Dragons

Dragons, known as "flying terrors" to the Ethrosians, are some of the most common non-humanoids sentient creatures on Gaen. They can be found through out Enniare and are thought to have originated there, and can also be found on Nordica and Ethros. They are usually sentient, though some kinds display behavior more akin to non-sentient animals. Most dragons can be slain by a sword being driven up the roof of their mouths, however that is an almost impossible task. The blow would cleave through vital parts of their brain, instantly killing the beast.

## **Origin**

While several dragons don't have fire-based breath weapons, it is evident that the draconic evolutionary tree stems from fire-based dragons. This is a sentiment echoed by most religions and ancient historical texts, and is a theory that was first espoused by the Artificer

## **Physical Characteristics**

All dragons have scales and are lizard-like in appearance. Most have at least one head and one set of wings, as well as two legs, two arms, and a tail. However, some stand on four legs, some have no arms, and some have multiple tails. Some dragons, such as Hydras, even have no wings.

Dragons can come in many colors, ranging from pitch-black to vibrant red to icy blue. In general a dragon's color is meant for camouflage, though those heavily associated with fire aren't. Some dragons are intentionally vibrant, meant to scare off predators and broadcast their danger. Oftentimes the particular color of scales could give some sort of indication as to the nature of the dragon's breath weapon (i.e., red scales for fire, white for ice, etc).

## **Reproduction**

The majority of dragons display sexual dimorphism, reproducing similarly to that of the platypus, even to the mating season of around June to October, with babies that hatch from eggs. While this observation has occasionally led scholars to assume dragons were more mammalian than reptilian, this theory has been largely refute due to morphological evidence. However, some dragons especially those of the Hydra Family, produce asexually, laying eggs that multiply cells into another dragon without outside fertilization.

## **Dragon Pearls**

All dragons have dragons pearls from birth, and a dragon cannot make a second one. Dragons will sometimes give their pearl to someone, and this is a special occasion the recipient must not take lightly. When a dragon does this, part of the dragon's consciousness is left in the pearl, and the dragon and the pearl are link telepathically. Dragons usually only give their pearls to people they trust, often in their dying moments or when they think they might be dying. Even after a dragon dies, it's memories and personality live on in the pearl, which can communicate telepathically with the recipient of the pearl. It should be noted that this can only happen if the dragon gives the pearl willingly and of their own accord. Taking, tricking, or coercing a dragon into giving the pearl will render it as useful as a shiny rock, with all possible magical properties lost. Many dragons, such as those in Telierda and Arindear, give their pearls to their riders for increased efficiency when flying.

## **Types**

There are four main families of dragons: True Dragons, Wyverns, Serpents, and Hydras.

MAKE A SEPARATE TRUE DRAGONS PAGE

### **True Dragons**

True Dragons are defined by having at least 1 set of wings, at least 1 tail, two hind legs, two arms or two front legs, a single head, and an elemental breath weapon of some kind (usually fire) this family includes

Luder Nidum (Red Nesters, Red Ones)

Formido Silvam (Northern Arindear Green Dragon)

Blue Dragon

Coldrakes

Ehtrosian Dragon (Flying Terror)

Blizzard Drake

Sandstorm Dragon

Tretos (More on this later)

Dread dragons