Nurbian Dragon

Nurbian Dragons are a species of  domestic dragon with four legs and two large, batlike wings. Wild Nurbian Dragons are most commonly found in Nurbia, primarily the mountainous, wooded, and field regions. Nurbian dragons are one of the most common species of dragon for thaumaturges to own, due to their large numbers.

## Origin

Nurbian Dragons originate in Nurbia, most likely from the Erif region. They are sometimes known as Erifian Dragons or Common Dragons. It is believed that Nurbian Dragons were originally domesticated by villagers in 173 SY. According to historians, these villagers likely used these dragons to kill pests. Eventually, when these villagers traveled to other areas, they brought their Nurbian Dragons with them, and occasionally even sold Nurbian Dragons. This led to the spread of Nurbian Dragons beyond Nurbia, and by 343 SY, Nurbian Dragons could be found in nearly every country.

## Biology

### Size

Nurbian Dragons average about 45 cm in head-to-body length and 15 cm in height, with about 22 cm long tails. The average wingspan is 118 cm. Adult Nurbian Dragons weigh between 3.5-4 kg. Females are typically larger than males.

### Anatomy

Nurbian Dragons are four-legged lizards with large batlike wings connected above the scapula (shoulder blades). Nurbian dragons have two horns on either side of the head, one smaller and one larger pair. They also have a line of hard spines starting at the top of the neck and continuing along the spine until terminating approximately halfway down the tail.

The wings of Nurbian Dragons are similar to a bat's, being a modified arm with elongated digits. Nurbian Dragon wings have four digits with dactylopatagia connecting the digits to each other and propatagia connecting the first digit to the body. Each digit is made up of three phalanges connected by joints. The arm of the wing is made up of a wing humerus and radius, also connected by joints. The wing wing arm and digits allow Nurbian Dragons to easily change the shape of the wing both in and out of flight.

In order to achieve flight, Nurbian Dragon bones are hollow and very light, despite being incredibly strong. Instead of bone marrow, Nurbian Dragon bones have trusses that provide structural strength. Respiratory air sacs often fill the hollow bones with air pockets.

Nurbian Dragon tails are comprised of 32 caudal vertebrae and end in a spiked caudal spade, allowing the dragon to use its tail for defense. In combat situations, Nurbian Dragons are capable of swinging their tail at up to 100 meters per second.

Nurbian Dragons have a sac of highly flammable compressed gas located above the roof of the mouth. The back of the mouth has two high-pressure valves which release the gas when opened. Upon contact with air, the gas ignites, creating a jet of fire that can reach up to 1 meter in distance. The flame burns at between 1000ºC and 1500ºC, with an average of 1200ºC.

### Health

Despite being reptiles, Nurbian Dragons are able to produce metabolic heat and have an average internal body temperature of 40ºC. This raised internal body temperature slows down the ability for disease cells to multiply and kills off most parasites. Due to this, Nurbian Dragons are generally healthier than most other animals. However, there are some diseases and parasites that have adapted to infect dragons, including dracovirus variants and flameworms.

Nurbian Dragons have a primarily carnivorous diet, generally eating small rodents and similar sized animals. They are capable of eating most edible berries. Although not lethal, almonds can be poisonous to Nurbian Dragons, causing issues such as vomiting, loss of coordination, and minor abdominal pain. This can be particularly difficult for the thaumaturge who is bonded to the dragon, due to the shared emotional and mental states.

### Reproduction

In domestic Nurbian Dragons, sexual maturity is happens after 2 to 2.5 years for both males and females. Female Nurbian Dragons will lay a clutch of between two and three eggs.

## Behavior

Nurbian Dragon behavior is the internally coordinated responses (actions or inactions) of the domestic Nurbian Dragon (individuals or groups) to internal and external stimuli. As one of the most prominent domesticated species, Nurbian Dragon behavior has inevitably been shaped by millenia of contact with humans. As a result of this physical and social evolution, Nurbian Dragons have developed the ability to understand and communicate with humans far better than any other species, especially to thaumaturges that they bonded with. Behavioral scientists have uncovered a surprising set of social-cognitive abilities in domestic dragons.

