Dragons

Dragons are remarkably ancient creatures that inhabit the realm of Rakuen. Descended directly from the Draconic Pantheon, dragons on the realm of Rakuen are xenomorphic creatures that trace their origins back to their common lineage of Haumea, the great dragon of the cosmos. In a fabled battle in ancient times, it was said that the gods rended the hands and legs of Haumea, and from these severed limbs, four of the Great Dracons were born: Bahamut, Tiamat, Deidra, and Adramalech. Through their ambition and union, a fifth was born: Alexander, who would exist as a leader for all dragonkind.
Dragons are known for their immense size and scale, their dreaded power, their unrivaled intelligence, and their old age. Dragons are effectively immortal beings lacking humanity in the traditional sense from mortals upon the realm. This means that dragons can age infinitely, and the only thing that can end the life of a dragon is illness or some other form of untimely death. Some dragons die of old age, but only after well beyond ten thousand years. Even then, dragons benefit from an atypical reincarnation cycle, and although they do not gain the benefits of their memories, their hollowed soul present a certain wiseness, often in even the youngest of wyrmlings.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dragons are most notable for three peculiarities of their anatomy.
Firstly, like other reptiles, dragons are scaled. However, a dragon's scales are most notable for their incredible density and mass. Easily hefted by the dragon, their scales are imbued with a faint magic. This makes dragons frequently able to withstand even the most brutal weaponry or violent attacks. Their scales have frequently been repurposed into armor by other humanoids, although acquiring such scales are always a dangerous proposition.
Secondly, dragons have a unique organ in their bodies known as the fundamentum. It is effectively a large sack that connects to the dragons esophageal track but lower in the anatomy near the top of the ribcage, which further connects to two smaller nearby glands. The central sack is imbued with the magic harbored by the soul of the dragon, while the additional glands are filled with a variety of different materials: rendered oils, fats, furs, bones, and other inedible parts from a dragon's meals. The dragon fundamentum is used to generate a dragon's breath weapon. The slurry within the dragon's glands is pushed into the fundamentum, where they are instantly reduced into atomic components, and then transformed through an arcane process into the element of the dragon. This is then exhaled, usually to devastating effect. 
Finally, dragons have the unique ability to transform their physical form at will. Although not all dragons possess this trait, and still others refuse to use it, many still do. This allows them to inhabit a humanoid form adjacent to their draconic form. A dragon that has assumed its humanoid form is largely indistinguishable from that of a humanoid. They most typically adopt a form that appears like a human or elf, although any humanoid form can be achieved. Most telling of their physique is their eyes, which take unnatural hues such as yellow, pink, purple, and other atypical colors. Additionally, their hair colors may appear atypical, most frequently white despite a youthful appearance, but also pale purples, greens, blues, and more.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dragons have a unique reproductive cycle. They are capable of reproducing with any creature they wish, resulting in many different varieties of dragonkin: kobolds, lizardfolk, Dragonborn, and half-dragons - among others - all trace their lineage in one form or another to true dragons. These matings between dragons and mortals most often occur while the dragon assumes its humanoid form.
Additionally, dragons also mate with other dragons. This is seen as a "true bonding" in draconic culture. Draconic mating is a simple affair, which will inevitably result in the female producing an egg. This egg is laid usually in a dragon's layer initially, and is cared for usually by the mother.
Dragon eggs require many qualities to appropriately hatch. Namely, they require: great heat, great pressure, or great magic. The more of these factors are accounted for, the healthier the wyrmling that is born will be. This makes the selection of lairs for female dragons quite specific. Finding dragon lairs set upon leylines is most common, due to the high arcane quality in the area. Dragons are also known to dedicate large amounts of their breath to imbue eggs with magic. This taxing process requires large amount of energy and food, and is most common in draconic pairings, where both the father and mother can share the responsibilities of tending to the egg with their breath. To maintain pressure, the dragon will usually place its body upon the egg, buried slightly into the ground, in order to safely weigh it down; dragons will apply pressure for the majority of their days, only typically leaving the egg alone when hunting. Finally, other dragons may lair themselves near volcanoes or magma fields, where great heat can be mustered; for those who do not wish to layer in hot locations, other methods of fire (natural or artificial) may be employed. 
The most ideal place to raise a child is on the planet of Draconux, situated far away from Rakuen. The immense pressure of this space, along with the high magic in the area, and relative safety from other dangers, makes it ideal for tending to the long process of egg hatching.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dragons have four distinct life stages after birth: 

