Earthen Dragon

Earthen Dragons are massive compared to their Homeland counterparts. They are larger and stronger than Homeland dragons, as well as having a larger (and more advanced brain). Despite being stronger, faster, and smarter than than their cousins, they are also on the brink of extinction. They require more energy, are extremely easy to spot, and make for very large targets to human hunters.
Also of note, the Earthen Dragons have an ability to emit flames from their maw. This ability is extremely potent, and only becomes moreso in age.

As stated previously, Earthen Dragons are far larger than their Homeland counterparts. However, they are also monogamous, lay smaller broods, and develop slower. Additionally, Earthen Dragons are far more intelligent and sentient than the Homeland dragons making them a poor choice for breeding or domestication.

Earthen Dragons reproduce sexually, with both the mother and the father depositing half of the offspring's DNA. They often find a mate during the spring, raise said offspring during the summer, and prepare to hibernate during the fall. Earthen broods are often very small compared to Homland dragons, numbering only 3-5 eggs per female.
Courtship rituals often involve the male bearing a gift to the female. If the female accepts the male's advances, copulation occurs, and the two dragons will protect their nest together. Earthen Dragons are monogamous, and will remain with their lifemate for the remainder of their life. If their lifemate dies, the remaining mate may become depressed and commit suicide. Because the reproductive cells of the Earthen Dragons are haploid, both a male and female are, in most cases, required. In some cases, a female can reproduce without a male, but this population of dragons will have no genetic diversity and are usually wiped out within the first few generations. Also, because the all of the offspring will be homozygous, the propensity for genetic diseases or defects will be much higher for these offspring.

Earthen Dragon eggs usually have an incubation of 7-8 months.
They will then spend about a decade as a Hatchling, following its mother and learning from her.
As a young dragon, they will begin to roam near the nest. During this time, they will play with their broodmates and learn from older dragons.
Eventually, the dragons will become juveniles. They will begin venturing further from the nest and hunting on their own. Most of the dragons' growth will occur during this phase. Dragons during this stage will be excitable and energetic, sometimes playing with their prey.
After a century of development, the dragon will begin to mature, finding a lifemate and claiming a lair. During this time, the dragon will begin to develop human-like intelligence.
After 5-8 centuries, the dragon will become an ancient. These are the most powerful dragons, having centuries of growth and experience to their name.

Due to their combative nature, Earthen Dragons are perfectly suited for fighting most natural predators. Any environment with ample prey will support these beasts. The only threat these dragons face is humans, whose combination of magic/ranged attacks and tracking can exterminate the dragons' population, as they have done before.

Earthen Dragons are omnivorous, but due to the sheer size of them, often prey on others in their ecosystem. They can also be sustained on magical energy, lessening their dietary needs to an extent.

Earthen Dragons will spend much of the spring searching for a compatible mate and courting them. If they already have a lifemate, the male will often repeat the courship ritual out of tradition.
Once the eggs have begun incubation the female will usually become very protective of them, remaining in the brood while the male hunts. If the offspring have already hatched, she will nurture them until they are ready to act independently. The male, on the other hand, will become territorial and attempt to turn any other dragons away from their lair.
If in a colder climate, dragons may hibernate for the winter. The female will often do so near her eggs or hatchling while the male will do so near the entrance to their abode. This is the vulnerable state in which many dragons were killed, their broods destroyed. Hibernation is, however, not required if food is still abundant during the winter.

Earthen Dragons follow a pack-like structure, due to their intelligence. This hierarchy is largely based off of age and experience, with the original mother and father of the nest at the top.
The Alpha and Brood Mother are at the top of this hierarchy, often being the oldest, strongest and wisest of the pack. The Alpha is largely responsible for the protection of the brood and the income of resources, while the Mother is responsible for the welfare and teaching of the pack. These are not mutually exclusive, however, and both often perform all of these tasks. (When the Alpha is hunting, the Mother protects the nest, the Alpha disciplines the offspring)
The adults who have chosen to remain at the nest are the highest authority under the Alpha and Mother. These adults guide and protect the young while also ensuring the juveniles don't get themselves killed. This class contains many sub-classes largely pertaining to age, experience, and wisdom. Many of these adults will leave the nest upon acquiring a lifemate in order to create their own brood.
Beneath the adults are the remainder of the dragons. The juveniles, young, and hatchlings have almost no authority in the nest.

