Dragons

Dragons are powerful winged creatures who were chiefly tasked to watch and guide the mortal races under their charge. They served as shepherds, nurturing the growing races as a parent would a child. There are six Dragon Castes: Red, Blue, Green, Black, Bronze, and White.

Each dragon is capable of manipulating their own form to take whatever race and sex they desire. While in this form they are capable of using their breath weapon, and are just as difficult to kill as they would be as a full dragon. Often times, dragons prefer to remain in their mortal form when dealing with the various races of their world.

Red
The Red Dragonflight, also known as the Crimson Aspect, were granted control over the earth by Omal'Dhan. Red dragons possess red scales, and breathe liquid stone that solidifies and hardens upon contact with other objects. On Nivarra the Red Dragonflight was led by Verimathrax, who was slain during CONFLICT in YEAR.

Blue
The Blue Dragonflight, also known as the Azure Concord, were granted control over storms by Vargevar. Blue dragons possess navy blue scales, and breathe lightning and rain. On Nivarra, the Blue Dragonflight is led by Meziirthaz, whose dragon form has not been seen in centuries.

Green
The Green Dragonflight, also known as the Everlasting Dream, were granted control over life by Adonis. Green dragons possess emerald scales, and breathe corrosive acid that is capable of destroying or creating life, whichever the dragon chooses. On Nivarra, the Green Dragonflight is led by Algraethol, who spends the majority of her time with her Flight in the wilds.

Black
The Black Dragonflight, also known as the Flameworn Sodality, were granted control over fire by Lunsiel. Black dragons possess onyx scales, and breathe fire capable of melting most metals and stone. On Nivarra, the Black Dragonflight is led by Azgalore, who is currently deep within the NAMED mountains.

Bronze
The Bronze Dragonflight, also known as the Evershifting Sands, were granted control over time by Zorozgel. Bronze dragons possess sand-colored scales, and breathe concentrated sand that ages objects it comes in contact with either forward or backward, whichever the dragon chooses. On Nivarra, the Bronze Dragonflight is led by Betheldirax, who is currently watching over time from the Precipice of Sand.

White
The White Dragonflight, also known as the Alabaster Conclave, were granted control over ley lines and the Arcane by Galadaar. White dragons possess white scales, and breathe concentrated arcane energy, which will solidify over time into a new ley line. On Nivarra, the White Dragonflight is led by Khazoraxx, who has infiltrated Daramaar and serves on the Violet Council as a tertiary member.

Dragonsworn
In addition to being granted control over a specific element or energy type, dragons are also capable of making pacts with lesser races. These pacts, or deals, are often servitude in nature. A mortal comes in search of power and in exchange offers to enforce the will or complete lesser tasks for the dragon, becoming dragonsworn. Many Dragonflights make use of mortal herds, and on some worlds entire dragoncults have sprung up out of worship of the Dragonflight. Typically, a dragon will bestow some sort of boon, such as the ability to sprout dragon wings, change their skin to scales, or gain the breath weapon of their patron. This is typically done so that the mortal may better carry out their task.

Dragonspawn
Dragonspawn are the result of mortal creatures spending extended periods of time around dragons. They come about due to the intense arcane energies that radiate from dragons which have the targeted affect of transforming their mortal servants into dragonspawn. Most often, dragonspawn initially start their transformation after becoming dragonsworn, but this is not always the case.

The majority of dragonspawn were originally human at one point in their lives, with dwarves, night elves, and high elves making up their own respective populations. The physiology of the original race seems to have little bearing on the end-result of the dragonspawn, though cultural values often dictate which flight the mortal pursues. A night elf dragon spawn is physically no different than a high elf or human dragonspawn. However, night elves tend towards green and blue flights due to their culture's propensity for nature. High elves often become white dragonspawn, due to their love of the arcane, and so on.

The exact nature of dragonspawn, and how they come to be, is a closely guarded secret of the dragonflights. Whether it is gradual transformation that takes years, or is merely a gift bestowed upon them by dragons at whim is a mystery. All that is known is that every dragonspawn alive today was once a humanoid mortal in service to a flight, often for long periods of time.

An excerpt from the Encyclopedia of All Things: Dragons:

"Dragons who require foot soldiers, retainers, or assistants will expedite the creation of new dragonspawn, indicating that they may indeed have some control over the process. Though this rapid change from mortal to dragonid can bend or even break the psyche of the mortal, creating volatile creatures (which might be beneficial when the dragon requires soldiers). 

''This has led many scholars to conclude that the length of time spent in service to the dragon, exposed to the creature's energies, gives the mortal's psyche time to acclimate the change into a full-fledged dragonspawn. It is also theorized that the loyalty of a dragonspawn is directly proportional to time spent as a mortal in service to the dragon. It is a safe to assume that some of the most powerful dragonspawn commanders were often in the service of their dragon lord for years, if not decades, before taking the final step towards transformation.''

''Field studies of dragonspawn villages (which are often located in remote areas of the world) have uncovered many interesting things about their society. For one, most dragonspawn are egg-laying. However, they still require what you or I would consider sexual intercourse to jump-start the egg laying process. Up close studies of dragonspawn mating habits have led us to conclude that females have seasonal breeding periods. During these times they seek out a mate for typical humanoid copulation. The end result is the production of a clutch of anywhere from three to six eggs, which are laid roughly one month after copulation. The eggs then spend the rest of their six month development period outside of the womb, guarded by the village.''

''Dragonsworn have highly regimented armies, putting their strongest and heaviest wyrmkin fighters on the frontline. Spellcasters are employed like a mortal army would archers, raining synchronized death down on enemy lines. My time spent among the dragonspawn I only saw one military engagement, and it was with another dragonspawn tribe from a different dragonflight. The opening movements of the conflict often involve using their native breath weapon on the opposing army. The sight of 20 wyrmkin all unleashing a swirl of storm and lightning on their foes was quite something to see ─ and hear."''