Difference between revisions of "Dragon (Euthora)"

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The Euthoran dragon (Drakine drák or dráki, plural drákiu) is a race of sapient, primarily carnivorous reptiles descended from Skyking Shyr and native to Euthora. A group of Euthoran dragons is known as a flight, with a few species-specific exceptions. A newborn dragon is known as a hatchling; aside from this, males and females only have specific terms when nesting or rearing young, when they are known as sires and dames respectively. They have no relation to dragons of other worlds, with the possible exception of dragons from Deveron. Scientific names vary between species, families, and even infraorders, but all Euthoran dragons are members of the suborder Drakontes, in the order Squamata (scaled reptiles).

Dragons are considered to be either a Monster, a race, or both depending on location on Euthora. In general, Sulsian dragons are seen as both, though in the Dissonant Era are considered more of a Monster than a race due to racial tension and the Fyreborne War in Durasken. Acaranian dragons are viewed as elusive and powerful Monsters to be avoided, though there are rare exceptions, as Skyking Shyr is known to take residence on Aravolta Darz in Carisitai. Farixya is still ruled by Skyking Ausurath well into the Harmonic Era, and his kin is treated accordingly. Due to the nature of Ethanol and its inhabitants, dragons there are invariably seen as dangerous Monsters- and rightfully so, as the harsh conditions of the continent have driven the inhabitants (including dragons and Shapeshifters) to feral, territorial extremes.

During the Reformative Era, this Monster-race split is still present, but dependent on species rather than location. Voidwalkers are the dominant species, and are unrelated to the other dragons in the era due to their natures- the Phasma is undead and all other species are created independently and not descended from Shyr. These other dragons are nonsapient, leaving the Voidwalker the last remaining sapient dragon species on Euthora.

Appearance

Dragons come in varying builds and sizes depending on one of eight classifications. Some species are man-sized, while others are veritably massive creatures, with many species occupying the space between. While most dragons have four non-wing limbs, several (both types of Wyvern, as well as Gliders) only have two, and the Cave Lurker is the only species to have six. In addition to these limbs, dragons typically have two wings, but the entire Lurker classification and both Serpentine classifications are wingless, and Gliders have their hind legs re-purposed into smaller auxiliary wings. All dragons are at least slightly elongated in stature, with flexible necks, narrow heads, and whiplike tails. All limbs end in four digits, typically three toes and a dewclaw (often opposable on the forelegs of Saurians and Gliders) on non-wing limbs, and three "wing fingers" and a clawed thumb on wings. However, all Greater Wyverns instead have three-clawed hands on their wings, with the fourth digit being the sole support for the wing.

Dragons are coated in hard, metallic scales made from keratin, Mythril, and trace amounts of other metals. Larger species may develop thicker, almost armor-like scales along the spine, which are not true plates but rather deposits of excess metal in the scales. This can be irritating to the dragon when they first develop, similar to the wisdom teeth of a human, but are ultimately beneficial as they help protect the dragon against attacks from above or behind. To this end, Saurians and Greater Wyverns develop prominent, leathery scutes along the ventral side of their bodies, which protect the throat, neck, and abdomen from less forceful attacks, such as a human's weapons or a glancing blow from another dragon.

The head of a dragon always carries a pointed crown and horns regardless of species, but the form of said crown does vary- Firedrakes have prominent eight- or nine-point crowns and at least two horns (which grow in pairs as the dragon grows older, usually stopping at four or six), while Ancestral dragons carry at least ten points on their crowns, with more points growing in as the dragon ages. The more subtle crown of a Voidwalker is six-pointed and consists of relatively short, stocky spikes which resemble horns or crests at the primary pair. Dragons with prominent crowns often have spiked jawlines and nostrils.

Dragon eye sockets are narrow and angular, creating a sharp profile for the skull. Despite appearing to be situates on the sides of the head, all dragons do have forward-facing eyes to grant binocular vision for flying and hunting. The most notable example of this false appearance is the almost alien look of the Voidwalker, which has angular eyes on either side of its smooth head. Even in this case, however, the pupils of the eyes orient themselves forward, and the overall appearance of these eyes is thought to be in order to fool stealthy adversaries that the Voidwalker can see their approach, as the dragon's pupils are all but invisible under most conditions. Most dragons have narrow but rounded pupils, but several have slitted pupils, and certain species such as the Voidwalker have wider pupils.

