Species Fact Sheet

History

Tavrayn dragons are looked upon with a fearful respect from the people of Anarendor. They are often lofty and "stuck up" when it comes to there kind thus they don't often mingle with other species, expecially for breeding. There orgin is from Narda, specificially Vale Dragonry. When the Dragonries were lost so was the vital information left behind for the riders of the Tavrayn. Like Amkal, the Nardians wanted a more "elite" fighting dragon then the Ortari and thus breeding and magical-genetic manipulation was put into effect. Tavrayn dragons are able to use up to two forms of magic, unlike the Ortari's one. They are also stronger in power though this has it's drawbacks which is why the Ortari never ventured to strengthen there power - they do this through Bonding. Tavrayn's don't need to bond but often will if a suitable rider is prescent at there hatching. Otherwise, they don't

They are one of the brightest colored dragons next to the Gem Dragons ranging from bright red to black. There wings are nearly translucent and glow with the use of there magic. A Tavrayn can "turn off" the glow in there wings simply by blocking magic use. However, if they must use magic their wings will glow again once there magic is being used. Most Tavrayn's can't hold off there power very long which makes them not very good at sneaking up on people at night. This glow is due to the increase of magic in there blood stream. Because it's too much for there bodies to handle, the power "leakes" through the wings creating a glow. Tavrayn's are able to "create" there own power with proper diet and rest, like most Anarian species.

Ranging from 7'6" to 9'6" on average, Tavrayns are one of the largest species on Anarendor. The tallest they can get is 10' to the shoulder while the smallest (on record) was 7' though the actuall height is not competley known as the genticist at Vale Dragonry never compelted there work in "perfecting" the Tavrayn to be the strongest fighters. Through out the last thousands of years, the Tavrayn have breed and developed naturally and much of there true orgin was lost. Most are now only seen in the mountains of Treval and are rare sights. As much contact with Narda has ceased, perhaps due to Narda itself, it is unknown how many have been in Narda.

Physical Appearance

Colors

Base Colors
red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and orange

Secondary Colors
Varaitions of these colors happen (such as yellow green, teal, and brown). Most Tavrayn only come in a bright color while metalics are rare as there base color. These colors are often found on the wings when they are two-toned. gold, bronze (or brass), silver, and copper are common secondary colors.

Two-toning
Tavrayns are the only Anarian species that shows a two-tone coloration more redidially then any other species - they are perhaps the only species, in truth. On top of that, some Tavrayn have a third color that oulines the edge of there wings. Sterotypes
There is no set personality for colors however most Tavrayn perfer sophisticated people who can match there strengths. They are fighters and very protective of there riders, bonding for life and always dying if there rider dies. See "Magic Types" for sterotypes based on magic-use.

Abilities

Abilities

verbal speech - can speak out loud (languages known determined by rider)
mind speech - can speak with there mind to those they choose to allow hear them
plane shifting - uses the Aurora Plane to travel to other locations if needed
natural magic - has limited amount of magic in blood; can draw upon outside power
element affinity - has a certian element on which they can use; cannot use anyother element

Magic Abilities

fire - can control, create and manipulate fire and heat
forest - can control, create and manipulate plants and trees
weather - can control, create and manipulate storms
earth - can control, create and manipulate dirt and stone
water - can control, create and manipulate water
lightning - can control, create and manipulate lightning and electricity
wind - can control, create and manipulate wind
air - can contol, create and manipulate the teperature and humidity of the air

Magic and Mages
Magic is a very strong element for the Tavrayn - so strong that it "leaks" out of them if they don't use it. A Tavrayn who has used up all there magic will not have a glow to there wings. However, it only takes a good day's rest and a hearty meal for there bodies to recover and the magic be replaced. Like most Anarian dragons, there magic is created within there bodies.

