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The Arkanian Dragon was a semi-sentient species of flying reptile native to the cold world of Arkania in The Colonies. The dragon was once the dominant predator on Arkania before the native Near-Humans, the Arkanians, obtained the means to hunt them to near extinction. Now, only a small population remains, deep in the mountains.
Despite the gruesome history of the species, the Arkanian dragon was an important cultural symbol on their home world. For instance, the dragon served as the sigil of the House of Adasca, one of the major ruling families on the planet. The dragons also inspired ancient members of the Jedi Order to devise a lightsaber training technique named after the beasts. Some ancient Arkanians were known to have tamed dragons, giving rise to legends of dragon riders who went on to become great warlords.
Though the Arkanian species grew to be technologically superior, they always lived in fear of the remaining population of Arkanian dragons due to the damage the species could cause with its fiery breath. But, more than that, they feared those who might tame them and rule Arkania again. However, they are forbidden to hunt the remainder to extinction due to Republic anti-hunting laws against semi-sentient species.
Biology
Arkanian dragons are a large, flying reptilian species native to their homeworld's frigid mountain ranges. They are covered in scales that are difficult to penetrate with vibro-weaponry and traditional blaster weapons (though they weren't impenetrable, and could easily be penetrated by lightsabers). They were capable of flying up to 3,000 meters and reaching top speeds of 140 kilometres per hour. They were also capable of spewing jets of fire from their mouths as a defence mechanism.
Fully mature Arkanian dragons are 230 feet long, 30 feet in diameter, and have a 210 foot wingspan. They have long, serpentine necks and tails; spines adorn their neck, back, and tails; they have anywhere between two to four horns on their heads; and they have mouths of jagged teeth. They also have four limbs: two massive wings, which can act as front legs, and two back legs.
Attributes
- Fire-breathing: Arkanian dragons are principally known for their ability to spew jets of flames out of their mouth. This ability manifests shortly after birth, allowing them to cook their prey with small puffs of flames. By adolescence, they are able to spew small balls and jets of fire. At full maturity, these jets become devastatingly powerful and deadly. The jets are produced from a "false palate" (similar to those found in crocodiles) in the dragon's throat, which also act to protect backdrafts of fire from burning its throat. In order to breathe fire, the dragon stores hydrogen and methane in specialized sacks within its body. Then, by consuming rock with high concentrations of platinum, these gasses can be ignited, producing powerful (but finite) jets of flames. Dragon-fire grows more potent as a dragon ages: increased size means increased capacity, and therefore the ability to spew more flames, and their flames grow hotter as well. Young dragons can ignite straw. Mature dragons can melt steel and stone with their flames.
- Strengths: Tough scales, somewhat resistant to vibro-weapons and blasters; scales, are, however, completely impervious to fire; flight; fire-breathing
- Weaknesses: Soft underbelly, scales cannot resist lightsabers, finite fuel source for fire-breathing
Behaviour/Temperament
Arkanian dragons imprint upon the first creature they lay eyes on after they are born. In the wild, this is usually the female. However, for those seeking to tame them, it can also apply to a handler. After imprinting takes place, dragons are fiercely protective of their "parent." That does not, however, mean that they are in any way easy to raise.
Dragons are typically extremely temperamental. They jealously and aggressively guard their parent(s), their territory, their mates, and their food. They also suffer from a rebellious streak during their adolescence that makes them difficult to tame without a firm-handed, dedicated tamer.
It is because of this rebelliousness that, even once bonded to their owner, they can never truly be tamed. They can be trained to act as mounts and follow voice commands. They can even show affection to their rider, nuzzling them as a sign of affection. However, that does not prevent them from becoming dangerous to their rider if they are ever hungry or badly injured.
In the wild, they are known to ambush their prey and those unlucky enough to infringe on their territory. Their lightning-fast ambush tactics inspired the ancient Jedi to invent a lightsaber technique based off of the tactic. All dragons also have strong minds, making them resistant to Force mind suggestions and beast-taming techniques.
Arkanian dragons are carnivorous and are notorious for stealing and eating livestock. They also consume rocks with deposits of platinum within them from their mountainous homes as a means of igniting the gases stored in internal sacs in order to produce fire. However, Arkanian dragons are notoriously picky and will only eat cooked meat. They will starve to death before eating anything less.
Breeding
Arkanian dragons are remarkable creatures. Xenobiologists have noted that they have no fixed sex: those that are born male can become female based on the needs of the breeding population, and vice-versa. They reproduce sexually and lay clutches of between one to three large, scaly eggs. These eggs are generally up to 2 feet, six inches tall, and are hatched when exposed to fire.
Species Notes
Yes, I am aware this species is probably overpowered (see "OP"). As a result, it will be BANNED from PvP. It can, however, be used in cPvP, since such role-plays usually consist of cinematic scenes and powers that usually would not fly in regular PvP, so long as both parties consent.
To further prevent abuse, I am imposing the following restrictions on Arkanian dragons:
- Due the vicious an independent nature of the beasts if one wishes to gain an Arkanian Dragon they obtained as an egg and raise it through to adulthood. You cannot obtain a fully mature specimen no matter your power level, as even if you can dominate the beast its decades of independence means it will never bend to ones will.
- I would also recommend the staff limit these to one (1) per PC (sorry, Daenerys fans, you can't have three).
- An NPC profile should be created for player Arkanian dragon pets. This will allow the staff to keep better track of these things.
- This species has both a canon and a Legends precedent. Biologically, they were based on the known information on the canon and Legends species, and were filled in with information from dragons as represented in the A Song of Ice and Fire iteration. The BS about platinum and gas sacks (a means of making their powers less magical and more limited) came from a 2004 British mockumentary called The Last Dragon. Finally, their physical appearance was inspired by the dragons that appear in the Game of Thrones television series (which are very similar to the Legends account of Arkanian dragons).
To re-submit a popular semi-sentient species from last timeline, and give players a unique creature to acquire and have grow alongside their character.
Credit for this awesome submission goes to @Malon; I have made a few edits to the write up mainly around the Level limitations which were around in previous TL's. Also done a little formatting, grammar and spelling. (Yes I made it UK English.)