1. Wyrmling - A dragon in this stage is effectively considered a newborn or toddler. They are often initially incapable of flight, and are at their most animalistic. They are entirely reliant on a parental figure to care for them, both in terms of development of their body and their mind. Dragons have specific diets in their early years, which contribute to their healthy growth. Additionally, it is critical that the draconic language and flight is taught in these early years.  For language, a dragon only has a few short decades to master the grammar and speech patterns of draconic, ideally before their 25th year. After this, the dragon's mind develops exceptionally quickly, and makes the intricacies of dragon speech and body language more imperceptible to those who are not already fluent. A dragon's ability to learn draconic ends around their 50th year, and those that fail this task are usually seen as mentally enfeebled, and are frequently culled by their parents.
2. Young - A young dragon, sometimes called a juvenile, is what most people come to know as a dragon. They are in their large, reptilian forms, capable of flight, speech, and critical thinking. During these years, - typically between the ages of 25-200 - young dragons are usually relieved from the nest - either by will of their own or forced by their parents - and are meant to cast themselves to grow on their own. By this time, young dragons know how to hunt, speak, and shapeshift, and are expected to care for themselves without aid. Young dragons are disavowed by their parents; no loving relationship is held once the dragon leaves the nest, and they are expected to never return under threat of violence and death. Young dragons are the most tempestuous and violent. They are those that frequently cause fights with humanoids, attack townships, or are seen forming layers to build hordes or interacting with society at large. Young dragons are seen as ideal for dragon tamers, as their impressionable minds make them ideal for enslavement. 
3. Adults - Adult dragons are the pinnacle of draconic existence. They reach their full height, length, weight, and intelligence. While a young dragon may be rebellious and eager, adult dragons - from the ages of 300 and upward - find their personalities begin to temper. They have usually been molded by their experiences, and begin to find their affinities in life. They also typically begin to find their connections to Draconux, and will begin to take sabbaticals to the distant planet, often to learn about their culture, and learn skills exclusive to adults. This is also the period where dragons will begin looking for a mate, ideally before their 2000th year, when many dragons begin to become infertile. 
4. Ancient - Dragons of true power, ancient dragons are categorized by their immense size, immense intellect, and their vast powers. All ancient dragons have long since become infertile. Ancient dragons live a variety of lives, usually kept deep in their hordes, and among other communities of dragons. All ancient dragons are readily welcomed to Draconux, where they are allowed to nest and rest out their time. Most, however, yearn for a youthfulness that they remember, and will seek out elaborate raids or adventures upon the realm, or epic combat to build themselves a legacy.

Biological Cycle

Most notable to the draconic lifecycle is that of the Twilight. All dragons live upwards of 5000 years. But at some time after this period, they will begin to meet their Twilight, a period of life where an ancient dragon begins to languish. Their scales begin to harden, and their eyes begin to form deep white cataracts until they are blinded. An ancient dragon then begins to slow and become lethargic. By the end, these ancient dragons will often choose to pass on from this realm. Those who do not often form into stone or crystals, and pass away, leaving behind only their legacy. 
Twilight is seen broadly as an honorable achievement for dragons. But as many dragons are quite vain, most detest this period of old age. As such, many will seek out final quests for their life. Whether this is ravaging a countryside, taking one last tour of the multiverse, or embarking on a quest to the heart of Draconux will depend on the individual. 
Not all dragons reach Twilight equally. Notably, the more animalistic a dragon is by nature, the more likely it is to reach their Twilight sooner. Those dragons blessed by the Draconic Pantheon tend to have much longer and fruitful lives. Generally, a dragon will reach their twilight sometime after their ten-thousandth year, although many find their aging distasteful, and choose to end their lives earlier.
Those dragons who do allow themselves to pass into Twilight are usually reborn into the soul of a new dragon with many of their memories. Should they survive into adulthood, these dragons are known as Evenfall, and often retain many of their old strengths and memories from their previous lives. An adult or ancient Evenfall Dragon are considered some of the most prestigious in all of dragonkind, although because of dragons' vanity, few have the patience to reach this highly prestigious position.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dragons have a variety of extrasensory capabilities. These can range from various visions - such as blindsight or even truesight - to various abilities such as psionics and telepathy.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Dragons generally favor males in their society. They are fabled as warriors and heroes, while women are seen as egg-bearers and nest keepers. Although female dragons can often rise to prominence, valued for their patience and tact, most glory usually falls upon that of males. Between the genders, however, there is broad equality; any dragon can tear the throat of another, so their genitalia means little when blood is drawn.

