Taxonomic Ranking

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With the understanding that we have in modern times, we can discern that dragons did not evolve from any non-dragon creatures (aside from the obvious Shapeshifter influence) and thus cannot be beholden to standard taxonomic categories; however, for ease of record-keeping and due to the incessant human need to categorize everything, we can roughly fit dragons into where they would most likely fit were they true relatives to reptiles.

In this, a “dragon” is any member of a species in the suborder Drakontes. Anything further down the line of classification varies heavily based on morphology and species. As we understand reptile evolution, the line would look roughly as so:

Rank	Name	Common
Realm	Biota	Life
Empire	Eukarya	Multicellular Life
Kingdom	Animalia	Animals
Phylum	Chordata	Vertebrates
Class	Reptilia	Reptiles
Order	Squamata	Scaled Reptiles
Suborder	Drakontes	Dragons

All dragons would thus share this taxonomy structure. However, as they in fact are not related to other squamates, we must treat Drakontes as a standalone order, perhaps even its own Kingdom (as Eukarya includes all multicellular life, an Empire change is not needed). Following this, the theoretical taxonomic structure might look as so:

Rank	Name	Common
Realm	Biota	Life
Empire	Eukarya	Multicellular Life
Kingdom	Theosia	Divine Origins
Phylum	Metallosta	Inorganic Body
Class	Draconia	Draconic Beings
Order	Drakontes	Dragons

… which in itself requires much theorycrafting in what, exactly, would fit as a category for a monotypic order alone even in its Kingdom-- which seems too broad for our purposes. Should we categorize them as animals? Perhaps go a rank or two up, past the Empire and into the Realm of Parabiota? Being that Shapeshifters are considered an ancestor species to dragons, would dragons then be considered a subclass, suborder, or even subfamily of Shapeshifters? Dragons are highly unique in their existence, as far as we are aware-- an ancestor that did not evolve, but rather was created; evolution spurred on by interbreeding with an entirely unrelated creature; and potentially two more unrelated sources being introduced to the gene pool. It is impossible to perfectly fit these creatures into any taxonomic rank due to all of the varying circumstances that go into how they came to be, and even theorycrafting gives me a headache.

Thankfully, I’m not the only one attempting to discern something coherent, and this is another scholar’s take on how dragons would be categorized:

Rank	Name	Common
Realm	Biota	Life
Empire	Eukarya	Multicellular Life
Kingdom	Animalia	Animals
Subkingdom	Paranimalia	Parafauna / Magical Animals
Phylum	Fysikipetra	Inorganic Body
Subphylum	Metallosta	Metal Synthesizers
Class	Draconia	Draconic Beings
Order	Drakontes	True Dragons

It is this categorization that I personally follow, and as we can see: though they are sometimes referred to as such due to appearance, dragons are not reptiles. Rather, we can call them something entirely different, based on their Class: draconids. Here, we see much more sensical separation of taxa: because dragons are not reptiles, it’s possible to classify them with other, seemingly unrelated magical beasts that also do not fit anywhere other than in the draconids.

In this definition, draconids are reptile-like but not reptiles themselves. Though both reptiles and draconids possess scales, their structures are completely different; reptile scales are hard bumps on the surface of the skin, while draconid scales are closer to feathers in basic structure. The bodies of draconids widely produce some inorganic metallic material-- in the case of dragons, Mythril-- and are exclusively endothermic.

Ultimately, it’s difficult for scholars to come to a true consensus; the nature of dragons is that they evolved from nothing other than themselves, and this makes it incredibly moot to actually try to pin them into a category that, despite wide similarities, they do not entirely fit into.

However, what is known and quantifiable is the taxonomic tree of dragons after the Order/Suborder of Drakontes-- this is to say, the various Families and Genera. Observe, for instance, this flowchart of what one scholar believes to be the evolutionary path of all dragon Genera we are aware of:

Here, we have at least eight Families, each with anywhere from one to three Genera, not including peripheral oddities such as the Phasma and Razortalon. These two in particular beg the question of how to sort a Genus or species that contains the marks of multiple Families, most notably the subspecies of Firedrake. To this end, it is commonly agreed that the Razortalon and its direct descendants belong in their own Family. In practice, however, it is more difficult to determine; more information can be found under Drakes vs Dragons: The Draconia Class. For pure ease of categorization I will consider Family to change only via morphology.

Similarly, the Phasma is categorized on its own, though there is debate as to whether it should be included in Drakontes or under a different Order of the Class Draconia. For the purposes of this book I’m treating the Phasma as a true dragon and categorizing it as such.

