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Draconids

A species of sapient reptiles, distantly related to Dragons. Unlike their Dragon relatives, they walk upright, have no wings, and their rate of growth slows considerably at adulthood, and they eventually die of old age (or more precisely, they gradually become more susceptible to injury and disease until something manages to kill them).   There are two distinct subspecies or Lineages: Draconites and Lizardfolk. Because they differ in a great number of physical, mental and social aspects, most of the information about the species can be found under either of those pages. This is only an overview.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Draconids are primarily bipedal, but can utilize quadripedal locomotion for the purpose of greater speed or footing. Their legs are muscular yet nimble, adept to the task of carrying their entire body weight even through difficult terrain. Their tails are long enough to drag on the ground, but are usually held up for the purpose of balance or stealth. Though their center of gravity is above the waist, by using their tail as a counterweight, they can bend fully without falling over. Their arms, specialized for manipulation, have a wide range of movement and clawed hands with articulated fingers and opposable thumbs. Their necks are not especially long, but have a rotation range of approximately 200 degrees.

Biological Traits

They typically spend up to two thirds of their time in sleep or torpor, provided they have adequate food, in order to conserve energy between meals. The need to regulate their body temperature dominates much of their behavior, as well as their attitude toward preferred living environments, dwellings, clothing, social organization, and technological development.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hatchlings gain the ability to move about within hours or days of hatching, but are not able to survive independently for several years at least. They are kept in groups and raised by specialized adults until they are able to join normal society.   Unlike dragons, Draconids are born either male or female, and do not normally undergo a change, but can change sex if the ratio within their community is is severely unbalanced for some reason.

Ecology and Habitats

Draconids, being at least partially cold-blooded, are generally more at home in warm environments, but this depends widely by subspecies. In many cases, they improve their environment by building dens and abodes that preserve warmth and are thus more comfortable to live in, as well as by producing textiles that trap their body heat more effectively than their scales.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Obligate carnivores; though they may be able to digest some forms of vegetation without harm, they will not be able to survive on such diets. By instinct, they primarily hunt their food, but where their social advancement allows, some form of agriculture exists to support livestock by which they can feed regularly.

Biological Cycle

Winter is a particular hazard, and a time of limited or no activity. Individuals prepare by fattening themselves, so that they can enter a state similar to hibernation when the cold sets in. However, they will retain some activity and awareness even while conserving their energy.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Broad, primarily across the Southern Continent, where they make up 85% of the population.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Draconids have vision and scent as competing primary senses. Their night vision is better than that of Upright Mammals, but not perfect, nor are they blinded by sunlight unless it is very severe. Their eyes are partly forward and partly sideways, giving them a moderately sized blind spot behind their head, and a small one in front. To account for this, they move their heads rapidly back and forth when in a dangerous environment. Their sense of smell allows them to distinguish and track individuals over moderate distances of space and time, but not to the extent of a tracking-oriented hunting animal. Their hearing is not especially refined, as they have no external ears, but they can hear sounds within a similar range to Mammalians, except that they have more difficulty triangulating the sources of such sounds.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The most concentrated populations of Draconids are found in the Southern continent. Nations with predominately Draconid populations include: the Central Subcontinent, Grakim, Drathis, theMantle of Mehen, and the Neglessi Collective.
Distinct Trait: Bipedal Reptile
Lifespan: Around 100 years
Length: .8-2.4m
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Animalia Chordata Reptilia Thaumatica Bipedalia Collectiva Dracosimilis sapiens
Conservation Status
Common

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