While personailities are not based on color, they are on magic, like most Anarian species. Below is the magic type and the personaily of the rider they prefer though this dosn't always follow true.

fire - tempermental, lofty, defensive
water - easy-going, understanding, pacient
earth - defensive, sturdy, strong-willed
forest or plant - creative, nuturing, caring
necromancy - quite, thoughtful, may be a bit sadistic
lightning - energetic, witty, impuslsive
air - radical, ever changing, strong-minded
wind - quirky, playful, shy
weather or storm - impulsive, quick to anger, unstable
healing - tender, nuturing, pacient

People who bond Tavrayn's find that they can use the power of there dragon even if they have never been trained to use magic before. However, this can be dangerous and the dragon often has to make sure that their rider dosn't get themselves killed using magic that can be, and normally is, to powerful for them. DragonMages are people who have been trained to use magic from there dragon, working with them and relying on them to make them stronger then a typcial Mage (who can use the magic around them).

Breeding, Clutching, and Bonding

Mating and Clutching

Females always come into heat once a year though many factors decide if she will clutch or not. One is the time of year, the length and quality of her flight, and elements of nature. No one knows exsactly what trigers the correct horomone to prodcue a clutch of eggs, not even the Tavrayn themselves. Also, if she cannot fine any suitable males she will not rise. If she does find a male, or enough males, she will rise. Most females have a nasty temper before they rise to mate. The males that stay around to chase her are often strong enough to deal with her thus will win her approval. Before she rises, she becomes excessivly snappy and irritable, lashing out at even her rider. All females (sometimes of all species) will make a hasty retreat from the vacinty just to be certian she dosn't turn on them. A female Tavrayn in heat glows much more brightly then before, the glow now within her body as well as her wings as her blood heats up for the flight. Once she is ready, she takes off and it's up to the equally sex-driven males to catch her.

A Tavryn mating flight does affect the riders only because they form such a strong bond. The effects are actually stronger, in some ways, then the Pernese for a rider is unable to think once his or her dragon is in the chase, or being chased. The chases are often long and bruital. Male dragons fight over the female, trying everything to get ride of there compition. The female, in turn, fights them while she teases them, trying to get them to go farther and faster. The winner often is the strongest or smartest male. Once caught, the male will stake his claim, twining necks and tails with his female to prevent any intervention. They then fall, breaking before they hit the ground. After the first flight, the mated pair will mate until the female's heat cycle is over, often lasting for twenty-four hours. Finially, the mated pair will land at the first available spot and sleep. Both wake later, starving and eat anything. It isn't until they are both rested that they return to there riders. (Or stay there if they are wild and unbonded).

It takes approximentaly eight weeks for a female to clutch her eggs. During that time, she hunts ravounously and sleeps often. The clutching takes place either in a Hatching Hall at a Dragonry or in a cave the her mate has prepared for her. The clutching den is often a previously used den which the male has covered with sand (or fresh sand) he collects and brings to cover the floor. In the wild, a Tavrayn female will clutch and incubate the eggs. At a Dragonry, or if bonded to a human who helps provide for her bond, the dragoness often has no need to incubate as heated sand is used in the Hatching Halls. She does, however, have to rotate them to make sure they are heated evenly. Most clutches are average sized with 6 to 10 eggs. A smaller female tends to have fewer eggs while a larger female is able to have more though even a small female can produce 14 eggs if the flight was good enough.

Tavrayn eggs are lain smaller then typical size, expanding as the hatchling grows. By the time the five month incubation period is complete, the eggs are three times there size and very hard. The eggs are often a milky color but splotched with colors. As these colors don't always indicated the color of the dragonet inside, those bonded to a female Tavrayn have noticed that there is a relation to the splotched colors and the resulting hatchling. Tavrayn females often do not wait around for there offspring to hatch once the eggs begin to rock. Some stay, expecially if people have come to try to bond her children. Once they hatch, however, she leaves them to there own for they are the only species on Anarednor that can speak, fight, fly, and use magic upon hatching.

Bonding and Training

Like all Anarian species, Tavrayn have a hormone in there blood that trigers the need to bond. This hormone allows the hatchling to find a suitable lifemate. While the Pernese phrase "Dragon's know best" it true on Pern, it is not for Anarian species. Some young dragonets choose someone who is not the best match for them. If they are abused enough, they will suicide or break there bond, never to return to bond again and often hating humans and all the other races.

