Concerning Dragons

It should be noted that the following remarks apply largely to Western dragons. What are known as Eastern dragons are in fact another species entirely, perhaps more akin to the fae.


Dragons do not have tear ducts. Therefore, most strong emotions are expressed through fire-breathing and are often mistaken for anger.

The dragon physical structure maintains many similarities to large cats. While on land, they move as such, wings folded against their bodies to provide streamlining. Their talons are retractable, as well, to avoid snagging while running.

In modern times, dragons retain their land and fortunes through the acquisition, loan, and sale of antiques and art. They currently possess, though various avenues, 37% of the world's great art.

On Dragon Hearts:
A dragon clan will preserve all the hearts of its deceased members. Through an undisclosed ceremony, the memories of the heart's bearer can be retrieved. Because dragon 'hands' are not well accustomed to writing, this serves as a means to preserve history. All dragons are taught the specifics of the ceremony following their 300th year, but only the Eldest and Lorekeeper are generally permitted to enact it. As the hearts of deceased dragons often resemble gems, the preservation of such helped give rise to the idea of dragons hoarding treasure.

On Dragons' Bane:
Like most "-bane" substances, use is strictly restricted/prohibited by the governing councils and, in theory, the plant only exists in laboratory situations (much as smallpox exists in the human world). It causes, on immediate contact, symptoms akin to hypothermia, and attacks a dragon's ability to regulate body temperature. If contact persists, it can causes an extreme inverse reaction of raised body temperature ultimately resulting in premature pre-death "burn-up".

On the Death of Dragons:
Once circulation has stopped, blood builds up in the heart and elevates it to an incendiary temperature. Within minutes the heat excites the flamelungs and the entire body is engulfed in fire. Following this, naught but the heart, burned dry to a solid, rock-ish form, remains. Only be restarting circulation or quickly removing the heart can "burn-up" be avoided.

On Dragon Walkers:
Because of their distressing size and appearance, it is no wonder that dragons strive to avoid appearing to the general human populace. Despite what stories may have you believe, dragons do not naturally possess the magic necessary to take on another form. Only through a complex ritual involving months' preparation and a ceremony lasting, at times, weeks, can a dragon gain the ability to take on a human shape. Because of this, even large clans are usually unable to maintain more than one "walker", and small clans are often forced to hire non-dragons, such a firemages, to conduct their business.
As dragons are creatures of magic, rather than with magic (that is to say, their bodies require their magic to operate), their magical attempts tend to be clumsy. Therefore, the 'human' forms of walkers are a bit ramshackle--although they bear a strong outward appearance to humans, their internal configuration is anything but similar. Instead, it is a strange conglomeration of human and dragon organs. Due to this awkward configuration, a walker must be cautious to avoid overheating his or her human organs, especially while using the fire-lungs.