Alter Aeon The Great Library

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AABN:  34593
Title: a book entitled, "The Great Book of Dragonlore"

Penned in his own hand by Tornius, Royal Alchemist of the Silver Throne.

Here follows a treatise of the Children of Tempus and their diverse breeds,
 categorized to the best of the writer's research and recollection.

The Amphiteres

Winged serpents without limbs, covered all about their bodies with
feathers. They are of diverse colors and sizes, but their disposition tends
to be kindly. They can be found commonly on the plane of air, more rarely
on other planes.

The Cockatrices

The weakest of these are perhaps the least of all dragons, being hardly
larger than a hen. Many scholars do not include them amongst dragonkind at
all, so trifling are they. They have the bodies of lizards with the wings
and head of a rooster. They are famed for their petrifying stare. Basilisks
are very much like cockatrices, but with longer, often more serpent-like
bodies and capable of breathing deadly fumes from their beaks.

The Drakes

Drakes are small to medium-sized breeds of dragons, resembling small Great
Wyrms both with and without wings. Some breathe flames or noxious gases,
others are cold-drakes without any breath. The wingless kinds are often
found in forests and swamps, while larger winged kinds favor hills,
mountains and caves.

The Faerie Dragons

These are amongst the smallest of dragons, scarcely longer than one's arm.
They are four-footed and winged after the manner of the Great Wyrms, but
their wings are like those of sprites or insects. There are wingless ones
also, called faerie drakes.

The Lindwurms

These land-bound dragons have multiple heads, venomous fangs and noxious
breaths. Ones with forelimbs are considered true lindwurms, while those
lacking limbs are counted amongst the hydras.

The Water Dragons

The Amphibians - These have the forms and habits of the Great Wyrms, but
are adept swimmers and can breath under water. Bronze, brass and blue
dragons are counted here.

The Sea Serpents - These have no legs and thus are like great serpents or
eels of the deeps. Some breathe forth vapors of varying sorts, others have
only their fangs and coils.

The Tatzelwurms

These are small dragons, much like serpents, but heavier and possessing
forelegs. Both their breath and bite is poisonous. A leongalli is like a
tatzelwurm, but larger and with the forelimbs and head of a lion. Codrilles
are more serpent-like tatzelwurms from the Dunn Hurr.

The Wyrms

The Great Wyrms - these are the dragons of heraldly and song. They have
four legs upon which their great stout bodies rest. Their necks are long as
are their tails. They possess wings, which are jointed from the shoulder
blades and are in form like those of a bat. Most breathe great gouts of
flame, though others may cast forth ice, lightning, acid or poisons from
their jaws. They may have scales of vivid hues, metallic lusters or even
made from gemstones.

The Southern Wyrms - much like the Great Wyrms in form, size and power, the
Southern Wyrms have longer, more serpent-like bodies. Some have antlers
rather than horns and others may have whiskers, manes or beards. Their
wings are more like fins than the webbings of bats. Like Great Wyrms, they
may have brightly colored, metallic or gemstone scales.

The Lesser Wyrms - also spelled worms or wurms, these underground-dwelling
creatures lack limbs. They are powerfully muscled and can grow as large as
Great Wyrms if prey is plentiful. Many breath acid or are possessed of
horns to dig through the earth.

The Wyvrens

These are small winged dragons which lack front feet, having only hind legs
and bat-like wings. Some have poisonous stingers on their tails. They are
often brightly colored and very social, tending to gather in large flocks.
There is a notable population on the island of Archais. Wyvren flocks have
also been documented on the continent of Ramanek.

Of Special Note:

Dragons have been known to breed with many other creatures, creating
individual hybrids of renown. While all chromatic dragons can trace their
lineage back to Magar, son of Tempus, Amaran Dax is believed to be the
first-born among them. Uppsala Tal is said to be the child of another
sinister deity and a Southern Wyrm.

At least two species of draconic hybrids have bred true: the dragon elves
of Ramanek and the Kirin, unicorn-dragon half-breeds rumored to live in the
hidden vales of Suboria.

A new species of half-griffin dragons, dracogriffs, may be taking root in
the Ash Mountains. At least one mated pair is known to have produced
spratlings.