Dragon

Large reptilian creatures of ancient origin and tremendous power, dragons are known and feared for their predatory cunning and greed, with the oldest dragons accounted as some of the most powerful creatures in the world. Dragons are also magical creatures whose innate power fuels their dreaded breath weapons and other preternatural abilities. Many creatures, including wyverns and dragon turtles, have draconic blood. However, true dragons mainly fall into the two broad categories of chromatic and metallic dragons. The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons are selfish, evil, and feared by all. The brass, bronze, copper, gold, and silver dragons are noble, good, and highly respected by the wise. Other breeds of true dragons, such as the celestial and gem dragons, exist as well to a higher degree of rarity. Though their goals and ideals vary tremendously, all true dragons covet wealth, hoarding mounds of coins and gathering gems, jewels, and magic items. Dragons with large hoards are loath to leave them for long, venturing out of their lairs only to patrol or feed.

Scales of the First World

Dragons are a diverse species, apt to display enormous variations in color and abilities. The first dragons in Riven were the metallic dragons, also known as the First Protectors, divinely created by Bahamut during The Founding as guardians of the mortal, more fragile races. These dragons pledged themselves to defend the weak against tyrants and revered the Platinum Dragon as the first of their kind. The chromatic dragons, on the other hand, were a creation of Tiamat, and when she took a position favoring chaos and destruction, these dragons, among the creations of the other Betrayer Gods, were changed for that intent. The chromatic dragons saw Tiamat as their goddess and queen, sometimes admired and feared, and sometimes oppressive, especially for the most ambitious of their kind. As centuries passed from their inception, dragons of both kinds were viewed as brave defenders or dreadful foes of mortal races, and, with time, some exceptions started to appear in each group: some metallic dragons grew selfish and disillusioned about protecting the smaller races, and some chromatic dragons started recoiling in disgust knowing the terrible acts of other chromatic dragons.
Celestial and gem dragons however are a much rarer breed of true dragons. They were created not just by Bahamut the progenitor, but also in correspondence with another god or magical phenomena. Gem dragons originate from Bahamut and Tiamat's first creation: Sardior. He was the first gem dragon, known throughout dragonkind as the Ruby Dragon, however, they were felled by Tiamat during the Calamity. Now, gem dragons hide out of sight from their chromatic kin, and display powerful psionic abilities to keep attackers at bay. Meanwhile, with abilities far beyond their terrestrial kin, the celestial dragons are capable of shaping certain aspects of the universe like forging new stars. They are far fewer in number and seemingly only populate the Astral Plane and some locations within the Upper Planes. These cosmic reptilians were created when Xapham, the god of creation, blessed half of Bahamut's greatest defenders with the ability to traverse between planes. They are vain and arrogant, similar to their blesser, however, their alignment fluctuates the most out of draconoids as it is dependent on where they make their domain within the great beyond.
A dragon's size is proportional to its age. They continue to grow throughout their lives, and dragons of any color can reach huge proportions if they live for long enough. True dragons pass through four distinct stages of life, from lowly wyrmlings to ancient dragons, which can live for over a thousand years. In that time, their might can become unrivaled and their hoards can grow beyond price. Few dragons today can rival the size of the Platinum Dragon or the Scaled Tryran, whose vast scaly bodies were bigger than a kingdom's great ship, and whose heads were bigger than houses. Even so, dragons remain among the largest of all creatures, and powerful servants to those that can tame one.

Chromatic Dragons

The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons represent the evil side of dragonkind. Aggressive, gluttonous, and vain, chromatic dragons are dark sages and powerful tyrants feared by all creatures — including each other. Chromatic dragons lust after treasure, and this greed colors their every scheme and plot. They believe that the world’s wealth belongs to them by right, and a chromatic dragon seizes that wealth without regard for the humanoids and other creatures that have “stolen” it. With its piles of coins, gleaming gems, and magic items, a dragon’s hoard is the stuff of legend. However, chromatic dragons have no interest in commerce, amassing wealth for no other reason than to have it.
Chromatic dragons are united by their sense of superiority, believing themselves the most powerful and worthy of all mortal creatures. When they interact with other creatures, it is only to further their own interests. They believe in their innate right to rule, and this belief is the cornerstone of every chromatic dragon’s personality and worldview. Trying to humble a chromatic dragon is like trying to convince the wind to stop blowing. To these creatures, humanoids are animals, fit to serve as prey or beasts of burden, and wholly unworthy of respect.

Metallic Dragons

Metallic dragons seek to preserve and protect, viewing themselves as one powerful race among the many races that have a place in the world. Metallic dragons covet treasure as do their evil chromatic kin, but they aren’t driven as much by greed in their pursuit of wealth. Rather, metallic dragons are driven to investigate and collect, taking unclaimed relics and storing them in their lairs. A metallic dragon’s treasure hoard is filled with items that reflect its persona, tell its history, and preserve its memories. Metallic dragons also seek to protect other creatures from dangerous magic. As such, powerful magic items and even evil artifacts are sometimes secreted away in a metallic dragon’s hoard.
A metallic dragon can be persuaded to part with an item in its hoard for the greater good. However, another creature’s need for or right to the item is often unclear from the dragon’s point of view. A metallic dragon must be bribed or otherwise convinced to part with the item. At some point in their long lives, metallic dragons gain the magical ability to assume the forms of humanoids and beasts. When a dragon learns how to disguise itself, it might immerse itself in other cultures for a time. Some dragons are too shy or paranoid to stray far from their lairs and their treasure hoards, but bolder dragons love to wander city streets in humanoid form, taking in the local culture and cuisine, and amusing themselves by observing how the smaller races live. Some metallic dragons prefer to stay as far away from civilization as possible so as to not attract enemies. However, this means that they are often far out of touch with current events.

Lifespan

1000 years