Dragon

A **dragon** is a serpentine creature that appears in cultures throughout the world. While the appearance of dragons has varied between cultures, it has become accepted that these various beings are of the same categorized race of beings with different subtypes. It is noted of these subtypes that dragons often possess large wings and an evil alignment in historical European depictions while possessing a long wingless body and a good alignment in historical East Asian depictions. Other types of depictions are of feathered serpent gods in Mesoamerica and winged cryptid monsters in Africa. The origin of dragon legends is still debatable with many camps of thought. Whatever their origin, dragons prevail in the pop culture of the modern world.

## Main Features

### Serpentine body

The normally curved body of a dragon is pronounced to where they often have an "S" shape to their stature when upright. This body allows for quick agile movement and less weight for wings to lift. They can squeeze through caves and swim easily. The body is usually scaly with either tiny leathery lizard-like scales or diamond-shaped ones like snakes. The belly is often protected by large dramatic ventral plates. Some dragons have fur instead of scales. Said fur may also be frequently accompanied with feathers.

### Long neck

The long neck of a dragon often gives off a characteristic arching serpentine shape to it. This allows a dragon to stretch its neck around and prevent blind spots on it's back or behind it's wings.

### Tail

Dragons have long muscular and often prehensile tails. These tails distinguish them from common depictions of demons and gargoyles. The tail aids the dragon in flying by stabilizing its flight and acts as a rudder in swimming. The tail will often have a blade, spikes, or fins on it as a form of defense.

### Legs

Aside from many dragons of aquatic nature, dragons generally have legs with a combination of bird and feline characteristics. Excelling in agility of a cat and the sharp claws of a bird. The number of claws on a dragon's foot varies but is usually from three to five. The front legs may double as arms with opposing thumbs with the ability to manipulate tools. Some dragons have dewclaws on their back legs like dogs. Others have an extra claw of unknown function on their heel facing back.

### Wings

Western dragons, amphitheres, and wyverns have large wings sprouting from their shoulders giving them the ability to fly. The wings are usually bat-like and feature 3 to 5 digits. Some depictions show an extra "elbow finger" adding to the stability of the wing or to facilitate the stretching of said wing for flight as dragon wings generally do not connect to the back legs like pterosaurs or bats, but rather extend to the rump or partially down the tail. Wings may have a claw either facing inwards or outwards as an extra method of attack. Some dragons have wings of other makeup like feathers, insectoid, or even crystalline wings. For wyverns, the wings are also used for walking or climbing in place of absent front legs.

## Other Features

### Horns

Dragons commonly have horns protruding from the back of their head. The horns can be of various shapes ranging from simple bullhorns to fancy complicated ones resembling antlers of a deer. The horns protect the neck and sometimes may be an indicator of social status with larger more complex horns implying higher status.

### Frills

Usually implying an aquatic nature, dragons may have spiny membranous frills extending from where ears would normally be on the skull. The frills usually serve little purpose in combat but may improve hearing or be an indicator of behavior, often extending widely when excited or threatened. Other dragons may have simple small horns in this area. Dragons of eastern inspiration may also have long barbels similar to koi fish along their nose or chin. The function of these is unknown as said dragons often have immaculate vision even in the dark.

### Spines

Dragons often have a row of dorsal spines along their back as a form of defense. The spines may either be separate bony spikes, thin interconnected cartilage spines connected by fleshy membrane, feathers, or a row of sharp dorsal scales that protrude outward.

## Behavioral characteristics/abilities

Dragons have many particular behaviors associated with them.

### Hoarding treasure

It is not known exactly why many dragons are portrayed as having a giant hoard of gold. It is believed this stems from dragons being associated with greed or as a necessary prize in tales of knights who slay dragons. The purpose of the treasure a dragon hoards is unknown but may be for a bed in relation to their hard scales or purely as a symbol of self worth.

### Subject of being slain

Very prevalent in European stories of a dragon is a dragonslayer who comes along and slays the dragon. The story usually goes that the dragon is terrorizing the village and often a virgin must be sacrificed to please the dragon. The slayer comes along and ends this dilemma, often saving a princess in the process.

### Fire Breath

Of the most characteristic things dragons are portrayed as doing, the ability to breath fire is most notable. The source of a dragon's fire varies between stories. In Game of Thrones and in Reign of Fire those like Drogon and the Bull Dragon (Reign of Fire) possess what appear to be "flame glands" at the sides of their mouths from which chemicals mix and create fire. In other series, dragons have "reactors" in their stomach that create the fire. Finally, some perceptions of dragonfire originate as them being spiritual beings who can spontaneously create it as part of their soul. Not all dragons have just fire as breath weapons. Spyro has the ability to breathe ice, bubbles, and electricity. Black dragons from Dungeons and Dragons can breathe acid. Icewings from Wings of Fire have the ability to breathe ice.

### Intelligence

Dragons often possess a rather high intelligence even when portrayed as animal-like. This intelligence when animal-like, rivals or even surpasses that of ravens and dolphins with an ability to solve puzzles like opening doors or understanding human emotion. Up from animal-like, dragons can have human-like intelligence with the ability to participate in society. Higher up, still, dragons can literally appear god-like with the ability to conjure magic that defies science.

## Origins

The origin of dragon legends is hotly debated with several camps of thought.

### As an evolutionary trait

Many proponents of evolution believe dragons originated from mammalian evolutionary survival instincts from large reptiles like crocodilians and snakes.

### As discovery of bones

Some especially in the Young Earth Creationist community believe dragon myths to originate from altered tales of early humans coexisting with dinosaurs and often treat dinosaur bones and stories of dragons as relics of this purported past of coexistance. Examples include the Leviathan being equated to a plesiosaur and Modern Chinese belief of dinosaurs being equated to dragons.

### As gods demons or angels

Most major religions throughout the world have a presence of dragons. In most if not all instances, dragons have a more spiritual presence rather than physical presence, ranging from gods of creation in Mesoamerica, to controllers of of nature in East Asia, to demons and angels in Europe.