Dragonkin

Dragonkin is a family of creatures most simply described as all descended from the "first dragon", including both sentient and feral dragons, as well as any species created by them, although this part of the classification is highly controversial, as it includes the Omnia. Creatures within this grouping must meet multiple (though not all) qualifications in order to be considered dragonkin:  

• Must reasonably be a descendant of the dragonkin holotype (mandatory)

• Hyperspecialized venom and or ability to breath flame

• Hollow or lightweight bones

• Typically 6 limbs- 2 front appendages, 2 hind, and 2 wings

• Specialized teeth sets

• Scale, fur, or feather-like body covering derived from skin-type keratinized scales

• Lightweight skulls, convergently similar to that of therapods rather than those of closer relatives

• Primarily reproduce through eggs

• Immunity or extreme resistance to most diseases found in other animals

  Species that once in their evolutionary history had these features, but later they became lost or vestigial, are still counted as being dragonkin.  

Traditional Dragonkin Grouping Model

 

Lindworm family

The Lindworm family is a basal member of the dragonkin group, thought to be one of the first to diverge from the dragonkin holotype. They retain many more basal features and lack those more commonly associated with 'modern' dragon species, and can be commonly confused for common lizards or snakes. Lindworms typically have very short limbs, often lack fore or hindlimbs, usually are not capable of producing flame, and are most often venomous. Nearly all species within the lindworm family are not capable of powered flight, instead using their wings to glide or for reproductive displays. There exists extreme controversy over lindworms being classified as a basal group, and their arrangement on the dragonkin family tree is highly debated, with many arguing that most lindworm species are quite derived and highly specialized, moreso than a basal placement would suggest.  

Wyvern family

The wyvern family of dragonkin is not entirely thought to be a true grouping, but instead many different individual species that have been grouped together due to their primary trait- species classified as wyverns all have extremely reduced or entirely vestigial forelimbs, instead using their highly specialized wings for locomotion on the ground. Genetic analysis suggests that many species grouped as wyverns are not as closely related as once assumed, explaining many morphological differences between species. Many sentient dragons also classify as wyverns under this definition.  

True Dragons / Modern Dragons

A highly controversial grouping due to being extremely specific to sapient dragons, and only including sapient dragons and their most recent ancestors. This model of grouping does not acknowledge that many species placed in other groups, such as many lindworms, are still alive today or artificial species such as the Omnia. Even the name of the grouping is highly controversial, as its former name, the 'True' dragons, suggests that all other groupings are lesser or invalid, but 'Modern' also has its issues, as the lineage is known to be quite old, predating the human era.    

Modern Dragonkin Grouping Model

Genetic analysis alongside significantly better understanding of dragonkin evolution has allowed for a much better organization of the dragonkin family tree, as well as less grouping based upon body type or visual indicators, instead using likely genetic relations as well as taking into account modern groupings such as the Omnia. Though the latter is still highly controversial, especially among traditionalists and purists, the idea that through magic dragons have created other species more similar to themselves than other creatures is accepted as sound.  

Basal Dragonkin

   

Sapient Dragonkin

In this new model, sapient dragons include all known dragon species to have creature culture and societies amongst themselves, have complex tool use, oral or written history, and advanced immortality. It includes changes such as renaming modern sapient dragons to Draconis familiarius and their more recent ancestors such as Draconis batterian, or the non-hybridized modern sapient dragon.