Serpent Drake
Serpent Drakes, or sometimes simply called Serpents, are sapient, bipedal and snakelike dragons that inhabit Havenfield throughout the land. No environment (save for extremely cold or extremely hot) is completely out of the Serpents' reach, as multiple subspecies exist to fill different ecological niches. Generally all Serpents are endothermic, with some being venomous and some flightless.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Bipedal and hexapodal in terms of body structure, tail length and wing size varies. Most Serpents have wings, though some are more adapted for swimming than flying. Skull is elongated into a snout. Legs are digitigrade.
Genetics and Reproduction
Oviparous reproduction, eggs are usually laid in clutches of three to six.
Growth Rate & Stages
Hatchlings learn to walk during the first two months of their lives and flying species' wings fully develop at around 12 years. All hatchlings are born with functional eyes, although depth perception and color vision keep developing throughout childhood. Older teens and subadults can, if desired, start learning magic at this stage.
Ecology and Habitats
Serpents inhabit almost every corner of Havenfield with the exception of the Sea of Fire, the Chasm and fully underwater locations. The arctic continent of Aedoris is also home to some particularly resilient Polar Serpents, but generally speaking they avoid extreme cold.
Dietary Needs and Habits
All Serpents are mesocarnivores, and the vast majority eat a large variety of different foods such as fruits, vegetables and eggs. Hunting happens in groups and excess food is stored at home, and instead of charging directly at their prey hunting groups prefer to use traps and lures.
Cooking is usually done by traditional means but magic is also used to make various dishes. One of the most well known Serpent-specific dishes are meats and wines infused with diluted Serpent venom, which adds a mild but noticeable sharpness to the flavor. Venom dishes are inedible to all but Serpents themselves but are considered a great delicacy among their kind.
Biological Cycle
Serpents regularly shed their skin as they grow and if they have injuries that need healing. Serpents that live in colder climates also hibernate when the weather gets too chilly.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Many Serpents resemble snakes in terms of facial structure and scales. All Serpent subspecies have a layer of thick, plated scales on the top of their snout, and with the exception of Umber Serpents all also have horns.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Serpents are found in almost every continent on the planet, most notably in Vidal, the island clusters of Ishiven Khesta, the Vuirian Islands and the Phoya Desert.
Average Intelligence
Serpents are sapient and highly intelligent.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Most Serpents have an extremely sharp sense of smell and sight, due to their ancestral history of being hunters. They're also capable of learning magic, although as they are not naturally elemental creatures, they are not born with this skill.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
Varies from species to species. Bright, vibrant scales are favored among Jewel Serpents, as well as more earthy, natural colors for desert dwellers such as Umber Serpents.
Courtship Ideals
Courting another Serpent usually involves crafting the desired target some sort of gift, such as a handmade dagger or jewelry. Function is favored over material value, but elaborately carved necklaces embedded with precious gems are popular among wealthier members of the society.
Relationship Ideals
Serpents are a polygamous society and monogamous pair are quite rare, as forming larger familial units at once is preferred. In general, Serpent relationships are very diverse, and having same-sex partners is not uncommon nor frowned upon. All Serpent cultures prize loyalty and honesty as well as healthy communication between partners.
Average Technological Level
Most serpent cultures largely rely on magic instead of electronics in terms of daily use of technology, but long-range communication is assisted by phones and other similar devices have also been integrated into Serpent society.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Family units are usually very large, and everything among Serpents is shared communally. All Serpent households have their own saunas to help with shedding but most still prefer to visit larger communal spas.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Interspecies relationships aren't new and the general public's opinion on it is either neutral or accepting.
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Draco serpens
Lifespan
Current average Serpent lifespan caps at around 120 years.
Average Height
6 to 8 ft
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Markings and colors vary wildly from subspecies to subspecies, with venomous types being usually more brightly colored. Colors often resemble the environment they live in for camouflage purposes. Pattern variations are not uncommon, but not extremely widespread.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments