|
||||||
|
||||||
|
The name dragon can be looked at as more of a genus classification which covers a large array of species of reptilian creatures because they are very different in size, make-up, and capabilities. This being said, however, all dragons are technically of the same race, have the same number of chromosomes, and can reproduce.
All dragons have very thick hides and very strong scales. These do not hinder the dragons’ abilities to move and does not affect their agilities. They are very protective and can be accounted as the biggest reason for these creatures being as powerful as they are. All dragons will also have leathery wings, also thick and covered in scales, which allow for flight. The stability and maneuverability of a dragon in flight will differ from one to another. The color, shape, and luster of these scales will differ. In general, a dragon will have four legs and a tail. (There will be very few exceptions to this rule.) Its hind legs will be strong for running or bounding both when walking on two legs or on four and most dragons are capable of both. They upper legs are powerful enough to turn their body during a swift sprint and can be used to throw a punch, but because they lack opposable thumbs, these are not considered hands. They cannot wield weapons or carry items. Upon each of the three digits of each appendage hides a very sharp claw. It differs between dragon the size of the claws or whether their fore- or hind legs will have the more powerful class. Some dragons’ claws can even be retractable. Some dragon’s tails have spikes or barbs, where some are balled at the end like a mace. Others just come to a soft point and can be used as a powerful slashing bullwhip. Some dragons will have extra glands or organs in their bodies that most dragons lack. There are dragons with gills that live underwater, and others with special filtering organs that work with their lungs that allow them to live on top of the highest points on the planet, above the clouds where most beings would suffocate. Dragons can have glands with poison for an extra kick to their bite and claw attacks, or sacs for venom or oil to spit at opponents from afar. A common gland for a dragon is filled with a flammable vapor that can be expelled from their mouth and ignited simultaneously by another organ for the purposes of shooting pillars of flame from its mouth; or a similar setup with gases encased in folds of their extremely durable hide that is so pressurized, the gas becomes a liquid and when expelled and expanded, becomes a cone of bitterly frigid air, able to freeze water, flesh, and pretty much anything else in their path. When it comes to dragons, anything is possible. Dragons have very capable brains compared to their reptilian cousins, and even comparable to races considered to be “more intelligent than beasts” such as humans. They are capable of very advanced thinking and speech. Most dragons can speak and comprehend Common Solarian. The size and general muscle structure can be dramatically different from dragon to dragon. Full grown dragons can range from the size of a small child to the size of a small building, and some of these legendary reptiles have even been reported as larger. Some dragons have muscles that connect bones similar to that of apes and other humanoids that make the creature extraordinarily strong, while other dragons are more feline or avian for grace and agility. However due to a dragon’s thick hide and scales, it would be literally impossible for one to determine a dragon’s physical attributes by sight alone without being an expert on draconic anatomy. As unlikely as it sounds, any two dragons of opposite gender will be able to produce healthy offspring. The female of the species will lay a nest of anywhere from two to six unfertilized eggs. The male of the species will then fertilize the eggs. Dragons form pairs and have mates. Mates will stay together until death or separation. These eggs are very fragile and must be kept under constant and strict watch. Usually, the male of the species are more instinctive and better hunters, so it is usually up to the female to care for the eggs. Because of their intelligence and ability to learn, it is not difficult or rare for a female to teach the male how to care for the eggs if she happens to be a better hunter or if another situation arises that she must leave her eggs. Offspring will have properties of both parents. Similar dragons’ offspring will be very similar to both parents. The offspring off a large, strong dragon and a small, swift dragon will be either similar to one parent or a strange mixture of the two. Technically, dragons can be found at all four corners of the Solarian globe. However, dragons as a whole tend to prefer the colder and damper environments in caverns under the planet’s crust or in very deep and damp forested areas, such as swamps. Keep in mind that dragons can be found in the open plains, on the mountain tops, and even at the bottom of the sea. The varieties of their individual make-up cause them to be able to spread out and live comfortably in most if not all areas and climates of Solaris. As stated above, dragons are very versatile. This means that their fighting styles are as well very versatile. Dragons have sharp claws that can cut through their opponents, including any plate mail they might be wearing, shields, and quite possibly sheets of dense stone or walls that might also be protecting the victim. Strong and heavy dragons will crush their opponent’s bones to sand if they get a hold of him and can knock down mountains in their way in order to. Swift dragons will use their agility to knock their opponent off balance and use rapid jabs with their sharp claws to finish the deed. Weaker or very clever dragons will set traps or attempt to confuse their opponent, and they will also use terrain to their advantage. Dragons are very intelligent creature. Most do not fight and would rather talk their way out of combat rather than cross claw with sword. They are noble, but not stupid, and will attempt to escape from a powerful opponent. More gifted dragons are capable of advanced magical prowess, and will use spells or hexes in battle. Dragons have been around since the beginning, pretty much. Dakon the creator probably brought them into existence himself, and they have been living and striving ever since. Dragons have played an important role in the past, in battles and in stories. Many great and famous warriors of Solaris have had and still do have dragons as companions. Due to their power, having one as a companion bestows honor and prestige of greatness and skill. Dragons cannot be fooled into servitude. They cannot be tricked into becoming someone’s slave. Unlike most creatures, a dragon will choose its companion, and never the other way around. As having a dragon as a companion is a symbol of experience, having a powerful companion is a mark of honor for a dragon as well, especially a companion to a Solarian or another of the more prestigious races. The dragon race is not set in stone as “good” or “evil” and there have been dragons on both sides. “Good” dragons will chose a companion that is kind and fair – a true warrior of justice. “Evil” dragons will chose a companion who has plausible (although twisted) goals and ambitions. A dragon will not become a companion to any average Joe. The lucky recipients are chosen as ones the dragons can be proud of, and a dragon will not hesitate to change its mind and leave its companion if his companion loses the flair which initially convinced him to team up. Also, a dragon will never consider himself as a pet, and will never refer to his companion has a master, but rather an equal or a friend. Dragons often form structures for protection, especially protection of their eggs and young offspring. Structures are usually fairly small, but they try to gather at least half a dozen or so at the least. The males of a society hunt together and will even spar together to become more efficient at protecting the colony. The females will care for their eggs together and raise their offspring together to ease the pain of an unending job that it would be doing it alone. Dragon societies rarely have a chief, and rarely fight each other. Occasionally, a group of “good” dragons and a group of “evil” dragons might live too close together and be unable to settle their differences with words and treaties. This is rare, because even the vilest of dragons are smart enough to be sensible. The combination of the draconic anatomy and their intelligence makes weakness tough to find and tougher to exploit. The thick dragon scales make is nearly impossible to be cut or skewered in any way, and pretty much the only areas where there are not scales are certain points on the face, such as the eyes and nostrils, as well as the inside of their mouths (which is a good place to avoid as it turns out). Their thick and powerful hide, resting beneath the scales, is very spongy and springy. This means that blunt attacks just get knocked harmlessly away. Energy attacks seem to be the way to go, however the cold-blooded nature of the reptilian creature allows it to quickly adapt to these forces. Plasma and Ki might be able to land a blow or two, but soon, the dragon can build up a nigh-immunity. The same goes for elemental forces, for the most part. Most all dragons will be susceptible to at least one elemental force and cannot adjust to become immune. Some of these are obvious, such as a fire-breathing dragon being weak to water or ice elements or an aquatic dragon being weak to electricity. Sometimes, though, it is not obvious, and dragons will be clever enough to feign pain when hit with an element that deals minimal damage and hide it when struck with a devastating spell. Again, only someone who knows the dragon inside and out can truly find one’s weakness. |
© 1996-2012 Solaris RPG. All rights reserved.