Light Saurians: Cordylacertos

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Genera: Cocytus, Erebus, Nebula, Quatuoptera, Vulcus

Ancestral: Ausurath

Other Names: Therocerti (Winged Lizard, Acaranian), Sedi-Radrák Dráki (Flying Reptilian Dragon, Drakine)

Light Saurians are perhaps the most numerous of dragons, at least in terms of Genera and species that are included. In general, Saurians are quadrupedal six-limbed dragons, having four legs and two wings. Light Saurians in particular have a smaller and sleeker frame, with less brute strength and more speed than their heavier cousins. People have described Light Saurians as being “made of nothing but wing and tail”; indeed, these dragons can often use their huge wings and large, whiplike tails as counterbalances in order to briefly rear up on their hind legs. Light Saurians are typically Wind- or Fire-Aligned.

The Cocytus Genus, known also as Nyctophilic Dragons, includes the Shadow Drake, Shadowsong, and Nightglare dragons. This Genus is known for its nocturnal habits, dark coloration, and the smallest frame of the entire Family, only being about the size of a large horse at adulthood if one doesn’t count the wings, neck, and tail. They have large crests of sail about the head and tail (although in the case of Shadow Drakes, these sails are covered in metal and hide to the point where they become nearly as inflexible as bone). In the case of the Nightglare, the head crest is not so much sail as separated fin, with multiple spurs able to act independently. Also common to the Cocytus genus are luminous eyes, “auxiliary wings” on the hips (absent in the Shadow Drake, but not its Runic Drake ancestor), wings with a broad tip and narrow base, and some sort of elemental affinity.

The Erebus Genus, also called Guardian Dragons, includes only the Runic Drake (at least as far as we are aware). It is thought that the Erebus Genus directly resulted in the Cocytus Genus, and it is only considered separate because its only known member is not a Drakontes species. Were the Runic Drake to be a true dragon, it would readily be considered the first member of the Cocytus Genus.

The Nebula Genus, or the Wisp Saurians, is that of the Stormfire and Carikuu-- dragons that are most at home in the sky, rarely if ever landing. They are small and slight in build, among the most lightweight dragons in the Family, and often have some affinity with wind and weather. They are most known for avoiding humankind, raising their young in peace. Physical traits they share are a skeletal structure that favors being on their hind legs longer, wings which are long and broad, thin limbs and tail, and minimal tail decoration. Sleeker and well-adapted for flexibility both on the ground and in flight, they have small, smooth scales and narrow skulls without a prominent curve.

The Quatuoptera Genus, the Four-Winged Saurians as they are called, is the only genus of Saurian which breaks the typical body plan for Saurians-- or, indeed, any dragon species. As the name suggests, they possess four wings and have eight limbs total. This second set of wings is less developed than the primary set, usually consisting of three fingers (thumb included), an elbow strut, and further struts that act as rigging for twin sail extensions that run midway down the tail. The smaller wings are used for steering and stability rather than true flight, and are merely either held rigid or folded mid-flight to allow the dragon to better control its flight path. This Genus also carries sails on the head, neck, and tail for better surface area; they are the physically largest Light Saurian genus and include the Soulfire and Hoarfrost dragons.

Finally, the Vulcus Genus (Pyrophilic Dragons) is the only Genus which spans multiple Families. Those that are included in Cordylacertos are the Firedrake subspecies-- or, rather, most of them. The list includes the True, Stormcloud, Plated, Barbed, and Golden Firedrakes. With how these subspecies evolved, there is little in common between the Light Saurians of this Genus aside from their physical properties. All Firedrakes, Light Saurian or otherwise, have the following physiological traits: sharp, serrated scales with high Mythril and Orichalcum content leading to extreme heat resistance, long and smooth horns which grow in pairs as the dragon grows older, broad leathery ventral scutes and twin tail rings, sharp eyes with slitted pupils, a prominent multi-pointed crown, hooked snout and jawline, and a sleek, aggressive body structure.

Heavy Saurians: Magnastelios

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Genera: Daemon, Magnacornibus, Megasaurus, Vulcus

Ancestral: Nálnés

Other Names: Amphicerti (Vast Lizard, Acaranian), Zutádráki (Large Dragon, Drakine)

Similarly to their Light Saurian cousins, Heavy Saurians possess two wings and four limbs. However, while their wings are broad and strong, they are built for power and strength rather than speed; many Heavy Saurians are slow fliers, or even flightless. While a Light Saurian is a flexible, twisting creature born to maneuver through the sky, a Heavy Saurian is a solid wall of scale and muscle. They have powerful limbs, a thick neck and tail, large thick scales, and a bite so strong that these dragons have been known to chew solid steel in their quest for metals.

