• Physical Attributes
  
• Becoming a Dragon
  
• Social Behavior
  
• History

Dragons have a physical form that is unlike any other race in the known world. This is because they have six limbs; two wings and four legs. They are also different from most other races in that they only have four toes on each foot. Their preferred method of transportation is flight, but walking around on all fours is not at all awkward for them. They use claws, fangs, and a long, slender tail in battle. Dragons have two horns based at the top of the head, but they curve back so that they are difficult to use in battle. These horns are used more for intimidation than anything else. They also have long necks which allows them to turn their heads all the way around without moving anything else.

The size of a dragon is enormous; they're the largest sentient race in the known world. Adult dragons range from 80 feet to 120 feet in length. However, their long, slender tails take up much of this length. They are about 15-20 feet high at the shoulder. Female dragons are generally larger than male dragons, but there are exceptions.

The wings of a dragon are bat-like, with actual arm-like limbs extending from just above their shoulders. They have four wingfingers; three are very elongated and are connected by very tough webbing, and a short one (the "thumb") is on front of the wing with a nasty-looking claw.

Dragons of different abilities also have different colors. Storm dragons, for example, can be blue or purple.

There are five types of dragons, each of which has a different breath weapon and different colors. These weapons are devistating to opponents, and many fear them greatly. Frost dragons breathe a frost on their victims that is one of the coldest things known. Fire dragons have a fire that is similar in its intensity. Storm dragons bring forth devistating flashes of lightning that can be very damaging to their opponents. Acidic dragons spew an acid that is incredibly corrosive. Finally, swamp dragons breathe a poison that will leave nearly anyone choking and gagging on the ground.

A dragon with two colors instead of one is not uncommon. Though many only have one color, many others have a second shade on the underside of their neck, body, and tail. For those who are born dragons, the type and color of dragon they are is always that of one parent, and the extra color usually reflects that of the other parent, although it can sometimes be the color of a grandparent.

Dragons' overlapping scales provide excellent natural armor. Dragon scales are u-shaped over almost their entire bodies, but they can sometimes be more square on their chests. Many say that these scales have very potent magical properties, and dragons have been hunted for them. The chest-scales are generally very large, the scales on their claws are a bit smaller than normal, and the scales on their faces and wingfingers are very small. Dragons can be of almost any color, from the blackest black to the most blinding white. Dragons' types can be discerned from the main color of their scales, as there are two or three colors that go with each type. The shading and shape of scales are slightly different from dragon to dragon, even between members of the same type, and a dragon can generally tell one dragon's scales from another. If they are familiar with the dragon, they may even be able to tell whom a particular scale belongs to.

Dragons aren't completely reptilian, as many people think. They don't have slender, forked tongues, as most reptiles do. Instead, they have thick, human-like tongues, and because of this, they are able to make the complex sounds that are required in language. Except for the frost dragons, who thrive off the cold, dragons are unlike reptiles in that they are warm-blooded, so that they are able to survive the chill of flight.

Dragons have a very special innate magic. It isn't a form of magic that they can't consciously use, but they use it subconsciously every time they fly. Many scholars have found that because of their great bulks, flight for them would be a physical impossibility without it. Besides magic, dragons have other things that help them in flight. They have powerful hind legs with which they launch themselves in the air, powerful wing muscles to help sustain flight, and wingspans of one and one half to two times their body length. Members of smaller races can ride them, and the proper place to ride a dragon is at the base of the neck, with the legs hanging in front of the wing-joints.

Even though dragons walk on all fours, they can still use their front "feet" to perform complex tasks, such as crafting, tying knots, even speaking in sign language. When they do these things, they will most commonly sit back on their haunches to free their forelegs for that purpose. For simple, one-handed tasks, they will just balance themselves on three legs. Though they are as manually dexterous as other races, performing these tasks can be slightly uncomfortable for them.

