Dragon

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dragons are scaled reptilian creatures with four limbs. They have two forelegs which are leathery wings similar to a bat and two rear legs, accompanied by a long tail. Their rear legs sport sharp claws and their heads protrude from their long necks. A dragon's teeth are like curved black daggers (or swords in cases of truly giant dragons) and bones are onyx black from their rich iron content. It is said their bones are lighter and more flexible than steel, however, far stronger. A dragon's scales are extremely resistant to fire, which grow thicker and harder with age. Older dragons like Vhagar and Balerion were known to have such strong scales that arrows and scorpion bolts often would be deflected. Dragons are often believed intrinsically tied with magic and are often stated to be fire made flesh. They are capable of breathing fire and their dragonflame grows hotter with age. Young hatchlings are barely able to set fire to straw where older dragons have been known to be capable of melting stone and steel. Along with this fire breathing ability comes an affinity with heat. Dragons themselves have unnaturally warm blood. This is shown when dragons have open wounds, when their blood steams when coming in contact with the air, or in colder environments when snow or rain steams off of their scales.

There are three distinct breeds of dragons as well. The names of which were lost to time. They however can be represented with the three dragons of Aegon I Targaryen and his sisters. First is the conquerors own dragon Balerion whose breed had a skull shaped more t-rex like with a larger bridge of the nose. Balerion's breed also appears to have more and larger protruding horns around the skull. This breed also has typically four finned spines that stretch the length of the neck and tail. Second was Meraxes' breed which has a more canine wolf-like skull. This breed also has horns on the skull typically along the sides of the lower jaw and along the brow line above the skull, although they are typically smaller, less pronounced, and less numerous. The breed typically has several spines of small horns that stretch the length of the neck and tail, however, it also may have the finned spines as well. Lastly is Vhagar's breed, which had a more horse-like skull shape. This breed also typically sports less horns on and around the skull and the horns they do have are typically smaller or are more incorporated into a differing skull shape. Additionally, this breed often either has the three finned spines like that of Balerion's breed or will not have any protruding finned spine or horns stretching the length of the neck and tail, like in the case of Vhagar herself. These breeds are not concrete however, with interbreeding between them and with every dragon looking truly unique with coloration and physical characteristics. This especially can be seen with Caraxes who despite being of Meraxes' breed he is completely unique from any other Targaryen dragon. In most cases the color of a dragon usually will correlate with the color of its egg.

Genetics and Reproduction

Not much is known about the actual reproductive cycle and mating of dragons as that has been lost to time. Even gendering dragons is not precisely apparent until one has laid eggs. What is known is they typically don't lay eggs until they are a size capable of riding and they typically lay a clutch of one to three eggs, which will be found nestled in a nest in the mother's lair. A dragon egg has no specific gestation period and the hatching of eggs is believed to be as tied with magic as their own existence. Some believe that heat has much to do with it, like with their growth, so unhatched eggs are kept in furnaces. However, others believe it has to do with the magic of Valyrian blood or more specifically the blood of dragon riding families like the Targaryens. As they are the only ones who have been able to hatch dragons. With many Targaryen infants having eggs placed with them in their cradles. One thing is known though, not every egg hatches and those who don't become petrified stone. Despite this, dragon eggs are sought after as valuable commodities, by those not even of Valyrian descent. Whether it be for status or for the possibility of new dragon riders to emerge in the world who are not of the Targaryen Dynasty.

Growth Rate & Stages

A dragon begins its life as a hatchling after it hatches from an egg. At this stage they struggle to even survive on their own, not even capable of cooking their own food as they can't breath dragonflame hot enough to do so. After they have grown to the size of a small dog and are capable of short flight, as well as cooking their own food they are considered a drake. When they are capable of extended flight and are capable of carrying a rider they are considered a true dragon.

Dragons never stop growing. They will continue to grow larger if given the space and freedom. If they are given the ability to freely roam there is no limit to which they grow. It is known that dragons which are chained and confined will not grow as large and will also not grow as fast. Some also believe that dragons growth is possibly tied to heat as well, as dragons known to nest near sites of volcanic activity like that of dragonstone seem to grow larger and faster. Size also does not directly correlate to age, as younger dragons can grow larger than their elders based upon the previous factors or their own potential.

Ecology and Habitats

Dragons prefer locations with volcanic activity, digging caves and building lairs near both active and dormant volcanoes. The ideal temperatures in these locations are believed to be tied in with their capability to grow. Targaryen dragons known to freely roost on Dragonstone around the island's dormant volcano have been known to grow larger and faster. This is also possibly further supported with the fact that the Valyrian Freehold was built upon the ring of 14 volcanos, where allegedly the Valyrians found the dragons they later would tame.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dragons are carnivores however, they will only eat cooked meat. Using their dragonflame to roast a kill before eating it. They otherwise seem to refuse to eat meat raw. Outside of that they have no other preference or requirement, other than the prey needing to be small enough for them to kill and consume. Hatchlings often will struggle to survive without a parent or caretaker due to their inability to produce dragonflame hot enough to roast meat.

Biological Cycle

The true extent of a dragon's lifespan is not truly known, as most known dragons have died in battle rather than from age. No currently known dragon has died from seemingly old age. However the oldest currently known dragon is Balerion the Black Dread, the Conqueror’s own dragon. His exact age is not known as he was born in Valyria and the date was lost to time. Balerion is currently estimated to be ~198. Dragons however are unique, in that they never stop growing. They will continue to grow as long as they are given the space and freedom to do so, and as stated earlier if they are near volcanic activity this capability is believed to be multiplied. Currently Balerion is so massive he struggles to muster the strength to fly, and seldom do you see him leave his lair in the Dragonpit. So with no documented case of a dragon dying outside of battle the actual maximum expected lifespan of a dragon is unknown.

Behaviour

Dragons are creatures not to be trifled with, only matched or superseded by other dragons. They are very intelligent and cunning creatures in their own right, however, very capricious, and if not properly trained or kept in check, they may risk destroying all that is around them. Dragons are unable to speak however, they are able to understand commands and share bonds or even relationships with their riders, demonstrating a whole range of emotions, such as grief, anger, and even affection. Every dragon has its own personality as well. Dragons also seem to have some level of self awareness and understanding of the world around them.

Dragons are also only capable of bonding with one rider at a time, and will stay bonded till either rider or dragon dies. They will often harm or kill those not bonded to them who attempt to ride them There also seems to be some extent of a magical bond between rider and dragon, as dragons have been seen sensing their riders in danger or death even when they are not nearby or able to witness itself. Additionally, they are very willful creatures and will not obey those who are not equally willful. Dragons who are riderless are unbonded dragons. Targaryens who are unable to hatch an egg often will try to bond with these dragons however, there is no guarantee of success and this is a dangerous feat in itself. There are also wild dragons who are riderless and unbonded.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Dragons originally were believed to have originated from the Valyrian Freehold itself. However, other theories have erupted overtime, due to remains being found elsewhere. The Valyrians are currently the only known people to be known to tame these creatures and some believe they are magically tied to the creatures as only those of Valyrian Dragon Riding descent are known to be capable of riding them. The Valyrian Freehold used their dragons to conquer most of Essos. Many colonies were established however, the Valyrian Dragon Riding noble families mostly stayed within Valyria itself. When the Doom of Valyria occurred 102 BC all of the Valyrians and their Dragons, other than the Targaryens who fled years before, had perished. With the last surviving Dragons in Westeros and more specifically Dragonstone with the Targaryens. The Targaryens later used them to conquer all of Westeros and still hold the last of the dragons.

Lifespan

Truely Unknown