Upheavology: Dragons · 1:30am Jun 25th, 2017
Upheavology - Dragons
Dragons in General - the dragons are long-lived, great, scaled beasts native to the mountainous and forested regions of the world within the rift. They are the oldest sapient race of the world, having existed in it long before the arrival of ponies, wolven, ursans, and ophidites. While the various types of dragon will begrudgingly admit to belonging to the same race, they have few traits common to all dragons.
Dragons appear reptilian with thick scales, slit eyes, and long, sharp claws, but do not belong in the same kingdom. A quick way to anger a dragon is to assume a connection between dragonkind and reptiles. Dragons may vary a bit in size in comparison among themselves, but they are all huge beasts, normally at sixty feet long from snout to tail for adults. Most dragons have a pair of horns, though the size and shape varies among the types.
All dragons share a racial love for gold and gems, frequently hoarding them in their lairs, and guarding them jealously. They are a solitary and belligerent lot, particularly among themselves as they are quick to suspect one another of stealing. While most prefer to lair in large caves, many of which they carve for themselves, no dragon will tolerate another dragon lair within at least a mile of theirs. They prefer high, mountainous areas with a moderate climate, preferring to avoid temperature extremes, save for Wrath Dragons, who have a fondness for very hot areas.
Dragons are extreme omnivores with a metabolic system capable of processing nearly all minerals, vegetables, and animals. Still, they can be a picky lot and will go through great lengths to eat their favorite, which is usually meat. All dragons, save for the Greed Dragon and the Sloth Dragon, can fly, albeit clumsily. All dragons, save for the Envy Dragon, can breathe fire. They are nearly impervious to flame, heavily armored due to their scales, incredibly hardy, and highly magic resistant.
Dragon Reproduction and Growth - once in a while, even a solitary and belligerent dragon will feel the urge to procreate. Early into their adulthood, dragons do seek mates and will arrange to live together for a period of time. When the female lays a clutch of eggs, normally six to a dozen at a time, the prospective parents divide the eggs between themselves to raise. Once the division has been made, the parents separate as they can only stand to share living space for long before avarice and paranoia settle in.
Dragons hatch from their eggs without any association with dragon types. The type of dragon the parents are have some bearing in how their children will grow, but does not strictly determine their children's future type. Dragons hatch with their eyes open and with some ability to walk. Their claws and teeth are already partially formed. Competition starts early among dragon hatchlings as parents only have so much resources they are willing to share. Once they become juveniles, they leave their parent's lair. Competetion is so fierce and ruthless among dragon children that, out of half a dozen hatchlings, a mere one to three leave as juveniles. The rest simply starve to death, or are eaten by their siblings. Parents generally show a rare amount of tolerance for their offspring.
Dragon growth follows a peculiar set of phases as they grow older and gain experiences that grant them insight into who they are. These phases do not follow a strict time pattern, rather, they occur depending on what individual dragons experience. Ironically, dragons go through these phases faster by interacting with others. During a phase, young dragons experience rapid growth into adult bodies corresponding to one of the types of dragons. If such a form resonates with the dragon, they revert to a more juvenile form but in that phase. Otherwise, they return to their previous form. Dragons experience three phases in their lifetime. The Appetite Phase, wherein the dragon becomes a Greed, Lust, or Gluttony Dragon. The Expression Phase, wherein the dragon becomes a Pride, Wrath, or Envy dragon, and the Apathy Phase, wherein the dragon becomes a Sloth Dragon.
Dragon Types
Appetite Dragons - often considered as the lowest class of dragons, especially by Pride dragons, Appetite dragons are the most common types of dragons. They are also the most likely to stumble into the lives of other races. Their instincts often get the better of them, leading to frequent clashes with others.
Greed Dragon - Greed dragons are one of the two types without the ability to fly. They make up for it through sheer bulk and strength. Unburdened by the restrictions of maintaining a weight their wings can lift, Greed dragons boast heavy musculature, even among dragons, and the thickest bones. Greed dragons are often said to have "grasping claws" as they possess the strongest claw grip out of all dragons, and the most powerful bite. Their tails are short and stocky, tipped with bone and spikes for powerful, smashing swipes, and they have a single horn atop their heads, often resembling a very large spine. As befitting their name, they are avaricious even by dragon standards. When presented with treasure, Greed dragons can be overwhelmed by an almost animalistic desire to acquire it. To aid their avarice, Greed dragons possess an innate ability to sense large quantities of gold and other precious metals and minerals. Greed dragons normally come in light purple and blue colors.
