Dragon (DRAG-on)
Description
Dragons, or Wyrms, were very powerful and magical creatures. There were several types of dragons, the most common of which were Chromatic and Metallic, which were evil and good respectively. They were an ancient race. Few species that still exist can claim longer lineage. Dragons were the bane of the creator races of Volatia; their line was so old, they had their own realm during the first recorded exploits of the Elves. In recent times, the dragons of Volatia were nearly all recluses or at the very least deceptive to their true nature, living amongst other species in polymorphed form.
Abilities
Dragons became stronger as they grew older; they also became larger, more resistant to damages and magic, had a more dangerous breath, and a great deal of other enhanced aspects. Older Dragons could cast draconic magic, such as spells with just a few words, and oftentimes they didn't need long and complex ritual involving words, gestures and components like other wizards, and they radiated a mystical fear aura around themselves. After a millennium or two, a Dragon reached his maximum development.
All Dragons had some innate magical abilities, but they varied from race to race. Metallic Dragons were often able to shapechange into small animals or Human forms, and used this ability to secretly help or watch over Humans. Dragons also had some innate powers upon the element they are linked to. For example a Red Dragon, who breathed fire, had some control over other flame.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragons were inherently magical beings, and in no case should Dragons be considered reptiles, despite obvious similarities such as a scaled epidermis and reproduction by laying eggs. In fact, they were more akin to feline creatures than reptiles, particularly in regards to their posture and movements, as well as being inherently warm-blooded and an eye composition similar to felines, although far more complex. A good example of this was the placement of the legs: Dragons also tended to place their rear foot where their front foot was previously, much like most stalking feline predators.
Genetics and Reproduction
The number of eggs a Dragon laid each brood depended on its race, but was usually low, between one and ten. Evil Dragons of adult age often laid and abandoned clutches of eggs, leaving the wyrmlings to work together to raise themselves until they were old enough to go their separate ways. Good Dragons of adult age, and some more intelligent evil Dragons, would form families consisting of the mated pair and their offspring. The children generally left the family by the time they reached young adulthood. As Dragon couples got older, they became increasingly likely to split apart as the desire for treasure began to outweigh interests in families. Older Dragons would continue to mate, but would assign a single parent to the duty of raising the offspring.
Thanks to their shape-shifting, Dragons could also cross-breed with virtually any other creature, creating a Half-Dragon. The most commonly heard of were in the Humanoid races, particularly with Human and Elves. Any combination was possible, however, even with Devils or Angels. Most of the time when Dragons of different types crossbred it resulted in no offspring. Whenever offspring did occur between different types, the offspring's biology would almost always favor one of the parent's "type" over the other and might display characteristic that varied from its norm. In very rare instances of crossbreeding yielding offspring, the resulting child's biology might favor neither parent. This might result in them being born as a new type or with albinism.
Dietary Needs and Habits
All Dragons were omnivorous and could eat almost anything, thanks to their innate elemental nature that allowed them to consume and digest all sorts of food, including substances that wouldn't qualify as food to other living creatures. Most Dragons preferred a carnivorous diet, but a few of them had developing unique dietary habits. Metallic Dragons, for instance, preferred to eat primarily inorganic fare. Although they were true apex predators, Dragons were not above scavenging for food if necessary.
Most Dragons usually consumed half their own weight in meat every day. Dragons seldom got fat, as their bodies converted all the eaten food into elemental energy, storing it for later use. Much of this stored energy was expended using their breath weapons and when their bodies changed because of them advancing in age. When eating inorganic materials, Dragons needed to eat as much as its own body weight per day to maintain healthy bodies.
In some instances, Dragons also ate magic items. These instances were rare however. While Dragons could "inherit" the magical properties of some magic items for a day or so, and as such this would had some tactical value, few Dragons would resort to do such a thing unless they were starving to the point of death.
Additional Information
Social Structure
All Dragons were inherently territorial and covetous. They hoarded wealth—although "wealth" could mean different things to different Dragons—and jealously protected their hoards. For most Dragons, there was no such thing as enough treasure. They enjoyed collecting mountains of gold, gems, coins, and magic items. They found these treasures radiant and enticing, and would make nooks and beds for themselves in their money piles. The habit of sleeping on their wealth meant that most Great Wyrms had hundreds of coins and gems embedded in their hides.
Evil Dragons are quick to attack anyone they perceive as a threat to their hoard, even other Dragons. Good Dragons are more likely to attempt diplomacy, but their desire to protect their hoard is no less intense.
Religion
Main Article: Draconic Pantheon
Dragons worshiped Astilabor, Bahamut, Garyx, Hlal, Kereska, Lendys, Null, Sardior, Tamara, Task, Tiamat, and Zorquan. The pantheon once included many other deities, forgotten after millennia of time, countless holy wars, and the deaths of all their living worshipers. Some Dragons had even taken to worshiping Human deities under different aspects. There were other, ancient gods of dragons, including Asgaroth, although the nature of their being was not fully understood.
Wyrm
The term "Wyrm" was used to mean "Dragon", but might also refer to a dragon within specific age criteria. "Wyrm" was believed to have originated from Jotun, the ancient language of the Giants. The words "Wyrm" and "Worm" were pronounced similarly. Great care should be taken to avoid this as "Worm" was the most insulting thing that one could call a Dragon.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The meat of a Dragon was said to be similar to white Bustard meat but with a much more intense flavor. When news of a fallen Dragon got out, it often brought "snatch teams" to the site to carve up and transport the carcass to the nearest big city to be butchered and rendered into saleable parts. These teams were typically well-equipped and well-armed because the potential profit from such a windfall was tremendous. Any offer of meat billed as "Dragon Tail" was usually a ruse or a get-rich-quick scheme. The largest and best tasting joints were said to come from the wings. This area of the body also yielded large slices of fat with the consistency of jelly. It was used to make fine stews when harvested in time, or as bait for Bears and other large carnivores and scavengers.
Dragonhide was valuable for crafting armor, and the other inedible parts of a Dragon had many uses, both magical and mundane. The tendons from the wings were very strong and flexible, for example. Indeed, there were a few shops that specialized in Dragon parts. Some alchemists claimed that properly prepared Dragon organs, blood, or other fluids had magical healing or anti-poison properties. Many spells could use Dragon parts as material components, such as create Baneguard, Daltim's proof against fire, dragon scales, dragonbane, time conduit, and weapon bless, for example.
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