Drakelet (DRAYK - let)

Drakelets are an interesting lot. They've personalities as varied as those among the folk. Some are friendly, some are downright nasty. They are quite hard to find, but if one should be found, and if it decides it likes you, a drakelet can be a lifelong friend.

— Khala the Traveler on the subject of Drakelets

The Drakelet is a small creature, one of the many varieties of Lesser Dragonkin created by the Dragonar. Tradition tells that these creatures were first brought into being after the Great Dragons, intended to be pets or companions for the great and noble wyrms. Today, they are quite rare; the only region in Cartyrion they are believed to range wild is in the Broken Ranges along the western coast of the Worldtop Sea.

Like their greater cousins, there are a number of varieties, or subspecies, of drakelet. Easily distinguishable by the color of their scales, each variety possesses unique characteristics and dispositional tendencies.

Physical Characteristics

Drakelets resemble their larger kin in almost every way except size. Physically, they resemble the great dragons according to their color, but even the largest, fully mature drakelet will not exceed an overall body length of approximately 2ft (60cm) - double that from snout to tail tip. Greatest recorded wingspan is no more than 4ft (120cm). Most drakelets are somewhat smaller than this, though.

Lairs, Affinity for Greater Dragons, and Impression

Drakelets seem to be attracted to their larger cousins, and prefer living nearby a Greater Dragon of similar color to themselves. In many cases, their lairs will occupy small niches within the lair of their more powerful host. It is not unusual for communities of drakelets to be encoutered, especially in the vicinity of a true dragon's lair.

Species

Drakelet

Classification

Lesser Dragonkin

Known Varieties

Black, Blue, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Green, Pewter, Red, Silver, White
rumors of a Gold variety have not been confirmed

Size

varies by variety; approximates for average adult are weights of 30lb (13.5kg), snout-to-tail lenghs of 3ft (1m), and wingspans of 4ft (135cm)

Drakelet nests with eggs are tended - and fiercely guarded - by both parents, and as eggs hatch, parents will be on hand with food (raw meat, preferably) to feed the voracious hatchlings. The parents will do their best to keep hatchlings out of sight and out of harms way for at least their first day.

In the event that some creature other than a Drakelet happens to encounter a nest, and if that creature offers food, and no threat, to a new hatchling in this first 24 hour period, the young Drakelet will most likely "impress" upon the intruder. Impression creates a strong bond between the Drakelet and other creature. For this reason, Drakelet eggs are highly prized by those who wish to have a unique - and somewhat powerful "pet". Drakelets hatched in or near the lair of a Greater Dragon could impress upon their host as well, though most Dragons are rarely bothered to try. Black, white, red, green, and blue dragons, while not bothered by any drakelets living near them, rarely bother to do so. Brass, bronze, copper, pewter, and silver dragons are somewhat more disposed to this, though, and often will impress themselves upon at least one or two for companions.

Innate Magical Abilities

Each color of Drakelet possesses an innate magical ability reminiscent of some ability of their similarly colored larger kin. Silver dragons, for example, have the ability to polymorph themselves into almost any creature of similar or smaller size than themselves.

Breath Weapons

Like their Great Dragon kin, drakelets possess breath weapons according to their color. Red and brass drakelets can issue forth gouts of intense fire, while whites and silvers project a jet of bone-chilling cold. Lightning can streak forth from both blue and bronze drakelets, while black and copper spew forth streams of highly corrosive acid. Green and Pewter drakelets breath out clouds of poisonous vapors.


Red Brass Green Pewter Blue Bronze White Silver Black Copper