Dragons

Dragons.
They claim to be the pinnacle of creation. A force that can rival the gods with age, cunning and proud. What little we know suggests that long ago, dragons came from the gods- but not, perhaps in the way that they would prefer we think. Lore suggests that once, there was one dragon, known by some as Abyssal. His scales were iridescent, shimmering with infinite possibility. He was, as we know it, the pinnacle of dragon kind. He was Noble, yet arrogant. Compassionate, yet brutal. He was, at his core, a contradiction, yet he was everything that we think of, when we hear "Dragon."
When he came to this world, he was deified, and in his arrogance, he assumed such was his right- but as the gods are bound to the faith of their worshipers, so too was he bound to the image of what his followers saw in him. When he was just, when he was loyal, when he was compassionate, the people saw a dragon that was good and lawful and pure. When he was cruel, when he was greedy, when he was wrathful, people saw a dragon that was wicked and corrupt and malicious. When the conflicting forms he was bound to became too much- he was torn in two.
From this was birthed Kul, the Titanium dragon, and Fol, the Chromatic Hydra. However, as he was torn apart, one aspect was lost- his potential. It shattered, scattered across the mortal plane and crystallizing into the first dragon eggs. Newly hatched dragons are nearly colorless- but with the blessing of potential, they will someday shift to become one of the 10 draconic forms based on their most prominent personality trait.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Reptilian, four legs, two wings, elongated neck, serpentine tail

Genetics and Reproduction

Dragon's forms are defined by the soul inhabiting the body- their genetics are sufficently saturated with the energy of their origins that it is inherently fluid. Were they to be examined under a microscope, their cells would glow.
Because of this, dragons can mate with anything, but without a second draconic parent, their child simply is adapted to more draconic, before the energy fades, expended. The Dragonborn race is a result of repeated interbreeding with humanoid races.
Dragon/Dragon breeding usually only results in a clutch once every decade or so, and clutches can come in one to six eggs.

Growth Rate & Stages

Egg: 0-5 Years. Born as a clutch of 1-5 iridescent eggs about the size of an ostrich egg, highly challenging to damage without magical weapons. Around Year 5, the eggs will hatch into newborn dragonlings.
Dragonling: 5-35 Years: Dragonlings, other than being a pale translucent color, are hatched much like other young reptiles- ready to move and act and protect themselves right out of the shell. However, unlike other reptiles they are remarkably quick learners- watching their parents and siblings, quickly picking up new tricks until they reach the mental maturity of a three year old human within six months. Once a given dragon has gained enough knowledge and experience, about every six months to a year for the dragonling stage of their life, a dragon enters drakesleep, hibernating deeply as their body adapts itself to better fit their mental self image. A dragonling forced into danger may enter drakesleep after only a month, once it believes the threat has passed, reflecting the emotional maturity forced by trauma. Drake sleep generally only lasts a year for a dragonling, after which they awaken, ready to continue learning.
Young Dragon: 35-100 Years. The Young Dragon stage of life is considered to have begun once a dragon develops it's color. At this stage, their personality has developed to the stage of a teenager well on the way to adulthood, and their color has begun to reflect the dragon aspect they most bear. Soon after, they develop a breath-weapon, and many choose this stage to leave the nest. Young dragons are rarely ready for procreation until shortly before the adult stage.
Adult Dragon: 100-1000 Years. A dragon is considered to be Adult once it has both bonded to it's lair and developed a Frightful Presence. Adult Dragons are considered to be at full maturity, and often capable of minor magic in addition to their draconic abilities. Some Adult dragons develop the ability to shape-shift, if they desire the ability to go among mortal races, but such a thing is relatively uncommon for the less friendly variety.
Ancient Dragon:1000+ Years. Few dragons reach the age of 1000, simply because a dragon naturally attracts threats from the sheer weight of it's presence upon the land. However, those that do are generally referred to as Ancient Dragons, not due to a specific change in form, but the fact that they have developed into something utterly unique, a form perfectly suited to their ideal image of a dragon. Their powers are vast, and nearly all have shape-shifting and intense magical might to back up their inherent powers. When faced with an Ancient Dragon, the gods themselves will hesitate.

Ecology and Habitats

Dragons seek out a lair appropriate to their color- green in forests or jungles, White in tundra or high peaks, red in deep cliffs or volcanoes- However, most simply find one that they see the potential for an excellent lair in, and begin to rearrange it to their own tastes. As a dragon reaches the adult stage, they begin to form a bond of dominion over the land itself, infusing it with traits that suit their nature. In their lair itself, they gain concious control over this bond, and can cause the lair to lash out against intruders.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dragons require meat, though not as much as their size would suggest. In times of scarcity, a dragon can hunt and subsist on no more food than a small wolf pack, sustained by their magical nature. However, such is unpleasant for it, and if tribute is readily available a particularly greedy dragon may eat it's own weight in food.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Average hearing, hawklike vision, mediocre smell. Attuned to lair and domain, with faint senses of attempts to steal or assert control over it's property.

Genetic Descendants

• Dragonborn

Scientific Name

Deus Scion Linea Primus Draco Draconem Majora

Origin/Ancestry

Red, Green, Blue, White, Black, Silver, bronze, copper, gold, brass

Lifespan

100-150 years before violent death. No natural death has been recorded, outliers have survived for millennia.

Average Height

Standing: 15 ft.

Average Weight

2,500 lb.

Average Length

35 ft.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Each color of dragon develops due to the influence of their strongest personality trait. Though this can shift early in the young dragon's life cycle, it is rare, and only ever occurs with a major event that affects their personality at a deep and intrinsic level. The Metallic colors are known for their generally positive traits, while the chromatic colors tend towards those that negatively affect their relationship with others. The association is as follows:
Chromatic: Brutality- White Arrogance- Red Avarice- Blue Disdain- Black Ambition- Green
Metallic: Noble- Bronze Compassionate- Gold Aesthetic- Silver Free Spirited- Copper Curious- Brass