It is common for dragons to have decorative features along the spine, joints, and tail, often manifesting as spikes, membranous fins, and occasionally fur. Prominent decoration at the tail tip that does not consist of fur or fin is commonly referred to as a spade due to general shape, but some species- Firedrakes particularly- grow wicked blades instead.

A dragon's skull varies by species, but naturally contains rows of serrated, needle-sharp fangs. Most dragons have roughly-pointed molars to crunch metal and bone, but the majority of space in their mouth consists of wicked canine teeth. Dragon teeth regrow quickly upon being knocked loose, and older dragons will usually appear snaggletoothed due to years of hunting and fighting. Certain dragons have spiked upper jaws and hooked, almost beak-like snouts, used to grip prey more firmly with less damage to the teeth. This is seen primarily in Saurians and Wyverns, which tend to be more fierce predators.

Dragon horns are typically tusk-like, curving smoothly and seamlessly aside from the occasional ridge or indentation running along the horn. However, certain species of Saurian and Wyvern may develop a sort of jaggedness near the tips of the horns, similar to a half-formed barb. It is also not uncommon for very old dragons to develop branching horns, whether it be a simple spike near the base or fully-fledged antler-like horns. Greater Wyverns also grow their horns in segments.

Physiology

Euthoran dragons are homeothermic (warm-blooded) reptiles. This allows them to live in harsh tundra climates (depending on species) and high mountain peaks, as well as granting a defense from cold and strong wind at high altitudes. Despite their ability to regulate their own body temperature, certain species still have a very low tolerance for cold and prefer warmer conditions.

Dragons commonly consume metal and gemstones to improve or maintain the luster and strength of their scales. Dragon scales are primarily made from keratin, with metal coatings. The metal varies by species, but always partly consists of Mythril. Bright pigments are secreted from the roots of the scales, which gives dragons their distinctive vibrant, metallic coloration. Dull scales, especially those with a translucent white edge where the metal is corroding, are signs of ill health and malnourishment. The oil-based pigments along with the tight, interlocking nature of the scales makes dragon scales nearly waterproof, a property which has been subjected to attempted replication in scale-based armor by humans with mixed results.

The bones of a Euthoran dragon are strong and sturdy, but hollow in most species (excepting Greater Wyverns and Heavy Saurians, whose bones are dense and solid) to allow the creature to fly. Dragons with denser bones are either flightless or make up for their weight with powerful wing muscles and broad wings.

A dragon's bite strength generally varies from 1000 psi in Lesser Wyverns (enough to very easily snap bone) to nearly 4000 psi in Greater Wyverns and Heavy Saurians (enough to bite through and gnaw solid steel). The only exception to this is the Voidwalker, with a bite strength of merely 350 psi- still several times stronger than that of a human.

Dragon eyes have very dense retinas, allowing them excellent visual clarity even from long distances and small details. Their vision during the day exceeds that of birds of prey, and nocturnal dragons have evolved reflective eyes, allowing them to make the most of what little light there is when the sun is down. The eyes of most dragons automatically develop a sort of protective film when exposed to water, which rapidly dries when the dragon surfaces. This allows them to see clearly under water without having to blink excessively when drying, aside from mild irritation to the eyes for dragons who are not used to swimming.

Lungs are very large and blood naturally carries a lot of oxygen, allowing the dragons to breathe properly at high altitudes, such as mountain peaks, where humans would not be able to breathe.

Abilities

Burst Mode

Burst Mode, also known as Hypos, is a combat "technique" of sorts inherent in Euthoran dragons. It is commonly referred to as a form change, as the dragon nearly always goes through drastic physical changes that can vary wildly between individuals. It is chiefly characterized by a sharp increase in fighting capability, whether it be augmented strength, speed, or powers and abilities.