The first Heavy Saurian Genus we must speak of is Daemon. Informally known as the Deveron Dragons, this Genus is non-native to Euthora; instead, the Vodera of Deveron “kindly” gifted us one of the three or so species of dragon found on their world. This dragon is known as the Razortalon Drake. As I can’t exactly travel to Deveron to investigate the other species, and the Razortalon has bred itself out of existence to give rise to the Vulcus Genus, little can be said for what common traits the Daemon Genus shares.

Because I covered it in the previous section at length, I will keep discussion of Vulcus Heavy Saurians short. This Family boasts only three members of the Genus: two Firedrakes-- the Darkwing and the Adamantine-- and the Pyrespine. In fact, the Pyrespine is the only Vulcus species not part of the Firedrake family, though it is still closely related, especially as it has a hybrid in the form of the Darkwing Firedrake.

Next we come to Magnacornibus, the Great-Horned Saurians. With two noteworthy species-- the Winterwing and the Tiirenkrain-- as well as the very name of the Genus, it can be agreed that the defining feature of these dragons is the great horns that emerge from their skulls. In both species, the horns are antler-like but still made from horn and are not shed; the horns have a much higher metal content than has been seen in other dragon Genera. Dragons of Magnacornibus appear to be non-aggressive unless threatened, and are considered the “gentle giants” of the dragons.

Lastly, Megasaurus is what most would think of when it comes to Heavy Saurians. Known also as Bull Saurians, currently the Genus contains only the Hydra, though I am aware that there are non-classified dragons in the far corners of Euthora that would fit into this Genus. If only I could find them! What we know of Megasaurus comes primarily from the Hydra; aggressive, obstinate, and a brutish predator, Bull Saurians are named for the top-forward curve of their segmented horns, allowing the dragons to headbutt each other and lock horns in shows of strength. Megasaurus, or at the very least the Hydra, is flightless despite having wings-- the dragon is simply too heavy and its build not capable of staying airborne. Instead, it seems the Hydra uses its wings as solar panels to soak up heat, as it appears to not be able to regulate its internal temperature as well as other dragons. In cold conditions, a Hydra may sicken and die.

Lesser Wyverns: Drakonaves

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Genera: Caelum, Cursor, Stella, Vulcus

Ancestral: Etçchakul

Other Names: Celikaeli (Swift Sky, Acaranian), Miseli-Sedi Dráki (Quick-Flight Dragon, Drakine)

Lesser Wyverns are small, raptorial, venomous, and social dragons. Possessing two legs and two wings instead of forelimbs, they are the only Family of dragons to be considered truly bipedal. Named in both Acaranian and Drakine for their swift and nimble agility and speed in flight, these dragons are incredibly lightweight and often quite fast on the ground as well. Most Lesser Wyverns operate in pack-like groups with looser hierarchies than most other dragons, and are widely considered by Dracomancers to be the easiest types of dragon to train their power on.

The Stella Genus, or Starstruck Wyverns, are known and named for their brilliant coloration. This Genus includes the Stellar and Plumed Wyverns, both of which make use of vibrantly complementary colors to attract mates-- the Stellar is pitch-black with bright galaxy-like swirls of color and glowing white starlike dots, while the Plumed possesses elongated scales which trail from its crown and wings like peacock feathers, patterned with colorful eyespots and streaks as if painted. Their venom is weak, but present, and they mostly make use of it for their firebreath-- see related section. Their splendor is best appreciated in full flight, as these dragons are the fastest fliers of Drakonaves.

The dragons of the Cursor Genus, the Perching Wyverns, are in turn much faster on the ground than in the sky. Including the Dustrunner and Illusory Wyverns, this Genus is more actively venomous, using their toxic bites and ability to spray their venom more often than using it to spark their flame. Because of this, the Illusory at least is very brightly-colored in an example of aposematism, or the evolutionary adaptation of clashing colors being used to warn away predators. In contrast, the dully-colored Dustrunner lacks any vibrant markings or striking colors like this; it relies on camouflage, speed, and aggression to keep predatory dragons away. Both species have very different types of venom, with very different effects, but neither dragon is one you want to be bitten by.

A relative of the Illusory Wyvern is the single Lesser Wyvern species of the Vulcus Genus, the Acidulous Firedrake. A speciated crossbreed of Illusory and True Firedrake, this wyvern's venom is actively corrosive and acidic, causing more severe damage to bone and metal than to muscle and blood. Because of the very different species that went into this hybrid, Acidulous behavior stands out among Lesser Wyverns, being somewhat less social and more aggressive. It is unknown why this species did not keep the six-limbed Saurian body plan.

