a fight.
In these times of peace, Dragonnets and their Riders form an elite messenger corps. The small dragons can fly for four to five hours without needing a rest, and are the most effective way of communication in winter whenever the roads and rivers are made impassable with mud and snow.
Dragonnets have also been have been used in clan rituals and festivals, especially in northern clans such as Clan Ramshead and Clan Deerwolf in the region of Farden and Clan Boarsden and Clan Wylfedd in the region of Farside.
Basic Information
Anatomy
An adult male Dragonnet is usually twice the size of a war horse in width and height. It has a short tail that he uses in flight to balance itself.
The colour of its scales ranges from pewter to brilliant silver. The scales are typical of the dragonkind: hard shell that is near impossible to pierce with normal weapons.
What sets the Dragonnet apart from other species of dragons are the two long horns males and females sport at the top of their cranium: the horns are longer for the male and it is suspected they are used for display while vying for dominance over an eyrie.
Dragonnets' eyes are black and gold and very expressive. An expert Rider can read the mood of his or her Dragonnet from the lights dancing in the golden orbs and dark pupils of his ride.
The Dragonnets' teeth is one of his best means of attack and defence: white, large and pointy they are a frightening sight when bared. However, a Dragonnet will never bite its Rider or the Rider's kin - only whomever he perceives as a threat.
Unlike the fabled dragons of legends, dragonnets do not breathe fire. However, the Dragonnets' wings are powerful and elegant and resemble bats' wings on a much larger scale. The resemblence is so striking that some Naturalists have put forward that the two species could be related.
The thin but extremely tough membrane is held aloft by a set of strong bones jutting out from the dragon's ossature. The wings fold neatly against the dragon's side when he is on land.
Dragonnets can walk but they cannot run very well - they much prefer to gather speed in the air. Their stout legs are meant to support their weight and steady them when they land, but they lack the flexibility needed for a full run.
Growth Rates and Stages
Female Dragonnets will lay between two to three eggs once every three years in spring. Most eggs will hatch and the young hatchlings will have a good chance at surviving to adulthood because of the efficient and careful watch the adults keep on their offspring.
Food is plentiful in the mountains during spring and summer and even in winter, wild mountain goats can always be had if the Dragonnets are able follow the herds into the more sheltered valleys. Dragonnets are expert hunters and apex predators, and they rarely lack food for themselves or their whelps.
Both males and females take on the duties of feeding the youngs.
Females will usually stay in the eyrie all their life. However, when a population reaches a critical number, some females leave their native eyrie and form a 'brood' as young males do and wait for the strongest of the younger males to claim them.
A female is considered an adult when she is able to reproduce which is usually by the age of 10. A male is considered an adult when his horns are fully developed and he can start his claim on an eyrie of his own, between the age of 20 and 25.
Dragonnets usually have a long lifespan: they can live up to 70 years in the wild, but even longer when bound to a human family. In the wild, the bitter cold of the northern winters will get the better of an ailing older Dragonnet.
It is to be noted that older Dragonnets are always valued in an eyrie: they look after the hatchlings, and clean and guard the nests. The bonds between Dragonnets are very strong and they have been known to cry and mourn the passing of their kind.
Ecology and Habitats
Dragonnets live in the high mountains of the north. They share the same habitat as the giant white eagles and often fight with them for the best nesting sites.
Usually, the Dragonnets win by their sheer size and the clever use of pack tactics.
The 'broods' are not as fussy about their nest as they are not mated and do not rear any youngs. Male and female broods can be found lower down the mountains in the high hills of the boreal forests of Alven.
This is also the territory of the clans and where the majority of the dragons' interactions and 'bonding' with humans take place.
Dietary Needs
Dragonnets are omnivores and generally like the food humans like - one of the key attractions of Dragonnets towards humans is the food the clansmen bring with them. They are particularly keen on sweet food and have an unconditional love of fruit and honey.
However, their main diet is meat - wild goat meat in particular. Dragonnets have been known to kill farmed sheep too, but they are always careful not to decimate a herd and will not kill in the same herd twice if they can avoid it.
Also, it is good form to give money to the farmer for the killed animals if you know your dragon has gone for a snack in next door's field.
Biological Cycle
Dragonnets will only reproduce in the wild and far off the ground. For bound Dragonnets, this poses a challenge. Some Dragonnets will forsake their riders for a few years (or forever) to find an eyrie and breed.
Often, after a period of 5 years or so, a Dragonnet will return to the place his human family lives and resume his 'domesticated' life. However, some Dragonnets are quite happy to stay with their Riders for the rest of their life and never answer 'the call of the eyries'.
If a bound female and male Dragonnet meet, they can develop a strong attachment to each other. Riders know better than to separate such a coupling. However, usually, the female will not become pregnant, or if she does, she will fly away to find an eyrie to have her whelp.
Additional Information
Being a Dragonnet Rider is a full-time occupation and in some clans, can betow high prestige. Clan Chieftains are traditionally Riders in Clan Ravenscraig and Boarsden. Riders can have at any one time up to two Dragonnets who are bound to them but rarely more.
Dragonnets need plenty of exercise: they will fly every day for a few hours, usually1 0o hunt for their food. Dragonnets are never tied or shut up in a shed, they can come and go as they please. When they are needed, they answer the call of the horns Riders wear on their belt.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dragonnets have the keen eyesight of eagles and can spot their prey from far off the ground. This ability has been well used by clan scouts in the past.
Dragonnets can detect threats well before the human eyes do.
If their scales make a Dragonnet's back and sides hardened to most things, on the other hand, their snout is very sensitive. The small dragons do like a good 'snout scritch'.
Excellent work!
Thank you! :D