Dragons, Great Dragons, and Their Differences
[1] Dragons
Dragon Subcategories
Known and practiced by House Draceryos, with partial knowledge held by House Belaerys and House Mataeryon. These categories are a standard classification in the Lands of the Long Summer, not theories in this fanfiction universe.
Three major body shapes:
- Dinosaur-like (e.g., Balerion) – bulky, raw power.
- Horse-like (e.g., Syrax, Sunfyre) – elegant yet strong.
- Wyrm-like/Canine-like (e.g., Caraxes) – sleek, agile, wolf-like features.
War Dragons
- Most common type, especially during the Valyrian Freehold.
- Bred for battle: aggressive, strong, and dominant.
Dueling/Battle Dragons
- Slightly smaller than War Dragons.
- Bred for controlled combat, typically for duels between Valyrian Dragonlords.
- Used more for sport and entertainment than warfare.
Construction/Forge Dragons (Road-Crew Dragons)
- Docile, enormous, with extremely hot flame output.
- Used to for heavy labour, such as building dragonstone roads (such as the Demon Roads), intense metalworking, volcanic excavations, dragonstone castles, and magical structures.
- Easily guided due to their calm temperament.
Troop Transport Dragons
- Wide-bodied dragons capable of carrying groups of soldiers into battle.
- Rare, strategic asset during Freehold military campaigns.
Messenger Dragons
- Bred for speed, agility, and long-distance endurance.
- Used for swift communications, despite the superior efficiency of glass candles.
- Usually wyrm-like or canine-like in appearance and movement.
Racing Dragons
- Bred for entertainment and competition.
- Some were also repurposed as messenger dragons due to overlapping traits.
- Sleek, wyrm-like bodies for maximum speed and aerial maneuverability.
Show Dragons
- Small, elegant, and docile.
- Bred for beauty and trained for aerial displays during festivals and noble ceremonies.
- Known for unique color patterns and controlled flame artistry.
{Author's Note: Previous classification mostly, if not all are inspired by David Lightbringer's theories, adapted for this fan-fic.}
Additional Info:
- The body type can be influenced by magic during hatching. After the doom, this technique/magic is well documented and known known only to the Draceryos Family.
- Magic may influence color to some degree but not fundamental nature, unless using high-level magic which was used to create Dragons.
- There are outliers when it comes to both Dragon Shapes and Dragon types, such as Breeding Dragons, who are highly fertile, able to lay clutch after clutch of eggs, anywhere from 3 to 5.
Flame Color
- Typically matches dominant scale color.
- Rare multicolored dragons may have multicolored flame.
Lifespan
- Typical dragons live ~200 years, post-Doom often less.
- With Draceryos-level care: ~300 years possible.
Size
- At 200 years, usually match Balerion's size (~80–100m length; wingspan ~200m+).
- Biological limit rarely exceeded.
Bonding
- Only those with dragonblood can bond.
- Purity of bloodline increases the chance.
[2] Great Dragons
Physical Traits
-Metallic sheen on scales; horns metallic (matching or contrasting color).
- Size:
* Peak: ~1.5× Balerion's size.
* Rare exception (e.g., Azantyos): up to 2×.
- Strength:
* Claws, teeth, and muscle strength near or sometimes greater than dragonsteel resilience.
* Far greater magical potency than normal dragons.
Lifespan
- Up to ~600 years.
- Size growth stops ~200 years, but magical potency keeps growing.
Bonding
- Only those with Great Dragonblood can bond.
- Ancient failsafe prevents diluted lines from bonding.
- Draceryos Family is the sole surviving Great Dragonlord family.
[3] Dragon Husbandry, Magic, and Care
Magic in Growth
- Requires rituals, nourishment spells, volcanic auras.
- Targaryens lack advanced knowledge.
Hatching Rituals
- Draceryos, Belaerys, and Mataeryon infuse eggs with magical energy.
Martivia's Advantage
- Built atop the Last of the Fourteen Flames (volcanic chain).
- Holds largest Dragon Den and Hatchery.
- Expanded by Maelarr Draceryos, warded and even further expanded by Vaemor Draceryos.
Outcome
- Draceryos dragons are stronger, healthier, longer-lived, and faster-growing than others.