Dragonet
Dragonets are the smallest biproducts of the creation of the True Dragons. Tiny facsimiles of the majesty of the Dragons, wild dragonets have five distinct subspecies equating to the five Elemental Nexuses:
Wild dragonets are classified as breathed or unbreathed, depending on whether they possess an elemental breath. Even among breathed dragonets, this is not so pronounced as in true dragons, even allowing for size, but all dragonets sport venomous stingers on their long, slender tails. While their venom is not especially potent, they flock in groups of up to one hundred adults - although closer to twenty is more usual - making them dangerous to even large creatures.
Wild dragonets are intelligent, social and rarely hostile. Individual dragonets can form bonds with outsiders, replacing the social role of the flock, but they bridle at being treated as pets, let alone working animals of any kind. They are more likely to find a role as a magic user's familiar or, in their own terms, research partner. Unlike Lesser Dragons, wild dragonets are capable of speech and have a sophisticated sense of identity. Despite this, large flocks are often treated as vermin.
In some ancient time, a population of dragonets were captured and selectively bred for elegance over intelligence. These 'pseudodragons' are noted for their affection, beauty and bright, metallic scales, but also for low intelligence and high dependency. Pseudodragons never express elemental breath and are not capable of sophisticated language, although some can parrot phrases, and escaped pseudodragons rarely thrive in the wild. Ferals will, however, be adopted if they encounter a dragonet flock.
Another population of dragonets were transported to the Highfell. Here, they developed heigtened intelligence and intrinsic magical abilities. The resulting faerie dragons are irridescent and playful to the point of aggravation. They are much sought after by spellcasters looking for an intelligent familiar, but their propensity for practical jokes often sparks regrets in those who find one.
- Fire dragonets have scales in shades of orange and can grow to the size of a house cat. They are considered to have a temperament of permanently affronted dignity.
- Ice dragonets are pale grey or blue, and especially graceful of form and movement. The largest grow to the size of a polecat, and they are typically described as prim.
- Tempest dragonets are lean and agile, with smooth, blue-bronze scales and curious natures. They are among the smallest dragonets, rarely larger than a stoat.
- Wind dragonets have short legs and greenish scales, with relatively large wings on a body the size of a large rat. Their nature is elusive and they prefer not to be seen.
- Stone dragonets have heavy scales and thick bodies, roughly the size of a badger. They are the most ill-tempered of dragonets.
Wild dragonets are classified as breathed or unbreathed, depending on whether they possess an elemental breath. Even among breathed dragonets, this is not so pronounced as in true dragons, even allowing for size, but all dragonets sport venomous stingers on their long, slender tails. While their venom is not especially potent, they flock in groups of up to one hundred adults - although closer to twenty is more usual - making them dangerous to even large creatures.
Wild dragonets are intelligent, social and rarely hostile. Individual dragonets can form bonds with outsiders, replacing the social role of the flock, but they bridle at being treated as pets, let alone working animals of any kind. They are more likely to find a role as a magic user's familiar or, in their own terms, research partner. Unlike Lesser Dragons, wild dragonets are capable of speech and have a sophisticated sense of identity. Despite this, large flocks are often treated as vermin.
In some ancient time, a population of dragonets were captured and selectively bred for elegance over intelligence. These 'pseudodragons' are noted for their affection, beauty and bright, metallic scales, but also for low intelligence and high dependency. Pseudodragons never express elemental breath and are not capable of sophisticated language, although some can parrot phrases, and escaped pseudodragons rarely thrive in the wild. Ferals will, however, be adopted if they encounter a dragonet flock.
Another population of dragonets were transported to the Highfell. Here, they developed heigtened intelligence and intrinsic magical abilities. The resulting faerie dragons are irridescent and playful to the point of aggravation. They are much sought after by spellcasters looking for an intelligent familiar, but their propensity for practical jokes often sparks regrets in those who find one.
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