Burst Mode is triggered by a surge of Excess through the dragon's system, usually when pressed hard in battle, and tends to be "unlocked" after the dragon is at least a century old. After initial access to Burst Mode, it tends to be easier to trigger, with long periods of needing to "recharge" between triggers. Burst Mode lasts up to several hours, depending on how long the dragon in question needs it, and it can take up to two days for the dragon to regain the energy spent, depending on how long the dragon was in Burst Mode.

In Cult of Ustream canon, dragons may have access to a form called Advanced Formation if they are given a Stone of Advancing, a stone-like shed scale from the Golden Firedrake Draco Maxima Irizutákor. This is not true Burst Mode, but rather a "medium" between a dragon's normal form and its Burst Mode. It requires less energy to trigger (seeing as the Stone of Advancing is providing much of the Excess needed) and requires less of a cooldown time, at about three hours. It can be considered as something to condition the dragon to the changes involved and often will result in the dragon unlocking Burst Mode early.

Behavior

Dragons are proud, arrogant, yet extremely loyal creatures by nature, and tend to show it when dealing with humans or other races. Ever holding to the belief that they are superior and the perfect form of life on Euthora, a dragon's pride can easily be wounded, causing swift and brutal retaliation. This is especially apparent in wild Sulsian dragons, though dragons bound to a dracoimperist- whether as a Familiar or not- may still display this belief. In general, a dragon under the influence of dracoimpery has had its pride battered down by the servitude, but in the cases of Familiars, the voluntary nature of the bond will often result in the dragon only viewing its master as an equal, still seeing other creatures as inferior.

Dragons are either highly social or highly solitary, and nearly all are territorial. Some smaller dragons, such as Lesser Wyverns and Aquatic Serpentines, may travel in packs, while Voidwalkers tend to travel alone or in pairs, but with few exceptions, most dragons live alone. Generally dragons will not tolerate the presence of other dragons in their territory, though Golden Firedrakes are usually more willing, and Voidwalkers do not have a true territory.

In general, dragons are highly expressive with their body language, bristling scales and flaring wings when annoyed, making distinct facial expressions, and shifting their wings and tail when unnerved. In speaking, dragons will frequently snap their jaws together or snort to punctuate statements, especially when angered, and will tilt their heads when confused or wave their claws in human-like gestures when making a point. While dragons typically carry themselves with a proud bearing, this can quickly change depending on how the dragon is conveying emotion. Overall, the most expressive parts of dragons are their faces, wings, and tails- even one unfamiliar with dragons should be able to recognize a dragon's overall body language.

In a hostile interaction, dragons display "standoffish" behavior, in an effort to make themselves appear larger and force their enemy to back down. This includes flaring wings (if the dragon has any), unsheathing talons, bristling scales, and lowering the head to protect the throat. Dragons with bladed tails may raise them threateningly, while others will lash them at the ground. Voidwalkers, Shadowsongs, Darkwing Firedrakes, and Plated Firedrakes will flare any membranous fins they may have. Growling or roaring a challenge is common.

Dragons are naturally attracted to lustrous and metallic objects. This is because in order to maintain their metal-based scales, most dragons will consume metals, minerals, and gemstones. Their favored resource for this is anything that is easy to swallow- coins and cut gems especially- but will scrape ore out of a vein with their back claws when more appealing metal is not available, as most dragons have powerful jaws and sturdy molars to break apart rock. This will often lead to dragons attacking caravans in order to steal and hoard gold and gems, so that its own stock will not run low. While they may consume the metal off weapons if desperate, care must be taken with sharp objects and many see broken swords and such to not be worth the trouble. It is for this reason that they also do not consume the scales of other dragons.

Culture

Euthoran dragons believe themselves to be the rightful rulers over "lesser" creatures and the planet itself, second only to the members of the pantheon. Accordingly, much of their culture revolves around their perceived lordship and leads to their proud bearing. This aspect of their behavior seems to go beyond cultural teachings, and is in fact wired into their instincts. Despite, or perhaps because of, this instinctual desire to rule, dragons are incredibly loyal and fiercely protective of their allies, even if the dragon sees itself as superior to said allies.

Dragons are natural leaders and show a significant personality shift when the opportunity to lead arises. No matter what the dragon's personality normally manifests as, they are decisive and analytical when leading others, and during the Radiant Era Skykings would direct armies with the intelligence and forward thinking of a chessmaster.