Tavrayn's carry the bonding horomone in there blood for a short time before it "evaporates" from the blood stream. After three days they are unable to bond. If they bond within the first twenty-four hours the bond is very strong and lasts a life-time. These types of bondings often result in the rider dying if there dragon does. Day-old Boninds are strong but the rider can life if there dragon dies, though not many want to. This bond is simular to when a Pernese dragon dies on his/her rider. Third-day bondings are strong though most humans will live should the dragon dies. No matter when the dragon bonds, however, they will die should there rider die. If they have not bonded on the fourth day, the dragonet will never bond and becomes wild. They may accept human company and help them if they see fit, however.

Wild Bondings
People have stumbled upon hatchings while traveling or on everyday errands. Hatchlings have hatched and followed them home without them knowing. Or have walked up to them and choosen them. Most people will avoid a clutch if the mother is there out of respect and fear. Some have wandered into human villages and cities trying to find a bond as the hormone will compel them to search for someone until they are found. It is not uncommon to see a young Tavrayn flying over a village or city in search of a suitiable bond. If someone does bond, they are responsiable for the hatchling and are often asked to feed them there first meal. Some people are unable to care for there new bond thus the hatchling goes off and hunts on it's own like it's un-bonded siblings. Bonded Tavrayn have an easier life then those in the wild and most of the ailments they suffer as they grow can be eased with the helping hands of humans. Bonded Tavrayn live longer then the wild ones.

Dragonets who bond to "normal" people (like farmers, traders, ect), often share the lifestyle of there bond rather then going to the Dragonries to further there training. Because of this, most wild-bonded Tavrayns can be seen doing such mundae tasks as carrying loads or protecting livestock (often with the promise of eating a few when they're hungry).

Dragonry Bondings
Those that bond "officially" at the Hatching Halls of a Dragonry are considered DragonRiders and will join the training that makes these Tavrayn stronger then wild ones who only understand the basics of there abilities. Also, the riders are taught to use the power from there dragons to become DragonMages like the riders of the Ortari-kion.

At a Dragonry, a female will annouce the hatching of her clutch with a keening "song". Anyone who has come to try to bond her children are then gathered up and sent to the Hatching Hall where she has clutched. Other dragons may come watch though most go to hunt for the new hatchlings, even if they are of a different species. Once the hatching begins, it is often quick. The baby dragons are nothing like there adult forms, being short, clumsy, and chubby in a baby way. They are normally the size of a large dog (so between 2' and 3' to the shoulder upon hatching). They are hungry but not ravounsou like Pernese dragons so there is little confusion. Tavrayn are very intelligent upon hatching, choosing names for themselves, even knowing the linegae of which they have hatched into. If they find a person on the Hatching sands, they will bond.

Bonding a Tavrayn normally knocks a person of his or her feet - literlarly. And it can hurt. Most new riders cry out in shock and surprise as the Tavrayn chooses them, weaving there magic around and into there choosen rider who often falls to the ground and waits for the confusion and pain to stop. It lasts only a few breaths. Once the bonding is over, the Tavrayn will tell there rider there name, greeting them and, more then often, appologizing for the pain they have caused. A Tavrayn has to touch there rider to bond them though they know who will be suitable for them at even a distance.

Once the Bonding is over, the dud eggs are often taken care of by Hall assistants. The dragons take care of the dud eggs (as Tavrayn may have quite a few depending on there genetics), by disposing them outside the Weyr, often dropping them so that they crack and the unhatched dragonet is exposed to feed wild animals. Sounds cruel, yes, but dragons don't like wasting food. They never will eat the eggs themselves, however. There are plenty of wild carnivores that are on the look-out for a free meal.

Tavrayns' take eightteen months to reach 75% of their adult height. It isn't until they are large enough that and DragonTrainer will allow them to fly with there rider though they can fly at hatching and are the only species permitted to fly around after they hatch. Until now, the rider has been being drilled on caring for his or her dragon (which does include bathing and some oiling but not to the extent of Pernese dragons), working as teams with other Dragonlings, learning how to use magic and work with their dragon's powers (Tavrayn riders can only use the magic they're Tavrayn can). Once they start flight training, they start working to learn wing patterns. As all Anarian species require little instruction to use the Planes, this is not something that is stressed. However, DragonTrainers to inform riders that they should visuiliaze there destination to aid there dragon and ensure arriving. Most dragons are taught about the Planes by other dragons.

