Draconidae

Draconidae are a subgroup of Squamidae that generally fit with dragons of human myths. Draconidae are magical lizards and serpents, characterized by the ability to fly. Not all flying draconidae have physical wings, some have an ability to rise to the air and use their limbs to move. This form of flying is almost exclusive to draconidae and is not yet fully explained, partially because draconidae generally refuse any form of study, particularly if it is offered by humans.

Most draconidae also have “magical breath": an exhalation that creates an, often deadly effect. These range from the legendary fire breath to poisonous gas or hallucinatory effects.

Draconidae are generally highly intelligent beings, with sophisticated languages and are able to understand humans. However, they rarely communicate with humans and usually avoid them, because the history of the species relations created prejudice. Draconidae have a long history of animosity with humans, usually stemming from territorial conflicts. Larger kinds of draconidae were known to see humans as prey, but only rarely. In general, draconidae recognized humans as equally intelligent creatures, and preferred to hunt their cattle (although some suggest that this preference stemmed from humans being less to their taste). Large Draconidae saw humans as invading their territories, and therefore believed they have right to the crops and cattle they allowed humans to grow on their lands. Since humans also saw themselves as lords of the land, and considered draconidae to be large deadly beasts with low intelligence, conflicts often became violent. Allthough it was only the larger draconidae species that initiated assaults, most humans soon saw all draconidae as enemies, often assuming that the smaller species are the young of a larger one.

In Western cultures, the word ‘dragon' has long been associated with evil monstrosities. With the rise of Christianity, dragons became symbols of evil and of the devil. Draconidae were believed to be evil incarnate that needed to be destroyed, and became a high prize for any monster hunter. This belief was so strong, that monster hunters traveled to far off places in search of dragons bringing the threat to all corners of the globe.

Eastern cultures generally saw dragons as symbols of good luck and wisdom, while being recognized as powerful and potentially dangerous. There are known cases of draconidae living in peace with humans, helping and protecting them. Some draconidae attempted to escape the fervor of monster hunters and hide in Asia, but it was almost immediately clear that it was not a plausible solution.

Most draconidae left our world along with the Fae during the 14th century, in what is called The Departure. They found new homes with the aid of Fae draco and Fae phantom and are rumored to prosper. Very few draconidae remained in our world, mostly smaller species that can easily hide. They remain very suspicious of humans and are therefore not well known to us. There are rumors of larger draconidae that remained, still haunting their old grounds, but with no evidence it remains to be seen.