### Activity

Nurbian Dragons are active during both day and night, although they tend to be slightly more active during the day. The exact level of activity varies between individual dragons. Domestic Nurbian Dragons spend the majority of their time in the vicinity of their owner. They will often also establish territories that vary in size, usually comprising the house of their owner.

### Sociability

In the wild, Nurbian Dragons tend to live individually, creating nests in hard-to-reach, easily defensible locations. Common locations include caves and near the tops of mountains. Each dragon holds a distinct territory, the borders of which are marked by rubbing against objects and burning items. When other dragons enter a Nurbian Dragon's territory, the Nurbian Dragon will typically chase away the stranger dragons by hissing, growling, and, eventually, short but violent attacks.

Life in proximity to humans has led to a symbiotic relationship between humans and domestic Nurbian Dragons, and domestic dragons may show affection towards humans, especially those that they are bonded with.

### Communication

Nurbian Dragons use many vocalizations for communication, including hissing, growling, and purring. Their body language, including eye gaze, tail and wing position, and body posture. A raised or slightly extended wings indicates aggression or defensiveness, while tightly folded wings may indicate fear or submission.

Purring in Nurbian Dragons may have developed as an evolutionary advantage as a signalling mechanism between mother dragons and their young, who are thought to use it as a care-soliciting signal. Nurbian Dragons not caring for juveniles may purr as a sign of contentment or relaxation. Even though purring is popularly interpreted as indicative of pleasure, it has been recorded in a wide variety of circumstances, most of which involve physical contact between the dragon and another, presumably trusted individual.

The exact mechanism by which Nurbian Dragons purr is unknown, but it has been proposed that purring is generated via a series of sudden build-ups and releases of pressure as the glottis is opened and closed, which causes the vocal folds to separate forcefully. The laryngeal muscles in control of the glottis are thought to be driven by a neural oscillator which generates a cycle of contraction and release every 30-40 milliseconds (giving a frequency of 33 to 25 Hz).

### Fighting

Among Nurbian Dragons, females are more likely to fight than males. In wild dragons, the most common reason for dragon fighting is over territory.

When Nurbian Dragons become aggressive, they try to make themselves look larger and more threatening. This includes arching their backs, raising their spines, and slightly extending their wings to the sides. Nurbian Dragons may also vocalize loudly and bare their teeth in an effort to further intimidate their opponents. Fights usually consist of scratching and hitting, with fights in the wild also including the use of fire and tails.

### Hunting and Feeding

The shape and structure of Nurbian Dragon cheeks are insufficient to allow them to take in liquids using suction. Therefore, when drinking water, they lap with the tongue to draw water into their mouths.

Nurbian Dragons consume several small meals in a day. The frequency and size of meals varies between individuals. Nurbian Dragons hunt small prey, mostly rodents and birds. Nurbian Dragons use two hunting strategies, either stalking prey actively, or waiting in ambush until prey comes close enough to be captured. The strategy used depends on the prey being hunted. Certain species appear more susceptible than others; in certain areas, Ilotanian Robins are more likely to be hunted than Black-winged Thrushes.

Perhaps the best known element of Nurbian Dragons' hunting behavior is that they often seem to "play" with prey by releasing it and recapturing it. This behavior is due to an instinctive imperative to ensure that the prey is weak enough to be killed without endangering the dragon.

Another poorly understood element of Nurbian Dragon hunting behavior is the presentation of prey to human owners. One explanation is that Nurbian Dragons adopt humans into their social group and share excess kill with them. Another explanation is that they attempt to teach their owners to hunt or to help their human. The most commonly believed explanation is that the prey acts as a gift from the dragon to its owner.

### Play

Domestic Nurbian Dragons, especially juveniles, enjoy play. This behavior mimics hunting, and allows young Nurbian Dragons to practice stalking, capturing, and killing prey. Nurbian Dragons also engage in play fighting, with each other and with humans. This behavior may be a way for dragons to practice the skills needed for real combat, and might also reduce any fear they associate with launching attacks on other animals.

## Ecology

### Habitats

The domestic Nurbian Dragon is a widespread species, and is found across Cijama. They generally prefer higher areas, such as mountains and cliffs, but can also typically be found in most other places, such as wooded areas.

## Trivia

* Nurbian Dragons draw inspiration from bearded dragons, bats, and cats.