Half-Dragon
As Dragons are one of the few species that are cross-compatable with other sapient species the offspring of such unions are considered a people unto themselves. As the conception of these children is rooted in a primordal magic that no spellcasting or religious ritual can match, the children are often considered to be marked by the gods in many cultures.
Elven - Most likely to express wings that match their Draconic parent
Dwarven - Horns and/or Claws
Troll - Elemental effect matching Dragon parent
Those Half-Dragons which have chosen to pair with full Dragons find that the offspring are themselves born as full Dragons (starting life as an egg, no matter who is the mother). Again, these pairings have a much lower chance of success, and the egg itself will take years of tending before a hatching.
Traits often seen in children with specific species
Human - Fully draconic faceElven - Most likely to express wings that match their Draconic parent
Dwarven - Horns and/or Claws
Troll - Elemental effect matching Dragon parent
Common traits to all Half-Dragons
Any offspring of Dragons find an extended lifespan over the species of their non-Dragon parent, usually gaining 30-50% in expected lifespan (but sometimes further if the other species is especially short-lived). There is also an innate desire to hoard even in Half-Dragons, usually triggered by their sensitivity to magical substances. Encountering such items requires a Half-Dragon to either perform significant acts of will (some scholars have likened it to an alcoholic pushing away the temptation of an unopened bottle) to resist gaining the item for themselves or to engage in some kind of bargaining where they feel they have gained something of subjective similar worth.2nd, 3rd, etc. descendants
The proliferation of Dragon heritage is difficult, with Half-Dragons acting as a kind of magical mule. Mating with a non-Dragon has a much lower chance of success (and no success if they are a different species than their non-Dragon parent), and those that count Half-Dragons as ancestors carry with them a distinguishing trait (oddly colored hair, strange eyes, birthmarks, etc) but no inherant magical or supernatual qualities.Those Half-Dragons which have chosen to pair with full Dragons find that the offspring are themselves born as full Dragons (starting life as an egg, no matter who is the mother). Again, these pairings have a much lower chance of success, and the egg itself will take years of tending before a hatching.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Based on the Female carrying the offspring
Ecology and Habitats
Worldwide
Behaviour
Inherant hoarding instinct
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
As a mule species Half-Dragons often represent interesting opportunities for high cultural deviance, often without being considered an outright danger to the status quo they encounter in mortals and dragons. Most dragons have seen Half-Dragon births as a celebration, as any Dragon birth is rare. They are granted hospitality in almost dragon clutch or territory they encounter assuming they have not gained notoriety as a slayer of their kin.
To the mortal species Half-Dragons are curiosities that seem to be able to travel far and wide with little to bar their way. The longer lifespans and the genetic desire to horde can make them either financially powerful or lead them to collect wonders that could fill museums. They also make for excellent ambassadors between certain cultures, as they physically represent the willingness of two people to see past the flesh as create a new life.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Dracon Minor
Lifespan
1.3-1.5 times that of the non-Dragon parent (standard mortals), 2-10 times that of more ephemeral sapient species
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Often the hair color of a Half-Dragon will be most influence by the scale pattern of the dragon parent. Similarly most Half-Dragons either are partially or entirely covered in scales, again influenced by the draconic parent.
Related Ethnicities
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