Ironwood Dragon

* Juvenile
* Baby
* Egg

File:Ironwood Dragon Juvinile.png

*Famed Oracle Tessa Lonya was lost in the vast dunes of the Sandara Desert. Tired and without water, she collapsed only to wake up at the edge of an oasis with an **ironwood dragon**! It's a good thing they're friendly.*
    —Nogard's description of the **ironwood dragon** in The Book of Dragons
The **Ironwood Dragon** is a rare opposite hybrid of the Plant and Metal elements. It's main element is Plant.

## Appearance

This dragon is very similar in appearance to the plant dragon, except that its skin is orange, its belly is purple, and its feathers are a steely metallic tone. Their, wide, splayed toes keep them from sinking in sand. Their dry skin conserves water and they can close their nostrils and ears to keep out blowing sand.

## Abilities

### Weapons

Ironwood dragons' wings are like sharp blades and can slash through foliage and plant fibers. Their claws are sharper and more deadly than those of plant dragons.

### Defenses

Like metal dragons, ironwood dragons have tough skin that is hard to penetrate. Being opposite dragons, they are especially resistant to attacks of a magical sort, especially spells that use Chloromancy and Metallomancy.

### Other Abilities

These dragons use their feathers like shovels or axes, chopping away at hard ironwood tree bark to get at the water-filled center, or digging for roots and tubers underground. They can slash through dense foliage or cactus tangles by using their wings like machetes.

### Breath Weapon

Ironwood dragons shoot razor-sharp metal scales with the shape of a leaf, which apprentices have dubbed the "razor-leaf" attack.

### Weaknesses

Ironwood dragons usually suffer from side effects of harboring opposite magics, such as a weakened immune system and allergies.

## Habitat

### Regions

Ironwood dragons are usually found in the Sandara Desert, but can adapt to any extremely hot environment, including savannas and jungles. Some wander in the jungles near the Scar of the World; others are found in the very hottest and driest areas of the Sandara, where not even earth dragons go.

### Preferred Home

Ironwood dragon are often found near oases and springs, scattered throughout the desert, but they are adaptable and can live happily anywhere.

### Sheltering/Nesting

Ironwood dragons will bury themselves in the sand rather than building nests.

## Diet

Ironwood dragons are omnivores. Because of their harsh habitat, they need to be able to eat anything that their environment can provide them. Their teeth are so tough that they can gnaw right through cacti, not minding the spikes.

## Lifestyle

### Behavior and Personality

Like their plant dragon relatives, ironwood dragons are usually friendly, but can be aggressive if provoked. They have tough skin and iron-like wing tips for defending their homes and families, and to retain water.

### Social Order

Ironwood dragons live in small clans or communities, that look after each other. They often need to be together, in case of predators or rival clans. There is a lead mating pair (male and female), and usually children or siblings. They all help look after the youngster and find food. Sometimes ironwood dragons inhabit human villages.

### Relationship to Wizards

If treated well, ironwood dragons will warm up to anyone, and be as kind as their plant dragon ancestors. If treated badly, however, they may become abrasive. Treat their BABIES badly, and you'll be sliced and diced.

## Life Cycle

### Mating

Usually, the lead pair is the only that mates, but occasionally, new adults come and go, to prevent inbreeding. This introduction or reduction of certain clan members can lead to tension aggression. Males and female both have spiky wings and tough skin, to help in fighting.

### Birth

When a baby ironwood dragon is hatched into the world, it's parents protect it like treasure.

### Infancy

There are many hatchling predators in the Sandara, from snakes and hawks to scavenging pharaoh, sun, sandstorm, sand, and mirage dragons. Luckily, everyone in the clan helps to protect the babies until they develop the tough skin of their parents.

### Adolescence

Around this age, ironwood dragons are more reckless and adventurous, due to the growing hormones in their bodies. This makes them unruly and sometimes unpredictable, so keep an eye on them if you have any in your park.

### Adulthood

At adult age, most adult females and males are kicked out, so they can start their own families, and prevent inbreeding. Some stay behind though, and never leave or breed. They walk around aimlessly in the desert until they find a new oasis (or earn one by fighting), where they attract members of the opposite gender, and mate for life.

### Life Span

Ironwood dragons live for 60 to 90 years on average, but there are stories of dragons living 300-500 years.

## History

### Discovery

The oracle Tessa Lonya got lost in the dunes, when a clan of ironwood dragons was walking by to their daily oasis to drink. The lead male thought the strange bipedal animal was one of his own, and brought her to the oasis, where she awoke. She then made her way back to Nogard, and he cataloged the dragon she found.

### Origin of Name

They were nicknamed "Ironwood" or "Ironwoodies", not just because they have elements of plant and metal, but because they hide from predators by hiding near ironwood trees, using camouflage. Enthusiasts of the breed still often use the old nickname "Ironwoodies," or just "Woodies."

## Magic

Ironwood dragons master a lot of different styles of magic: Metallomancy, Arboromancy, Terramancy, Geomancy, and Chloromancy.

## References

* The Book of Dragons, The Great Nogard

**Primary**
*Plant Dragon*

**Hybrids**
*Poison Dragon* - *Flower Dragon* - *Tree Dragon* - *Moss Dragon* - *Evergreen Dragon* - *Lichen Dragon* - *Cactus Dragon* - *Ash Dragon* - *Swamp Dragon* - *Seaweed Dragon* - *Pollen Dragon* - *Willow Dragon* - ***Ironwood Dragon*** - *Malachite Dragon* - *Meadow Dragon* - *Luminous Dragon* - *Fungus Dragon* - *Nightshade Dragon*

 **Golden Hybrids**
*Pepper Dragon* - *Forest Dragon* - *Conifer Dragon* - *Ivy Dragon* - *Thistle Dragon* - *Orchid Dragon* - *Thorn Dragon* - *Bramble Dragon*

**Primary**
*Metal Dragon*

**Hybrids**
*Malachite Dragon* - ***Ironwood Dragon*** - *Brass Dragon* - *Forge Dragon* - *Iron Dragon* - *Scoria Dragon* - *Mine Dragon* - *Steel Dragon* - *Magnetic Dragon* - *Copper Dragon* - *Rust Dragon* - *Quicksilver Dragon* - *Chrome Dragon* - *Meteor Dragon* - *Palladium Dragon* - *Radiant Dragon* - *Promethium Dragon* - *Acid Dragon*

 **Golden Hybrids**
*Thorn Dragon* - *Molten Dragon* - *Sulfur Dragon* - *Lodestone Dragon* - *Conch Dragon* - *Verdigris Dragon* - *Mirror Dragon*