Dragon (Sefdaania)

The Dragon

• There, indeed, be dragons. There are two different genera. each containing one species, but not much is known of their natural history. They seem to stand outside natural history. They are not mentioned in any of the creation stories. In Senjecas they are called numáŗ̇us, sky-lord. They are capable of speech and speak Senjecas fluently. The larynx is large and located deeper in the throat than it is in humans, resulting in a deep booming voice. The lips and tongue are as flexible as those of humans. There is a tale that says it was a dragon who taught the Children of Air to speak. Large scales cover all but the belly and were impervious to any human weapon prior to the invention of firearms. However, the covering on the underside has no scales and, though the skin is leathery tough, it may be penetrated by a sharp weapon. Dragons are usually a phosphorescent green, but mutations can occur giving other colors which are, unfortunately, always accompanied by a gene for sterility. The skin of the throat becomes a bright red when in estrus or must. The bones are hollow which decreases their weight. They are homoiothermous.
• One genus (Draco atrox), qùṙnumáŗ̇us, lives to the west of the Ural Mountains. This species corresponds in many ways to the dragon of western myth. They "breathe" fire. They are predatory in nature, stealing from flocks and herds, and seizing unwary travelers. They prefer to live in caves, which has caused some unpleasant encounters for the Lithans. This species has five clawed toes on the front feet, with four forward and one backward, and four clawed toes on the hind feet, three forward and one backward. In this species, the male is flightless, and it is the female that searches for a mate. The eggs are brooded and protected by the male.
• The other genus (Ouranokyrios benevolus), ànsënumáŗ̇us, lives to the east of the Ural Moutains. It is a peaceable creature which does not "breathe" fire. It is piscivorous, snatching fish from the water with a front foot as it skims across the surface of the water. Each foot has four clawed toes, two forward and two backward, and the underside of the toes is scaled, like those of an osprey, for ease in grasping a fish. They have been known to come to the aid of travelers and others in trouble. In this species, both sexes are flighted and share the task of brooding and protecting.