Thorn Dragon

* Juvenile
* Baby
* Egg

*As the thorn protects the rose, so does the **thorn dragon** protect its companions. Fiercely loyal, this dragon will never leave the side of those it considers to be friends. Those friends, however, have learned to be cautious when receiving embraces.*
    —Nogard's description of the **thorn dragon** in The Book of Dragons
The **Thorn Dragon** is a very rare golden opposite hybrid of the Metal and Plant elements. It's main element is Metal.

## Abilities

### Weapons

**Thorn dragons**, though normally peaceful; are very loyal and protective, and attacks with its sharp mouth and thorny wings.

### Defenses

A **thorn dragon's** thorns are very sharp. Because of this, few creatures even try to take the **thorn dragon** on. Those who do walk away with a face full of prickles at best. At worst, they don't walk away at all.

### Other Abilities

**Thorn dragons** can fold their wings away, fooling many apprentice to think they discovered a new species of dragon.

### Weaknesses

**Thorn dragons** have few weapons other than their thorns. Thick-skinned dragons often are able to win a fight against the **thorn dragon**.

## Habitat

### Regions

**Thorn dragons** live around the ruins of the Lost Land of Burcadia.

## Diet

**Thorn dragons** mainly eat roses, which helps their thorns grow. However, they also hoard roses for looking at. It's difficult to tell if a rose is the **thorn dragon's** lunch or a part of its collection, but do not take it from them, as they are fiercely protective of both.

## Lifestyle

### Social Order

**Thorn dragons** count on other dragons to give them sanctuary. In return, they offer protection.

## Life Cycle

### Mating

Mating season occurs near the end of winter, when all **thorn dragons** gather to a specific area because of a natural instinct. Old **thorn dragons**, who have aged too much to reproduce, will care for the young dragons, buildings thickets around the mating area to keep out unwelcome dragons and humans. It is also their job to provide food to the **thorn dragons** who are too busy looking for love to find roses. After mating with an other dragon of their choice, the female will lay her egg, and the pair will part ways until the following year.

### Birth

**Thorn dragon** eggs are abandoned by their parents, and are all collected in a large nest. The old **thorn dragons** will nurture the eggs until they hatch.

## History

### Discovery

During the War of the Wizards, when dragon lifestyles were disrupted by the violence and food scarcity, old **thorn dragons** didn't much exist, and the thickets that were summoned were neglected for some time. While a renowned spy, Kee Poynce, was running from a battle, she came across a group of **thorn dragons** halfway through their mating season.

### Origin of Name

Kee Poynce named these creatures after the thorns on their body.

## Notable Dragons

* Hawthorn (Montgomery Prickle) (fictional)
* Spindle (Clarence Agondray)
* Stefan (Dalvan the Fifth)
* Urchin (Kee Poynce)

**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*

**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*