Dragons

The large, flying, seemingly reptilian species that inhabits the South Western Continent of Erina. Dragons as they were named once the Elementals landed on the shores have become an integral part of the lives of Elementals. Able to defy (or more so appear to defy) the rules of physics to gain flight without restriction has made them valuable for those travelling without the use of Enigma Crystals. Dragons unlike magically mutated species are also sapient, with their companionship being a willing choice because of the benefits they gain from it as well.

Origin

Dragons were created in the swirling storm of Elemental magics, Gold both torn from the fabric of reality and those that lost their lives in the catastrophe, and finally the broken shards of enigma crystals that cut through reality over and over again. Some would believe that they were created from the dreams of those that died, others suggest that it was completely random in a way that formed them, and others still suggest that dragon were the dominant native species to the realms that the tear linked to Erina (Though this theory is out of favour considering that it is believed that the event created those magical realms). Regardless of how the event created them, it was indeed the reason they exist now, and the reason that they so easily 'defy' reality.

In truth, the amount of Gold and Elemental magics that they are created from defines reality around them. This reality has a different set of rules to the world that surrounds them. The Dragons themselves have control over this variance of reality, altering their size, shape, and form at will, as well as how the air interacts with them. They fly by flapping their scaled wings because they believe that they can, and the Gold within them makes that a reality.

Anatomy

All dragons are vertebrates and have an internal skeleton, with a vertebral column, a skull, and have a post-anal tail. As embryos, they have a notochord, though this becomes part of the vertebral column discs as they develop. Of course, what sets them apart from naturally developed species is the pair of wings that they have extending from their backs, and the large crystal that grows out of their forehead. They are full endotherms (warm-blooded). They have eyelids which they use to blink. Dragons are Diapsids, with two temporal fenestrae above and below each eye. Their body is covered in scales.

Appearance and Life stages

The exact appearance of Dragons varies throughout their life and whether they bonded with an Elemental or awakened their magic through another method. During their first decade of life, young dragons appear as pearlescent, with various colours of magic swirling and moving over their skin. At this time, they are filled with potential to take on any Elemental magic as their dominant one. During this stage of their lives they are considered more vulnerable as they cannot make use of the enigma crystal to travel to other universes, and lack the ability to truely use their magic.

Dragons that are not awakened by the end of their first decade start to dull, though the swirling effect of magical potential still remains under their skin. They are full adults at this point, mentally, but without being awakened are not able to lay or fertilize eggs. The majority of these Dragons will be awakened by natural factors rather than through bonding with an Elemental, though it is still possible if there is an Elemental that hasn't yet bonded to another dragon.

Dragons that are not awakened by the end of two decades become grey dragons, as their colour fully dulls and the magic potential within them is lost. These dragons are not able to lay or fertilize eggs, but instead within groups they help others raise young and care for clutches of eggs. The majority of the time, these dragons remain with family, assisting those related to them. Clutches cared for with the assistance of grey dragons have a larger percentage of eggs mature and survive. Hence, their assistance is welcome. While some Dragons may become Grey dragons, not for a lack of trying to do otherwise, the majority that go through two decades without forming a bond or being naturally awakened usually intend for this fate. Grey dragons live longer than bonded Dragons, as bonded dragons die alongside their Elemental. If this is not the desired fate a Dragon wishes for, then even if they don't consider being a Grey Dragon as an ideal state, they would rather take the bargain of natural awakening with the risk of remaining Grey being a fate they are willing to accept. Since Elementals started bonding with Grey dragons, there are significantly less of them, than there natural would be, meaning the help they provide has become very valuable.

For awakened Dragons, they quickly develop physical traits related to their dominant Elemental magic. The first change is the colour of their scales, which become either red, black, blue, or white depending on the Elemental magic that the dragon uses. The exact colours, shades, and accent colours can differ with the particular dragon. They grow horns and spikes and other weapons coated in the Gold within them, alongside large claws. Their scales are much thicker than those of unawakened or Grey Dragons. Dragons effected by Earth magic tend to be larger and bulkier, and Lightning Dragons are more spry and flexible.