Wyverns

Wyverns are a kind of lesser Dragons, adapted to live in the sky.

Description

Wyverns are dragons with only back legs and wings, missing their front legs. They are great flyers but do not do well while on the ground and are not very intelligent. They also do not grow to the same sizes of dragons and are more short-lived. They are however able to spit fire.

Taming

Wyverns are social creatures and can be tamed if they are hatched in captivity. They make for swift and powerful mounts, though they cannot carry a lot of weight. Still, they are a formidable asset to have access to for any nation.

Life cycle

Wyverns grow up much faster than true dragons but also have much shorter lifespans, living only around 50 years. They tend to not have any permanent roosts unless it is mating season, and though they live in large social groups they tend to hunt alone or in pairs.

Hunting strategy

Wyverns are the weakest of all lesser dragons, which isn't saying much as they are still giant flying fire-breathing monsters.
They are not very intelligent and rely heavily on their flying ability; if their ability to fly is restricted in any way they are significantly weakened.
Wyverns are cowardly and will not engage anything that approaches their size unless forced. They will also attempt to flee rather than risk serious injury most of the time.
During mating season wyverns tend to build their nests in close proximity, so attacking a wyverns nest will usually mean one has to fight an entire flight of wyverns which will all fight to the death to fend off the intruder.

Appearance:

Wyverns are large lizardlike beings with long sinuous necks and tails, though their front limbs are large wings. Their bodies are bedecked with scales and spikes, as well as with sharp talons on their legs and wingtips. They are usually of a brown or copper coloration.