Earth Dragons

Earth dragons are one of the seven primary Broods of Dragons. According to legend, they are all descended from the Earth Dragonlord; Shoguvhan.

Earth dragons are the largest of dragonkind, but also tend to be less active. They are sometimes considered to be very wise and honourable, but less favourable depictions claim them to be greedy and selfish.

### Appearance

Earth dragons are bulky, with thick scales and large muscles. They have powerful jaws, and tend to have large blunt horns. Most of them do not have wings, instead possessing three pairs of legs to better navigate their rocky habitat. Those who do possess wings have enormous wingspans, to lift their considerable weight.

An Earth Dragon's scales are usually duller in colour than other kinds of dragon, they tend to be shades of brown, beige, or dusty red/orange; usually a similar colour to the rocks of their habitat. However, as an Earth Dragon gets older and more powerful, their scales may shift to a more metallic sheen, usually the colour of steel, copper, or bronze.

### Habitat & Territory

Unlike other dragons, Earth dragons have a tendency to remain in the same place for long periods of time, usually among mountains, deserts, craggy cliffs, and other environments that possess large amounts of surface rock. They also tend to hang around areas of great natural beauty, such as fertile valleys and abundant forests. There are a large concentration of Earth Dragons in the Xang Vale, due to their allegiance to the Three Dynasties of Shavhan.

### Abilities

Earth dragons are stronger and tougher than other broods of dragons, which they use to great effect. However, they also possess some other capabilities.

Many Earth Dragons possess the ability to spew molten lava from their maws. Alternatively, some store sharp chunks of stone in their mouths, which they can launch at high velocity.

Many Earth Dragons have a basic understanding of Earth magic, which they often use to shape their lairs, and burrow out stone to extend the caves they live in.

### Subsets

Earth dragons have perhaps the most subsets of any Dragon brood;

#### Deep Dragons

Deep Dragons are blind dragons which reside in deep underground caves. They are recognisable by their darker scales, and the horns and scales which have completely overgrown their eyes. However, they also have more advanced magic than other kinds of Earth Dragon, able to sense movement using tremors in the stone, and able to burrow through thick rock. Some Deep Dragons even possess Psychic powers, to locate prey and communicate silently.

#### Forest Dragons

Forest Dragons are in tune with plant life, and are abundant across the world. They are considered less powerful than other Earth dragons, as they tend to be smaller and less armoured, but they always have wings. Their scales are green, and their horns often form in the shape of antlers or branches. Instead of releasing lava from their mouths, Forest Dragons can breathe an acid mist.

#### Crystal Dragons

Crystal Dragons are exceedingly rare. They are supposedly the result of a cross-breed between an Arcane Dragon and an Earth Dragon. They have translucent, crystalline scales and horns. A Crystal dragon possesses the magical affinity of an Arcane dragon, with the toughness and armour of an Earth dragon.

#### Volcanic Dragons

Volcanic Dragons are the result of a cross-breed between Fire Dragons and Earth Dragons. Their ability to spew lava from their mouths is more powerful than that of other Earth dragons, and they tend to reside in volcanic areas. Their scales are usually a mix of browns and reds.

### Notable Earth Dragons

Shoguvhan - Dragon Sovereign of the Earth Brood.

Kavaldar - Royal Dragon, Deep Dragon, was held captive for centuries under Transcendence.

Kurnthira - Deep Dragon who lives in the Spiral Isles.