Dragons

Majestic, daunting and incredible to behold, dragons are easily the mightiest and perhaps most diverse of all the mortal races of Confluence. They are remarkably widespread, with nests and lairs in deep mountains, dense forest or rolling hill and glen, most realms hold some measure of draconic population, though if the residents of the realm know of it is often uncertain. Despite their far flung wanderings there are areas of particular density for dragon kind, the mountains of Griesbachia, the chaotic wastes of the Badlands, and their undisputable home, the wide valleys and hills of Soreusia.

Where dragonkind first originated none can say, for even before the first recorded encounters with dragon kind they had already spread far between the lands of Confluence and even between the Planes themselves. Some claim they descended from celestials of Orlinus and Vhaktis, others say they were dwellers of the Greater Planes not tied to any power and took the opportunity to settle in a new land, others still believe that the dragons are simply a natural part of the world and crafted into being with its creation. Whatever the truth is, none can really say, for it has long been lost to time beyond time.

Draconic society, whilst at first glimpse may seem straightforward, can be a complex mire of personal standing, politics and intrigue. Whilst not as cutthroat as other mortal realms it is no less serious for it. All dragons are known to hold onto three virtues, ideals and ideas which they hold greatest in their minds. For all dragons one of those virtues is age, as dragons age they become stronger, wiser and more venerable with each century, naturally the most powerful of their kind are the eldest and mightiest of their race. The second virtue is the hoard, each dragon has a compulsive desire to collect something, treasure for one dragon, books for another, fine art for yet another, no two dragons truly desire the same thing yet all feel this obsession. The third virtue is that of intrigue, something that stands out in the world that captures their complete attention, for some more philosophical dragons these can be riddles or debates, for others its acts of heroism and bravery. No matter what, should a person fulfil a draconic virtue they would have an ally for years to come and to completely obtain all three would see a friend for generations.

Each of the dragons can be categorized by their dragonflight, their particular branch of colour, traits and breath abilities. Each of these dragonflights is made up of 5 different broods, with each brood being led by their own greatwyrm, though some broods will have more of them than others.

#### Chromatic

Chromatic dragons, or the colourful dragons, are often viewed with fear by lesser mortal races, for whilst no less noble than the other dragonflights, chromatic dragons are more driven by their emotions. Many of the stories of wild and dangerous dragons have involved enraged chromatic dragons, who often are quicker to action than they are to reason and more in sway with their beastial nature than their cousins.

##### Black

The physically largest of the chromatic breeds, black dragons have a common desire for command and domination, often putting them at odds with other dragons. That said however, with that desire comes the drive to protect what is their, making them proudly honorable, swift to act in defense of that they seek to rule over and slow to forget transgressions. Black dragons utilize an acidic breath weapon, which they often use to carve out their nests and hollows in the sheer sides of cliffs and mountainsides. They are lead by the greatwyrm Nosteraxius.

##### Red

As ferocious and temperamental as their fiery breath, red dragons have a tendency to act seemingly without sense or reason. It is this rash behaviour that often leads them to be found in many places of the world, enjoying the roost in ancient keeps and towers where they can watch the world go past. Their travels have lead to them being the most numerous of the chromatic dragonflight and whilst many fear them for good reason, few would turn down having such a mighty creature for a friend, for whilst fire is dangerous and hard to control, without it there can be neither heat nor light. They are lead by the greatwyrm Searain

##### Blue

Wisest and most thoughtful amongst the chromatic broods, blue dragons use their considerable minds to learn and explore the realms of other mortal races. Often these dragons have a fondness for the arcane and take a keen interest in collecting their relics, tomes or even cabals of mages under their control. These dragons breath a charge of deadly lightning, which when combined with their intelligence and potential for spellcasting can make them considerable foes to face. They are led by the greatwyrm Kastil'lox'remor

##### Green

Reclusive and curious in equal measures, green dragons are known also as forest dragons for their tendency to dwell deep within woodlands. Though they mostly stay within the borders of their own region, they take a great interest in anything new and unexpected coming into their lands. Most sightings of wild green dragons have been from travelers catching glimpses of them just off of forest trails, stalking them through the trees with keen interest. Their breath, unlike other chromatic dragons, is not a dangerous blast of elemental fury, but rather a noxious and cloying fume that few can withstand. They are led by the greatwyrm Estalia'luth'usa.

