Dragon

**Dragons** are a race of primordial creatures that hold dominion over the skies of Erdyn and beyond. They have existed longer than most other races, having been born before the emergence of gods, creation of Erdyn, and civilization itself. The long existence of the dragons, along with their ability to adapt in any environment, have since spawned several subraces that are typically considered inferior.

## Overview

During the time of the Primordial World, the first dragon, Vekae, come into existence from a mass of concentrated pure magical energy that filled the world. Using his unique scales which he buried into the soil, Vekae gave form to countless dragons whose numbers were large enough to sustain a population. For most of their history before the introduction of gods, dragons preferred the lifestyle of either sleeping, or eating. Only after the gods ended the Primordial Age did the dragons begin to become more active, often pushed by Vekae into it.

## Characteristics

Many dragons are driven by an independent personality that largely prevents them from lending support in large groups, rather they only promise their own support. Their nature a powerful creatures, individualism, and selfish goals has led to many seeing dragons as esteemed beasts and harbingers of dread. Although often seen as mindless beasts of pure destruction, dragons are highly intelligent creatures that rival or surpass that of gods.

### Appearance

Dragons are large creatures that are seemingly mixes between reptiles and avian animals, possessing traits of both. To assist in their flight, dragons possess hollowed bones to minimize that weight that their body would be forced to carry, allowing them to be covered in thicker scales with magical properties. The skeletal structure of dragons resemble that of prehistory animals, hinting a certain relationship between the two.

The common dragons are largely divided between two subtypes that are viewed as "true" dragons, rather than a subrace. Reptilian dragons are those that typically possess four limbs, two arms and two legs, along with two large wings that grow from their backs whose appearance depends on what type of dragon. Serpentine dragons are those who possess similar characteristics as ground based serpents and where reptilian dragons are bulkier, the serpentine dragons are traditionally longer, slimmer, and seemingly more flexibly. In addition to the common true dragons, there exists several subraces that have since spun off from the main branch, each belonging to one of these two phenotype.

### Types

* **Drakes** are considered the closest type of draconid to that of true dragons, simply less powerful, intelligent and possessing a smaller body. Unlike their wyvern cousins, the drakes possess two legs, two arms and two wings on their backs, mimicking their elder kin.

* **Wyverns** are a primitive breed of dragons that descend from an ancient mutated dragon during the Primeval Age. They were born with four limbs, instead of six that are common among natural dragons. Unlike most other dragon subraces, the wyverns are often tamed and turned into mounts.

* **Amphipteres** are a special breed of dragon that only exists within the Void, usually found following Vekae's wake. The only times they are seen not in the Primordial Dragon's company is when large scale catastrophes are occur, leading many to believe they possess a form of futuresight.

### Classifications

Dragons are divided into several distinct categories that depend upon their age and how they have mastered their own abilities: Dragon Gods, Dragon Kings, and Dragon Lords being the most notable.

* **Dragon Gods:** Considered the most dangerous classification of dragon, the dragon gods are extraordinarily powerful creatures that far exceed their younger kin. They are considered beings worthy of worship by their fellow dragons and even other races.

* **Dragon Kings:** Kings of Dragons are the most active and influential of the dragons in day-to-day affairs, often bringing large groups together. The more violent and arrogant of Dragon Kings are sometimes called Emperors instead.

* **Dragon Lords:** Those who have risen in power through the years and power are seen as symbols of a true dragon. They are fully matured dragons who have developed their own special powers at one point in their lives.

## Powers & Abilities

They are ancient beings of power with an unique connection with magic that grants them properties that found in most other races. Each dragon possesses a near-limitless supply of magic that allows their bodies to grow into massive proportions and be supported without extra nutrition needed. Their power, intelligence, and degree of variety has led to them being rightly feared or hated by many other races, even gods.

A dragon's innate reserve of magic increases as they age, along with their bodies and their resistances to threats. This reserve allows them to have nigh-limitless endurance and an incredible regeneration factor that permits them to regrow lost limbs.

* **Draconic Strength**: The size of their bodies, along with innate magical augmentations, grants dragons an immense degree of physical strength that far exceeds many others. Their strength allows them to break through most magical and physical defences with relative ease when infusing themselves with their aura. Their aura and scales are strong enough to prevent most forms of damage to their bodies.

* **Immortality**: Dragons are immortal and not subject to ageing, although they can die if killed through sufficient means. They are immune to all mortal diseases and illnesses, only vulnerable to especially powerful agents. If their bodies are destroyed but not the souls, they can eventually return to life.

* **Magic**: Dragons are capable of casting nearly all forms of magic, as long as they are aware it exists and have begun training in it to some degree. As they grow, the capacity of power that dragons can use at once. The power of a dragon tends to develop their own abilities that are dependant on their personality as long as they train and nurture their powers.

* **Elemental Breath**: Using their natural biology and magical affinity, dragons can manifest streams of energy composed of the elements at their targets. The more powerful the dragon, the more dangerous their elemental breath becomes.

* **Shapeshifting**: Many higher dragons have gained the ability to alter their size into a compressed form or a larger size, but is limited by their innate power. They can also change their form into that of a humanoid with a near-perfect accuracy with few being able to see through.

* **Flight**: Dragons are able to manipulate their local gravity to allow themselves to fly within the air, and can alter their body mass to assist in this regard.