It is sometimes difficult for others to tell the difference between a male and female dragon. There are no visible physical attributes with which one can easily tell the difference, as there are with most other races. Besides the fact that females are usually a little larger than males, there aren't any obvious differences in form, either. Dragons themselves can easily tell the which is which by instinct. Those who are around dragons a lot can also come to learn the subtle differences. Otherwise, one must be careful when talking to or about a particular dragon so as not to offend them.

Dragons don't at all mind resting on hard surfaces, such as rocks or their hordes.

There are only two ways to become a dragon. One is to be hatched by dragon parents, and the other is by using a spell called draconis.

When one uses this spell, their bodies become that of a hatchling. Because the change is so great, it is very disorienting on the mind of whoever uses the spell. Dragons are the only race on Lensmor with six limbs. The new hatchling will bump around clumsily for a while as the mind gets used to having two extra limbs. Dragons formed this way don't immediately have the instincts and preferences of a proper dragon; instead, these things form over time. These hatchlings will seem very odd to adult dragons, and ones who were born dragons and don't understand what the change is like may even ignore these hatchlings untill the new instincts and prefrences begin to show themselves. Usually, one of these hatchlings will seek the council of an adult dragon who used the spell. The hatchling will usually need someone to teach them how to use their wings properly, as well as how to use their breath weapon.

The draconis spell is a very unusual spell, even among those that transform someone from one race to another. The thing that's so strange about it is that it doesn't complete at the time that it is cast. Instead of changing someone into a dragon of a specific color and type, as one would expect, it gives the user the form of a dull grey dragon with no breath weapon. Some of the magic of the spell lingers until the new dragon is certain of what color and type he or she wishes to be. Only then does the spell complete itself and the lingering magic is used up. Some scholars think that this may have to do with interference caused by the innate magic dragons need to fly. Others think that it is due to the unusual fact that five different forms of dragons are part of the same species. Still others think that it was simply by Meri's design.

Dragons are an arrogant race. They are more agressive than other races, and are known to have short tempers. They consider themselves to be above all other races, although only some will announce this belief openly. One of the things a dragon is most proud of is simply being a dragon. They do not take kindly being transformed into something else by magical means, and will almost never do it themselves. Given the choice, they prefer to be with their own kind than with others, although they are well able to befriend others who are not superstitious of them. Many dragons live solitary lives, refraining from interacting as much as possible with others, especially with those of other races. Others make somewhat of an effort to interact with and befriend others, although there are many out there who are prejudiced against dragons. These prejudices are greatly frowned upon by the general dragon populace.

Part of the reason that so many dragons lead solitary lives is that they don't have a natural need to be with others. They will hold friendships and relationships when they are formed, but the formation of these is somewhat rare. Dragons will usually only initiate conversation with someone new if there is some sort of need behind it. Otherwise, the only way they will usually start interacting with others is if the others go to them.

Many of the more evil-natured dragons have attempted to gain leadership over other races to gain wealth or power. Or both.

Because of their arrogant nature, and the fact that they are largely solitary creatures, dragons greatly dislike it when one proclaims him or herself to be above the other dragons. A dragon who does it, more often than not, will lose respect from the others. Dragons with evil intent have often tried to rule over races smaller in size and intellect, and once in a while, dragons who think they have an advantage over the others will try to rule ofer them, too. However, they rarely earn anything but scorn and disapproval.

In fact, dragon's don't take well to any one else telling them to do something they don't want to do, even an acknowledged superior. They don't at all like being ordered about, and consider it an insult. They perfer it if there is some sort of an agreement behind it. Although, when a dragon says he or she will do something, even if it is to do whatever someone else says, the promise is rarely broken.

Most dragons are territorial to some extent, although exactly how territorial they are varies widely. They don't take kindly to anyone else, dragon or not, invading what they see as their territory. This territory generally includes their horde, their lair, and a good area surrounding their lair, although some dragons take this farther.

Most dragons live and raise hatchlings in huge lairs.

