Dragon
Of all the magical beasts of Altairus, dragons are some of the most immediately recognizable and the most marveled. All dragon species are of the genus Draco.
Like unicorns, dragons can be of any element and possess a menagerie of magical powers. Perhaps the most well known is elemental breath; dragons are well-known for breathing fire, but dragons of different elements can breathe frost, lightning, poison gas, or even light or shadow energy. While they are smart creatures, dragons can be quite unpredictable. Extreme caution is recommended when approaching these marvelous creatures.
Types of Dragons
There are three subtypes of dragons; standard dragons, wyverns, and long dragons.
Standard Dragons
These are the dragons most commonly associated with the name "dragon." Standard dragons have six limbs; four legs and two wings. They are considered sapient beings; they are fully capable of speech and are known for collecting vast hoards of treasure, whether material or non-tangible. While they are solitary beings, they are commonly sought out for their wisdom and power.
Wyverns
Wyverns are dragons that have four limbs; two legs and two wings that double as wings. Wyverns are smaller than standard dragons and are not capable of speech, though they are not mindless animals, either. They possess incredible empathy and reason, which they use when moving in packs. These are the dragons most commonly domesticated by faery races for the purposes of riding.
Long Dragons
Long Dragons are associated with the eastern regions of Altairus. They have four legs and snakelike bodies. They do not possess wings, instead flying through levitation. These are perhaps the most docile of the dragon species, but they are still a force to be reckoned with. They are also the dragons most likely to skinwalk as other species to communicate with them. Long Dragons are the most similar in Earth legends to Oriental Dragons.
Significance on the Altairian Sigil
On the Altairus Sigil, the black dragon is the beast who represents and protects the Unseelie elements of Earth, Water, and Dark. It rests on the right side of the sigil, close to these elements.
Additionally, the dragon is thought by human historians that the dragon is meant to represent the divine feminine, as the Unseelie elements themselves are often associated with. Adding credence to this claim is the fact that the dragon of the Altairus sigil is most often referred to as a "she." However, claims that the dragon is supposed to represent any kind of divine force aside from as a mere protector are unfounded.
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