Lust Dragon - Lust dragons are notorious for their frequent and unwelcome interactions with other races. They possess the ability to alter their shape, shrinking to the proper size to force themselves on any sapient creature. Lust dragons are distinct with their very fine scales, almost snake-like in size, usually white or pinkish in color. They can also be identified throught their equally fine spines, almost hair-like, that run down their heads and necks, and tiny horns along their cheeks and the underside of their jaws. The have unusually long claws that possess an extra digit in each finger. This allows them to be particularly dextrous, but terrible at close-quarters fighting. When confronted by other dragons, Lust dragons prefer to shrink and run away. Ever since the domination of the Draco'dim, Lust dragons have become exceedingly rare as the Draco'dim consider mating with non-dragons a grave offense.
Gluttony Dragon - Gluttony dragon lairs are easily spotted through the swathe of flattened, barren land around them. They possess an extremely corrosive saliva that turns most objects into sizzling goop. They present a frightening sight when eating as they open up a gigantic mouth on their chest to consume everything in sight. Because they are so destructive to their environment and quickly reduce the resources for other dragons, many Gluttony dragons are attacked by other dragons. Those that survive for a long time are those who control their appetites very well. Gluttony dragons are unique not only for their hideous chest-mouths, but also for having an extra pair of limbs to support their very long bodies. They normally have dark green or brown scales. They are also distinct for their lack of crest spines and horns.
Expression Dragons - considered "proper dragons" by the Draco'dim, Expression dragons are far better at controlling their instincts. They are also more standoffish than Appetite dragons and prefer to simply avoid interacting with other races, or even other dragons for that matter. While Appetite dragons "occur" at a more frequent rate, the older dragons tend to be Expression dragons thanks to their knack for survival and temperance.
Envy Dragon - the most frequent causes of paranoia among dragons, Envy dragons are notorious thieves and swindlers, forever trying to ensure that no dragon's hoard is greater than theirs. Envy dragons announce their presence long before sighting through the pungent foulness emanating from their breath. In terms of appearance, they are normally some shade of dark green or yellow with frequent mottling. They have very high crest spines that run down their backs, and a pair of short horns that curve backward. Envy dragons are very gaunt in appearance, with long spindly limbs, and a very long, very prehensile tail that ends in a scorpion-like stinger.
They are the only dragons unable to breathe fire. Instead, they belch out clouds of noxious gas. Skin exposed to this gas will begin to blister and burn. When it gets to the eyes, it may cause temporary or even permanent blindness. Inhaled, it will corrode the lining in the lungs and throat, speedily causing death. Among dragons, the effect is less potent, usually just weakening adults and leaving them coughing for a period of time. Fortunately for others, the gas is highly volatile and rapidly becomes inert after exposure to air in the space of a minute. Toxic breath is but one of an Envy dragon's venoms, though. Their saliva is also a foul mix of chemicals that cause debilitating pain when it enters the bloodstream. More deadly is the venom in their stinger-tipped tail, as it is able to severely incapacitate even an adult dragon. Those stung begin to suffer painful tissue death that spreads from the stung area, causing great injury. Dragon hardiness generally throws off the venom before it becomes lethal, but only after a great deal of damage has been done. Weakened dragons may die from this venom altogether. Envy dragons need time to produce this venom for their sting, usually several days up to a week after one sting. As such, they are loathe to use it on anything save for a very dangerous situation.
Envy dragons prefer to lair deep underground. They will even forego a mountain area for a very deep cave in a flattened area.
Wrath Dragon - cantankerous even by dragon standards, Wrath dragons prefer to lair in volcanoes and deserts. They despise company and usually greet visitors with a blast of fire. They come in various shades of red from a bright scarlet to a deep crimson and have forward facing horns that curve from the sides of their head. Wrath dragons tend to have broad chests as a result of having very well-developed lungs. Their fiery breath is infamous not only for its sheer, rock-melting heat, but also its ability to pierce dragonscale. Only Wrath dragons can burn other dragons. Wrath dragons are also well-known for their heat aura. When angered, a frequent event, large spines across the length of the Wrath dragon's back rise and vibrate. This is the signal that heralds the heat aura. Angered Wrath dragons emanate waves of heat in a large radius around them, setting dry, flammable materials ablaze and hurting most living things in the vicinity. Smaller creatures simply die from the heat before the Wrath dragon even attacks.