Dragons can become transfixed by anything shiny, but they greatly prefer gold and gems. Nobody, not even dragons, truly know why, but theories have included that these things have special magical properties that can replenish their innate magic that is necessary for flight. They don't generally carry these things with them, but instead keep them in great lairs. Their lairs are usually in the side of a mountain, and they prefer lairs that are as inaccessible as possible to earth-bound travelers, unless they have a special reason to allow them access. Dragons are very aggressive when it comes to protecting a hoard and lair, and someone attempting a raid is seen as a great offense. When dragons want to impress or intimidate someone else in their lair, they will often lay on top of their horde. The size of a hoard is seen as a status symbol among dragons, even though they rarely see eachothers' hordes.

Dragons are usually rather selfish when it comes to their hoards; they strongly dislike giving away any part of them, even when they see that others are in need. A single adult Dragons hoard could probably eliminate all the starvation in Lensmoor, and singlehandedly reduce Arawn's harvest by 25%. However, dragons don't generally see this as selfishness, since it is completely normal among dragonkind, and it comes about by instinct.

Dragons are also very proud of their language. They will not teach it to members of other races, and frown on anyone of another race who seeks to learn it. Even if a member of another race wanted to learn it, it would be very difficult, because the language uses sounds that are very easy for dragons to produce, but can't be easily repeated by others. Understanding the language would also be difficult, because dragons can distinguish between certain sounds that it uses much better than other races.

Dragons prefer to be ridden like so. Some dragons will even tolerate straps to keep riders from falling.

Dragons can be ridden, but if a dragon agrees to let another ride them, they consider it a great honor to that person, and the privilege is given only to someone they have the utmost trust and respect for. Dragons don't agree to let just anyone hop on their backs.

Dragons have a special view on names; they use the names of people they like when talking to and about them (rarely titles, titles are nearly meaningless to dragons). In speaking about people they don't like, a dragon will use something that describes the reason he or she doesn't like them instead. Like "the greedy one" or "the thief." To their face, a dragon will simply not use their name. For people they don't know, it depends on the dragon's nature and mood.  They may very well call that person by name if they wish to be on good terms with them, or they might not refer to them by name at all. Dragons rarely call their parents "mother" or "father" or any variation of the two; instead, they will use their names.

Dragons don't wear clothes or armor. This isn't only due to the fact sthat it would take an enormous amount of material to clothe a dragon and that clothes would be heavy and cumbersome in flight, but also because it goes against the very nature of dragons. Dragons are proud of their form, and if one covered it up, it would make it seem to the other dragons as if he or she isn't proud of being a dragon, and is therefore unworthy to be called a dragon. Such a dragon would be shunned by the rest, and would more than likely never play a normal role among dragons again.

Because dragons are quadripedal, they can't bow like other races can. They rarely find it awkward when people bow to them, though. Some merely take it as aknowledgement that dragons are superior to others. Others nod respectfully or smile instead of bowing.

Dragons have differing opinions about crafting. Though they are able to craft, many do not see it as an activity worthy of dragons. Others see it as a good way to gain gold and gems for their hordes. This can be a source of conflict among dragons, though it rarely comes up.

Dragons are generally seen to be a female dominated race, but that isn't entirely accurate. They very rarely rely on leadership among themselves, and in most cases, don't see one or the other sex as being more dominant than the other. However, female dragons generally get a bit more respect than males. This is probably due to the fact that when a female is pregnant or waiting for her eggs to hatch, her mate will provide for her as she is temporarily unable to fly during pregnancy, and unwilling during gestation. Dragons don't see this as a weakness in females, but as a duty of the male. Part of it could also be that the goddess Meri usually appears in the form of a female dragon, and that according to legend, the first dragon was also female.

Dragons only lay one egg at a time, but it's very large, and the resulting hatchling is, too. Hatchlings take a long time to grow and develop, and are considered hatchlings among dragons until they are twenty years old. At this point, they will leave their parents and find a lair and start to collect a hoard of their own. Dragons aren't truly considered adults, though, until they are forty, when development in most dragons is complete.