Dragons enjoy games of wit, such as riddles, and usually accept any opportunity to put their strategically-oriented minds to good use, such as logic puzzles and hypothetical scenarios.

Customs

Dragons have a notable love of music, and suitors will often sing to their potential mates when courting. This love of song marks itself in their manner of speaking, which equates several concepts and terms to those of music and song. When nesting, dragons may sing what equates to nursery stories to their hatchlings, usually to teach them the mythology of Euthora or to impress certain lessons.

Many older dragons will rise at dawn, extending their heads and wings (if any) skyward, silently paying their respects to the Divine Spirits. Nocturnal dragons will do the same at dusk.

Language

Main Article: Drakine

Naming Customs

A dragon's name is of incredible significance to it, said to be indicative of the dragon's very being. In dragon culture, a nameless dragon is nothing, an entity without identity. Dragons will not change their names lightly, and even titles are given heavy consideration before being adopted by the dragon. In a similar vein, a dragon's surname- the title of one of its ancestors- represents the dragon's entire heritage, even before the generation of the dragon given the title. Dragons treat their names- both given names and surnames- with reverent respect, and slandering the name of a dragon will almost invariably bring the unbridled and indignant fury of the dragon upon the offender.

Draconic surnames are rare, and result from a dragon gaining a "title" through deed or significant events. These titles are added to the dragon's name via a hyphen, and are passed down to offspring, who inherit the title as a separate word in their name. The surname is passed down through the generations until a dragon renounces its lineage for whatever reason, whether it be estrangement, disgrace, or the desire to make one's own lineage.

Most dragons are named in Drakine or Acaranian depending on the area. These names typically consist of multiple Drakine roots or words, creating specific meaning that represents the dragon's identity. Dragons raised by humans or Shapeshifters in human society tend to be given names that are human words, which may or may not be translatable into Drakine. When older, most dragons named thusly will attempt to hide the fact by using the Drakine equivalent, but those who do not, or have names that do not translate properly, are easily singled out by other dragons. This typically only results in the odd comment, but those dragons that are proud to be separate from human society may take the comments further into mocking.

Religious Beliefs

Dragons follow Euthora's pantheon and see Shyr as a divine creature, a god in his own right.

Skykings

Main Article: Skyking (Title)

During the Radiant Era, the title of Skyking was given to dragons who presided over areas of land known as protectorates. These Skykings, known to the dragons as Tiirenkáriu, were old or powerful dragons, most of whom were given the title as a sign of honor and gratitude by the population of the protectorate, though some were "sold" the title in a deal, and a select few took reign by way of blood and fire.

The title is derived from Skyking Shyr and his offspring. Dragons granted the honor of this title attach it to their names as a surname, sometimes without a hyphen as most Drakine titles, and are not passed to offspring.

A Skyking's duties were theoretically to defend and aid the people of the protectorate, either through battling threats or ensuring there was enough food and water. In return, the people would bring offerings of special foods or wines or precious metals, subservience to the reigning Skyking, and the opportunity for the dragon to occasionally preside over ceremonies, festivals, and meetings of war. Dragons themselves revere the title, and tend to flock to Skykings in the hopes of getting in on the benefits. The position of Skyking is one of utmost power and authority, and it was only by a code of honor that the dragon did not abuse it.

Of course, this code of honor has been broken many times, but the most prominent cases have been those of Skyking Krthonius, who battled with his brother Skyking Ausurath for claim over the latter's land and was defeated, then chased to an Acaranian protectorate which he ruled with flame and fear; and Skyking Súndávr, who fell to his and his master's desire to rule more than a simple plot of land and was later sealed away by Shyr himself. This latter case eventually led to the assassination of nearly all Skykings for fear it would happen again, the war between dragons and humans in Durasken, and the onset of the Dissonant Era.

During Standard Canon Time, the last known remaining Skykings are Ausurath and Shyr.

Familial Relations

Several species of dragon forge powerful bonds with immediate family, with the possible exception of rival siblings. Rivalries between males in the nest are prevalent among species of Firedrake and the Pyrespine, though males will still form bonds with their parents and sisters as hatchlings. Species where the males of a nest fight for dominance may also see the sons competing with the father out of instinct, seeing other males as potential rivals.