Pride Dragon - Pride dragons often stand above the rest of dragonkind, if only because they love to lair in the highest mountaintops. They are vain and extremely talkative, quick to anger with perceived insults, but quick to mollify with flattery. Pride dragons come in metallic colors, usually gold or silver, though black has been observed from time to time. They have two pairs of horns that coil with each other to resemble crowns.
Pride dragons love the sound of their own voice and will spare victims briefly to make grand speeches. They also possess the most powerful roar among all dragons, able to use it as a weapon. Small creatures nearby are often deafened, stunned, and even killed by a Pride dragon's roar. When focused, the sound will destroy objects in its path. Pride dragons are also notorious for their supernaturally frightful presence. When they choose to, they can emit a wave of fear that paralyzes their foes. Even adult dragons suddenly find it difficult to move. Smaller creatures become frozen with fear. Those with fragile bodies and minds simply die from stopped hearts or go mad with fear.
Curiously enough, Pride dragons are the most likely to cooperate with other dragons. They often work with other Pride dragons, more out of a sense of superiority over other types of dragons than genuine concern. Pride dragons do not like the notion of any Pride dragon being defeated by a different type of dragon, and will extend a brief helping claw, though with punishment in mind for later due to embarassing Pride dragons in general.
Sloth Dragons - dragons that reach Apathy Phase invariably become Sloth dragons. They normally come in shades of gray or brown, easily recognized through the massive, thick, bony plates that covers their body, their stubby tails, and their spiraling, ram-like horns. True to their names, Sloth dragons are sluggish and clumsy, with short claws and necks that makes for poor attacking weapons. Along with their inability to fly, these traits make Sloth dragons poor fighters. They are remarkably stable, though, and are nearly invulnerable when they cover up thanks to their bone plates, able to withstand even Wrath dragon flames if they hunker down.
Dragon Abberants - Abberants are dragons that do not fit into the typical categories of dragonkind.
Sin Dragon - there is only one known Sin dragon throughout dragonkind's long history. Reinfadora was born relatively recently, displaying her unique nature early when, as a hatchling, she discovered that she was bigger, stronger, and more developed than her siblings. She slaughtered that rest of the clutch to monopolize her mother's resources before departing as a juvenile, only to return In a few years to slay her mother and take over the lair.
As an adult, Reinfadora towered over other dragons. She was covered in gleaming black scales, with golden highlights along her wings, claws, brows, and crest. She had three pairs of horns that coiled on each other for a great crown of bone as well as smaller ones to line her brows, the edge of her jaw line and one at the end of her snout to create a beak-like shape. Reinfadora possessed features of every other type of dragon, with corrosive spit, a toxic stinger, a powerful roar, piercing flames, unbeatable strength, and thick, heavy scales that armored her.
Stylizing herself as Queen of all Dragons, Reinfadora behaved like a tyrant, frequently soaring across the land and visiting lairs to demand tribute. She laired at the very peak of the All-Mountain, the tallest mountain in all of Equestria, above even the Great Delve. At some point in time, and through inexplicable reasons, she discovered Drellhadar the Malformed and the two became a mated pair. With his help, she was able to spread her influence, becoming truly a queen among dragons.
Reinfadora later died of a wasting sickness, and whatever unity her reign achieved within dragonkind swiftly dissolved.
The Malformed - Drellhadar the Malformed hatched seemingly normal as the runt of the litter, surviving his childhood through cunning. He developed into a strange creature, losing more parts of himself as he grew older rather than growing. By adulthood, he has lost his hind legs and moved about through several tails. Instead of scales, he was covered in milky white, slightly translucent skin. He had poor eyesight that proved painfully sensitive to sunlight, forcing him to stay in his lair almost all the time. He had two pairs of beautiful, gossamer wings that let him fly gracefully, but slowly, making him a poor flyer and fighter. He could not breathe fire at all. His bizzare appearance and inability to fight head-on made him the frequent target of other dragons.
