Red Dragon
Red Dragons are a species of Draconidae universally famous for gathering and protecting huge hoards of precious metals, gems and other items. They are highly intelligent, fully capable of speech at a young age, and are some of the most terrible and ferocious beasts of the dragon world. These beasts can reach sizes that stagger the imagination, with some known specimens reaching a total body length of 120' nose to tail and weighing an unbelievable 15,000 pounds. The average red dragon is 40' to 55' long and weighs 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.
These creatures have a breath attack of a cone of fire that reaches 60' from their mouth and expands to 20' wide. The fire expelled by these creatures is hot enough to melt iron, and for especially old or powerful specimens, can even melt the surface of some types of stone. Their large mouths are full of long pointed teeth and their claws are exceptionally sharp and capable of cutting through most metals and many types of stone. Their tail is often used as a weapon, as well, and can crush a man and his mount flat (literally) within the span of a second.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A winged, four-legged beast of massive strength and ferocity, capable of breathing fire hot enough to melt iron. Hide and armored scales of a rust brown to deep red color, huge membranous wings, white horns and a long muscular tail.
Genetics and Reproduction
Red Dragons are hatched from eggs that are typically laid in clutches of two to four eggs. Even if all the eggs hatch, it is common for the strongest of the brood to consume its siblings before they leave the nest, so it is rare to find more than one dragon come from the same nest at the same time.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once hatched, a Red Dragon can leave the nest and feed itself within 60 days. They are able to breath fire at about 6 months, and can fly at about the same time. Adulthood (when they are able to reproduce) is 24 to 30 months of age.
Ecology and Habitats
Red Dragons prefer high peaks or tall hills for their lairs, which are typically dug into the hill or mountain itself.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Carnivores that can consume any meat protien, and do as often as they can. They also eat ash and charcoal created when they burn prey or property. It is speculated that the consumption of ash contributes to their ability to create the burning gas of their breath.
Biological Cycle
Red Dragons, like all dragons, will continue to grow as they age. Reds shed their skins every two to three years, and add as much as a yard to their length with each molt.
Behaviour
Red Dragons are perhaps the most famous hoarders of the dragon world. These massive creatures will spend lifetimes amassing (literally) tons of gold, silver and other precious items. The size of their hoard determines their status amongst other Red Dragons, and perhaps it provides a measure by which mating preferrences are determined. They are fiercely protective of their hoards, and know what is contained within to the smallest granule.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Solitary in the extreme, and will not tolerate the presence of another dragon, especially another Red Dragon.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Every part of a Red Dragon is valuable in the extreme. Scales, hide, bones, blood, teeth, claws, tail, eggs, even its droppings are worth many times their weight in gold. All of this is in addition to the obvious value of their hoards, which can often be measured in tons for an older specimen. Red dragon oil, harvested from glands on their face, throat and tail, is one of the most covetted commodities known. When applied to armor, it becomes nearly impervious to fire damage, and when used in healing salves, it instantly heals and soothes even the most severe burns.
Average Intelligence
Highly intelligent, but very anti-social and antagonistic. Fully capable of speech at an early age, and proven to learn new languages very quickly.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Keen eyesight, exceptional sense of smell, poor hearing
Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
One of the more famous examples of a Red Dragon can be found in the stories and myths related to the Red Dragon of Cyell. A Gnome scholar of some centuries past gave the creature the name Akardiosix, which in Gnomish means "heartless". While evidence exists that a dragon did visit the area of Cyell 500 years ago, there is little evidence as to the details of the beast itself... with one large exception.
The Gnome scholar that documented Akardiosix as the female Red Dragon of Cyell detailed a picture of the dragon as it was described. The dragon in the picture has two tails, which is a trait not commonly seen in other Red Dragons. However, another picture has been found made by an entirely different observer that might detail the exact same dragon. In a hand written book found in a sealed cellar in Cyell and dated to only a few years after the dragon's attacks, an excceptional drawing has been found that also shows a ferocious Red Dragon, perched high on a hill and looking down on the devestation it has wrought... and it, too has two tails.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Red dragons do not tolerate the presence of other dragons, but are especially hostile to other red dragons. Even when mating, red dragons engage with each other only as participants in a contest of extreme will and strength, looking to gain prestige and status by the station held by their prospective mate.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Draconidae Alatus Robrumus
Lifespan
Unknown, suspected to be limited by size
Average Weight
5,000 to 6,000 lbs, with the largest weighing more than 15,000 lbs.
Average Length
Between 40' and 60' long, with stories of beasts more than 100'
Average Physique
Immensely strong, fast on the ground for short distances (if not too large to run)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Scales and hide are universally a deep blood red to bright scarlet in color, with many showing white or ivory bellies and throats.
Geographic Distribution
