Dragons

**Dragons** are currently the dominant species of both Pyrrhia. Scavengers once ruled Pyrrhia, but dragons overthrew them in an event known as the Scorching.

Dragons are intelligent, as they are capable of speaking both the Dragon and Human language, making tools, literacy, and complex thought. Animus dragons, those with the magical power to do almost anything, exist, though they are exceedingly rare. Dragons with special powers abnormal for their species, such as firescales, also exist in sparse numbers. Most dragons have tribe-typical powers.

Dragons have lengthy natural lifespans, though they can be killed by injury, illness, and poison, among other causes. The longest the average dragon can live is roughly one hundred and fifty years. Dragonets stop growing rapidly at seven years old, and this is considered adulthood or maturity in most tribes.

Click here for a list of known dragons.

## Biology and Anatomy

There are seven known Pyrrhian tribes: RainWings, SandWings, SeaWings, NightWings, SkyWings, MudWings, and IceWings. Hybrids between these tribes are possible but uncommon.

All tribes are roughly the same size except for MudWings, who are generally larger and stronger than dragons from the other tribes. SkyWings have a larger wingspan than most tribes. Dragons have been confirmed to continuously grow as they age, with the oldest dragons typically being the largest. Dragons grow rapidly for the first eight to ten years of their life, then grow at a much slower rate for the rest of their lives. Dragonets molt their scales upon growth, at least so in the case of SkyWings.

All dragons are primarily quadrupedal. All Pyrrhian dragons possess six limbs, these consist of two wings and four legs. Wings are attached to a dragon's shoulders and have a slightly transparent wing membrane stretched between five small bone digits, each of which has one small claw on the tip. A larger claw is attached to the front of the third digit. Dragons have overlapping scales that vary in color and shape from tribe to tribe. Underneath their scales, dragons have skin. Dragons require their tails for flight, and severe tail injuries may ground a dragon for life.

Pyrrhian dragons have a vulnerable spot at the tip of their tail. Their bones are difficult to break — almost as hard as diamonds — though they can be dislocated.

Dragons typically have large claws at the base of each foot, with five on the forelegs and five on the hind legs, though polydactylism may occur. All dragons can fly. Some can also hatch with freckles on their bodies, usually at various amounts.

Dragons can faint, sweat, and cry. Dragons are able to have allergies and become intoxicated They can also have seizures and hiccups, as well as medical conditions such as deformities, tumors, mental illnesses, or eye conditions. Most dragon tribes hate getting wet, with the exception of SeaWings and sometimes IceWings.

It is mentioned on several occasions that dragons have a hoarding instinct, preferring shiny or brightly colored objects. Instead of a currency system, dragons on Pyrrhia typically barter; gold, gems, and other treasure are used in this system.

Dragons reproduce via eggs, usually laid in clutches of two or more. Eggs may contain twin dragonets. Dragonets can speak within a day of hatching, and a one-year-old dragonet is capable of speaking in full, if broken, sentences. Most dragons at three years of age can fly but cannot fly long without taking some rest. SkyWings can fly at one year old, but it is unknown if other tribes can fly at that age. Dragons can have birthmarks. In a SeaWing's case, they can have Aquatic birthmarks.

#### Hybrids

**Hybrids** are dragons with parents from different tribes. These dragons have mixtures of features from their parent tribes; many of them look unique among other dragons, while some can blend in with one of their parent tribes. Hybrids get their dominant genes (the genes which make a hybrid look more like/have more traits, eg, NightWing powers, from a specific tribe) from their mother.
Click here for a list of all known hybrids.

#### Diets

Dragons are mostly omnivores, though many have primarily carnivorous diets. RainWings are primarily vegetarian, but can eat meat if they choose so. Dragons of non-vegetarian or non-herbivorous tribes may choose to be vegetarian. Most dragons can survive for up to a month without food.

Dragons sometimes drink milk and eat ice-cream.