Despite tension between males in the family as the nest grows older, dragons recognize the significance of family and it is not uncommon for a brother and sister pair to remain in close contact through adulthood.

Courtship and Nesting

Most species of dragon mate for life, with three exceptions (noted below), although dragons who have lost a mate may after a time seek out a new one. Courtship varies between species- Firedrakes will ascend and lock talons before free-falling, while other species may present gems, metals, and in rare cases human-made wines to a potential mate. It is generally the male to approach the female, and two suitors may fight over the same mate. These fights also vary, but typically include posturing and locking horns in tests of strength. Fights in these situations are rarely fatal, and the candidates do not often sustain damage beyond a few loose teeth or scales.

Despite their fierce and often aggressive demeanor, dragons make truly devoted mates and loving parents. The three exceptions to this general rule are the Hydra, Stormcloud Firedrake (both of which have one parent chase away the other, and leave the young as the nest begins to hatch), and Phasma (which is undead and thus cannot breed). While nesting, the female generally watches over the nest while the male hunts, resulting in the two only rarely seeing each other when the father returns with food. As this progresses, the mother develops an instinctual wariness and defensiveness towards any who approach the nest, including the father, who in turn develops a placating demeanor in order to be granted access to the nest. Though dragons are aware of this slight personality shift, it often manifests as irritability and tranquility respectively, and is such second nature that it often cannot be helped. This slowly vanishes after the nest hatches.

Dragons are oviparous and, like birds, tend to their young until the hatchlings become adolescents and are able to fend for themselves. A dragon nest is more commonly called a clutch and usually consists of three to six eggs, not all of which live long enough to hatch. Clutches tend to lean more heavily towards males, appearing to be an evolutionary counter to the higher likelihood of a male being killed in battle, as males are typically more aggressive than females (when not nesting) no matter the species. Dragon eggs typically incubate for a period of time ranging from six months to several years depending on species, with most species nesting in one particular season and having eggs hatch nine to eighteen months later.

Interspecies Relations

Being the proud creatures that they are, dragons view other sapient life as inferior. Humans particularly are a target of this, as the memory of Skykings seems almost burned into their instincts, and if left to its own devices a dragon living near nonhostile human settlements may eventually lay claim to the area as a protectorate, unless a Skyking is already present. If this is the case, the dragon will usually submit to the reigning Skyking but may rarely issue a challenge for the right to rule.

Dragons and Shapeshifters are historically on friendly terms, as the two races are distantly related and view each other as cousins. Shapeshifters will often express that "[they] like dragons" if asked, and while dragons will rarely vocalize reciprocation, they tend to feel the same way.

The Lupynn is one of few races that dragons actively see as threats and rivals, due to competition for food and their places as apex predators in the areas in which they hunt. As Lupynn are quite small in comparison to most dragons, the threat usually comes from the Lupynns' higher affinity for magic and their sharp cunning and wisdom, as opposed to the sheer force and power of the dragons.

Evolution

All Euthoran dragons are descended from Skyking Shyr, their species adapted descendants of the original Ancestral Dragon, Draco Primaethereus. The individual dragon classifications, detailed below, are general groupings of dragons based on Bloodline and physical characteristics.

It is worth noting that Euthoran dragons and Shapeshifters are distantly related. After the original eight offspring of Shyr- known as the Bloodlines, or Pieces of Eight to some- were born, the siblings and their father were still the only dragons on the planet, and being related, could not breed with each other. However, Shapeshifters quickly picked up the draconic form, fulfilling their role as creators and balancers of life and nature, and to this day dragon forms are the easiest Euthoran Monster forms for Shapeshifters to gain.

Species Chart

• Note: The Eras of Creation and Extinction assume the Prime Timeline, with the exception of the Shadow Drake, for reasons noted below.
• Note: The Shadow Drake only exists in Cult of Ustream canon, which takes place in the Dissonant Era.

Reformative Era Dragons

With the exception of the Phasma and Voidwalker, Reformative Era dragons are unrelated to Shyr and the Bloodlines.

