Having posted mostly stories lately, it was due time to write something about the creatures that inhabit Verannia, the land where my main story takes place. Previously I wrote a post about about wurmtail hounds; now is the time for dragons.
In Verannia, there are four dragon species: red, green, white and black. Red dragons are the largest and the most common type of dragon seen in Verannia, whereas the green dragons mostly live in Velara, the neighbouring kingdom to Verannia. The elusive white dragons live in the Far North, hunting seals and polar bears in the permafrost glaciers. Black dragons inhabit both Verannia and Velara.
Although all dragon species can interbreed, they rarely do so because the offspring will be weak and infertile. For this reason, interbreeding is considered a taboo amongst dragons. Dragons are solitary creatures and normally do not seek for the company of others of their kind. Encounters usually result in roaring, bursts of fire and aerial displays to intimidate the opponent.
Red, green and black male dragons live in the southern Verannia and are obsessive hoarders. They spend years gathering a hoard, fighting with other dragons, burning villages, towns and castles, and seeking for clues of lost treasures. Once satisfied with their hoard, they no longer actively seek for more treasure. Instead, they focus on guarding the hoard jealously. Male dragons love their treasures more than anything else in the world and simply guarding them indefinitely gives their lives enough meaning. Most of their time they spend half-asleep, becoming active only for the occasional clashes with other males and treasure-seekers. Old male dragons in particular have very little interest in what is happening in the outside world. Weaker male dragons that are unable to obtain a hoard of respectable size or are too weak to defend it usually fly with the females, providing them with food and trying to make an impression.
Female dragons spend most of their lives in the north and only fly south for winter to court the males. The female chooses her target based on the size of the male’s hoard; for the females, a large hoard is simply a sign of power and good health. After mating, the male stays behind to guard his hoard and the female flies back north to build a nest. Good-sized caverns are rare and often the female has to defend her claim on the cavern. Having settled down, the dragon lays her eggs (usually 3–5). The incubation takes half a year and the eggs hatch in late summer. During summer and autumn the dragonlings grow fat and gather strength for the winter.
Childhood is the most dangerous time in the life of a dragon. Dragon pups often engage in violent play that sometimes leads to injuries and even death; injured dragon pups are unlikely to survive the winter. But the other dragonlings are not the only threat the little ones face. There are also poachers and many predators to look out for. Because of the vulnerability of their young, dragons have sworn an oath with northern shapeshifters to protect each other. The shapeshifters guard the dragonlings and in return a few female dragons stay in the north for winter to protect the shapeshifters. During the Long Night, which lasts for almost two months, the sun does not rise above the horizon and the northern regions are enveloped in darkness. Having a few dragons to protect you from the nightmarish monsters that arrive with the Night greatly enhances your chances of surviving the long winter.
Although all dragon species can interbreed, they rarely do so because the offspring will be weak and infertile. For this reason, interbreeding is considered a taboo amongst dragons. Dragons are solitary creatures and normally do not seek for the company of others of their kind. Encounters usually result in roaring, bursts of fire and aerial displays to intimidate the opponent.
Red, green and black male dragons live in the southern Verannia and are obsessive hoarders. They spend years gathering a hoard, fighting with other dragons, burning villages, towns and castles, and seeking for clues of lost treasures. Once satisfied with their hoard, they no longer actively seek for more treasure. Instead, they focus on guarding the hoard jealously. Male dragons love their treasures more than anything else in the world and simply guarding them indefinitely gives their lives enough meaning. Most of their time they spend half-asleep, becoming active only for the occasional clashes with other males and treasure-seekers. Old male dragons in particular have very little interest in what is happening in the outside world. Weaker male dragons that are unable to obtain a hoard of respectable size or are too weak to defend it usually fly with the females, providing them with food and trying to make an impression.
Female dragons spend most of their lives in the north and only fly south for winter to court the males. The female chooses her target based on the size of the male’s hoard; for the females, a large hoard is simply a sign of power and good health. After mating, the male stays behind to guard his hoard and the female flies back north to build a nest. Good-sized caverns are rare and often the female has to defend her claim on the cavern. Having settled down, the dragon lays her eggs (usually 3–5). The incubation takes half a year and the eggs hatch in late summer. During summer and autumn the dragonlings grow fat and gather strength for the winter.
Childhood is the most dangerous time in the life of a dragon. Dragon pups often engage in violent play that sometimes leads to injuries and even death; injured dragon pups are unlikely to survive the winter. But the other dragonlings are not the only threat the little ones face. There are also poachers and many predators to look out for. Because of the vulnerability of their young, dragons have sworn an oath with northern shapeshifters to protect each other. The shapeshifters guard the dragonlings and in return a few female dragons stay in the north for winter to protect the shapeshifters. During the Long Night, which lasts for almost two months, the sun does not rise above the horizon and the northern regions are enveloped in darkness. Having a few dragons to protect you from the nightmarish monsters that arrive with the Night greatly enhances your chances of surviving the long winter.
I love how thought out and real this all is. This is like dipping into a living encyclopedia. Super!
ReplyDeleteImagine if we had dragons in our world. Wouldn't that be something? Especially if they were pets. I'd love to fly on a dragon..as long as it doesn't try to eat me. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Charity Girl, this is like an AWESOME Encyclopedia! I love getting these details of the dragon ecology and the world they inhabit. Very curious about the nightmarish creatures of the Long Night, and already have some ideas that based on the Wurmtails and Dragons probably aren't nearly as good as what you've actually got. It's amazing how rich a world you can spin with just a couple creature entries and a handful of fictions about the same group of characters.
ReplyDelete@Charity Girl I'm going to work on some more entries, next is shapeshifters.
ReplyDelete@Laila Knight I always wanted a dragon or a dinosaur for a pet. You would have to train them when young and small. A big dog can be dangerous let alone a dragon!
@David A Ludwig I have to work on the nightmarish creatures, there's demons and a monster born when a demon is lured and trapped in the body of a dying person. Dragons can handle them though.