Dragonkind

When Liphan was first tasked with creating life and populating the world of Argent with mortals, he decided that unlike how he created the first Aspects. While the first Aspects were created in the image of the gods, Liphan's first mortal batch was to be entirely different. Liphan's first mortal race, was the first true dragons. Powerful monstrous creatures, who could grow to be nearly a hundred feet tall in late maturity. These beings had incredible magical powers innate to them, all having their own unique abilities based on where they were from or what was needed for the climate they were in. Though these abilities changed and adapted over the years, the power that the different breeds of dragons hold has not lessened with age. True dragons even now are as powerful as ever, and other dragonkind find themselves with incredible strength even with only a fraction of that power.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dragons are large reptile like creatures, with various levels of magical and elemental control. Though some dragonkind don't follow these rules, true dragons more often than not have four large legs, a long tail, and an incredibly large set of powerful wings.
Many dragons have what is known as a breath weapon, where the magic within the dragons body coalesces in the form of an elemental attack shot forth from the maw of the creature. The breath weapon is a trademark trait of the true dragon, though other creatures and draconic descendants share it.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dragons normally are restricted to only being able to reproduce with other dragons. True dragons on the other hand, similar to humans, have an uncanny ability to simple reproduce with those they chose. Since true dragons in their maturity acquire the ability to take on a humanoid form, they have the ability to take on a matching form to the partner they wish to reproduce with. Many half-dragons are born because of circumstances like this.

Growth Rate & Stages

Different dragonkind age at different speeds, but many of them live for thousands of years. Though, lesser dragonkind like dragonborn, kobolds, and wyverns don't live nearly as long.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dragons have incredible senses of smell, sight, and hearing, but it varies incredibly dependent on breed. One thing that all dragonkind share, be it the dragonborn, wyvern, or true dragons themselves, is their uncanny ability to predict when it's going to rain.

Civilization and Culture

History

When Liphan created the first true dragons, he was fascinated by their autonomy. The way that with their incredibly intelligence allowed them to form societies and communities, and develop new magic with simply the fundamentals taught to them by Icae. They built structures and tools to aid in their survival as new creatures were introduced to the world.
The ecosystems constructed naturally with the magic of life that predated them were quickly dominated by the true dragons and their power. This carried true in future mortal projects as well. Liphan's second attempt at life, the elves, was wracked with misfortune. Elves were designed to be long lived, intelligent, and magical like the dragons, but with the exception that they matured faster and were physically smaller. They were more nimble, but more breakable. This made them vulnerable, and Liphan was very young. He didn't realize the consequences this may have in the long run, so when the true dragons and their communities normalized and institutionalized the enslaving of the elven people Liphan was shocked. Terrified that, because his original creations rivaled even some of the divine in power, he would never be able to create an intelligent being again. At least, one that would thrive in the way the dragons did.
In time, the only elves not under the claw of the dragon kingdoms were those on the run. Though, when their numbers became too large, they would be found out and destroyed. Liphan hadn't created any races as intelligent as elves, because he worried they would succumb to the same fate. Their culture was ingrained into one anothers, and so were their fates.
As powerful as the dragons were, there were some forces that even they couldn't handle. One fateful day, the world came crashing down on top of them. The Source, known to them as Heaven's Gate, unleashed a torrent of destruction upon the world. Like an avalanche from all sides water came crashing down, destroying all known surface civilization. Only underground societies managed to survive, with the exception of a small number of great wyrms. Dragon society really never recovered from this, and the constant fear that the gods may slip up again is constantly hanging over them.
Dragon society now is mostly underground, in the physical sense. The majority of surviving dragons all came from the same underground dragon kingdom known as The Lands of the Great Fracture. This kingdom was once beneath what is now the Eminent Territories, and where the majority of modern dragon society is located. It took years for the floods to dry up and for the creatures driven underground to surface, and those of the territories quickly found eachother and reunited. Those of other societies, specifically in Sedden, were often alone and forced into isolation.
The majority of dragons that were once in Sear all ended up, in their search for one another, within the territories. In time, given the new lack of dragons, more mortal races were created by the god of life himself. The dragons of the territories believed that the gods flooded them as punishment for their wide expansion and for their unwillingness to see their brother and sisters in mortality as equals. So, as a way to avoid their in the future, they took to teaching the mortal races of Sear their ways. Their language, their technology, and their magic. The mortal races of Sear quickly took to the language, and to the skill, but as time went on the dragons were seen by the mortal kingdoms as threats. Despite their peaceful ways, their potential danger was much more than anything else. The dragons of the territories were shunned, threatened, and in some cases even hunted.
The dragons of the territories now keep themselves in isolation. True dragons rule over lesser dragonkind like kobolds and dragonborn, and through these more humanoid dragonkind traded and kept, though distant, peaceful relations with the people of Sear. Despite the fear of dragons, and the rejection of their equality, most of Sear's culture is heavily influenced by their ancient ancestral dragon guides. Some dragons take pride in this, and hold it over the mortals heads. Others are infuriated, and use it as reason for war. The idea that the mortals lied, stole, and cheated the dragons out of their hospitality only to bite the hand that fed them is a rather common thought among dragonkind, but the elders of the territories disagree, and have never formally declared the humanoids to be their enemies.

Common Myths and Legends

Almost all dragons fear the rain. It's a bad omen. When Heaven's Gate first opened, and the floods came, it had been after days of relentless downpour. Tiny falling warnings descending in the millions, and they had no idea. This phobia has influenced a lot of draconic architecture, as most draconic structures, cities, and so on are found underground. Built in ways that great floods like that of ancient times wouldn't be a threat, and the residents of these places could simply wait it out.

Genetic Descendants

• Dragonborn