Dragon
A dragon (Drakine Dráki) is a member of any species of carnivorous reptilian monster of the genus Draco. A group of dragons is usually known as a flight, though may be referred to as a pack, flock, or tribe depending on species and planet. They are found on most worlds in the Manaverse, and are one of the dominant races of Euthora.
Appearance
Dragon appearances can vary dramatically, even among different species on the same planet. They can range in size from about that of a man to absolutely colossal beasts; they can have as many as eight legs, or none at all, with or without wings; while often depicted with scales, they can also have fur, feathers, hide, or any other similar external coverings in addition to or instead of scales. Some may have horns; others may have fins. If a dragon has claws, they tend to have three to five toes with talons.
In the Manaverse, dragons tend to- but do not always- follow one of three body types based on standards in Terran mythology. Western dragons, or Saurian on Euthora, are the "typical" image of a dragon- four legs, large wings, usually quadrupedal and with scales. Eastern dragons (Serpentine on Euthora) are long, snakelike dragons with four legs, usually a furred mane, and often the ability to levitate. Wyverns are bipedal, usually scaled dragons with two legs and two wings.
Physiology
Abilities
Dragon abilities vary wildly between both planets and individual species. Some common abilities include firebreathing, flight (both levitation and via wings), powerful senses, immense physical strength, and an affinity with magic. They also tend to be very long-lived and many are highly intelligent (with some exceptions). Dragons on some planets may have the capability to develop random powers, while others are restricted to abilities inherent to the species.
Behavior
Evolution
Lore
Euthora
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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. 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.
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
Light Saurians include all species of Firedrake and Stormfires
Heavy Saurians include Hydras and Pyrespines
Serpentine
Aquatic Serpentines include Aura Guardians and Icerazes
Terrestrial Serpentines include Phasmas and Trihorns
Wyvern
Lesser Wyverns include Dustrunner Wyverns and Stellar Wyverns
Greater Wyverns include Oceanic Wyverns and Armored Wyverns
Language
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Species
There are 19 known species of Euthoran dragon throughout Euthora's timeline before the Reformative Era, as well as seven subspecies of Firedrake, adding up to 26 total species. Most of these go extinct within an era or two of their creation, the exceptions being the Voidwalker and Phasma, both of which are present for all four of Euthora's eras.
The following species go extinct during the Radiant Era:
- Aura Guardian - Draco Fluviaura
- Carikuu - Draco Levinimbus
- Coralwing - Draco Coclealcyoneum
- Iceraze - Draco Stirialacero
- Oceanic - Draco Aecingens
- Trihorn - Draco Ferocorniger
The following species go extinct during the Dissonant Era:
- Armored - Draco Protegingens
- Cave Lurker - Draco Caecintrum
- Firedrake - Draco Ignus
- Adamantine Firedrake (Silver Firedrake) - Draco Ignus Argentum
- Barbed Firedrake - Draco Ignus Uncicuspis
- Stormcloud Firedrake - Draco Ignus Fulgur
- Hydra - Draco Ferox
- Icestorm - Draco Glanivalis
- Pyrespine - Draco Cuspicalor
- Shadow Drake - Draco Caliga (This species is exclusive to Cult of Ustream canon, which takes place during the Dissonant Era.)
- Shadowsong - Draco Sonumbra
The following species go extinct during the Harmonic Era:
- Dustrunner - Draco Venorena
- Firedrake - Draco Ignus
- Acidulus Firedrake - Draco Ignus Liquiperedo
- Darkwing Firedrake (Nightpyre Firedrake) - Draco Ignus Furvicalor
- Golden Firedrake - Draco Ignus Aurarius
- Plated Firedrake - Draco Ignus Loricatus
- Illusionary - Draco Praestrigia
- Stellar - Draco Spectristella
The following species survive until at least the start of the Reformative Era, or were created during it:
- Cave Angler - Draco Titulucem
- Phasma (Setati) - Draco Aeruganimus
- Thélduen - Draco Venafolio
- Voidwalker (Véredeí) - Draco Irritum
- (There are more I just can't remember the others offhand)
Draco Primaethereus
Phantasia
Syelsumoia
Vindrgard
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The Vindrite dragon (scientific name Draco Contriventus) is a long, serpentine species of dragon very strongly resembling the so-called Eastern dragons of Terran mythology, as well as the Serpentine subclass of Euthoran dragon, and some species of Phantasian dragon. They are viewed by the general populace of Vindrgard (both humans and Atchi'taii) as fearful forces of destruction and nature's fury, but most are reclusive and want nothing to do with what they view as lesser beings. They are almost godlike in Vindrite lore, where stories tell that the god of souls, Saaldyr, created the creatures in order to destroy the life that Dreivadr created. There is little basis in this story other than the existence of the Nidhoggr, but that alone has made such an impression on Vindrgard's two races that dragons in general are seen with both awe and terror.
Vindrite dragons are arrogant beasts, measuring hundreds of feet in length on average, and are able to fly without wings; this is attributed to a natural affinity with Mana, similar to the Crystal Network. They are less "humanized" than Euthoran dragons, but are still sapient and possess an ancient wisdom unmatched by nearly anything but a god. Like a few notable creatures of Vindrgard, they sometimes feed on crystal, but more often they either "feed" on Mana or otherwise act as predators for the larger monsters on Vindrgard's surface. They tend to live in mountains, but may claim an unsettled crystal in the Crystal Network. Extremely rare, these dragons have no known lifespan and are thought to be immortal, though this theory is difficult to ascertain due to their distant nature and Vindrgard's own millennium-long cycle.