## Specialization

Each tribe has specialized structures and abilities that differentiate them from the other tribes. Most typical is some sort of exhalation, most commonly fire. SkyWings, NightWings, and SandWings can breathe fire at any given time, whereas MudWings can only breathe fire when warm enough. IceWings exhale a freezing breath — though heat can temporarily thwart this ability — while RainWings can spit corrosive acid that only affects biological matter and can kill a dragon in seconds. SeaWings are the only tribe on Pyrrhia that cannot exhale anything that may be used as a weapon. The most commonly modified structures in dragons are the wings, claws, or tail. Dragon fire smells different from normal fire. Average dragons are physically strong enough to rip a tree from the ground and throw it across a short distance. MudWings have the ability to hold their breath for up to an hour. SeaWings can breathe underwater. SandWings have a poisonous tail barb, capable of killing a dragon if they are stabbed in the heart with it. NightWings are born with foresight, mind reading, none, or both depending on how many full moons they hatch under. RainWings can change the color of their scales to blend in with their surroundings. Some RainWings can mimic bird calls.

## Society

Dragons have a matriarchal society where each tribe is ruled by a hereditary queen. Each tribe differs in its traditions and values of life due to habitat and physiology. They are advanced enough to have speech and writing — all dragons speak the same language. The SeaWings use their bioluminescent stripes to communicate in a separate language called Aquatic for communication underwater. All Pyrrhian tribes live in separate kingdoms.

Most dragons feel tribal loyalty, most notably NightWings, SkyWings, IceWings, and SeaWings. They seem to view their tribe as extremely important to their identity, and consider acting against others of their tribe or their tribal queen to be traitorous. Most NightWings, IceWings, and some SkyWings have feelings of superiority about their tribe. Each dragon tribe also has their own religious beliefs. All dragons love treasure.

In formal settings, it is common for dragons to use their tribe to introduce themselves and others, almost like a title.

## Body Language

It is stated in the books multiple times that dragons have a system of body language. Dragons from the same tribe will often make casual physical gestures to one another. Dragons may also have a sort of "code" for greeting one another, featuring mid-air flips and thumping wings. Dragons may raise their wings in a shushing gesture, and they spread or wave their wings to catch attention. Flicking one's tail at someone is another way to get their attention and can also be used to indicate something of interest. If a dragon lashes their tail, it is a sign of anger or impatience. SeaWings may flare their gills when angry, and RainWings flare and color their ruffs when angry or indignant. Dragons also use their claws to indicate numbers.

Nudging or brushing another dragon's wing or twining tails together is a sign of affection and closeness; dragons may notice if others are close enough to show affection this way. Wrapping wings around one another, hugging, and pressing snouts together are also signs of affection. Dragons tent their wings over others as a way to comfort or embrace them in a protective gesture. Dragons also kiss as a way to express affection.

## Technology

Dragons have armor and handheld weapons; technologically and socially, they seem to be somewhere around the Middle Ages.

NightWings are the most technologically advanced Pyrrhian tribe, seeming to put great emphasis on research and study. NightWings studied geology, metalworking, biology, chemistry, and genetics.

SandWings study astrology. They make telescopes, copy down star charts, and follow the phases of the moon.

SeaWings use a waterfall prison that can be turned on and off with a switch. This prison system features electric eels strong enough to kill a full-grown dragon.

Dragons are skilled with building. They make large, impenetrable palaces.

Dragons know medicinal uses of herbs and blood vessels. RainWings, in particular, know about poisonous frogs, and use certain venom from them to create blow darts. SkyWings use dragonflame cactus bombs that explode when ignited, spraying sharp seed pods.

Some dragons can carve statues. They also know how to create glass and make artwork out of it.

Pyrrhian dragons have the ability to make eyeglasses, and have known how for thousands of years, showing they have had some knowledge about the biology of eyes for a very long time.

## History

Before the dragons had queens, scavengers ruled Pyrrhia in three empires. After the scavengers started a plan to steal dragon eggs, the dragons rebelled, establishing tribes and queens; this was known to the dragons as the Scorching. After the Scorching, there was 500 years of war between the Pyrrhian dragons.

There are many wars in Pyrrhia's history, such as the wars between the NightWings and the SkyWings.

## Trivia

* Dragons have unique colors amongst their tribes.
* Pets do not do well in dragon communities, as they often get eaten by forgetful relatives or even by its owner.
* Dragons can be LGBT+.
* Dragons celebrate the day they were hatched, calling it hatching day instead of birthday.