Courtship Ideals

Dragons hold no ideals for courtship. Between dragons themselves, a male and a female will simply mate with no return of emotion. This mating procedure is entirely physical, meant to relieve the impulses of either the males urges, or to relieve the needs brought on by a female dragon who is either seeking a mate or is within their estrous cycle. Males tend to value elder women exclusively, with younger females being seen as too immature and childish as an ideal mate. Among females, although older males are most often valued, young males who are able to best many elder foes are seen as the most desirable among women.
Females hold all the power when choosing a mate for breeding, and will often choose their mate based on whichever male is most old, powerful, or violent. They will frequently beckon pursuing males to battle each other for dominance in a series of duels, or sometimes all-out battle royales for a victor, sometimes taking pride in whichever individual is capable of the most amount of blood spilt or death given. Still other females will demand their suitors pay them in gifts for their horde, priding the suitor with the most valuable gifts. Many males distaste this practice, accusing female dragons of being "Trovers," those whom are not actually seeking mates but instead seeking wealth. 
Males are frequently able to overpower women due to their larger size, and thus nonconsensual sex among dragons is commonplace. It is draconic law that any eggs and children made from such unions are to be disposed of. However, due to the frequency of males forcing themselves upon females, many females tend to form harems amongst themselves, warding away unwanted males from their lesbian nests. These nests are said to be revolting to male dragons, as they are seen as scandalous places of sex and debauchery among women, although the females pay little mind to such petty commentary.
Among other races, Dragons maintain their lackadaisical attitude toward courtship and sex. Many dragons see humanoids as playthings to be toyed with. Some will court humanoids into a place of vulnerability, only to eat or enslave them when they have been sufficiently tricked. Others simply use humanoids as a relief for their urges and pleasures. Still more like the risk and thrill of tempting humanoids with their dragon lineage, knowing that they will be loved for their exotic qualities. Children resulting from humanoid intercourse are not considered draconic, and therefore Dragons almost always completely ignore the child and anything involved in their birth. Only when the humanoid births a true dragon-like child will interest be taken, and in these rare events, they are almost always taken swiftly away to Draconux.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Dragons believe they are the pinnacle of existence. They look down on all other races as inferior. Some may see mortals and humanoids as playthings, others may seem them and gentle curiosities, while others see mortals as wastrels upon the land to be subjugated and influenced. Although dragons have a long-held resentment of Elves due to ancient wars between the two races, many dragons of the modern age have moved past such concerns. Dragons are particularly hostile towards humans, as ancient humans were those that truly adopted dragon taming and dragon hunting as sport. 
Although generally close relatives, dragons tend to look down on Lizardfolk, Kobolds, half-dragons, and dragonborns. For Lizardfolk, there is a brief respect, but little more, as they are seen as inferior. Most kobolds are viewed by dragons as laughable, but almost charming in their idiocy. Half-dragons and dragonborn are seen as half-breeds, and are either viewed with pure disdain or a modicum of appreciation for their muddied lineage. 
Dragons are most partial to Gnomes and Tieflings. Both of these races have a long and ancient past that have respected dragons for their power. Tieflings, with their tribal culture and commitment to respect, earn a quaint place in dragons' hearts, seen as endearing despite their tiny size and minds. Gnomes are respected for their advanced intelligence, which dragons see as the highest upon all the planes. Dragons will often seek out Gnomes for advanced technology, especially those used to aid in egg hatching. 
Dragons are somewhat partial to Dwarves. They value their architectural skill and stoic work ethic, and will frequently attempt to contract dwarves to do labor - paid or forced - to aid in construction of their lairs. However, Dwarves vastly fear or are angered by dragons, due to a long history of dragons pillaging and claiming Dwarven settlements as their lairs, so any alliance between a dragon and a dwarf is seen as feeble at best.
Sometimes dragons form bonds with humanoids and mortals, most frequently humans and elves. In these situations, most dragons refer to their bonded humanoid as a pet, and exert dominance over the relationship, either enslaving their bond, or being a passive friend. But a very rare few find these bondings pleasurable, choosing to live and work among humanoids. This is seen as immensely embarrassing and humiliating among draconic culture, and those that pursue this path are seen as lessers, sometimes even being called pets themselves. The worst fate among draconic culture is to be enslaved by a humanoid.