Dragon
Highly Magical - (Generic Species)
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Lore
There be dragons
Dragons are shape shifters! Even if the are not showing any wings in their humanoid form, that does not mean they do not have them. They can make themselves look human-like, but they may also can attain any form inbetween human and dragon, if they are skilled at shifting. This means that there is a wide range of how dragons present themselves in more humanoid forms: Some choose to even adapt human skin into their humanoid forms, foregoing most dragon traits. Others completely stick to their scales and only take on humanoid shape. Some choose to keep their snout, and a very select few prefer the lower body of a dragon and torso of a human. Likewise, not all dragons decide to keep their wings in humanoid form, thinking they just get in the way.
Depending on their genes, dragons come in different subtypes. These subtypes tend to somewhat be based on the area they inhabit, but does not determine what form of dragon they are. There are marine wyverns, as well as armored ones. For these forms, please refer to transformations below!
Dragon Breath
Based on their subtype, dragons often are capable of producing different types of breath attacks. This ability is inherent to most of them, although there are those with exceptional skills in it that have slightly differing anatomy (stay tuned). Their breath is always produced by a mix of chemicals and magic from within the dragon, and expelled through their mouth. Dragon breath does not linger or float around them. For this special case, you will still need the respective trait items.
Old World & New World
The oldest types of dragons are the armoured, marine and frilled types. They share similarities with reptiles and amphibians and have existed on Arkusterra for eons. More recently, the furred and feathered dragons began appearing, which are often called new world dragons. They are most easily distinguised by their fuzzy ears as opposed to sleek elf-like ones, and by random fur growth. Because their type is younger, it is also rarer, and often looked down upon by old world dragons.
Features
All dragons have these features!
- Scales on their body, some smooth some rough
- elf or fuzzy dragon ears (depending on subtype)
- optional spikes/horns
- optional 1 set of wings
- ability to shift between humanoid and dragon form
- clawed feet with 3-4 claws
- a dragon tail
- vast ranges of colors, although patches of human skin are ok (depends on how your dragon likes to shift)
- go wild with eyes, some are human, some are dragon. (since they can shift)
Subtypes
Marine (Dragon Subtype)
[Old World] Often referred to as "Landsharks" due to their shark-like fins and lack of wings, although they can posess different types of fins or even fin-like wings in rare cases. They tend to lack horns and spikes or fur making them sleek and able to move fast underwater. Their gene pool is less mixed than other dragon kinds due to their unique habitat. While they do not have gills and thus cannot breathe underwater, they can stay down there for a long time. Their breath is water or ice based.
Common design points:
- Elf like ears
- Smooth skin and scales
- fin at the end of their tail, optionally a back fin, but no frilly fins, think shark/dolphin/whale!
- optional spikes and horns
- optional fin-like wings, 1 set!
- clawed feet with 3-4 claws
- quite colorful / vast range, although patches of human skin are ok (depends on how your dragon likes to shift)
Armoured (Dragon Subtype)
[Old World] These dragons are equipped with strong, plate like scales that are very difficult to pierce. They are commonly rough and spikey, as well as heat resistant. They share their smooth and pointy ears with aquatic species. Their colors are generally more dull and simple. Their breath is fire or earth based.
Common design points:
- Elf like ears
- Rough skin and plate like scales
- may have a spike ridge on the tail (but no elaborate/huge/soft/translucent ones like frilled dragons)
- big fat heavy tails
- any horn type and spikes
- optional dragon wings, 1 set!
- clawed feet with 3-4 claws
- simpler muted/darker coloration with potential highlights, although patches of human skin are ok (depends on how your dragon likes to shift)
Frilled (Dragon Subtype)
[Old World] Perhaps the most colorful dragons around. Their scales are smooth and small. Their necks are often frilled and come in different variants. Like amphibians, some may live partly in water- thus, their ears can be either fuzzy or smooth. Some of these dragons may be venomous or poisonous. Their breath is poison or electric based.
Common design points:
- Elf like ears
- Smooth but sticky skin and scales
- regular tail
- any sort of horns
- frilled neck and/or big elaborate tail ridge
- optional fae-like wings, 1 set, spikes
- clawed feet with 3-4 claws
- quite colorful / vast range, although patches of human skin are ok (depends on how your dragon likes to shift)
Furred/Feathered (Dragon Subtype)
Other than just scales, these dragons sport a mix of fur and feathers, usually covering their legs and tail. They tend to be fond of heights and are the most skilled at flight, reaching the highest speeds only matched by few dragons. Their breath is wind or light/dark based. Some feathered dragons may resemble bird-like dragons.
