Dragons

Dragons are some of the most imposing and awesome creatures on Rulainn. These monsters are primordial wielders of the elements, terrific reminders of the power of nature. Dragons come in many shapes and sizes, and their family tree includes clades of creatures that may not seem to be draconic in nature, but there are some commonalities among all members of the draconic line. First, all dragons are reptilian. Not all have scales, and not all dragons lay eggs, and many lineages are no longer cold blooded. But their common ancestor, back in the origins of the First Age, was a reptile. Second, all dragons have ties to the elemental forces of the world. This is most memorably seen in the breath weapons of the true dragons, but is also true of even the most mundane drakelet. In many species, this has been reduced to an affinity for certain elements, whether the ability to detect trace amounts, or a natural resistance to certain types of energy. More commonly, draconic creatures have the ability to produce some type of emanation of their preferred element. Third, all dragons instinctively hoard objects. For most types of dragon, the objects must be objects made or collected by humanoids. Often, a natural form of a material, such as the ores of a precious metal, do not trigger the hoarding instinct.   Hoarded objects are collected into a nest structure, and most species of dragon sleep on piles of the chosen material. Most items that trigger the hoarding instinct are also perceived of as valuable to people, and the materials are rarely objects that are consumed or directly used by the dragon. To an observer, a hoard will be of no use to a dragon. But some property of the hoard is key to the draconic life cycle. Dragons grow in strength proportionally to their hoard, rather than a hoard being a simple indicator of the creature's success in collecting.  

Types of Dragon

 

True Dragons

Legendary creatures renowned for their size, strength, and elemental affinities. All species of this category can fly and exhale elemental energies as breath weapons. They collect vast hoards, creating lairs that warp the land to the monster's nature. Their connection to magic can change animals, plants, and even the geographical features of their territory. True dragons never stop growing, with some ancient individuals growing larger than cities. Almost all dragons of this category are carnivores, and require vast amounts of food. Many can enter a type of torpor when prey is scarce, drawing energy from the symbolic power of their hoard while sleeping deeply as prey populations regenerate.   True dragons tend to be more intelligent than other animals, including the people of the world. Though there are many tales of dragons interacting with people, there are no confirmed instances of them speaking. Their intelligence is great, but different and alien to the minds of people.  

 

Wyrm

 

Drake

Drakes are typically wingless and cursorial  

Drakelet