##### White

Smallest and most beastial of the chromatic dragons, they are notably ferocious, more drawn to lands where there are tall, snowy mountains to make their roost and preferring to remain away from even others of their own broods. White dragons are expert ambush predators, avoiding direct conflict if they can and rarely risking more than they need to, this cautious nature has given some a reputation of almost being cowardly though none would think so after seeing one hunt. They breath a cone of bitter cold, often using it to bring the temperature in their nests down if it is not to their natural liking. They are led by the greatwyrm Sheriax

#### Metallic

Though true no one dragonflight has mastery over another, the metallic dragons hold a position and respect within draconic society. Preferring thought and debate over action, as well as being quicker to learn new things, has lead the metallic dragons to an almost leadership role within dragon society. They help to maintain the peace within the flights as well as towards other mortal races, whilst also attempting to guide their own peoples forwards.

##### Gold

Truly the most majestic of all mortal creatures, golden dragons shine in even the slightest of light, their gleam bringing warmth to the hearts of their friends. Golden dragons are exceptionally rare, with even the most ancient of their brood having less than a dozen hatchlings in their entire lives, despite this however they are the most highly respected of all the metallic dragons, even by other dragonflights. A core quirk within golden dragons is the belief in redemption and atonement, a trait some view as naïve, the dragons instead believe that anyone is capable and should be offered the chance to change. They are led by the greatwyrm Kostoriax'lusto-nimroh.

##### Silver

Perhaps the most extraverted of all dragons, silver dragons more so than any other dragon brood have developed a skill at shapechanging and a fascination for other cultures. This had led them to join into multiple different realms under the guises of hedge mages or travelling alchemists, though easily recognizable by their silver hair, unusual wealth and extraordinary talents, few seem to truly pick up the nature of the visitor and it would be hard to say if any would truly mind. Aside from their skillful uses of transmutation and other individual skills the dragon has learned in their travels they are armed with a vicious breath of cold, marking them as truly dangerous to any who might seek to prey on a simple traveler on the road. They are led by the greatwyrm Westiliack.

##### Bronze

Perhaps more than any other brood, the bronze dragons feel a calling to the world of martial learning. Learning the mastery of a single form of fighting can be just as intriguing as learning all the deeds and actions of a single important general or commander throughout history, the teachings of a mighty warrior will be as highly sought after as the journals as some watch captain in a distant fort. Unlike most dragons who would greedily hoard their knowledge, the bronze dragons apply it, often acting alongside humanoids to serve as battlefield advisors or officers, their highly specialised knowledge helping to form the core of their military philosophy, even as their flaming breath melts flesh from bone. They are led by the greatwyrm Panu'theria'linta

##### Brass

Thinkers, scholars and philosophers, brass dragons are the smallest of the metallic dragons though no less formidable for it. They are known for having a love and fascination of conversation, though the topic will differ from dragon to dragon. It is said that a brass drake could talk for all the life of an elf and by the end of it have learnt yet another lifetime of conversation. In addition to their vocal nature, brass dragons pride themselves on their fiery breath, likening themselves to the red and gold dragons. They are led by the greatwyrm Muraxis.

##### Copper

Considered by some to be the weakest of the metallic dragons, copper dragons are noted for their free spirits, quick thinking and love of humour and good will. Whilst they are fully capable of utilizing their acidic breath in order to defend themselves, they have a much greater preference to misdirecting and misleading any would-be foes rather than risk a direct confrontation. They are led by the greatwyrm Sueam'naz'utha

#### Prismatic

The prismatic, or gemstone dragons, are often considered oddities when compared to their cousins. Prone to extremes of ideology or personality, many can be described as eccentric, reclusive, even alien to other beings who can't understand their minds. Unlike their cousins too, the prismatic dragons present an oddity in that their breath ability is not elemental in nature, but rather a force of energy of one form or another. These traits often lead them into a conflict of minds with their more rash and impulsive chromatic kin.

##### Amethyst

Though certainly the largest and mightiest of the prismatic dragons, they are slow to use their strength or their mighty force breath. Amethyst dragons seek to find a balance in all things, never indulging too much in one thing or another, even to the point of disregarding or discarding things that would tip a scale in one way or another. They have become the peerless mediators of all the broods, for who can really argue with a being devoted to complete neutrality. They are led by the greatwyrm Koris'vo'loran

##### Sapphire

Often mistaken for their blue cousins due to their scales, sapphire dragons do however have a few notable differences. Whilst blue dragons would seek out knowledge almost compulsively, a sapphire dragon will be reclusive, enjoying the deep dark under the surface of deep lakes and cave systems beneath the ground. Their breath weapon is a sonorous and shrill screech, which can shatter stone if close enough, often given rise to legends of deep sea creatures being caught in inland lakes, due to the sound of their cries echoing to the surface. They are led by the greatwyrm Wuln'ort'anir.

