Dragon Specifics

In our canon, the exterior of an egg does not always indicate its contents. The traditional idea that queen eggs sparkle is more superstition than fact, though admittedly eggs that sparkle, shine, or glitter have a decent probability of containing gold hatchlings. However, they are also known to contain bronzes, and it is not unheard-of for queens to emerge from unremarkable eggs.

Due to the female dragons' lighter bodies, it is possible for a mid-sized gold to be carried during a Mating Flight by a big blue.

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Note about proportions: Sizes presented here are maximum ranges, which means no individual dragon of a particular color will exceed them in either direction. It also means that very few dragons will reach either end of the size spectrum. A dragon's length is what is most commonly referred to when discussing their size, though muscle bulk and height may also be mentioned.

To determine the typical height at the withers (the spot on the back between the wing shoulders) calculate length divided by 3 (round to the nearest decimal point). Individuals have their own proportions that may or may not meet the height average for their length. A dragon described as tall may be half a foot higher at the withers than would be strictly proportionate; a dragon described as short may be half a foot less.

Dragon template created by Sporelett; modified for our use by Sher. <3

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Gold
(Female)
Maximum size range: 42 - 56 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about the length of a semi trailer, minus the truck

The largest color class in the Weyr, these are the original clutching dragons, also known as queens. Their colors are distinct from bronze, being typically brighter. Markings are uncommon but not unheard-of for these ladies. Due to Kitti Ping's genetic work, they are unable to digest firestone. Even if the Pernese had the technology to change this, it would remain unaltered, since their sheer size and lack of agility is a weakness during Threadfall; gold casualties would have skyrocketed, endangering the future of Pern. Their ability to command other dragons is one of their strong points.

Personality note: Stereotypically prone to narcissism, bossiness, perfectionism, and excess of logic.
Impression note: Golds traditionally choose heterosexual females, but what they're looking for in a personality is different with each.
Mating note: Mostly caught by bronze, rarely by brown. It has been speculated that a very large blue might have a chance with a very small gold, but blues are severely discouraged from trying. Clutch size ranges from 5-20 eggs. ((The other half will always be NPC or possibly adoptable. Total eggs: 10-40.))



Bronze
(Male)
Maximum size range: 38 - 52 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about the length of three Hummers bumper to bumper

The largest males in the Weyr, these are the lads most likely to catch a gold, though they're at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to smaller females. The bronze is legendary when it comes to endurance- they have to be, to outlast a gold during Mating Flights- but even the smallest lack much agility. Color-wise, they range from a washed-out light bronze to so dark the only thing distinguishing them from a brown is the metallic sheen; often, tarnished-bronze markings will appear along extremities in greenish hints.

Personality note: Stereotypically prone to arrogance and ambition. Also noted are a streak of independence and occasional pessimism.
Impression note: Bronzes traditionally choose heterosexual males with similar personalities, but there have been exceptions.
Threadfighting note: Their flame is typically wide but comes in brief spurts.



Bismuth (Atypical)
(Male... so far...)
Estimated Size, based on Ronith: 36 - 46 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about the length of three Hummers bumper to bumper

So far, there has been only one hatched: Ronith, out of gold Brinleth and bronze Mnarith. There isn't much known about the Bismuth color; it is speculated by some that Ronith was a fluke, and there will never be another like him. Certainly none exist outside of Sunset Weyr. Because he is unique for his color, no stereotype information is available; size projections are only guesses based on his size upon hatching. Whites know when they are; the sole bismuth has a sharper sense of where that enables him to between from the ground, or to the ground. This is an ability specific to his color.

Personality note: Unspecified for color; Ronith is usually full of rage.
Impression note: Ronith, the sole Bismuth thus far, chose a eighteen-Turn-old female with a fairly similar personality.
Threadfighting note: Ronith will have a wider flame than a bronze, but it comes in even more abbreviated spurts.



Brown
(Male)
Maximum size range: 34 - 40 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about the length of a regular school bus

Traditionally outnumbering golds and bronzes put together, these are one of the most underestimated colors in the Weyr. With better agility than a bronze and more stamina than a blue, they are here to Get Things Done. In point of fact they will almost always last an entire Threadfall. They range in color from a pale tan to nearly black, sometimes with reddish hues. Markings of smoothly blended colors are common, with sharply contrasting marks being much rarer.

