Leviathan

Leviathans are perhaps one of the most interesting types of draconids due to each breed having its own unique adaptations for living in the sea. All sea dragons have gills and fins to allow them to swim and thrive in the ocean. Like other draconids, all leviathan's bodies are covered in scales that become harder than any common steel or iron can pierce through; and they spend their entire lives growing.    Certain breeds of leviathan have arms and legs like other breeds of dragon and are capable of moving on land yet they still have fins and gills to for swimming in the seas. Though incredibly rare, certain breeds of leviathan have wings that enable them to fly, but only three different breeds even have this physical attribute. Another trait that some leviathans have is bio-luminescence, across their bodies are patterned markings that glow in a variety of ways allowing them to communicate with one another.   A majority of leviathans have the ability to breathe boiling hot water, thanks to their second set of lungs that heat the water to such scalding hot temperatures for them to use as a weapon. They can launch this boiling water in one of three ways; in a stream, spray, or as geyser-like steam. Whatever the method, the water is projected at fatally hot temperatures that can boil a man alive in seconds.   One of the rarest breeds of sea dragon is said to be capable of breathing fire that is so hot that it burns even underwater. It said that these leviathans are one of the largest and most dangerous in all of Eldorahn's seas. However, there are legends and stories told by the dragonlords of an even rarer breed of the leviathan that can breathe lightning. This breed is said to be the most reclusive and dangerous of all leviathans. Unfortunately, sightings of this specific breed are incredibly rare and have not been seen since the Dragon Wars.

Like other draconids, leviathans hatch from scaled eggs, these eggs can vary in size, shape, color, and design depending on the breed. All leviathans lay their eggs on the surface, typically on the seashore or even somewhere inland nearby large rivers or within massive valleys. They hide their eggs inside of mounds of mud and sticks and keep watch over the eggs.   When a female leviathan becomes pregnant, her mate takes over hunting for both of them, bringing his kill back for her to feed. This process goes on for many months until the female gives birth and lays eggs. Unlike most draconids that lay up to five or twelve eggs at a time, smaller leviathans lay anywhere between fifteen to thirty eggs while the largest ones only lay anywhere between one to three eggs.   Of all the different types of draconids, leviathans are the only sort that on occasion actually tire of their mates and leave them to find another suitable mate. Though a handful has been known to take on a mate for a few years before leaving, sea dragons are the only ones who take on one mate, and should they find them lacking in any way then leave them.

Leviathans, unlike other draconids, grow at a very slow rate. Most do not reach adulthood until they reach an age of almost sixty years old. They can however reach their adult size faster depending on their health and how much eat on regular basis, but they still do not reach their adult age until years later.  Leviathans, like other draconids, shed scales on a regular basis, especially when they are still growing and lose their teeth very often but eventually the grow back over time. All leviathans spend their entire lives growing.

All leviathans live within the ocean, a certain number of them can survive in massive riverbanks and other bodies of water. However, the ocean is where a sea dragon truly thrives and reaches gargantuan sizes.  It is within the darkest reaches of the sea the oldest and the greatest of the leviathans make their home.  They are capable of surviving the crushing pressure and freezing temperatures with ease.  With their enormous size, they are capable of fending off most attacks from larger predators, and even hunting those very same predators as well.  Very few things can actually stand up to the terrifying might of a fully grown leviathan.

Leviathans are strictly carnivores, usually feeding on entire schools of fish, sharks, giant squid, whales, and other massive sea creatures.  They are naturally adapted to hunting in the darkest reaches of the sea where unknown forms of sea life thrive.  Certain breeds of sea dragons are actually cannibalistic and will feed on the carcass of another dead leviathan should the need arise.

All leviathans like other draconids lose their teeth on a regular basis however, they always grow back eventually.  Sea dragons never need to hibernate, they are capable of surviving in the freezing temperatures of the deepest parts of the ocean. They are even capable of surviving frozen wastes and other frigid lands.

Interestingly enough, leviathans are hardly used in any domestic way.  Due to being incredibly rare to find on the surface and difficult to track in the sea they are not very well known for any sort of domestication.  However, there have been a few members of Azgyr tribes that have managed to actually bond with a sea dragon and use them as battle mounts in times of war.  A large majority of leviathans have usually been taken and raised from eggs as hatchlings as it is much easier to do so.     During times of war, the members of the azgyr that were bonded to a leviathan were said to use them to devastating effect.  Sea dragons caused massive floods and tidal waves that could destroy entire fleets of ships, cities, and ports. These exceptional dragonlords were said to ride sea dragons even while underwater.

Like the dragons, leviathans have been hunted across the world, but unlike them, they have been hunted for one of four reasons instead of the usual. The first is to do with religion, they are viewed as the signs of demons and dark evil forces. The second is for the resources they provide, the fact that they provide many alchemical materials from their tears, bones, scales, and blood to manufacture things like medicine and cosmetics. The third reason if for reputation and pride, whether they are revered as magnificent beasts that are powerful, capable of magic, and capable of many abilities slaying them became a mark of honor in many other cultures just like the dragons.  The fourth and final reason is the high concentration of oil that runs through their brains.

Leviathans have a great sense of smell that is just as effective underwater as it is on land.  They can smell blood from a mile away even underwater and track it down with ease.  Each one is capable of detecting vibrations and movements in the water, and have a natural form of sonar to track down and detect any movement nearby.  A number of sea dragons have bio-luminescent markings that can glow in various intensities of light to communicate with one another.

Drakknir the Cosmic Dragon and his mate Wryknia are said to be the Father and Mother of the dragon race and their close and distant kin alike. It is said that the dragons came from nine eggs that fell from the stars and crash-landed on Eldorahn in the far north on a small continent known as Pretheria. As leviathans are close cousins to the dragons, it is said that they share the same divine relation.

Leviathans strictly stay to their own kind and care little for other dragonkin.  They do not mate with other types of draconids, in fact, they have little to no contact with other types of draconids.  Never in the history of the world have leviathans ever mated with another type of draconid. They have very little interest in humans and other humanoid races and usually ignore them.