The Drake Overview

I am going to create an overview for each of the categories, so the Dragons/Drakes/Nethers/Dracoids can be listed within it for a small description/overview of each one. In other words, putting the categorisation I did, to work!

Unlike their ancient cousins, Drakes are much more of a commonality in Santharia and are considered to be beasts in the Draconic family. They come in two varieties: Wyverns or Worms. Each retain some physical aspects their larger and more powerful counterparts, but they lack the speech, power, and literacy which give the Dragons ultimate superiority. The kinship they feel with the Dragons, is reflected in the willingness to do their bidding, rarely acting in defiance against their wishes.

   * The Wyverns
   Wyverns are drakes that live on land. They usually have a great amount of flying skill. The term "Wyvern" is also often used for denoting this type of drake solely, though this usage is not fully correct following the categorization principles of the dragon researcher Homloth. Homloth lived in the second century b.S. and his works still serve as the main resource for dragon descriptions.

   * The Worms (Serpents)
   Worms are more serpent-shaped than Drakes and usually prefer water. They also generally have shorter to no limbs, making it easier for them to glide through the water.

Following is a list of all the Drakes known in the lands of Caelereth, sorted alphabetically:

I. The Wyverns

DEMON DRAKE, THE
Named for its ghastly appearance and aggressive behaviour, the Demon Drake is a force to be reckoned with. It is one of the smaller drakes, reaching lengths of only six peds from snout to tail. Unlike other drakes, its snout looks as if it is scrunched flat against its face. Its eyes range from inky black to a disgusting brown colour. Large awkward scales cover the drake's body. The drake is coloured in a combination of blacks, browns, and greys of various shades. It is truly not a pleasant sight to behold. Despite its ferocious nature, it is a tamable creature to those daring enough to take on the challenge. Used mostly as mounts, many find themselves drawn to this fascinating creature because of their appearance and dog-like companionship when trained. Though they have wings, they are not fond of using them when domesticated and will rarely take to the skies when mounted. Because of their temperament and nature, their lifespan is far from impressive. Generally, most never see past the age of 20, if they are lucky. Yet, some have managed to reach the ripe age of 50, dying of natural causes.

DESERT DRAKE, THE
A flightless creature which makes its home in the deserts of Caelereth, it joins the ranks of the odd-looking drakes. It is not an overly large drake, only reaching three to four peds from snout to tail depending on gender. Instead of wings, it was graced with an extra set of legs which it uses like hands and to move quickly across the burning surfaces of the desert. Its snout is long, wide, and flat, making it easy to burrow in the sands of its home. A long tail follows it around like a shadow, providing it with balance as it skitters across the ground. Small smooth scales cover the entirety of its body, each being about the same as the next and coloured to match the multitude of tiny grains. These drakes are very territorial, and will scuffle over rocks and sand mounds. They are also not above eating their young if the need for food is great. As it is near the top of the food chain in the deserts, it has few predators beyond other drakes and dragons. This status gives this creature a decent lifespan of a couple hundred years, though this is variable to food source and other encounters.

DOOM DRAKE, THE
Being one of the rarest drakes in Caelereth due to their habitat and reclusive nature, the Doom Drake is shrouded in mystery and myth. They call fresh water lakes home, living in the dark depths and feeding off of large prey found at such levels. They are also fond of human flesh, and blood, making their way to the surface at the sound of a large enough splash. Because of their likeness for the blood, they will sometimes leave the rest of the body alone, leaving only a puncture wound at the neck. They are one of the largest drakes, reaching lengths of 12 to 13 peds, adding to their threatening demeanour. Gills grace each side of its head, allowing it to live exclusively under water, if it chooses. They also have lungs which allow them to live above the surface for short periods of time and travel between lakes in search of food or a mate. Tiny black scales cover their body in a silky sheen. The scales, when seen up close, resemble fish scales. Despite being small, the scales retain their natural strength and are difficult to pierce through. Their claws also have webbing between each toe, making them expert swimmers. Because of their reclusive nature and chosen habitat, their lifespan is an impressive 500 years, making them one of the longest living drakes.