The Caelum Genus (Smooth-Scaled Wyverns) is a sad, tragic case. The only named species in this Genus is the now-extinct Glass Wyvern, a briefly-successful but ultimately-failed attempt by humans to domesticate dragons. This genus is named for the signature rounded scales that lay almost flat on the dragon's body, thought to be in order to keep moisture off of the dragon and to contain its own Dragon Oil. Unfortunately, the last Glass Wyvern died long before my time, and the study of dragons was not nearly as advanced as it is now, so the exact adaptations are sadly lost to us. The Glass Wyvern seems to have been the last living species of this Genus; there must have been a precursor to it that humans turned into this creature so far removed from being a dragon that even Dracomancy no longer affected it, but any records of it are apparently also lost.

Greater Wyverns: Drakontilios

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Genera: Draco, Hydrodrakon, Megawyvernus

Ancestral: Éxúzhira

Other Names: ??? (meaning, Acaranian), ??? (meaning, Drakine)

Draco (Origin Wyverns)

Hydrodrakon (Leviathan Dragons)

Megawyvernus (Colossus Wyverns)

Aquatic Serpentines: Aquananguis

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Genera: Fluvius

Ancestral: Sahiri

Other Names: ??? (meaning, Acaranian), ??? (meaning, Drakine)

Fluvius (River Dragons)

Terrestrial Serpentines: Monsenanguis

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Genera: Serpens

Ancestral: Tesakhar

Other Names: ??? (meaning, Acaranian), ??? (meaning, Drakine)

Serpens (Viper Dragons)

Gliders: Caelanguis

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Genera: Fixovolans

Ancestral: Vinari

Other Names: Amphither (Vast-Wing, Acaranian), Arala-Siisa Dráki (High-Winged Dragon, Drakine)

Fixovolans (Kite Dragons)

Lurkers: Flumencertos

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Genera: Calcabis, Vacuum

Ancestral: Krthonius

Other Names: Ketry (Runners, Acaranian), Netsiisa Dráki (Wingless Dragon, Drakine)

Calcabis (Blind Lurkers)

Vacuum (Sprinting Lurkers)

Drakes vs Dragons: The Draconia Class

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Drakontes is known to scholars as the Order of “true dragons”, much like the Order Lepidosauria is considered by some to belong to “true reptiles”. What this means in function is that dragons that are considered to truly be dragons-- those descended from Shyr, affected by Dracomancy, and possessing the majority of draconic instincts-- belong to Drakontes. Likely, a dragon will consider itself a dragon no matter what “silly human categories” say, but there is no denying a stark difference between a “true” dragon and one not related to Shyr. Much less uniform in behavior and abilities, the differences are enough for us to consider these “Pseudodragons”, also known as “Drakes”, as cousin species to the majority of Euthoran dragons.

One popular way of categorizing Pseudodragons is via separate Orders of the Class Draconia- in this case, it is the Order Microdrakontes. It is possible that we may later categorize both Drakontes and Microdrakontes under the same Subclass of Draconia, marking their genetic compatibility. As it is, both Orders share Family names for ease of categorizing the Genera, so that a true dragon of the Cordylacertos Family is categorized the same as a Pseudodragon of the same build.

Because Pseudodragons are also called Drakes, it is customary to name species under Microdrakontes with “drake” in the name; for example, the Runic Drake. This also means that the species most simply called the Razortalon is, in fact, more fully known as the Razortalon Drake. This is why I hesitate to claim that the Razortalon and its hybrids are of their own Family. There is no doubt that the Pyrespine and Firedrake are true dragons as defined here, despite the presence of “drake” in the latter’s name. Indeed, the Firedrake is a member of Drakontes as strongly as any other dragon, but seems to have a weaker tie to the Ancestral lifeblood than the Pyrespine-- perhaps having not bred as completely into the main bloodlines. Thus, it is referred to as a “lesser” drake, but is considered a true dragon in function. Similar rules apply to the Shadow Drake: though a member of Drakontes, its instincts are distinct from the other species in its Order; it is far less aggressive and displays a mild resistance-- though not full immunity-- to Dracomancy. This amounts to less experienced Dracomancers having a much harder time forming a connection without the dragon’s consent, but does not account for the more trained or potent users.

Below is a chart comparing the Soulfire and Razortalon, so one may more easily visualize what has been explained here.