Common design points:
- Furred ears! (think longer dog ears/bat ears, but not bunny or cat ears!)
- Smooth skin and feathery/furry bits
- regular tail with or without fur
- any sort of horns
- optional dragon- or feathered wings, 1 set!
- optional spikes
- clawed feet with 3-4 claws
- quite colorful / vast range, although patches of human skin are ok (depends on how your dragon likes to shift)
MYO Slots
Category: MYO
Uses: Dragon MYO
A simple but comfortable nest made of gleaming coals. Many dragons use these to keep their eggs safe and warm.
This item, upon usage, will grant you an Old World Dragon MYO slot with all common traits! This includes Marine, Armoured or Frilled Dragons.
Stocks at:
Category: MYO
Uses: Dragon MYO
A nest made of coal fibre that is softer but still as warm as regular coal. It is often preferred by New World dragons, who value the additional comfort.
This item, upon usage, will grant you an New World Dragon MYO slot with all common traits! This includes Furred/Feathered dragons.
Stocks at:
Traits
Fluffy (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Winter
Individuals that inhabit cold climates may grow thicker and longer fur to keep warm. This fur may grow in areas that a species usually does not grow fur in, or just heavily amplify existing fur.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
NOTE: If a species naturally has some longer tufts of fur in an area, such as near the hooves of faun or equos, the fluffy trait is not needed.
Floral (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Spring
Plant like growths on their bodies and a very in depth relationship with nature, these beings are quite the sight. This can range from sprouting flowers to having whole limbs made off of wood or plant matter. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating thanks to magical spells. There may also be floating flowers or petals around them.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
On Fire (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Fire/Lava like flames being summoned around their body. Better be cautious around these folks! This can range from candle like flames around them to entire limbs cloaked in flame. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating wisps of fire. Smoke is not covered by this trait, only flames. These Flames may glow like real fire.
Thunderstruck (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Sparks/Lightning around the individual. Shocking! It only gathers around the body / can be discharged from the body.
Smoke Cloaked (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Smoke, gas or mist gathering around the individual. These individuals often wear a mask that filter the potentially harmful bits of their smoke. The smoke can be cloud-like or wispy in form and may be semi-translucent.
Goopy (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Summer
(ex. melting) The heat caused some of the features of these individuals to melt, or to turn into a type of wax or goo. Affected features may be deformed/have a pattern. It can affect parts such as horns & the body itself. This trait is not painful to the affected.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Mechanical (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Autumn
Mechanical limbs and addons or decorations of all kinds, crafted and built by professionals for those who are more prone to science than magic. These can be made from any type of metal, with functioning joints. They cannot be translucent. These parts may also be disconnected or partly floating thanks to technology. The features of each species must be retained.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
NOTE: You don't need this trait to create prosthetics for your character. Mechanical only refers to highly sought after and technologically advanced robotic limbs that integrate with the body in a way that there is no notable difference between it and a regular limb, think fullmetal alchemist!
Zombiefied (Rare) Masterlist Examples
These individuals look like death incarnate. From their scarred, tinted skin to raw chunks of flesh, or with visible bones... Do you want you want your character to look like the walking dead? The individual cannot be a full on skeleton, rather, their flesh should be affected and some limbs may be replaced with bones! Other forms of decay may present depending on where the character lives: For aquatic beings, barnacles or dead coral (muted in color) may stick to them. For those on land, critters may wander around the decayed parts.
Spectral (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Autumn
Some parts of these creatures seem to be dissolving into a spectral mass. The body part must visibly turn into spectral matter/fizzle out. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating. Spectral whisps may also float around the character.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Translucent (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Autumn
Part of these individuals body have mysteriously turned translucent. This allows for any sort of translucent limbs, which may have visible bones or simply appear empty. Gore/Organs are not allowed!
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Crystallized (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Winter
It's not quite clear how, but some individuals have developed crystallized features. This may affect horns/hooves/claws, or a whole limb. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating thanks to magical spells. It may also cause an icy / snowflake aura around the character, or floating crystals.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Plushified (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Winter
Parts of these beings have turned into plush. How curious. This allows for the addition of plush patches, stitches or plush limbs made of fabric to a character. It also allows for yarn in place of strands of hair!
