Rising Dragons

Information on Dragons

So, I figured I would write about dragons, giving you some information for the dragons in this series, except I really wasn't sure what I was meant to write. This is what happens when the information sneaks its way into your stories, rather than you writing it all down for future reference. Luckily, sometimes I am smart and write something like 'check out chapter 4 of ADRt' and so I have some information. However, I will admit, I did have to go back and do some reading in A Dragon's View, not that I minded though. That said, though, some of this may not be what I've previously stated because I didn't record it properly. If this happens, point it out to me and I'll try to fix it and find where the original information was.

Dragons

Dragons who are brought up around humans assume there is only one breed of dov. This is largely due to how genetics work and I'm assuming no one wants me to explain how that all works (simply - more dragons = more dragon hatchlings and less drakes and wyverns, resulting in dragon hatchlings only rather than other breeds).

However, there are three different breeds. Whilst the majority of this series uses the word dragon to encompass all three breeds of dov, this technically isn't correct. Regardless, it's what our three main characters have grown up with and so they aren't going to change their word phrasing that easily - nor for something that doesn't matter much.

Wyverns are the easiest breed of dov to describe. They are recognised by their two legs and two wings - which take the place of forelegs. Azrael is one example of a wyvern.

Dragons are the second breed of dov, and also easy to describe. They tend to appear like Seeryath and Thirak - four legs and two bat-like wings.

Drakes are the hardest breed of dov to describe as they are quite varied. Drakes are generally the dov that don't fit into the wyvern breed or dragon breed. They are also known as drakons, wyrms, amphitheres, and lindwurms. Many of the dov who form part of the wild dragon colony are drakes.

Magic

Dragons have magic, of course they do, what else would you expect? Dragons have a close connection with their spiritual energy, and therefore have a large magic pool. All dragons have the ability to use magic - and this is known as diiv. 

Diiv, technically, refers to the power and spirit of the dov. However, what it really means is the power that a dragon has. A dragon's power manifests due to their magic pool, and is often specific to that dragon. Additionally, the wild dragon colony believed that ancestor spirits blessed a dragon with their diiv and that it will aid them in their lives or eventually be needed. Not that this matters much. 

Diiv can be active or passive. Active powers are powers that the dragon can use consciously and are aware when they happen. This is actively controlled from the moment the dragon realises its existence. Passive powers generally can't be used in a battle or a fight unless the dragon has trained with them. Passive powers are usually harder to control as they tend to be used on a subconscious level, making it extremely difficult to use them consciously. 

Flaming

Flaming - the ability to shoot fire. It's clearly a skill of many dragons, but what exactly is it? Dragons use things called clackers to create fire and then use their mouth and tongue to control the direction of their flames. What happens is that dragons have a pouch at the back of their mouth where they store two rocks. During a dragon's youth, they swallow these rocks. These rocks are known as clackers as when they come together, they produce sparks. At the same time this happens, dragons release a flammable gas that creates fire when there's a spark. And so, dragons have the ability to create fire. 

The more energy used to create fire, the brighter it will be. This can be controlled, but it takes time and practise, so not many dragons are able to change the brightness of their fire.

Now, Seeryath did figure out she can breathe fire in her human form. This is because she still has her clackers and the gas, it's just stored in a different location.

Scales

Dragons can shed their scales, and normally do so if the scale has become damaged and needs to be removed. These scales often come off due to scratching, as when a new scale is growing to replace a damaged or old one, it causes irritation and itchiness. This new scale is harder than the original scale.

Riders

Dragons don't need riders. We see that from the beginning of this book - Seeryath doesn't require a rider, but desperately wants one. Her desire for a rider, though, is something that could easily be attributed as due to the society she lives in, where riders are such a huge part and have a massive role in elevating the status of a dragon, enabling them to be understood in this world. However, I don't think wanting a rider is a subconscious need until society creates and reinforces the idea. Shoutout to FantasybkLover for commenting and making me write this out.

We know that a bond between a dragon and a rider is a connection of the souls and minds - but not spirit. We know that it impacts both the rider and the dragon. The connection unlocks something within the rider, giving them the ability to do something they couldn't previously - such as use magic and mentally contact their dragon. Likewise, dragons are granted additional abilities - being able to mentally contact their rider and other dragons around them, able to transform into the same species as their rider (and appear the same age).  

It's been revealed that riders don't necessarily have to be humans, but due to the isolation of numerous other species, we only see riders who are human. 

Whilst a dragon bonding to a rider is something that isn't understood in the society or fully comprehended, it's blamed as being some magical connection. The elves assume that it is because two halves of a whole finally come together, whilst humans belive that there is a connection. Realistically, we know that dragons often pick a rider and their magic links them together. We have heard in the origin story of dragon riders, how the human linked with a dragon for no reason and through no conscious decision of either party - it simply happened. Likewise, we see Thirak bond with Mark and it is through his own choice. Such a thing likely depends on the individual, but there is a choice there - subconscious or not. 

Perhaps I could go into more detail, but I like giving everyone a chance to understand for themselves and figure out how it works. Maybe it's just magic, who knows? It's your call.

Language Capabilities

As you've probably caught on, dragons can speak more than one language. Mentally, they communicate however they want, primarily talking in their own tongue. However, dragons who know more languages - such as the commonly spoken human language and their own dragon one - probably switch between languages and continue talking without a hitch. Aloud, they can also speak in more than one language. Often, they rely on body language more than anything else, and some sounds do just relate to screams that aren't words and so forth. Nevertheless, dragons can easily speak their own tongue aloud, and no one else can understand it unless they know the language as well. Just like humans, dragons can learn to speak another language - such as the common human language - and speak that through practise. Although, not many dragons can do this and it has quickly been a skill that has been forgotten.