The Dragons of Auster

Smaller than their more southerly cousins, the dragons living in the vast Auster Desert spend much of their time competing with on another for the limited resources of fresh water and prey animals. They look down on dragons living in the elvish cities, seeing them as weak creatures who gave up their freedom because they were not able to tolerate life in the desert.
They are the most war-like of the smaller dragons, frequently going on raids against other bands of dragons in an attempt to win more territory or resources. They will also attack humans, elves, or others that cross into their territory.

Culture

Average technological level

Very limited. Able to construct very basic structures such as fire pits and crude shelters, uses scratched stones as markers, digs out areas around springheads to construct basins, reservoirs, and flooded meadows for their own use and to attract prey.

Common Etiquette rules

Young dragons are allowed to pass through established territories unimpeded, so long as they do not attempt to directly interact with the band.

Art & Architecture

Having no hands, their capacity to create complex art and architecture is quite limited. They will carve out dwellings from soft sandstone escarpments near areas where they spend a lot of time, such as prime hunting grounds or permanent springs.

Coming of Age Rites

When a dragon comes of age, it is time for them to leave the territory in which they were born. This is a very dangerous time for young dragons, since they have to navigate and survive unfamiliar hostile territory. Females will sometimes go out in pairs or small groups, but males are expected to go alone. Females must find a suitable territory occupied by a suitable male and face harassment from both male and female dragons. Males must either find an uninhabited region and establish a new territory, or successful defeat the ruler of an existing territory in battle. Many males will wander for several years before either aquiring a territory or perishing in the attempt.

Ideals

Courtship Ideals

Females are attracted to males that hold large, high quality territories. Besides size, factors considered include the number, variety, and stability of prey populations, amount, quality, and permanence of the water supply, and access to adequate shelter for protection against the harsh desert weather. Successful males also need the strength and vigilance to protect females from the harassment of other males.