Dragon
Dragons are a kind of sapient creature living in Sulheim. They can be found all over the continent, and their many forms can be drilled down to four specific types of dragon: Drakes, Linnorms, True Dragons, and Divine Dragons. Within these types exist different subspecies.
Perhaps one of the most iconic species of Sulheim alongside humans, the history of the realm and of the dragons are intertwined. After all, it was their form chosen by the gods for their creations--the divine dragons.
In the modern era, after the extinction of the divine dragons during The Cataclysm, dragons maintain their arrogance, but the gap in power and status between them and the other races has shrunk considerably.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dragons are an incredibly diverse species, but each category has its own features that distinguish it from its fellows.
Drakes (Draconis duopeda)
Drakes, sometimes called wyverns, are the most primitive dragons, bearing a fraction of the might and intellect of their cousins. They are motivated by base instincts and are feared by the denizens of their favorite roosting spots--small hamlets and villages. While weaker, slower, and dumber than other dragons, drakes are still dragons and capable of great destruction.Linnorms (Draconis primordia)
Linnorms, primarily found in the outlands of Halidom of Élivágar and Ezochi Empire, are the large primeval cousins of true dragons. Their inferiority complexes lead to a sadistic nature; many famous linnorms in history have been well known to bully those they deem weaker than themselves. While they are more serpentine and lack the wings of true dragons, linnorms are no less strong or cunning.True Dragons (Draconis magna)
The most famous and most populous members of the dragon family are the true dragons, named for their resemblance to divine dragons of old. True dragons typically have enormous wings they use to hunt from the skies and survey their wide territories. They only grow stronger with age--while a true dragon's life is tough, those who make it long enough enjoy a fruitful and lengthy reign.Divine Dragons (Draconis caelicola)
The extinct divine dragons are sometimes conflated with gods; though of divine origin, these dragons are not gods. The only known divine dragons to have existed are the Dragon Kings. The appearance of divine dragons are extremely variable, as they have no natural form save the one they create themselves. The only way for a divine dragon to exist is for it to have been created by a god.Lesser Divine Shards (Draconis caelicola testa)
Divine dragons cannot reproduce normally, but instead produce lesser beings through the constant splintering of their overwhelming energy. This process is painless and involuntary, and is much akin to shedding hairs. These splinters form legions that are then commanded by the divine dragon. These lesser shards possess their own consciousness and personality, but are bound to their divine progenitor. Particularly helpful shards may be elevated. Elevating a shard transforms them into a "clone" of the divine dragon, at the cost of being given a fragment of the divine dragon's heart or soul. A notable case is the Dragon King Paimonia and his shards Labal and Abalam.Genetics and Reproduction
With the exception of divine dragons, dragons reproduce both asexually and sexually. True dragons can either reproduce sexually or asexually through a process called parthenogenesis, creating "clones" of themselves to hatch from eggs. True dragons created from two parents are much more genetically sound and less prone to injury and/or illness. Drakes and linnorms cannot perform parthenogenesis and must rely on a partner.
Dragon eggs take between 16 and 20 months to hatch, being laid after approximately 3 to 5 months.
Divine dragons create lesser divine shards through the process of splintering, wherein their energy sheds and forms smaller beings. These shards are incapable of reproduction and only have a lifespan of 200-300 years before burning out unless elevated by their progenitor.
Growth Rate & Stages
The life cycle of a dragon is categorized into twelve stages depending upon age.
A dragon is fully grown by the time they reach adulthood, and only grows in power from there.
| Life Stage | Age |
| Wyrmling | 0 - 5 years |
| Very Young | 6 - 15 years |
| Young | 16 - 25 years |
| Juvenile | 26 - 50 years |
| Young Adult | 51 - 100 years |
| Adult | 101 - 200 years |
| Mature Adult | 201 - 400 years |
| Old | 401 - 600 years |
| Very Old | 601 - 800 years |
| Ancient | 800 - 1,000 years |
| Wyrm | 1,001 - 1,200 years |
| Great Wyrm | 1,201+ years |
Dietary Needs and Habits
Dragons are capable of sustaining themselves on pure magical energy, but they greatly prefer to actually eat food.
An ancient story tells of the dragon Kagu-tsuchi who once terrorized the westernmost isles of Ezochi for one hundred years. Raining fire and death upon any who dared enter his domain, he was only placated by a shrine maiden bringing him a magnificent feast of potato bread, muttonbird, and mānuka honey. As the legend goes, Kagu-tsuchi immediately halted his attacks on the people...and began the habit of wandering from home to home during dinnertime in order to sample some of the meals being made.
Biological Cycle
Due to the lack of seasonal changes, draconic hibernations are unpredictable. Typically only drakes hibernate, but some linnorms and true dragons of particularly advanced age are known to rest for months at a time.
Behaviour
Dragons are proud and boastful creatures, with plenty of strength to back up their claims. Many dragons do not bother with mankind simply because they see them as lesser.
Civilization and Culture
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Most dragons are an insular species, and rarely think very much of other sapient races.
However, for metallic true dragons, the opposite is true. Devout followers of the good dragon god Apsu, metallic true dragons are beloved by the peoples of Sulheim and revered as guardians of the weak.