A mother dragon with hatchlings is not someone you want to cross. Mothers are extremely protective of their hatchlings, and are not afraid to kill anyhting that could be a threat to them. It is the father's job to hunt and bring food to his mate and hatchlings, since the mother is very reluctant to leave them, especially during the first year or two.

The draconic concept of love is unlike that of most other races. Dragons resist charm, and those who were born dragons are blind to what humanoid "attractiveness" is. Therefore, a dragon does not return love for these things; a charming or attractive individual would not have any greater chance of earning a dragons love. Instead, dragons return love in response to time invested in them, the bond that forms with them, or for relationships with members of other races, interest in the dragon race.

Different types of dragons have their own quirks and preferences. Storm dragons, for example, enjoy flying even more than other kinds of dragons do, and may spend large amounts of time in the clouds. They would much rather fly places than use magical means. Their homes will usually be found in the highest mountain in a range.

Fire dragons enjoy living in active volcanoes, perferably near lava flows. They like it hot, and are not bothered by such conditions at all. Some old legends even say that they came from volcanoes and that the first fire dragons were made of molten rock. They're generally more active than other dragons, and greatly enjoy the excitement of battle.

Frost dragons, on the other hand, enjoy cold conditions. They make their homes in high altitudes, perferably with lots of snow and few trees. They are generally slower than other dragons, and spend more time thinking and learning.

Swamp dragons, true to their name, perfer living in swampy areas. The normally poisonous gasses in some of these areas don't affect them. They are more solitary than other dragons, and like to keep to themselves. Though they are most definitely not cowards, they do perfer to avoid conflicts whenever it is possible.

Acidic dragons don't seem to have a preference about where they live; they can feel at home just about anywhere. They're generally easygoing, and are harder to offend than most other dragons. Though their tempers are relatively mild, they can be just as fierce as any other dragon when they want to.

Legend has it that Meri, the Goddess of Knowledge, created dragons, and then created the spell draconis to give mortals a chance to become one of the fabled creatures. She did this because she was bored with the common form that most beings of the world had, and she wanted to create something greater than the rest. However, it is said that one of the other gods tried to deflect the massive amount of magic it took to create this new creature. He did it because he felt that the other races were enough, and that Meri's creation was too powerful for the good of the world. He failed in deflecting the spell, but instead dispersed it slightly so that Meri's creation wasn't quite what she had imagined. Instead of the greatly powerful, rainbow-colored dragon she had intended to create, the spell resulted in five types of dragons, each with different colors and a different part of the powers Meri had envisioned.

People hunted dragons for scales, blood, and money. There are those who still do.

The history of dragons is greatly troubled, and dragons have good reason to prefer the company of their own race. When it was discovered that dragons' scales and blood had potent magical properties, they started to be hunted. At first it was just mages seeking to gain magical knowledge. Then it was knights, usually human ones, but members of other races too, who were paid by these mages to do the killing for them. Having killed a dragon soon became a symbol of great respect among knights, and pieces of a dragon's hoard were treasured beyond their normal value. Rumors started to be spread about dragons. Nobody quite knew who started these rumors, but they spread quickly, and they were vicious. One popular rumor was that dragons who lived near a village demanded a virgin for his meal once a year or he would terrorize the people who lived there. Another was that all dragons were evil, and that they were closely related to demons (though they most certainly aren't all evil, and they're not at all related to demons). Some dragons with more evil tendencies fed off of these rumors and others, supporting them and sometimes even trying to rule over membes of other races, and making things worse for the other dragons. Killing a dragon was then not only seen as a courageous accomplishment, but as a noble cause. Things have died down in present times; people are beginning to realize that dragons aren't all that bad, and that the old rumors and stories are false. There are some who still believe in them, however, and there are still evil mages who seek to use dragon scales and blood for their own magic purposes. Dragons in the lands must remain cautious, and it is partially for this reason that many of them live solitary lives.