Dragon 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 Toril ; their line was so old , they had their own realm during the first recorded exploits of the elves . In recent times , the dragons of Toril were nearly all recluses or at the very least deceptive to their true nature , living amongst other species in polymorphed form . Biology . 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 . The number of eggs a dragon laid each brood depended on its race , but was usually low , between one and ten . 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 angel s . As for their senses , which varied slightly depending on the species , dragons were superior in most ways to other creatures - like any predator , they had exceptionally acute senses , which only increased with age . Dragons had excellent depth perception and comparably good peripheral vision , able to see twice as well as a human in daylight ; they had great night vision , and were able to see even when conditions had no light to offer , though not in color . Dragons could also pick up scents very well , utilizing both their sensitive nose and forked tongue , much like a snake . Their hearing was on par with human hearing , although their minds could filter what noise it hears . Dragon taste was also refined , although they did not respond well to sweet flavors , and most dragons didn ' t discussed why . They were able to eat almost everything , but each race had a preferred diet ; some preferred flesh , other to eat precious metals or gems , and so forth . Of all its senses , a dragon ' s sense of touch is the only one to decrease with age , due mostly to the development of thick , hard scales . Dragons were capable of blindsense , the sense in which eyes , ears , and other senses were used to detect invisible persons or objects . 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 needed long and complex ritual involving words , gestures and components like other wizard s , 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 . Religion . 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 ( also known as Io ) , although the nature of their being was not fully understood . History . It is not clear exactly how dragons came to inhabit Abeir - Toril , but many traditions believed their origin was related to the Tearfall . As soon as the race was established , they began a war with the giant s that would last over a thousand years . This war concluded , according to the giants , when a stalemate occurred in a game of " wah - ree " between the dragon god Garyx and the giant god Annam All - Father . However , according to the dwarves , the dragons ceased the war due to their own civil war developing between the chromatic and the metallic dragons , known as the Dragonfall War , a conflict between the followers of Bahamut and Tiamat that continued unabated even in more recent times . Individual dragons and dragon clans came to rule large swaths of territory and battled with their rivals not only for dominion of those lands , but also over matters of religious nature as the dragons of that ancient age were devout followers of their draconic gods . This period of devastating warfare among the dragons led the race to near extinction . Eventually , draconic philosophers came to the conclusion that all of the fighting was wasteful and that gods who allowed such behavior were not worthy of their worship . This started the dragon ' s apathy toward their gods , which lasted for thousands of years . Draconic rule came to an end when the elves created the " Dracorage mythal " , a powerful magical effect that incited all dragons across Faerûn to madness and mindless destruction , turning against each other and even against their offspring . This event became known as the Rage of Dragons . Dragons were unable from taking again control of Faerûn , their collective power waxing and waning over the millennia . Although exceptions were recorded throughout history , the majority of Faerûn ' s dragons came to occupy the niche of top predator , not ruler . After the last Rage of Dragons , in 1373 DR , the dragon population of Faerûn was greatly reduced in number . That realization sparked the need of dragons to look for the help of their gods , marking the prophesied " turning of the Great Cycle " , an ancient myth that foretold the return of draconic religious fervor . The dragon gods who survived the long years without worshipers received a great influx of power from their new draconic followers . In 1374 DR , a new Tearfall made several new dragon eggs to fell from the sky . As dragons became free from the effects of the " Dracorage mythal " , Faerûn was threatened with the possibility of a new Time of Dragons . Wyrm . The term " wyrm " is used to mean " dragon " , but might also refer to a dragon within specific age criteria ; see dragon aging . " Wyrm " is believed to have originated from Jotun , the ancient language of the giant s . The words " wyrm " and " worm " are pronounced similarly . Great care should be taken to avoid this as " worm " is the most insulting thing that one can call a dragon .