FEATHERED DRAKE, THE
Illustration - To be added to the entry
One of the smallest drakes, the Feathered Drake is unique to the fact it is covered in pure white feathers instead of scales. They only reach lengths of a mere two to three peds. The feathers which cover its body are very fine, used to help keep it warm in the coldest of places. The wings are like that of a bird, white with black tips. Long black horns jut out from the back of his head, somewhat traditional to the draconic appearance. Because of their ability to withstand severe cold, much like the Frost Drake, they make their nests in the far north in the Icelands, as well as the snow-covered peaks throughout the world. It is not uncommon to find several living together for company, as they find companionship an important aspect of their survival. They are very mellow creatures, making them easy to domesticate as pets or familiars. Only able to live in the colder climate, as they are prone to over heating in the warmer parts of the world. They aren't the longest living drakes, but they are given a 200 year life expectancy.

FROST DRAKE, THE
Frost Drakes are one of the most feral predators in Caelereth's coldest regions. They are found in various mountain ranges, most notably the Tandalas and Cyhalloi's northern peaks. They vary anywhere from eight to ten peds in length, being able to use their size and strength when hunting their prey. Their scales come in a variety of light blues and whites. Because of this colouration, they are easily camouflaged in their natural habitat. A fine transparent fur covers their plated scales. This fur helps to trap escaping body heat, keeping the drakes warm in frigged temperatures. A diet of livestock and Feathered Drakes can keep the Frost Drake full for several months at a time. A lifespan of 100 years is a generous number for these dwindling creatures, as most will die of starvation or to each other before they reach such a ripe old age.

GALE DRAKE, THE
Gale Drakes are creatures of amazing strength. Over the centuries, they have been tamed and trained to use their strength to help load and unload ships in various seaports such as Quel'tra'loh. In the wild, they are most often seen flying in the windy coastline skies, soaring to great lengths. Because of their domestication, they seem to have become very temperamental creatures, changing moods often. They also are prone to stubbornness streaks, in which they refuse to do anything they are told. In the wild, they tend to have a more laid back temperament, going with the flow of what is brought to them. Blue-grey scales cover their bodies in a nearly seamless plated structure. Their eyes constantly change colour depending on their moods; from blue, grey, green, and even the occasional gold. Gale Drakes are one of the larger drakes, being about eight peds fully grown. They are also one of the few vegetarian drakes in existence. Their expected lifespan is about 80 years in captivity, because of their diet and domestication. In the wild, it is believed they can live for well over 200 years.

HORNED DRAKE, THE
Though it is one of the more common drakes found in mountainous regions, the Horned Drake is still a sight to behold with its massive horns jutting up from various body parts. These horns serve a special purpose of camouflage for the drakes, helping them hide in their natural rocky habitat. They can be found hiding in the crevasses in just about every mountain range in Caelereth. Uncommonly strong, the Horned Drake is capable of picking up and moving boulders around to create nests and tunnels. These unique creatures are about eight to nine peds in length, and have a bulky body from several layers of muscles. Using its tail, it can shatter boulders with one to several good strong swings. Their diet consists of goats, deer, and large birds which frequent the mountainous regions. Sometimes, they feast on other drakes, but this is not a common occurrence. The Horned Drake, because of their status at the top of the food chain, can live a healthy 400 years with ease, some living even longer.

LIGHTNING DRAKE, THE
A drake of the mountains, lightning drakes are known for their ability to produce lightning currents. While they are usually contained to their personal territories during fair weather, they become fiercely active in lightning storms. During these storms, they replenish their lightning capacities and engage in violent battles in dominance for mating rights. They are considered to be the second largest drake in Caelereth, being 10 to 12 peds from snout to tail. Their silvery-purple scales are large, and are treasured by those who find them. Their diet consists of just about anything they can consume. Yet, they find larger game more to their liking than rodents and snakes which will pass by their territory. Because of their violent nature, these creatures rarely seem to live very long, as the estimated lifespan is about 50 years, but there have been rare cases where one has been known to live up to 100 years. While they are technically classified as a drake, many refer to the creature as a lightning dragon.

MIST DRAKE, THE
The Mist Drake is a fascinating creature. Generally making their appearances near the sea, these creatures enjoy the heavy moisture which often afflicts the coastline. Most common during a heavy fog, the drake blends in well with its smoky colouration. When they pass through a fog or clouds, their scales will glimmer from the moisture they collect along the way. Elusive and shy creatures, very little is known about them. It is approximated they are about 10 to 11 peds in length, at least from what researchers have been able to tell from shadows. They are also very graceful flyers, able to hover in mid-air and glide for great distances by riding the wind. Their diet is unknown, as researchers were never able to watch them feed, and they speculate these creatures are actually vegetarians, as their temperament seemed to be fairly mellow. It estimated they live a good several hundred years, but this is far from being confirmed.

