Draconis

A Draconis(plural Draconum) looks very similar to a dragon. The physicals signs of a draconis are the frill that usually surrounds its head and the colors, most draconum are brightly colored reds or blues, with the occasional green, and their teeth, which instead of a dragons triangle shaped fangs are more needle-like. The other physical difference is the type of breath they expel. While dragons produce fire breath, draconum shoot lightning from their toothy maws.

The other way they are different from dragons is their intelligence. While some dragons are smarter than dogs or cats, draconum are as smart as people, though they would say they are smarter. Draconum can live for over a thousand years and use this time to learn. Most speak common, at least, as well as draconic. With all this time many draconum are also wizards. They are sometimes sought out by wizards hoping to gain some of their horded lore. Many draconum spend years perfecting an original spell and don't part with that knowledge without cause.
Draconum aren't naturally evil or good but most don't view humans as people. Some of them view elves differently because of their longer lifespans but most see humanoids they way we see animals. Cute, you shouldn't torture them in public, but if you kill them it doesn't really matter. Some draconum collect humanoids and keep them as pets/slaves. These pets aren't for hard labor but rather possessions to show off to others.

The Dragon Crusades

Around 3000 years ago a man of unknown race known only as the deliverer traveled the world with a small army attempting to exterminate dragon kind. He also attempted to exterminate the draconum. Unlike their dragon cousins, draconum are intelligent and often magically inclined. The draconum often used this magic to disappear into pocket dimensions of their own creation. Others transformed into humanoids and lived amongst the humans for safety. This plus some illusions lead many to believe that draconum were hunted to near extinction, much like dragons.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Draconum often mate for life, their relationships emotional as well as physical.

Growth Rate & Stages

Nobody really knows how old draconum can grow. The oldest known Draconum resides in Loxwarts, the swiss school of magic, where he teaches and oversees the instruction of bank wizards. Professor Raskar Nivver is 1,750 years old.
Draconum are birthed from eggs the size of backpack fully conscious and functional, except their muscles are weak and they are unable to fly. It is said that hatchlings remember their time in the egg and while inside they did mental exercises like elves during trance. They are born with the mental capabilities of a 10 year old. At 5 years old they are the size of wolves and begin to fly, at 20 they are the size of horses. At 50 they are the size of a covered wagon, and at 200 they can carry off a wagon in each of their clawed feet.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Nobody really knows where they are.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Draconum favor names that contain the letters I, K, R, V, and Z. 
Niv-Mizzet, Rakish Irvan, Krazern Izzrak, etc.

Common Myths and Legends

It is said that Draconum were the original practitioners of arcane magic. In the ancient days humanoids would come begging for magical favors, this often annoyed the draconum but it kept them in power. Until one day a draconis named Niv-Mizzet got sick of it and took on 110 apprentices. He sent them out into the world, the first wizards. They formed The Order of Mizzet. 10 betrayed