The Earthen Dragons are difficult to domesticate, but Dexter Bright (somehow) managed to do it. The relationship between him and his dragons borders more on friends than master/owner. The dragons live in the Spire's Dragon chambers, and Bright oversees their welfare. In return, the dragons assist Bright when he needs it and protect their home. This relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect, and Ulysses is one of the few who know of Bright's son. Speaking draconic might help as well.

Earthen Dragons were hunted to near-extinction for their bones. Their bones can heal humans of ailments and make magic users' powers more potent. At one point, it was tried to farm them, but the dragons always escaped and wrecked havoc on their captors.

Five of the six dragons in the world are found in the Spire of Mt. Calvary. The final dragon, known as the Ancient, makes its home in North America.

Earthen Dragons are extremely smart, even in their infancy. As a Hatchling, a dragon will have intelligence roughly equal to a human 3-4 years old.
At their juvenile stage, they will be roughly as intelligent as a young adult, and at their adult stage they will rival most developed humans in intelligence. At their ancient stage, the dragon will transcend human intelligence and begin to harness magic powers.

Earthen Dragons' sight is extremely well developed. Due to their massive size, they are forced to adopt one of two hunting styles: either finding large, slow prey such as elephants or whales, or flying at high altitudes and diving down on a target. This second method has led to them having extremely well developed eyes.

Draconic names are difficult for humans to understand, so the most recent Earthen Dragons have taken to naming their children more human names.

Different dragons with different phenotypes will find beauty in different features. In general, beauty to the dragons will stem from the connection they feel towards one another, as their innate psychic powers will attract them towards compatible mates. The females are more sensitive to this power than the males.
However, being beautiful undoubtedly makes this connection more apparent. Standard maintenance of healthy standards for dragons is generally considered the most attractive. Hygiene, reputation, general fitness, and personality all factor in, akin to humans.

Generally, males tend to be very physically powerful, making them strong hunters and warriors.
Females usually tend to be more psychically powerful. This makes them powerful sorcerers and mages, as well as amplifies their connection to their children. If a hatchling is lost, this connection allows the female to find them.

The gifts males bring to females is proof of their ability. If they bring the skull of a dangerous monster, it proves that they are strong enough to defeat such a beast. After they have pair-bonded, the male will bring the female more sentimental gifts. This is proof that he still feels their connection and strives to build on it.
Dragons' understanding of magic is a connection between mind and body, so the female will attempt to make herself as beautiful and intelligent as she can. It is also not unknown for males to leave the female after copulation as well, so the female will usually be picky with her mate, and only choose one.

Dragons will be extraordinarily picky with their mates. Ideally, a shared experience or familiarity are used to measure the compatibility between dragons, as well as their psychic attraction. Generally, the goal of a pair-bonded couple is to create a nest together and see their children strive. Often, pair-bonded couples will be extraordinarily close and infidelity is overwhelmingly uncommon in this species.

Draconic: As the native language of the Earthen Dragons, all dragons are born inherently understanding it.
Common: Out of respect for Bright, the dragons living in Mt. Calvary were taught to speak common to prevent an incident from occuring due to lack of communication.