NORRAK, THE
The Norrack is solid black drake which lives mainly around the Norong‘Sorno volcano and in the Lands of Pain. It is considered by many, one of the most beautiful of all the drakes, as its scales are a pearl black, glimmering in the desert sun. They are also amongst some of the smallest drakes in Caelereth, reaching lengths of a mere three to four peds. Unlike many of their cousins, they are quite possibly the most intelligent of all the drakes, being sly in their actions and supposed thought patterns. Because of this intelligence, they are often kept as mounts or familiars. Though sometimes used for several purposes, their masters are always glad if they get rid of them after some time, as they get restless and unusually aggressive. Because they are kept in captivity for a good deal of time, their lifespan is known to be drastically cut in half in return. Living only a couple hundred years in the wild, they are known to only live about 80 to 100 years after domestication. Their name derives from the abbreviation of Norsidian (black) Drakes, which formed to Nor-drak and later resulted in Norrak.

SPIKED DRAKE, THE
Recognised as one of the most common drakes in Caelereth, the Spiked Drake is easily identified by its named characteristic. Instead of scales, a layer of long sharp spikes cover the drake from head to tail. They use the spikes to impale their enemies, luring them close then releasing several prongs into the unsuspecting creature. These prongs, being anywhere from a ped to two peds in length, are of a brownish-green colour, helping them blend in with their surroundings and making the drakes look like small mounds with tall grass. Unlike other drakes, the Spiked Drake's tail is rounded and flat, helping to balance it as it hobbles along the ground. Much like that of the Desert Drake, the Spiked Drake is wingless, forced to travel awkwardly on foot. They are not directly useful to the races, but they are hunted for their spikes. Because they are hunted, very few live to die of natural causes, believed to be around 300 years. Despite being found all over Caelereth, there is a good concentration in the Tandala Highlands in Santharia and various plains in Nybelmar.

II. The Worms

ANCYTHRIAN BLADESERPENT, THE
The Ancythrian Bladed Serpent (or simply "Bladeserpent") is a large sea-snake living in the depths of the Ancythrian Sea. About nine to ten peds in length, and purportedly two to three peds in diameter, they are creatures of intense proportions. The serpents received their name from a blade which is attached to its head and tail, lending to its fierce look and danger. The beast's existence had been doubted for a long time, and it was generally assumed that the tales of the serpents were only myths, created by weary sailors. It wasn't until the discovery of its giant eggshells floating inland from the sea, did the most dubious researchers appear convinced of their existence. Since then, many have attempted to gain more information about these dangerous creatures. They are severely territorial creatures, prone to attack anything which may cross its space, including others of its kind. Nothing concrete has been predicted for their lifespan, but it is roughly estimated they live anywhere from 400 to 600 years, a ripe age for drakes.

HYDRAGON WYRM, THE
The Hydragon (pronounced HIGH-drah-gon) is a rare but dangerous water monster, which frequents fresh-water lakes and rivers in Northern Sarvonia and Nybelmar though the occasional specimen has been located as well in the Rayne and the Teiphra rivers just south of the Tandala Mountains. It is also known as “Ergvaz’mur” (Kugliz'seitre, lit. “Three Heads”) and to the elves as the "Coór-Raház" (Styrásh, "Snake of Coór"). There is believed to be also a variety in Nybelmar known as the Bala'Ur, which is reportedly monstrous in size, but no proofs of the latter are available. Many people think the Hydragon to be completely mythical, but the Northerners know better and most peoples, from the Celeste Lowlands to Barsalon, can show the curious a shed skin, or the “beak fang”, or a preserved specimen of some sort. The creature is a bitter enemy of the Doom Drake, as they fight over their territory frequently, but the Hydragon seems to prefer rivers to lakes because of these often dangerous encounters. Being the smaller of the two aquatic creatures, the Hydragon is only about 11 peds fully grown, and lacks many of the helpful characteristics which the Doom Drakes possess. The Hydragon does not have gills, making them surface occasionally to refill their lungs with fresh air. They are also wingless. This makes it difficult for them to travel between bodies of water, which is why they have a preference for rivers. They also live a couple hundred years shorter than the doom drake, as there are more predators in the rivers. They have territorial battles between one another as well. Despite their rarity, and the disbelief they actually exist, they live and thrive beneath the water's surface.