Rank	Dragon: Soulfire		Pseudodragon: Razortalon
Realm	Biota	Life	Biota	Life
Empire	Eukarya	Multicellular Life	Eukarya	Multicellular Life
Kingdom	Animalia	Animals	Animalia	Animals
Subkingdom	Paranimalia	Parafauna	Paranimalia	Parafauna
Phylum	Fysikipetra	Inorganic Body	Fysikipetra	Inorganic Body
Subphylum	Metallosta	Metal Synthesizers	Metallosta	Metal Synthesizers
Class	Draconia	Draconic Beings	Draconia	Draconic Beings
Order	Drakontes	True Dragons	Microdrakontes	Pseudodragons
Family	Cordylacertos	Light Saurian	Magnastelios	Heavy Saurian
Genus	Quatuoptera	Four-Winged Saurians	Daemon	Deveron Dragons
Species	Incendium	Soulfire	Vulcus	Razortalon Drake

The Phasma is an interesting wrench to throw into this mix. Because of the nature of its spawning-- from the soul of a deceased dragon-- it is considered a true dragon by default. However, it cannot be classified under either Drakontes or Microdrakonte for many reasons, not least of which being the lack of any genetic compatibility due to no genetics to be compatible in the first place. One can loosely consider it a member of Draconia, but until the true nature of how it comes to exist is better researched, we may be unable to find a final classification for it.

To summarize, the distinction is as such: Members of Drakontes are species which bear inarguable connection to Shyr, whereas those in Microdrakontes, while still considered dragons, do not. True dragons display the same instincts, ability to be affected by Dracomancy and Dracoimpery, and the ancestral memory of dragonkind, while “Pseudodragons” or “Drakes” do not-- however, both Orders are able to interbreed, and share the same physiology, anatomy, and level of intelligence. In cases where a dragon seems to share traits of both Orders, it is often named a Drake but placed in Drakontes as long as it is a descendent of Shyr. Both dragons and Drakes are draconids, and closely related, but are not the same thing.

Hybrids and Speciation

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Dragons are known to easily hybridize with one another, producing offspring with traits from two or more distinct species of dragon. This is perhaps most easily seen in the many subspecies of Firedrake, which resulted from more and more frequent crossbreeding as the True Firedrake began to go extinct. As more crossbreeds emerged and, in turn, produced hatchlings with other species, the hybrids began to develop distinct traits within their closer bloodlines-- some Firedrake hybrids grew larger and fiercer, others developed thick metal armor, and still others grew smaller and venomous. The most drastic of these changes was the production of the Acidulous Firedrake, which lost its forelegs in favor of a smaller build and stronger wings, resulting in a Lesser Wyvern.

This tendency towards easy hybridization is thought to result from latent Shapeshifter DNA still within the genetic sequences of dragons, which allows not only for all dragons to be genetically compatible, but also for rapid mutations that help the survival of offspring. Because dragons and Shapeshifters to this day keep a close relationship (see Interactions With Other Species under Culture and Social Structure for more information on this subject), the two species continue to occasionally interbreed, resulting in a strengthening of that volatile DNA behavior. Shapeshifters are well-known to have a positive impact on the evolution and genetic health of local fauna, having been known to bring entire species back from the edge of certain extinction where all other methods would have failed; it stands to reason, then, that prolonged and repeated breeding with dragons (who have their genetic roots already in the hands of Shapeshifters) would have a noticeable effect on how these creatures evolve and develop.

When a particular type of hybrid develops its own distinct traits common to all instances of that hybrid, it is considered to have speciated. For example, upon continued interbreedings of the True Firedrake and Armored Wyvern, the resulting crossbreeds were noted to consistently be less lean and sleek, but still be impressively fast, despite growing ever-larger armored plates along their spines and limbs. These plates were uniformly darker than the rest of the dragon’s scales, duller and undecorated, and very thick; additionally, the hybrids retained the distinct tail-rings of the Firedrake while gaining the black tail-blade of the Armored Wyvern. Behaviorally, they lost most of their inherent aggression and instead developed patience and tenacity, willing to “play the long game” and see a plan through to its result and aftermath rather than change course on the first sign of the plan failing. In fact, these are one of the few species of Fire-Aligned dragon to actively avoid overhunting an area, so that the food source will remain steady. Thus, the Plated Firedrake was recognized as its own subspecies.

The lines become more blurred when two hybrid-born species interbreed, and their already-mixed traits and behavior show new facets when combined. Though this is mostly theoretical, it has been seen to some extent in the creation of the Darkwing Firedrake, which was the result of Soulfires being introduced to the breeding pools of already-existing hybrids of the True Firedrake and Pyrespine species. While the original hybrid had not quite speciated, the resulting Darkwing Firedrakes show distinct traits from all three species of dragon and are perhaps the only Firedrake subspecies known to be the result of more than two dragons.