Dragonettes

The small dragonettes, a long-lived, small winged saurian species with magical abilities, might be the descendants of a wizard's experiment or transplants from the Dreamlands, but nobody knows for sure. This is a matter for much debate among specialized scholars.

Appearance

Dragonettes are a small winged saurian species that is much less powerful than the true dragons. They are long-lived for such a small species (they're about the size of a large house-cat), but not as long-lived as humans.

Height Weight Body Type Skin Tone Eyes Distinguishing Physical Traits
about the size of a house cat X reptilian scales X wings, tail, claws

While the body of a dragonnette is generally about the size of a house cat, the the tail is usually longer (around half again the length of domestic shorthair's). They have an average wingspan of about 1.5 meters. They have sharp teeth. Their claws have thick, heavy nails that are serviceable for burrowing but not much use in a physical fight.

Although a dragonette may have a "primary" color, like other reptiles the coloring is more varied. One dragonette from Metamor's history is Starling who had deep purple skin/scales, with some iridescent markings on her throat and the undersides of her wings.

Subtypes

Unknown

Abilities

Dragonettes are approximately of human intelligence.

Their vocalizations are limited; they can make small birdlike cries (to express anything from joy to puzzlement), purr like a cat (to show pleasure), or hiss (to show anger or disgust).

Dragonettes cannot speak, but they do possess a projective telepathy that allows them to send visual images to any sentient being attempting to communicate with them.1 Among the dragonettes this is used for a complex and symbolic language similar to hieroglyphics. Humans have difficulty learning this language, so dragonettes often communicate with them through rebus-like visual puzzles, taking advantage of puns and homonyms to express ideas in Common. Some abstract concepts (like love or truth) are difficult to communicate in this visual format. Dragonettes seem to have no trouble learning human language, perhaps because they can sense the thoughts behind the words.

Dragonette names are a distinct word-picture that represents themselves, not unlike a dolphin's signature whistle. They will usually accept whatever Common translation of this image their human friends come up with. Two famous dragonettes that came to Metamor Keep were named Gornul (adapted from an image of a "corn-hall," or a grain storage building), and Starling (adapted from a picture of the bird).

Dragonettes are able to fly. Their average speed is about 20 miles per hour (mph) — but they can move faster, if there is a strong tailwind. Maneuverability is about average for flying species.

Dragonettes have a breath weapon, just like dragons, but their capacity to use it is limited by their smaller size. At highest intensity, they can only maintain the breath for 20 or 30 seconds… but it is a potent 20 to 30 seconds. This ability is fully developed by the time they are 5 years old

Many dragonettes have some level of magic, but it is severely limited and normally developed along defensive lines. They will try to stay out of melee range due to their small bodies.

Typical Behaviors

Dragonettes can live for fifty years or more, and can form strong bonds with human companions. Their mannerisms are rather catlike. They enjoy meat of all kinds, as long as it is cooked, and they have no trouble catching and roasting small birds and rodents for themselves.

Society

Unknown

Religion

Unknown

Dragonettes Today

The Dragonette Isles is a protectorate of Metamor and home to the dragonettes. Most of the Isles' population are dragonettes, but there are some humans and other species there as well.

Famous members of the race

Gornul, Starling

Dragonettes and Dragons

Dragonettes are not closely related to either the Western or Eastern dragon species; mtDNA studies that assume a common origin show that they have been separated from the common ancestor of both larger species for over 100 million years. Some have theorized that they are descended from the fairy dragons of the Dreamlands, but the dragonettes themselves dispute this.

Author's Notes

Dragonettes were created for Metamor Keep by Oren the Otter, who introduced the dragonette Gornul as a companion to MK's Oren. Starling appeared in the group story "Winter Assault," where she assisted Daria and her otrinca squad in their operations against Nasoj's occupying army.


Source(s): TheCursed.org forum post, Ask The Author 08/08/2010, Starling of Metamor Keep

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