Liber Draconis
Hark ye well, for the tale of the most dreaded and powerful creatures to ever live upon this hateful ball of dirt and rock. Few know of their trueest origins, and fewer still agree on the nature of the dragons. The nations in Orliea believe them to be involved in the creation of the world, while those of Nilush believe them to be the result of the world spear slamming into the world, and birthing a race of unadulterated magic. Others still claim they were monsters having escaped hell itself to forge their own path, the truth shall likely never be told in enntierity.
Some hints however do exist, whispers of the dead but terrifying god, Tiamut, and the long dead Empire of Ishtar. Tiamut was a god amongst the Ishtarians, god of ocean and storm, and the embodiment of the chaos of creation itself. A wrathful, vengeful goddess, what led to her and the empires downfall is unkown, but it is believed that she was the first dragon like creature, and birthed the first dragons into the world in a cataclysmic event as the world spear spiraled out of the empty, black void to our world. With wrath they were forged, and their blood made to poison, and their ambitions be unending. So it was that during the primordial age, dragons roamed freely, doing battle with one another, demons, giants, abberations, and even mortals. The dragons of this age were powerful beyond measure, for magic was as chaotic and fresh as they were, and soon many mortals came to wroship them as the very gods of the world.
However, such gigantic creatures could not exist for long under the weight of mortal steel. Eventually, they began to die off, mortals banding together, great champions slaying them to clear the way for their socieities. As with the giants, they soon began to fade, but left behind plenty of reminders of their terrible power. While some in Nilush believe them to all be dead, in truth they yet remain, hidden away in their hordes of unfathomable treasure. They are more common in areas outside of mainland Nilush, but one should be weary of the dragons, for they can offer both unmatched wisdom and kindness, and the most wrathful, terrible vengence the likes of which no mortal can survive.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Incredibly large reptillian like creatures, similar to a giant lizard, Some however resemble more of a serpant like shape, with 4 limbs and 2 great wings, with a large tail. They sport one head with large fangs, but rarely some sport multiple heads.
Biological Traits
Naming every type of dragon would take a century in its own. The biggest types of subraces are as follows: Chromatic, Metalic, Planar, and Gem. Chromatic dragons are more tied to elemental forces, metallic are close to metal like substances, planar are born in other planes of reality, and gems are of course tied to magical gems and stones.
All are able to breathe great gouts of breathe attacks, ranging from fire to ice or lightning or acid. The types are vast and varried, and inherently linked to their magical nature. They are capable of flying great distances and cast magic with next to no complications as opposed to mortals wielding magic. So tied tot he inheret magic of the realms and cosmos that even in their death they can shape the world, and those who slay dragons are often forever changed by the event.
Genetics and Reproduction
Reproduction is actually a complicated affair. While they do reproduce sexually, the time spent preganant before the egg is hatched and how this comes about has never been propperly recorded. There are even stories of dragons being "created" out of magic or mortals ascending to some higher plane of understanding, and some reports that a dragon has eggs form in their guts when they die. This is also complicated by the fact they can also cross breed with other species thanks to their shape shifting abilities and just their inherinetly magic nature, creating Dragonborn and other half draconic races.
Growth Rate & Stages
The lifespan of a dragon si rather accurately recorded. They start as Wrymlings, and are so for roughly five years and are young but still dangerous. Even in this young state they already plan for goals and hordes they will keep. After this stage they enter the stage of Young Dragon, roughly the first century of their life. This is the 2nd most common state to find dragons in as they are more able to impose their will on the local land. After the first century they are considered adult dragons, and will remain in this state for some time. This stage is the most common depiciton to find dragons in folklore and myth, great monsters capable of wisdom or untold death and suffering. The final stage is the most venerated and rare of all, the ancient dragons. Starting roughly at 800 years of life, this is the final stage of a dragons life, and they are the most powerful in this state, with ancient dragons being able to shape the cosmos or world with their very actions.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Largely omnivorus, either have animals or prey nearby for convience or hunt for their prey. Rumored to even be able to eat literal magic energy itself if in a pinch.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The bones and other body parts of dragons are very powerful, and can be used in cataclysmic spells and rituals, and many powerful magic artifacts are made from the bones or flesh of dragons. To slay a dragon, and be name dragon slayer, is considered by many to be a dream title few could claim, espically young knights of Vebastonne. However, some instead seek to have more "freindly" interactions with dragons, and even form bonds of friendship or even love.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
They once spanned all over the world, but these days there are more rare. However, this is mainly only true for mainland Nilush, and while they are by no means a common creature, they are more common in Orliea and Iadith, and some other places in the world.
Average Intelligence
Can actually vary based on age and subrace, with chromatic being more "emotiona driven" then others. In truth though, its down to the individual dragon, with some being almost mindless, spiteful beasts, and others wise scholars of the arts.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dragons sport some of the best senseory capabilities in the world, being able to see in the dakr and even in the most blinding of darkness, nothing can hide from their sight for too long.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Incredibly diverse, but roughly all dragon names are made of about 4 elements. Some names brim with power and arcane energy, while others are more known by nicknames such as "Old Snarl" or "The Dark One"
Lifespan
Thousands of years, potentially longer
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dependent on their subrace.
