Post by . s p o r e ♪ on Jul 1, 2011 1:22:53 GMT -5
GOLD DRAGONS
Largest of the dragon ranks, and gifted with the longest memories, golds are the queens of the Weyr, and they make sure everyone knows it. They are authoritative and commanding, and all lower ranks must obey a direct order from them, regardless of their own wishes or that of their rider. Also the greatest producers of eggs in a Weyr, they have strong maternal instincts and have been known to guard clutches until hatching even in the event of their rider's death. Golds are built for stamina and strength, with broad wings and deep, muscular chests. Their colours range from pale, silvery gold, through sunny, metallic yellow to red-tinted rose-gold. Rare in the extreme, eggs containing gold dragons are distinguished by their massive size and golden sheen. They always Impress to female candidates, usually those with strong leadership qualities or the strength of will to keep up with them. It is common belief that golds prefer Impressing to non-Weyrbred candidates. Gold dragons are allergic to firestone, and cannot flame. If a gold attempts to chew while it carries a clutch, the clutch size may be reduced and remaining eggs can be affected.
length: 44-48 feet
wingspan: 150-180% of length
gender: Always female
impresses: Females
flames: No
rises: Once per turn
clutches: 10-30 eggs
hatching frequency: 0-1%BRONZE DRAGONS
Only slightly smaller than their gold counterparts, bronze dragons are the largest male rank. Gifted with a a healthy dose of both self-importance and strength of will, they have better memories than most chromatics, and use them to order smaller dragons around despite their lack of Command. Usually a bronze will be the one to catch a gold, as most of the lower ranks lack the stamina to keep up over the entire Flight. However, due to the small number of queens, they will often chase lower ranked females such as reds or the occasional copper. Although often dark-gold in colour, bronze dragons are distinguished from golds by their gender and smaller size, as well as the brown or green tint that most have to their hide. Though more lightly-built than golden queens, bronze dragons are still built powerfully, and easily dwarf lower ranks. They always Impress to male candidates, usually those with strong leadership qualities, and bronzeriders often hold high ranks in a Weyr. Bronze dragons can flame.
length: 40-45 feet
wingspan: 140-170% of length
gender: Always male
impresses: Males
flames: Yes
chases: Any; difficulty catching chromatics due to size difference
hatching frequency: 0-5%SILVER DRAGONS
Silver dragons are mutations of gold queens, and are similar in many respects. Although significantly smaller, they don't lack for presence, and are able to Command other ranks of dragons even up to bronzes. Usually quieter and more level-headed than their golden sisters, they are less likely to initiate conflict than the more arrogant queens. However, that very same calmness allows them to take charge with amazing efficiency when there is a need for it. In the absence of a mature gold, a silver will lead the Weyr as Senior Weyrqueen, although tradition dictates that she steps down if a gold comes to maturity. Smaller and slimmer than either bronzes or golds, silver dragons are commonly caught by both bronze and iron dragons. They are the second largest clutch producers in the Weyr, and can clutch all colours, although it is less common for silvers to produce clutches with bronze or gold offspring. They range in colour from nearly-white to tarnished, bronze-tinged silver, and Impress to competent female candidates, usually levelheaded girls, or those who could benefit from a moderating influence. Like gold dragons, silvers cannot flame, and can affect the health of their clutch if they try.
length: 38-42 feet
wingspan: 140-170% of length
gender: Always female
impresses: Females
flames: No
rises: Once per turn
clutches: 8-20 eggs
hatching frequency: 0-1%IRON DRAGONS
The smallest metallic male-only rank, but second-largest males overall, iron dragons are notably smaller than bronzes, but may still chase and sometimes catch golden queens, as well as the smaller silvers. While silvers are the smaller, quieter counterpart to golds, irons are the complete opposite. Irritable and bad-tempered as a whole, iron dragons usually prefer to be alone or in the company of only their rider. They are, if possible, even more arrogant and self-centered than bronze dragons, but have an intense determination that defies any larger dragon to think themselves their better. Smaller and more maneuverable than bronzes or true queens, they often use their agility and speed to their advantage to win flights. Their colours range from deep, metallic black to silvery grey, sometimes with hints of green or red. Irons Impress exclusively to male candidates who usually match their force of personality. Iron dragons can flame.
length: 35-40 feet
wingspan: 140-170% of length
gender: Always male
impresses: Males
flames: Yes
chases: Any; difficulty catching smaller chromatics due to size difference
hatching frequency: 0-5%COPPER DRAGONS
The only dual-gender metallic rank, copper dragons are much smaller than most other metallics. Bearing little or no hint of the serious self-importance that burdens most of their higher-ranked brethren, coppers tend to be cheeky, playful creatures. They view the world as one continuous joke, and see humour in almost everything, although depending on the individual, their sense of humour can be somewhat grim. Thinner than other metallics, but still powerfully built, copper dragons frequently mate with both smaller metallic dragons and larger chromatics. Both genders of copper are fertile, although neither sex has the ability to Command other dragons. Clutching coppers may be more willing than higher ranked mothers to allow other dragons onto her sands, although other clutching females are not welcome. They tend to be lustrous, brown-tinted orange in colour, sometimes tending more towards brown than orange, and often have varying amounts of green on their hides. Coppers have been known to Impress to both men and women, but due to their rarity it is not known if they have specific gender preferences. They tend to look for partners who can appreciate their sense of humour, or who can provide a steadying influence. Both genders can flame without issue, although females do not fight thread if they have eggs to guard.
length: 32-36 feet
wingspan: 130-160% of length
gender: Usually male
impresses: Any
flames: Yes
rises: Once per turn
chases: Any rank up to silver
clutches: 5-10 eggs
hatching frequency: 0-1% ; 1 in 10 will be female