Drellhadar had one advantage: his unique propensity for magic. He defended his lair with deadly spells and various abominations. He soon changed from an object of scorn to an object of hatred. Many dragons plotted to kill him to take whatever wonders he hid in his lair-laboratory. This constant hostility among dragons made Drellhadar highly contemptuous of his own race. He often captured would-be attackers and experimented on them. He gifted the ponies several dragon-slaying artifacts of his own making that briefly created a communication link to him whenever defeating a dragon. This way, he could laugh at the defeated dragon during its final moments for being slain by something so small as a pony.
When Reinfadora came upon Drellhadar's lair, she brushed aside his strongest spells with ease. The would be dragon queen had not come to kill him, though, instead asking him about his unique dragon magic. Drellhadar ingratiated himself with her by being useful as his spells allowed her to find and keep track of other dragons. The two later became a mated pair, unique in not only because of their nature, but also because Reinfadora partitioned part of her lair for him to permanently settle and conduct his experiments.
When Reinfadora died of the wasting sickness, Drellhadar was overwhelmed and slain supposedly by a cadre of Pride dragons that would later be the basis of the Draco'dim.
Hybrids - while Lust dragons are willing to force themselves on a variety of creatures, incompatibility often prevents any sort of offspring. This is true for most cases save for unicorns and cobrahns.
Dragon-unicorn hybrids are called kirins. They appear as large, hairy, reptilian creatures with hooved hind legs and front claws. They have pony-like muzzles but with draconic features blended in. Kirins also undergo dragon phases, but most are slain before reaching adulthood, either by distraught unicorn parent, the uncaring dragon parent, horrified ponies, or scornful Draco'dim. They possess a degree of unicorn magic and enchanced physical prowess and longevity. Kirins are natural loners as often necessary when they are shunned everywhere.
Dragon-cobrahn hybrids are called tikhanas. They resemble large, winged, serpentine humanoids with four arms. They are powerfully muscled and maintain the cobrahn procilivity for magic. Tikhanas often flee the Empire as the ophidites ruthlessly exploit and experiment on them.
The Draco'dim - the Draco'dim is an alliance of a dozen Pride dragons, the oldest and most powerful ones currently. Ever since the fall of the dragon queen, they have acted as the de facto rulers of dragonkind. The Draco'dim are primarily concerned with dignity. They prohibit any shameful interaction with lesser races such as eating them, or mating with them. They also collect tribute from all dragons, keeping it in a great hoard they've hidden away.
The Draco'dim are led by Afralhadar who supposedly finished Reinfadora off in her last moments before turning on Drellhadar with his cohorts. He currently resides in Reinfadora's old lair at the peak of the All-Mountain.
Wicked, I'd looove to meet a Gluttony Dragon!
Oh, wait, what's that noise?!
ROOOOOAR!
Nope, nevermind.
Does this mean we'll get some more of Spike's adventures? I imagine some of it was going to tie in to Rarity/Pinkie's adventures in the Great Delve as he's nearby, still I wonder what sort of Dragon Spike will end up as.
We've seen him go through Greed, and presumably Lust (maybe... this is a hard one) and Gluttony, so it's assumed he's beyond the appetite phase. Now, we have the expressions, and Envy may be a problem, though I assume he's managed to control his Wrath and I have a hard time seeing him overcome with Pride.
I also have a hard time seeing him fall into Sloth, but who knows, I expect much of this will be determined by his reunion with his friends. Maybe he'll advance beyond even a Sin dragon and gain the abilities of all the sins as well as control over his sire's magic.
This concept of dragons themed around sins was always one of my favourite parts of Upheaval. It's the kind of idea that's so creative, I wish I'd come up with it myself.
XXX NSFW Lust Dragon in action s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/04/db/1a/04db1a901941295bac15cbcf580af015.jpg
The Upheaval Saga has one of the deepest and broadest lore of any fanfiction I think I've ever read. The only ones that I can think are similarly well fleshed out are perhaps "This Platinum crown" and "Through the Well of Pirene"
Huh, wow this is some pretty interesting lore. I had mostly heard about the dragons of sin lore second hand and have only read so far into upheaval: breaking point.
I had thought that dragons were born with a particular sin not so much they went through them in phases. Regardless the wrath dragons were my favorite sadly I filled in the blanks from what a friend told me and I ended up basing them off of Hindu mythology specifically the asura deity. Basically wrath dragons had six legs, four fore legs, two rear legs as well as long white manes that grew down their backs instead of spines.
I feel quite bad having gone off on a tangent instead of actually reading the source material, I do hope that I haven't offended
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You can always go off and do your own thing with your dragon lore.