Dragons

Dragons, known in more classical texts as fire drakes, were large lizard-like creatures typically seen with great clawed wings, two or four legs, pointed horns, tough scales and typically a long, muscular prehensile tail. Some dragons, such as those that were sighted in Ostia and by merchants sailing the coasts of Asevia, had feathered wings, spiked backs and other unusual features.
As sentient magical creatures possessing tremendous intelligence, dragons were widely regarded as the most feared and respected of all the mythical beings in Esria, and countless legends and stories came to be told about dragons of all shapes and sizes.
According to myths and legends, the typical dragon protected a cavern or castle filled with gold and treasure. An evil one was often associated with a great hero tasked with slaying it. Benevolent dragons were often said to give incredibly wise advice.
== History ==
Dragons were among the oldest and most venerable species found upon Esria. In popular legends, they were often said to be as old as the world itself. Little was known of their early history, but the very first dragons encountered by mortals in the barren blacklands of Asevia were vicious, untameable beasts that had a fierce bloodlust and territorial instincts that led to a fearsome reputation.
It was believed that Asevia was the birthplace of all dragons, and that they had wiped out the indigenous human population so thoroughly that the ground had become little more than ashen rock. Over time, different species amongst dragons began to develop and spread across the world. Dragons would eventually grow to have a diverse population of species, such as mordant and argent dragons.
By the later years of the Common Era, dragons had become reclusive and disinterested in the affairs of the lesser races. They would remain this way until the awakening of Avok Vos by Escha Artaryan. The half-dragon adventurer Theobold Cagus would be instrumental in her defeat.
== Species ==
There were three recognised types of dragon that became accepted in studies and texts across the world. Although their classifications often changed throughout the centuries, two clear distinctions existed between baleful (ignia malus indomitus) and benevolent (ignia salutus indomitus) dragons.
Many other sub-species would prove stubborn, independent and unwilling to aid mortal beings in times of need. As such, a third classification of neutral dragons (ignia aequs indomitus) was later proposed and ultimately popularised by many colleges across Western Astria.
=== Benevolent dragons ===
==== Argent ====
Argent dragons were one of the first types of dragon to roam Esria, and were one of the first of their kin to encounter the other mortal races, although in many cases this did not end well for both sides. Their lifespan was measured to be around nine-hundred years. Historically, the argent kin inhabited the southern mountains and northern glacial regions of Ostia. Over time their population declined, becoming virtually extinct by the time of the Imperial Era.
Known as guardians of life, argent dragons were known to be the purest of all benevolent dragons. On many occasions argent dragons worked closely with their mordant kin. They were responsible for stopping many of the evils that would have otherwise have threatened the world. 
They were extremely strong and capable of amazing feats. They were swift flyers, known to cross great distances with ease. Although many argent dragons once enjoyed a relatively safe existence, the near extinction of their species sent many of them into hiding. 
==== Mordant ====
Mordant dragons were a species of dragon who came into the world sometime during the Arcane Era. Their lifespan was measured to be around one-thousand years. Many of the great events of the world were involved in some way or another with the mordant kin, and as such their extremely rare appearances were often heralded with both caution and awe.
They were masters of fire, but lacked the hot-tempered personality and anger of their lesser baleful kin, the red dragons. They were kind, eager and ready to help the world, although sometimes their best intentions were not met with enthusiasm by the many cultures and nations they interacted with over the years.
They were curious by nature, being naïve and trusting as wyrmlings, but also extremely knowledgable at later ages. They had the will and capacity to take in knowledge greater than any other of their close cousins, save for the brass dragons.
==== Auric ====
Auric dragons were extremely rare, said to have been the first species of dragon to appear on Esria. Their lifespan was immeasurable, although no auric dragon was ever seen after the Era of Harvest. They were said to have been the largest of the benevolent dragons, towering far above their counterparts. Knowledge on their abilities and personalities was scarce among the lesser races, though in most tales they were often heralded as great leaders.
Human folklore was often kind to the auric dragons, as they were strictly dedicated to the protection of Esria and its mortal inhabitants. Although they rarely appeared outside of isolated cases, their impact on the fate of the world was substantial. They are credited by some elven scholars to have been the saviours of Esria at multiple points throughout ancient history.
=== Neutral dragons ===
==== Brass ====
Brass dragons were a species of dragon that rarely appeared in the sagas and legends of Esria, due to their relative disinterest in the greater conflicts of the world. Their lifespan was measured to be around seven-hundred and fifty years, though some found a way to live significantly longer than this. In comparison to their other draconic cousins, they were bookish, and uncharacteristically placid. They preferred quiet lifestyles, often living alongside the lesser races in disguise. Their lairs were often remote, large caverns where they could store and curate massive collections of cultural knowledge and ancient lore.
Brass dragons were more likely than any other sub-species to interact with the lesser races, and many brass dragons often found employment in society. They were often hidden as curators and archaeologists, but could also be bards or adventurers. Folklore on the brass dragons mentions that they found eating sentient creatures to be displeasing.
In comparison to the other species of dragon, they were not physically intimidating, being the smallest. Despite this, their minds were capable of holding vast stores of information. Their lairs were often surrounded by layers of impenetrable puzzles and traps.
=== Baleful dragons ===
==== Black ====
Black dragons were a species of baleful dragon known for their malevolence. Their lifespan was measured at a short and hot-blooded five-hundred years. They were common throughout Arcadia. They were known to revel in destruction, often laying waste to isolated villages and towns. They were arrogant and power-hungry, often betraying their own broods for the chance at gaining power.
As the largest of all the baleful dragons, they were unparalleled at aerial combat, and were physically domineering. Their hide was resistant to magic, and as tough as stone. They were the greatest hunters of all the baleful dragons. Their lifestyle was rarely sedentary, with many members of the species preferring to travel the world, leaving chaos in their wake.
The greatest black dragon was Valumeon, also known as Glimmerscale. He terrorised the lands of Calavyr during the Arcane Era. These times later became known as the Years of Blood. He was eventually slain by the Everchosen known as the Weeping Knight.
==== Red ====
Red dragons were a rare type of baleful dragon. Their lifespan was never measured, but they were suspected by some scholars to be as old as the world itself. Many of their kind teetered on the edge of sentience, destroying entire towns without knowledge or understanding. To many red dragons, the other races of the world and their nations were beneath them.
Red dragons were not known to be capable of reproducing. In fact, the nature of their birth was by and large unknown. Many of them would grow to the size of mountains. For many, the appearance of a red dragon often heralded apocalypse.
The greatest red dragon was Aklaros the Red, who rampaged across the lands of Eliya in the early Arcane Era. The largest member of the species was active during the Blessed Era, and was known as Avok Vos, or the Mountain Tyrant. The creature was considered by his benevolent cousins to be one of the greatest threats to the mortal races since the time of creationCategory:Browse