Swamp Dragons

Location: Mostly appear in southern Zerin, along the lowlands of Bohata and Reimal, but also in spotty locations in other wetlands across the world. Swamp dragon breeding houses in Ontik and Skein are well known.

Physical: With a long body and tail, narrow shape, these dragons can grow to 7 or more lengths, though they are not very tall off the ground (up to 2 heights). Their very sturdy build ensures a Body Type of 140 or more per Length! For their size, their Strength is very high, usually around 75 or so, and they use it to great advantage. Their lifespan is long, living around 90 years on average, and they are usually found to get that old since their calling is not often direct conflict. They are extremely efficient at their work. Normally sedate, these dragons can erupt into speeds up to 85 Reaction, though their perception is equitable to around 80. Swamp dragons perform the same job as Sea and Stone dragons, they are usually found patrolling their ground with their Master walking nearby. Though they are aggressive, they work well in teams. They are mainly physical fighters.

Eggs: Guarded by the mother, a nest is made in reeds and mud near the edge of land. Anywhere from six to ten dark grey-green eggs are laid, they are soft and rounded. They continue to be soft though they seem to be thick upon hatching, leathery but protective. Males do not come near the nest area when there are eggs. The mother will care for her young if given the chance, and will often do so for up to a year! Females can lay eggs once every two years, and if she has young she will not mate again until they are apart.

Basis and Description: Largest of the ground-dwelling dragons, Swamp dragons are based upon a kind of Gavial looking alligator. Their long snout is used for their main attack, but also for remaining under shallow water. Their nostrils are at the very end, and they can remain submerged with just their nose showing indefinitely. Their nose is often a full Length long! Their neck is strong and long, they have a slender, cylindrical body, with stout muscular legs that bear heavy claws, and in some cases have small spines on their elbows and wrists. Their tail is at least as long as their body, tapering to a point. Their skin is hard scales like alligator skin, and most often in a dark set of colors such as blacks, greys and dark greens. There are usually two lines of jagged ridges along their neck, back and tail, used to keep them camoflaged below water. Though ungainly on land, these beautiful dragons are very quick and elegant under water, and deceptively lazy looking. They have been known to mutate with extra legs, tail or bear a tall sail fin like a dinosaur, they have also been known to live almost as long as a Sea dragon.

Attacks: All Swamp dragons have three main attacks. Their bite, which is enough to split a human sized object clear in half, or completely swallow it whole if need be; they use their claws only when actually tussling with something larger than themselves though the claws are deadly; and they have a crushing drowning attack which they often use by biting or holding on to their prey (or enemy) and spinning into the water, holding on and suffocating their prey. On land, they can use their bite or whiplike tail to strike, but mostly their attacks are best done from the shore or just in shallow water. (By "shallow" I mean water about 5-10 feet deep, or about a Length to 1.5 lengths.)

Defenses: Their heavy skin keeps them quite protected from physical attacks, though they can be snared in things. Spotting them in water is extremely difficult, and they rely upon their stealth mostly.

Mental and Psionic Abilities: Since these dragons cannot vocalize beyond hissing or groaning, they have much stronger developed intelligence and empathic abilities to make up for it. Their intelligence is considered 'human' at around 50 average, though they have been known to be conversant in social subjects when taught! Their empathy is enough to offer them up to 4 powers normally. The mainstay of their powers is that they can also choose to telepathically speak with others than their Master. This is greatly helpful when they know other people are around them. They often are able to sense and identify life sources nearby, telling enemy from native easily. Otherwise, they have been known to use controls over both water elements and plant life. They often use these in tandem to produce traps for their enemies. Other powers are large in number but not common to be used. Of all the dragons, these are ones which have the strongest attachment to their Master, and they should never be made to change Masters. Their empathy is too focused upon their birth- or youth-Master, so they cannot really live without one once they have started. (This can be considered a disadvantage as well.)

Disadvantages: Because of their size and location, Swamp dragons often have a very difficult time out of water. They can walk upon land, but some of them have utterly no dexterity or speed there. Males are known to become aggressive, but more commonly the bond between Master and dragon is so strong that the dragon feels very overprotective of them, and will defend even if they only suspect something is wrong. Females with young are also unusually overprotective, but they will always allow their Master near by.

Master and Breeder Expectations: Proximity to water and swampland is essential. These dragons do not do well in anything less than a Length of water deep, their hide must be kept clean and free of parasites so they require a bit of effort. They love to bask in the sun, and this is when most Masters of Swamp dragons get the chance to do their cleaning work and converse. Like Sky dragons, they are known to eat a large meal and then let it sit for weeks, while digesting. They can however digest quickly if need be, and there are rarely any wastes from Swamp dragons, as their stomach acids are quite strong. (Though they have never developed an acid based power.) Masters of Swamp dragons should be attentive and loyal. They should rarely if ever have more than one dragon to their bond at once, however they could keep more than one Swamp dragon if they are a mated pair or siblings. (Swamp dragons are the only dragons who can be raised this way, with a dual bond at once to the same Master, other dragons must be trained to accept it.) Breeders of Swamp dragons are often 'nature lovers' and though they are usually found with a striking and clean clinic to do artificial breeding, Swamp dragons are the most successful natural breeders and they often allow their dragons to mate freely, only taking notes as to who mated with whom. (Most regular Breeders would never get caught dead in the big black rubber boots and gloves that these Dragon Breeders wear to slog out into the marshes…)