##### Emerald

Even amongst the generally solitarily minded prismatic dragons, emerald dragons stand out, for they are almost driven to hide away from others with an almost paranoid fervor. Their lairs are often well hidden and for those who do somehow stumble across it will find a maze of misdirection and misleading traps set to deter and confuse any intruders. Their breath ability, perhaps most fitting of the name, is a strong blast of air which can send both man and beast flying from their feet. They are led by the greatwyrm Gerirhim

##### Topaz

Notably friendly and outgoing, topaz dragons are known for their welcoming personality, general love of socialising and great interest in the lives of others. It is often said that a topaz dragon would know more languages than any other dragon, yet not for one moment truly understand anything about the creatures they speak to, for whilst they are driven to converse, they are not so equally driven to learn what it is they are conversing about. They are led by the greatwyrm Unva'thir'akh

##### Crystal

Generally considered to be the smallest and weakest of all dragons, they are none the less weaker as a whole for it, for often they are the most sociable and willing to explore. Though not able to shapeshift generally speaking, crystal dragons perhaps more than any other brood enjoy exploring and journeying the world, though they take great lengths to go unnoticed as their small pods travel the night sky, often disguising themselves as shooting stars. They are led by the greatwyrm Verulian

#### Outsider

Not all dragons fit within the definitions of the dragonflights, either through oddities of birth, willfully changing their future or from planar influences, these dragons appear more as individuals rather than a group or organisable number. Even more so than the dragonflights, that which is written about these dragons should only be taken as a base evaluation, for with their smaller number comes greater variation of individuals

##### Solar and Moonstone

Considered by all dragon kind to be the highest and mightiest of all of their order, solar and moonstone dragons are exceptionally rare, with only one in ten million eggs producing one of these fabled beings. Unlike other dragon broods, they are able to come from any draconic parentage, though even with that, it is no certainty that the parents will live to see their egg hatch, for they can lay dormant for millennia, only hatching at the right hour.

The most famous and arguably most powerful of the solar dragons is Has'kora'nezar, The Golden King, nominal ruler of the mortal realm of Soreusia. This wise and noble dragon of dragons has ever been a firm friend and a stern guiding hand to those mortals within his realm and a proud patron of the draconic cults within his realm.

##### Shadow

Denizens of the Spirit Realm, these vicious dragons are almost alien in thought and deed and easily the physically largest of all dragons. They are fiercely territorial and command fear and dread over any mortals who somehow slip into their realm. Whilst many believe that these great beasts are just as intelligent if not more so than their mortal realm counterparts none have ever managed to interact with one and bring back a tale of conversation.

##### Faerie

Many beings find the Otherland naturally alluring and dragons are no exception. Either willingly or through making their nests within a fairycircle, these dragons have found themselves over time and generations becoming gradually more a part of their whimsical realm. They are often the hardest dragon to describe or understand, for out of all dragonkind they adore altering their own forms, often taking that of different beasts or changing their own forms so that they stand out from one another. With most dragons it is a general rule that the larger they are the older and more powerful they are, but this fails swiftly for these capricious drakes, for they are able to change their very size at a whim, so that even the mightiest of their greatwyrms may be no larger than a housecat.

##### Blood

To the immortal dragons, the idea that one of them would willingly trade away their majesty and glory for power seems almost apocryphal, and yet such things are known to happen on rare cases. Blood dragons are not a brood in the truest sense, they are not born from eggs nor do they lay them for each blood dragon is an individual, warped into terrible being by the cursed taint of vampirism. Driven by a lust for blood, power or destruction, what truly drives such a being into such madness is known only to that individual blood dragon, all that can be said for certain is there are no deadlier creature in all the mortal world, for these rare beings never truly know peace from their thirst, their intelligence and power bending entire countries to fuel their insatiable desire for greater and greater power. Whatever the colour of their scales once was their inborn breath weapon is now gone, replaced instead with a torrent of toxic corrupting blood, which can not only strip flesh and tissue from bone as easily as flame, but those that survive its touch run the risk of falling under the strain of vampirism themselves and bound to their new draconic sire.