Once a DragonTrainer thinks a dragon and his or her rider is fit for the wings, he will inform the DragonLord who in turns informs his WingLeaders. Leaders will deicide who the pair should fly with. The formal indiction into a fighting Wing is made by the DragonLord who often waits until there are enough graduated Dragonlings to hold an official ceremony. The Dragonlings are called forward, presented with a weapon made for them, and asked if they accept to fly with the Leader who has choosen them. After they accept they are presented to the Leader who nods and tells them to join there table.

Tavrayn riders often have glass or colored crystal in the design of there weapons (anything from bow, spear, sword, or dagger), and it is often the same color as there dragon's hide. There Wing's symbol is emezzled on the hilt as well as the color for the Dragonry of which he serves. Weapons are presented without the rider's preferance but have been suggested by the DragonTrainer who trained them so it often fits their preferance well. Though a DragonRider can commission new weapons later, there first is what they are recongized by. Does it have magic? No, but they can put spells on it or store magic in it. This is encouranges considering what the Dragonries normally fight against. Tavrayn magic causes the crystal or glass portions to glow slightly. When a rider calls upon the magic from his weapon, it will glow, too. Tavrayn's often put magic in there rider's weapons during a fight if given the chance.

Breeding Habits

female looks for males interested and suited to her and will rise in a mating flight. Flights are long and testing if the female is skilled enough and can last days. Pairing occurs in the air. The couple may mate numerious times during her heat cycle. Clutches are lain (if not at a Dragonry), in dens and cliffs and tended by the mother and father. Most parents leave the eggs before they hatch as hatchlings are able to take care of themselves.

Breeding Preferances

will breed with Ortari and Gem Dragons; rarley with Spell Weavers and Kijana

Bonding Habits

perfers humans, will choose humans and Selkari; tend to not bond with dwarves and halflings; dislikes gnomes

Breeding Resrictions

As with all my Anarian species, I am not going to do many cross-breeds with them. However, Tavrayns can and will mate with other species. Here is a break down of the "Nexus Genetic Code" that can be used when breeding them. Body Type: Bb (B dominate for Tavrayn body type, b recessive for tavryn body type)
Wings: Ww (W - will have translucent wings, w will not have translucent wings)
Color: Cc (C dominate for Tavrayn color rules, c recessive for Tavrayn color rules)
Size: Ss (S dominate for Tavrayn rules, s recessive for Tavryn rules)
Horns: H+H (always have horns; H+ follows Tavrayn rules if paired with another dragon who has HH or Hh)
Plates: PP (always have plating; P+ follows Tavryn rules if paired with another dragon who has PP or Pp)
Eyes: ee (eyes will follow other parents' rules)

Naming Styles

Names are often Arabic or Egyption in sound despite the fact that they originated in Narda. They are born knowing there names, even what the last name should be. A hyphan divides their name and the lineage name.

If bred with something that does not have a last name, most will choose the last name of the Tavrayn parent.

Genetic Codes

Last Known/Used Genetic Profile (subject to change/improve...)

Base Colors

Tavrayns have a diverse range of colors that are broken down into three allels on the Color Gene:

• R is for red pigment; r is weak pigment
• B is for blue pigment; b is weak pigment
• Y is for yellow pigment; y is weak pigment

Each color is its own allele and two of the three will always be found on the color gene. From the combinations, you will get the following:

• RR, Rr, rr: red
• BB, Bb, bb: blue
• YY, Yy, yy: yellow
• RB, BR: purple
• RY, YR: orange
• BY, YB: green
• Rb: maroon
• Ry: red-orange
• Br: indigo
• By: blue-green
• Yb: green-blue
• Yr: yellow-orange (gold)
• Yb: yellow-green

Dilutions

Most Tavrayns are not a super bright colored species, despite their founding genetics. Many times their color is diluted to a grayish tone.  D represents the dilution gene which dulls the color of the dragon. These gene is a co-dominate gene.