Personality note: Stereotypically, browns are steady, hard working, determined, and balanced.
Impression note: Browns are known to choose male mindmates more frequently than females- compatible individuals who match their personalities with a few differences.
Threadfighting note: Browns have a smaller flame than a bronze, but sustain longer.



Silver - Gray (Atypical)
(Female... so far...)
Estimated Size, based on Lycath: 30 - 40 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about the length of a regular school bus

Most commonly called Silver. So far, there has been only one hatched: Lycath, out of gold Brinleth and bronze Mnarith. There isn't much known IC about the Silver color; it is speculated by some that Lycath was a fluke, and there will never be another like her. Certainly none exist outside of Sunset Weyr. Because she is unique for her color, no stereotype information is available; size projections are only guesses based on her size upon hatching. Whites know when they are; the sole silver has a sharper sense of who that enables her to remember anyone she's met. This is an ability specific to her color.

Personality note: Unspecified for color; Lycath is usually a bit shy.
Impression note: Lycath, the sole Silver thus far, chose a sixteen-Turn-old male with a somewhat opposite personality.
Threadfighting note: Lycath will have a smaller flame than a brown, but sustain as long.
Mating note: Details are as yet unknown, but it is speculated by some due to Lycath's metallic hide that she will be able to clutch.



Blue
(Male)
Size range: 27 - 38 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about as long as a large RV

Much more common than browns, the smaller blue is known for excellent agility- only a little less so than a green. It is their endurance that suffers; a blue will never last an entire Threadfall, and must be rotated out in shifts. Their colors encompass every hue from pale sky blue to deep midnight blue. Markings are common, and many blues' wing sails are a shade utterly distinct from the rest of their hide.

Personality note: Honest, loyal, and good-natured, the blue stereotypically is good at Searching.
Impression note: Blues select individuals that are mostly their match, with enough differences to keep things interesting.
Threadfighting note: Blues' flames are narrow, but precise, almost never missing.



Green
(Female)
Size range: 23 - 30 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about as long as two stretch limos bumper to bumper

These are the smallest females. Their color ranges the full green spectrum from bright yellowish green to dark, almost-black hues and even green bordering on brown. Some greens go through regular phases where they start to refuse firestone and then clutch after their next Mating Flight. However, due to their size, it is dangerous for them to attempt to clutch. Whether a green wishes to have a clutch will vastly increase the likelihood a clutching phase will onset. This is currently only OOC knowledge! Please respect this!

Personality note: Greens are different enough from one another that few stereotypes are applied.
Impression note: It has been established that greens choose their mindmate for a variety of reasons- sometimes even for their sense of humor, or the lack thereof.
Threadfighting note: The flame of a green is a little wider than a blue's, but does not extend as far out, making it necessary to be almost point-blank.
Mating note: Being swift and agile, but with less stamina than a blue, greens are very straightforward during Mating Flights. They clutch 1-3 eggs about once every two Turns. ((The other half will always be duds, NPCs, or possibly adoptable. Total eggs: 2-6.))



White
(Gender neutral)
Size range: 16 - 24 feet long
Approximate visual aid - about as long as two king-size sheets laid end to end

Whites are undeniably the smallest color class. They are rare, possibly because nobody knew they existed before Ruth, and many golds are sensitive about folks force-Hatching eggs. These little guys aren't actually a pure white, but the hints of other colors on their hide only show up at very close range. Genderless, their mindvoices have always been recorded as masculine. Whites always know "when" they are- which, as any weyrlingmaster who's had one in their class could tell you, is definitely a double-edged blade! At hatching, they aren't much bigger than a firelizard, but in spite of their size they are just as likely to be healthy as other colors. Perhaps because of their small size, whites attract firelizards- be they wild or Impressed.

Personality note: Typical to runts, keen intellect is something whites have all had in common. There have been too few whites for other similarities to have been recorded (only four since Ruth, in fact).
Impression note: White dragons need help getting out of their thicker-shelled eggs. Impression seems to occur for whichever human makes the effort to release the hatchling from the egg, regardless of the person's physical or mental sex.
Threadfighting note: The flame of a white is comparable to that of a green, but they can sustain it longer.

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