Dragons

## Hatchlings

Dragons hatch alone; they are not brooding creatures. This is possible because of the high degree of autonomy of newly hatched dragons. Unlike human babies, hatchling dragons can fend for themselves. While their wings are still vestigial, they can chase down and consume food without assistance.

## Coloration

A dragon's scales can take on almost any color in the rainbow. Contrary to popular folklore, the color of the dragon has little to do with the dragon's temperament or abilities. The color of a dragon's scales depends entirely on the food it eats when it is still a hatchling. It is unclear what causes a dragon to prefer one food over another- it may simply be a matter of personal preference.

## Capturing a Dragon

When still a hatchling, a dragon can be captured with relative ease using cleverness or magic. The benefits of a captive dragon are many; as magical creatures, even their droppings are useful in magical rituals. The ethics of holding captive a sentient creature are, of course, questionable...As is the wisdom of keeping such a creature for too long.

## Adolescence

After several years, the newly born dragon will have grown considerably. It will be as tall as a human being, and will have achieved a great deal of strength and intelligence. A captive adolescent is not likely to stay captive for very long. The wings of an adolescent are not developed enough for true flight, but they are able to provide some lift, allowing the dragon to extend the height and length of its jumps.

## Breath Powers

The most distinctive ability of the dragon is the breath power. Dragons can channel magic through their mouths to cause amazing effects: searing heat, healing mist, or even a burst of water and magic that can cause plants to grow with incredible speed. Each dragon only has a single breath ability, and it seems to be determined by the dragons diet as an adolescent. Some dragons may lack any breath ability at all, perhaps simply to insufficient nutrition.

## Fire Breath

Fire breath is, in the minds of the peasantry, the most memorable of a dragon's abilities. By producing flammable gases within its stomach and lighting them with a special gland on the roof of the mouth, the dragon can produce a flame hot enough to incinerate almost anything in its path.

## Plant Growth Breath

Certain dragons gain the ability to produce a stream of magically charged water from their mouths, which has a swift and dramatic effect on nearby vegetation. In an instant, a plant that seemed dead will be revived, and crops will flourish. Some dragons have been known to use this ability to avert famine in human communities. Others have chosen to become avengers of the forest, and fight for the plants against encroaching humans.

## Healing Breath

A dragon who has ingested certain herbs and mystical substances during adolescence can produce a healing mist from its nostrils. This substance is as effective as the best man-made salves, and can cure most ailments. This ability is sometimes used selfishly, so that the dragon can amuse itself or reward loyal servants. Folk tales more often tell of those dragons who have turned the power to benevolent purposes.

## Escape

There are no known cases of a dragon being kept past late adolescence. The dragon is too intelligent and strong-willed to be held in captivity once its body and mind develop past human levels. The luckiest captors simply awake one day to find their "pets" missing. The less fortunate receive object lessons in the consequences of crossing dragons.

## Forgiveness

Occasionally, a captive dragon will forgive its captor and perform an act of kindness in a time of need. The dragon is in every way a superior beast to the human; superior in mind, superior in body, and superior in heart. When a dragon shows anger, it burns brighter than any human rage, but draconic forgiveness shines even brighter. Only the most callous of captors could resist releasing such a noble beast.

## Adulthood

An adult dragon is at least half a century in age, several stories tall, and capable of eating a cow or human in a bite. Cruel dragons will often land on humans, killing them. An adult dragon can soar into the air by flapping its wings or glide by holding them out. A newly adult dragon must first find a home. Good homes are secure locations with a view of the nearby land. One can always tell when a dragon has chosen a new home: it will rest motionless in a spot for a time.

## Human Interaction

The history of human-dragon interactions is a complex one. Some dragons ignore humans altogether, while others cause cruel and arbitrary destruction. Occasionally, a dragon will set itself up in a position of power over humans, either as a strict overlord or a gracious protector. An adult dragon is a fearsome sight, and is effectively impervious to all but the most dedicated human attackers.

## Reclusive Guardian

Sometimes a dragon will set itself up as a guardian of a settlement. It may be out of true benevolence, or perhaps the same sort of condescending concern we humans have toward our pets. The motivations of dragons are inscrutable. These guardians are sometimes kind, and sometimes strict. Among humans, they can generate love or resentment.

## Scourge

The draconic scourge is a fearsome creature. These beasts cause destruction for no apparent reason. Sometimes they demand a tribute of riches or human sacrifice, but at other times they just destroy and retreat back to their distant lairs. Only the most intrepid of human heroes can approach a scourge, whether to give tribute or defeat the beast.

## Healer/Watcher

The watcher is the most mysterious of dragons. It does little harm to humans, and contents itself with staying away from all civilization. They only occasionally cause damage to human settlements, and will often only hurt humans who attempt to attack them. The heroes who attempt to destroy these dragons are typically motivated by personal fame, rather than protecting civilization.

## Tyrant

History is full of stories about cruel tyrant dragons. These cruel creatures take control of human settlements by force, and rule with firm claws and quick judgement. Many of these tyrants seem motivated by the tribute they demand from their human subjects, while others appear to simply desire power. Whatever their reasons, draconic tyrants can rule for centuries before they are toppled by a human hero.

## The Hero

For every dragon, there is a single human capable of posing a threat. This hero or heroine seems to have a link of destiny with the dragon. Sometimes, the hero is a warrior who sets out to destroy the dragon. Alternatively, the hero may decide to befriend the dragon and work by its side. The hero may even be sent to pay tribute to a draconic tyrant. Just like dragons, heroes can be good or evil. They are recognizable only by their
tremendous strength.

## Service

Through the appropriate tribute, a hero can appease a dragon enough to temper its attitudes towards humans. The hero must bring a gift and pledge service to the dragon. In doing so, the hero becomes a tool of the dragon, to advance the creature's agenda. This provides the hero great power, but it also means the hero's freedom is granted only at the whim of the dragon. If a dragon abandons a servant, the servant is often executed by the other humans under the dragon's control.

## Fall of the Hero

Some heroes are not meant to survive. Some beasts cannot be slain. A hero who falters, or who confronts a dragon too soon, or who is simply unlucky, will die. This is the risk a hero embraces when venturing out on the ultimate quest.

A hero is not a hero because of bravery; a hero is one who does what must be done, even though it is frightening, even though it is hard, and even though it may end in failure.

## Slaying the Dragon

Death is a constant risk, even for the nigh-immortal dragon. While dragons can live millennia, one final arrow fired by a fierce heart can end even the noblest of lives. The human who slays a dragon will go down in history, but the dragon will also live forever in the hero's story. It means nothing to slay a weak beast, and so the legend of a dragonslayer also serves to honor the dragon who gave its life to the hero's legacy.

## Friendship

With the proper gifts and greetings, a hero can befriend a dragon. The partnership thus formed is as strong a bond as family or marriage. The hero and the dragon will fight for each other and serve as constant companions. Such a partnership between two dissimilar beings is special. The greatest deeds in history were done by heroes paired with dragons, and I would venture there is no more powerful force on earth.

-X.R. Quilliam Magus