Black Dragons
The "Children of the stars"
Often referred as "the children of the stars" by other dragons, Black dragons are the black cats of the dragon society. They are considered as an omen of bad luck by humans, due to them being rare, and their frequent attacks to livestock. These are, however, only humans prejudices about them. In reality, while it's true that Black Dragons prefer to keep for themselves, they mean as much harm as any other dragon. There was only one case of a Black Dragon actively seeking out to damage other races and dragons, that being Rikor, one of the generals of Tadaror, the dragon who started the Second Great Wyvern-Dragon War. That being said, this was only because Rikor was kidnapped when he was an egg, and brainwashed to work for him. Black dragons are also the species who is most open to Wyverns, as they understand how it feels to be hunted for no reason.
Overall, Black dragons are very shy and most introvert compared to other species of dragons, which means they tend to avoid big cities and prefer to live alone.
Overall, Black dragons are very shy and most introvert compared to other species of dragons, which means they tend to avoid big cities and prefer to live alone.
Black dragon reference sheet by Skia
Basic Information
Anatomy
General description: the Black Dragon has 3-4 pair of horns on the back of the head, and long, wolf-like ears. It also has spikes behind its head and to the end of the neck, and on the sides of it. One of the main feature of this species is how aerodynamic it's general body is, and therefore lacking of defensive plates like other dragons. Its scales are also really small, mostly lizard-like. It has fur growing on the back, from the end of the neck to the middle of the back. The front paws have 5 fingers, with an opposable thumb, while the back ones only have 4. Usually there are some spikes growing before the very end of the tip of the tail, but it doesn't have a particular shape. There is sexual dimorphism in this species, as males have longer spikes and fur on the back of their cheeks and neck, kinda like a mane.
Physical variations: 5-7 pair of horns on the back of the head, more spikes on the neck and at the end of the tail, longer fur.
Physical variations: 5-7 pair of horns on the back of the head, more spikes on the neck and at the end of the tail, longer fur.
Genetics and Reproduction
Just like all the dragons, they are oviparous. One nest usually only have 1 egg, rarely 2. The eggshell is always either gray or black. It takes about 100 days for each egg to hatch. The hatchlings will depend on the parents for at least 40 years, after which while still being very young they are able to freely leave the nest, find food and survive.
Growth Rate & Stages
Black dragons' growth is extremely slow compared to other dragons. It takes 150 years to fully become adults but can live longer than others, up to 1300.
Ecology and Habitats
Black dragons like to live in cold environments. Mountain ranges and alpine forest are the preferred habitat for them.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like most dragon species, black dragons are omnivorous, but usually prefer meat. Being dragons who usually decide to live in the wild as Keriadrakudor, they are forced to hunt or forage by themselves, which means attacks to livestocks are frequent.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Black dragons are rarely hunted for exploitation by other species, as their scales are soft and their fur isn't great for coats.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Being a western dragon, its main ability is to breath fire, thanks to an organ that produces a special gas that ignites when in contact with air. Its hearing and sight are also far more developed compared to a human. In addition to a powerful sense of smell, it also possess what's called "Jacobson's organ", which is what allowes snake to "smell" the air with their tongues. Also its night vision is far more developed than any other dragon, as they are mostly nocturnal.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
It's a tradition for most Black dragons to name their hatchlings after stars. This caused other dragon to start affectionately calling them "Children of the stars" in various myths and legends that portray them. This is however a tradition that has been dying out in the most recent times.
Major Organizations
Being dragons, they share the major organizations with the other. You can read more about it here: Dragons
Beauty Ideals
Black dragons take the shine of their mane and scales very seriously. For them, the size of horns, wings or spikes doesn't matter if your scales don't shine, or if your mane isn't groomed. This causes them to look down on other dragons who don't take hygene as seriously.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The language spoken by Black Dragons is Draconic .
Common Etiquette Rules
It's a important etiquette for each Black dragon to keep the spikes on their neck relaxed when talking to other dragons, as moving them will signify their intection to attack the other.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Black dragons are famous for being the species who most commonly lives as Keriadrakudor out of every dragon. This is because of their general attitude towards others, as they are very reserved and shy, but also because a lot of them believe that it's only logical to follow their ancestors' way of life.
Historical Figures
Black dragons have always been, historically, one of the rarest dragon species in Dorakor. They have always been scattered all across the world, but most of them live in Alaisor or Brekokador.
Since they mostly keep for themselves, there haven't been too many historical figures belonging to this species, but there are still a few. As mentioned earlier, Rikor, one of the generals of Tadaror, is well known for his part in the Second Great Wyvern-Dragon war. There are, however, due to their lifestyle, a lot of Elemental Lorekeeper who are, or were, Black dragons. Skia, for example, is one of the current Elemental Lorekeeper, and she comes from a line of other Lorekeepers from her mother's part of the family.
Since they mostly keep for themselves, there haven't been too many historical figures belonging to this species, but there are still a few. As mentioned earlier, Rikor, one of the generals of Tadaror, is well known for his part in the Second Great Wyvern-Dragon war. There are, however, due to their lifestyle, a lot of Elemental Lorekeeper who are, or were, Black dragons. Skia, for example, is one of the current Elemental Lorekeeper, and she comes from a line of other Lorekeepers from her mother's part of the family.
Common Myths and Legends
Work in progress
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Black dragons don't usually have any issues with other races but humans. Humans despise black dragons, and will try to hunt them down if one lives close to their village. This will then cause the dragon to attack in self defence, which will also cause humans to be even more hateful regarding those kinds of dragons. Many dragon ambassadors have tried to reason to humans about them before, but with no luck, possibly due to their prejudices and overall less intelligence.
Scientific Name
Chordata, Ignidentia, Ignialae, Draconidae, Draco noctis
Origin/Ancestry
Western Dragon
Lifespan
1000 years
Conservation Status
Black dragons are one of the rarest western dragon species. This is due their low expectancy of eggs, combined with the fact that they are hunted by humans, as they consider them a pest.
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
3-4 m
Average length
10-15 m
Average wingspan
30-35 m
Common scale colours
gray, black, dark gray
Rare scale colours
light gray
Eye colours
green, gold, red, orange
Common markings
none, striped, spotted, king cheetah (cheetah morph)
Morphs
albino (very rare), melanistic (uncommon), python (uncommon)
Stats
Primary element: shadow
Secondary element: fire
Attack: 6/10
Elemental attacks: 6/10
Defense: 3/10
Elemental defense: 4/10
Ground speed: 7/10
Aerial speed: 8/10
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Comments
Author's Notes
Man, this took a long time to make. Nothing exceptional, I just had some irl issue that stopped me from actually writing it. Hopefully you guys will like it, as they are my favourite species in Dorakor, as you can probably tell by the fact that my mascot is a Black dragon hybrid. See you next week for the next article, which hopefully won't be delayed as much.