The Pieces of Eight

Firedrake Subspecies

Voidwalkers

Lore

Classifications

Glider

Gliders are long, serpentine dragons with four wings and two arms. They are believed to never land, instead diving at the water's surface to fish or soaring on their massive wings when at rest. Gliders can easily reach more than seventy feet in length, with their wings spreading much farther. The reason for their four wings is the different "modes" of flight they take; active flight involves doing the main flying with the larger, primary wings, and steering with the smaller secondary wings. Passive flight, used while the dragon sleeps or rests, involves spreading out all four wings like a massive kite, keeping one area of the brain alert enough to maintain altitude. This method of flight earns Gliders their name; one may soar for almost an entire day without a single flap of its wings. Examples of this class of dragon are the Icestorm and Coralwing Gliders.

Lurker

Lurkers are lithe, wingless dragons with semi-aquatic features. Common features for this class of dragon are narrow, almond-shaped heads with short crests, dorsal and caudal fins, and talonless paws with three toes and a dewclaw. They are extremely agile and fact runners; one species of Lurker, the Voidwalker, is perhaps the fastest land-based predator on Euthora. Lurkers are also very strong swimmers, due to their fins, and tend to be solitary animals. Cave Lurkers, another species, spend more time in the water than out of it, having adapted more to an aquatic lifestyle while other Lurkers prefer to be terrestrial.

Saurian

Heavy

Light

Serpentine

Aquatic

Terrestrial

Wyvern

Greater

Lesser

Alignments

Dragons are finely tuned to their Elemental Alignment, moreso than other creatures on the planet. This stems from the nature of their creation and the spiritual closeness they have with the Divine Spirits. This leads to consistent traits between each element, which are prominent enough to usually be able to tell what Alignment each given dragon species is of. Alignments are generally species-based, but may change depending on the dragon's connection to a member of the pantheon.

• Water-Aligned dragons are slick and highly magical creatures, able to grasp the finer workings of Mana with relative ease. They are often mild in demeanor, neither ever-patient nor uncontrollably ferocious. Although often semi-aquatic, these features are not as indicative of a Water-Aligned dragon as their mastery of magic and aether can be. Most do, however, have small and rounded scales which provide a nearly waterproof barrier when they do take to the water. The most prominent example of a Water-Aligned dragon is the Voidwalker.
• Earth-Aligned dragons are sturdily-built walls of metallic scale and powerful muscle. They are usually very large dragons with high endurance, achieving longevity by virtue of patience and resilience rather than by slaughtering everything around them. While slow and often flightless, these dragons have amazing brute strength that could snap the bones of an unwary dragon of any other Alignment. Armored Wyverns and Hydras fall into this Alignment.
• Fire-Aligned dragons are aggressive and sharply-built, often with spikes or spines and prominent, hooked snouts. They are highly destructive creatures that prefer to attack and kill rather than converse. Though not as intelligent as Wind-Aligned dragons, they are still cunning beasts that punish a lowered guard. Behind their ferocity is a quick, if rebellious, mind that fights against anything that would dare to hold these dragons back. Of the dragons that fall into this Alignment, the Firedrake is the most notable.
• Wind-Aligned dragons are sleek, fast, and often small species that are unrivaled in the sky. They often have either streamlined forms or are powerful fliers, though the trend leans toward swift and small creatures. They are also often highly intelligent, as their patron spirit represents wisdom and cleverness. Most Lesser Wyverns fall into this Alignment.
• Dark- or Light-Aligned dragons are rare and share a connection with one of the planet's two gods. This Alignment is not species-based, being purely based on the individual in question. Only a handful of dragons in Euthora's history have ever been of one of these two Alignments.

Dracoimperists

Main Article: Dracoimpery

Trivia

• Dragons are usually considered adults at 30 to 40 years old, depending on the species. They mature mentally at a much younger age than humans- at a few months old, a hatchling will often be speaking in complete, coherent sentences, and it takes less than a decade for the typical adolescent dragon to be considered mentally and emotionally mature by human standards.

Notes to Self

• Possible additional Glider, Lurker, Greater Wyvern
  • Really need more Terrestrial Serpentines
• Rewrite prewritten sections