Culture
In a time long past, metallic, chromatic, and gem dragons coexisted without clear divisions based on their physical distinctions. However, the
Draco-Giant War took a devastating toll on both giants and dragons, leading to a pivotal moment in their history. As the conflict raged on, a division emerged within the dragon ranks, creating three distinct factions:
The Pro-War Faction: This faction comprised dragons who wished to press on with the war. Despite the heavy losses suffered by their kind, they believed that victory was within reach and were determined to achieve it.
The Peace Faction: Some dragons grew weary of the ongoing conflict and the needless loss of life. This faction advocated for an immediate settlement to prevent further bloodshed.
The Neutral Faction: Not all dragons took sides in this ideological struggle, preferring to remain uninvolved in the debate between the Pro-War and Peace factions.
In the end, the Pro-War faction emerged victorious, despite the heavy toll on the dragon population. Even though the Draco-Giant War has ended, the three factions among the dragons persist to this day.
Characteristics
Physical features
Reproduction
Dragon's eggs are highly prized by both dragons and humanoids alike for their unique properties. The eggshell is made of metal similar to the parents' kind, and is incredibly durable and resistant to the dragon's element. When a dragon hatches from its egg, it will eat the shell, digesting it and gaining a portion of the memories and knowledge of its parents. This process is known as "inheritance" and is considered a sacred ritual among dragonkind. As a result, dragon's eggs are highly valued, both for their practical uses and for the knowledge they contain. However, obtaining a dragon's egg is not an easy task, as dragons fiercely guard their eggs and will defend them with their lives.
This memory can include information about their lair and treasure hoard. As a result, some adult dragons hunt for the eggs of their kin in order to gain access to this valuable knowledge and gain an advantage over their rivals.
Subraces
Brass dragons
Brass dragons are extremely talkative and loved the intense heat of deserts. They often engage foes and friends alike in hours of long-winded conversation. They avoid combat if possible, but use their breath weapon, a cone of sleeping gas, to subdue foes if threatened. They are the weakest of the classic metallic dragons.
Bronze dragons
Bronze dragons are inquisitive dragons with a fierce appearance and a fascination for warfare. They live in coastal areas, and have an electrical breath weapon.
Copper dragons
Copper dragons are born pranksters, jokesters, and riddlers. They live in rocky mountains. Copper dragons have an acid breath weapon but preferred to avoid combat altogether, instead taunting and teasing foes until they leave.
Gold dragons
Gold dragons are the most powerful and majestic of the classic metallic dragons. They are wise and very knowledgeable and reclusive. They prefer stone lairs and have a cone of fire as a breath weapon.
Mithral dragons
Light glints off the dragon’s glossy scales, shining silver-white. Its tiny wings folded flush against its body open like a fan and expose shimmering, diaphanous membranes. Its narrow head, with bare slits for its eyes and nostrils, sits at the end of a slender neck atop an impossibly thin frame.
Younger mithral dragons raid and pillage as heavily as any dragon, driven largely by greed to acquire a worthy hoard, though they are less likely to kill for sport or out of cruelty. In adulthood and old age, however, mithral dragons are less concerned with material wealth and more inclined to value friendship, knowledge, and a peaceful life pursuing interesting goals.
Adult and older mithral dragons are diplomats and arbitrators by temperament. They enjoy bringing some peace to warring factions. Among all dragons, their strict neutrality and ability to negate magic make them well suited to these vital roles.
Silver dragons
Silver dragons are regal creatures who often take a humanoid form and lived among humans and elves. Their breath weapon is a cone of freezing cold, and they normally laired in mountains. They are very smart and preferred not to fight unless necessary.
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