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Bioluminiscent (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Spring
It's not quite clear how, but some individuals have developed glowing, bioluminicent body parts. This may affect horns/hooves/claws, markings or scales as well.
An Aura Trait only affects the characters surroundings, and cannot turn a limb into a different material!
NOTE: This trait is not needed for species that naturally glow such as Arma Caeli. You may add glow to things that naturally glow without needing this trait.
Earthen (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Spring
These creatures have body parts made out of stone, clay or earth. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating thanks to magical spells. It can also simply cause floating stones or pieces around the character.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Watery (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Summer
Water magic seems to affect bits of these characters body, turning them liquid. These parts may be disconnected or partly floating ripples of water. There may also be bubbles floating around the character.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Sparkling (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Spring
These individuals shine so bright that they emanate sparkles or stars that surround them like an aura. The sparkles can be any shape or color.
An Aura Trait only affects the characters surroundings, and cannot turn a limb into a different material!
NOTE: You are free to add sparkle/shine to any artwork as a stylistical feature, this only concerns a very extreme sparkle effect that would be noticable in their world, and has taken on an almsot tangible form (similar to snowflakes floating).
Fungal (Rare) Masterlist Examples
Season: Autumn
Mushrooms have formed on the body of these creatures, either turning their limb into mushroom like material or sprouting mushrooms. This can cover any type of mushroom, and you may also add a bit of wood if they are reliant on growing on such.
Material traits turn a characters existing limbs, or part of one, into a different material. This should never affect more than 50% of the characters main body (the main body consisting of head, torso, arms and legs). Limbs should roughly keep their original shape (wings must still be recognizable as wings, tails as tails, etc).
Transformations
Drake Masterlist Examples
The most common form amongst all dragons, to the point where a drake might as well be what most people refer to when they say dragon. They resemble the common form of a western dragon. Most of them have two wings, but the shapes can greatly vary depending on subtype. Their body is sturdy, strong and medium in length. Their tails can be long or short, thick or thin. Their neck may also be long or short, but is always distinctly seperate from their thicker torso. They have four legs with clawed feet that are always long enough to not let any part of their torso or belly reach the floor.
Serpentine Masterlist Examples
Rarer than the regular form, some dragons more closely resemble eastern dragons. These dragons often lack wings, but are nontheless capable of flight. Their body is elongated, lean and thinner than that of regular dragons, which is where the serpent comparison originates. The body flows nearly seamlessly into the tail and neck. They have four legs which may be small or long and lean, often times placed further apart, giving them a longer back that may curl depending on their mood.
Wyvern Masterlist Examples
These dragons always have wings, but lack forelegs in dragon form. Either because they have wings in place of forelegs, or because their forelegs double as wings, similar to a bat. Their torso is strong and muscular, while their behind is often slimmed down. The tail can be long or short, thick or thin. Same goes for the neck, although it is visibly seperate from their wider torso. They have two hind legs with clawed feet that they can walk on, although these dragons often prefer flight.
Wyrm Masterlist Examples
Wyrms are often mistaken for overgrown snakes - but they are, in fact, dragons! They often lack wings, but if they do not, the wings will be small and stunted, leaving them incapable of flight. Their body is serpent like, but massive and heavy in appearance. It often drags along the ground. It flows neatly into tail and neck which are equally as thick. They have very developed, strong front legs with claws and may lack hind legs completely or have smaller legs/leg stumps left there. They move by slithering via their strong front legs.
Humanoid Masterlist Examples
Not all, but many dragons have learned to shift into a form close to humanoid - be it for convenience or just because they can. This form gives a dragon a human face & head, but keeps draconic ears and horns. The body is humanoid, although most often feet stay clawed they may choose to invest extra time to form human feet. They should also always keep their tail, although wings may be hidden in humanoid form despite them having wings as a dragon. You may add wings, scales and other dragon details to your humanoid form as you please as long as the face and overall body shape stays human.
Shift Masterlist Examples
As capable shapeshifters, dragons may choose to learn not only how to shift between humanoid and dragon form, but also stages inbetween. Most popular is the anthropomorphic dragon, which retains a dragon's head, claws, ears, horns, eyes and most other features except for the body shape, which turns humanoid. This is by some dragons seen as the last compromise they will do towards a humanoid form without losing their draconic nature and abilities. Another option that is less commonly seen is that of a dragon-taur.
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