Generally, it is considered polite to ask before entering one's domain, especially if hatchlings are present. Approaching a brood without permission is generally seen as an act of aggression or dominance. A warning will usually be issued, followed in short order by an act of aggression if the trespasser does not exit the area.
Males are expected to be gentle with hatchlings but stern. To allow another dragon's offspring to misbehave is a sign of disrespect.
When leaving your own or another dragon's brood, one is expected to gently kick/toss dirt or leaves back onto it as a sign of respect.
When in familiar or comfortable company, dragons will let out a quiet, short hiss periodically. Humans, like Bright, who return these hisses are respected due to adopting the dragons' culture.
It is a sign of respect to admire a female dragon's keep, as it shows respect for her relationship with her lifemate. However, to get too close to it or to move the items in it is considered disrespectful and an overstep. Stealing these items is seen more as an act of tarnishing their pair-bond more than thievery.
Bringing food to the dragons is considered a patronizing move if you are not part of the brood. Telling them where food can be found, even if it is pre-prepared is far preferable because it acknowledges the dragon's competence.
Eye-contact is seen as a respectful gesture. Wandering eyes can be seen as patronizing, as they are not "worthy" of your attention, or worse, as an act of reconnaissance prior to an attack. Too much eye-contact can be considered a challenge.
Drawing your weapon inside of a nest is an immediate act of aggression. Nests are primarily places of the young and brandishing your weapon is threatening these young.
The act of returning an egg or hatchling to a nest is venerated. Returning another dragon's offspring is the ultimate act of compassion. Applies to humans as well.
A roar is considered a warning. A short, quiet hiss is a sign of happiness. A prolonged, loud hiss is a sign of discomfort or anger.
Dragons' claws and teeth are considered tools of hunting and war. If these are not used, fights will usually end without injury on either side as it falls into "competition" rather than "war."
To kill another dragon's offspring brands you a "Drukan," or a dark dragon. These dragons are considered no longer protected by any laws. These exemptions DO NOT carry over the Drukan's young.
Runts are often used as vigils, as they are smaller and faster. This is an honored position.

Dragons' culture is largely based around honor and strength. It comes from a code of honor that allowed ancient dragons to cooperate. Dragons are careful to treat one another with respect, and expect this respect in return. Ritual suicide is considered a measure to redeem one's family for their failings.

When one commits a taboo, they are expected to commit ritual suicide as penance. This will clear their family from any shame and allow them to die with their honor. To force another dragon to redeem your honor is the highest mark of shame.
Generally, killing those uninvolved in conflicts is a massive taboo. If one is forced to kill another dragon, their offspring are to be left unharmed. By the same token, using the young as shields is a high mark of shame. After one is forced to kill another, they are expected to comfort the lifemate, as the wounds inflicted by their lifemate's death will run deep.

The Earthen Dragons used to have a civilization in North America before they were hunted near extinction. Different nests would communicate and even occasionally cooperate with one another. The largest, oldest nests became meeting grounds for the various nests with strict restrictions on fighting when within the nest. After the fall, many of the dragons became borderline feral, making hunting them far easier.
Ulysses in particular attacked Dexter Bright's ship, seeking to find his long lost lifemate. Despite this, and the obvious language barrier, he was taken aback by Dex, who repeatedly attempted to end the fight. Eventually, he backed down and Dex became his friend and protector. Later, after he taught Dex draconic, he told him of his lifemate, who was to be killed for her bones.
Dex mounted a rescue, paying a king's ransom for her. (Note that he would later steal this king's ransom back). With Aurora liberated, Dex befriended the two dragons and would serve as their protector and intermediary for human-dragon relations on Earth. They now live in his citadel on Mt. Calvary and are the god-parents of Dexter's son, Samuel.

Many of the heroes of old adorn the Spire as a sign of respect. The statues of these legendary dragons remind the Silver Knights of their tenants.
Abbadon the Great: The mightiest dragon of the old society. He was slain protecting his nest during the great hunt by a legendary human figure. He had the ability to escape, but his lifemate was trapped beneath debris. Instead of running, he defended her until he was struck down. He is venerated for his courage and honor.
Sa' Mahel: A fearsome warrior of the old society. During the great hunt, he destroyed many ships en route to the new world. He was lost during a great storm. His valor and sacrifice were remembered personally by Ulysses.
Ekral Kalam: The avenging flame. During the great hunt, he is said to have risen from the dead to protect his ancient home of Kel Sara. Many humans were killed in his bloody rampage, and he is remembered for his righteous fury.

The only positive human-dragon relationship ever recorded was between Dexter Bright and the survivors of the great hunt. They live as friends, Dex even naming the eldest two god-parents to his son. In return, Dex is an honorary dragon in the eyes of these survivors. Dex has spent much of his free time ensuring that these dragons will be safe from human hunters long past his death.