Dragons

Dragons are  huge reptiles that are found all over the world of Adriattica. They are known for their fierce nature and incredibly long lifespans. There are several different orders of dragon each with key distinguishing traits; within these orders multiple different species can be found.

Certain traits that are generally shared among all orders of dragon include: scaly skin; the presence of six digits per foot; a fondness for shiny objects, particularly precious metals and gemstones; an affinity with fire.

Grand Dragons
These dragons are quadrupedal and have a powerful pair of wings on their back, they have long necks and tails, have a fondness for stealing treasure, usually creating a large hoard. There have been tales of dragons stealing princesses to hold for ransom in order to obtain more treasure to add to their nests; however these are simply fairytales, grand dragons are wild beasts that lack the intelligence to enact such a plan. Grand dragons have been said to live anywhere between 8,000 and 20,000 years but no man has lived long enough to validate those claims.

Wyverns
Main Article: Wyverns 

The chosen mounts of the Zamaon people. Wyverns variety of dragon has a single pair of legs and a pair of wings. Most types of wyvern are quadrupedal though some stand on two legs with a more raptorial stance.

Wyverns can be tamed when young - particularly if raised from hatching, but at early ages cannot fly easily, and are more likely to glide, between 100 and 200 years of age wyverns reach adolescence, they become more savage and wild, becoming impossible to control, so they must be released into the wild. As they get older, they become strong enough to fly. Wyverns tend to go on to live about a thousand years

Wyverns have a fondness for shiny objects, particularly metals.

Grand Serpents
The grand serpents are known for their long serpentine bodies, within this order there is a great amount of variation between the species, in particular the number of limbs present. Some are like large snakes, being completely limb-less, but other species may have any number of legs or wings. Some species of grand serpent are aquatic, feet have become webbed, wings have developed into large fins.

Salamanders
Of all dragons salamanders are the most similar in appearance to lizards, albeit much larger. This variety of dragon is wingless, instead having a third pair of legs which allows it great traction over rocky ground.

Salamanders are known for their strong affinity for fire, moreso than the other dragons. Whilst it is common for both wyverns and grand dragons to breath fire, salamanders are said to have an innate skill in all kinds of powerful fire magic.

Salamanders may in fact be the wisest of all dragons.

This particular variety of dragon tends to be found in volcanic regions, they are particularly common on the volcanic island of Black Rock where the mysterious magic school, The Salamander Acadamy is built.

Dragon Dogs
The smallest variety of dragon, being roughly the size of a horse when fully grown. Usually wingless, or only bearing vestigial wings, dragon dogs lack the ability of flight but make up for this with their incredible speed and stamina.

Dragon dogs have four digitigrade legs, and like all dragons are covered in scales, they have shorter necks and tails than most other varieties of dragon. The overall shape of their body is somwhat like that of a wolf. Dragon dogs  can have anywhere between two and eight horns on their head, depending on species, and some may even have a large crest.

Dragon dogs are commonly used as steeds, particularly in battles. Their natural lifespan of 180 to 200 years means that they are often passed from one generation to the next within a family, they are very faithful beasts and form a strong bond with their owners

Deep Dragons
Possibly the largest and likely the longest living order of dragons, very little is known of the deep dragons; so little, in fact, that many believe deep dragons to be but a myth. It is unclear whether there are distinct species of deep dragons, but there is many a tale of specific dragons of this order.

 Koth'ull 

Probably the most well known of the deep dragons, Koth'ull is commonly referred to in myth and legend. This being has been described in great detail: it bears a bulbous head and tentacled face, its eyes a fierce yellow with pupils that are like pits into eternity. It has long sleek wings that fall down its back, and is said to walk upright like a man. A long, thin tail with a spaded tip lashes out behind it. The scales that cover its body shimmer from a sickly green to a bile-like yellow.

The legends of Koth'ull say that it lies slumbering at a pit in the furthest depths of the ocean, its mind is said to wander over the world of Adriattica, infecting the minds of others and causing misery and hatred.

It is possible that tales of Koth'ull have become rather embellished over the years, and this deep dragon has become somewhat of a bogeyman like figure in the eyes of many children, adults tend to outgrow these beliefs, however there are rumours of cults that seek to awaken Koth'ull, who they worship as a god.