• DD: color is dulled greatly
• Dd: color is dulled slightly
• dd: color is not dulled

Darkening and Lightening

K and P are the light and dark genes that work similar to the Pernese Genetics but I’ve wrote them differently here. K is for darker and P is for lighter while k and p are recessive and do nothing. K* and P* adds more black or white to further darken or lighten. With that in mind, the possible combinations are as follows:

• K*K*PP, K*K*Pp, K*K*pp: near black
• K*KPP, K*KPp, K*Kpp: very dark
• KKpp: darker
• Kkpp: slightly darker
• KKPP, KkPp, kkpp: no change
• Ppkk: slightly lighter
• PPkk: lighter
• P*PKK, P*PKk, P*Pkk: very light
• P*P*KK, P*P*Kk, P*P*kk: near white

Near white and near black are often simply recorded as black and white while the very dark and very light can sometimes be mistaken for black and white as well.

Albinos

P* and K* are dominate to all other genese save each other. Should one get P* and K* in any amount, the dragonet will most likely die. K*K*P*P* is an automatic dud egg while having one K* and one P* will give a chance for the dragonet to live and hatch. These dragons are albinos and most do not live long and have health problems.

Wings

Tavrayn wings have been seen as two-tone and do not work like Pernese dragons. W represents the wing pigmitation remains the same, while w will cause a change. w often has a pigmation added to it which represends what color is being added to the wings.

Adding Red Pigment: w^R or w^r

• RR, Rr, rr: red → no change
• BB, Bb, bb: blue → purple
• YY, Yy, yy: yellow → orange
• RB, BR: purple → maroon
• RY, YR: orange → red-orange
• BY, YB: green → black
• Rb: maroon → red
• Ry: red-orange → red
• Br: indigo → maroon
• By: blue-green → black
• Yb: green-blue → black
• Yr: yellow-orange (gold) → orange
• Yb: yellow-green → black
• RR, Rr, rr: red → purple
• BB, Bb, bb: blue → no change
• YY, Yy, yy: yellow → green
• RB, BR: purple → indigo
• RY, YR: orange → black
• BY, YB: green → blue-green
• Rb: maroon → purple
• Ry: red-orange → black
• Br: indigo → blue-red
• By: blue-green → blue
• Yb: green-blue → green
• Yr: yellow-orange (gold) → black
• Yb: yellow-green → green
• RR, Rr, rr: red → orange
• BB, Bb, bb: blue → green
• YY, Yy, yy: yellow → no change
• RB, BR: purple → black
• RY, YR: orange → yellow-orange
• BY, YB: green → yellow-green
• Rb: maroon → black
• Ry: red-orange → orange
• Br: indigo → black
• By: blue-green → green
• Yb: green-blue → green
• Yr: yellow-orange (gold) → yellow
• Yb: yellow-green → yellow

Adding Blue Pigment: w^B or w^b

Adding Yellow Pigment: w^Y or w^y

There are, of course, other combinations, such as w^yw^b, which would add a bix of green. Not all the colors are pretty and are often recorded close to another color. (RR with w^yw^b would result in black or dark gray wings, for example.)

A good rule of thumb is if any form of R, Y, or B are present, the result will be brown, gray, or black. If you have to, R=r+r, B=b+b, and Y=y+y. If you have a dragon with Rb and its adding a w^y, you could add it like this: r+r+b+y (which is probably a brownish color).

Metallic Masking

There is a masking pigment for the wings that adds a metallic hue to the pigment, known as m. If present, red pigment becomes copper, blue pigment becomes silver, and yellow pigment becomes gold. w^ym would be the gold pigment gene. If there are two, it has the same effect as one. It is recessive to all other genes, so w^bw^ym would only get blue pigment added, no yellow/gold. w^ymw^bm would result in a bronze-like metallic look.

Crystal Wings

Crystal wings are the restul of the even more recessive w gene which, as it has no color associated with it, restricts color to the wing membranes which give them a clear look.

Two-toning

Two-toning on the wings relies on t and works just like w.

• TT, Tt, Tt^b, Tt^r, Tt^y: solid wings
• t: is recessive to all others and will result in a crystal edge to the wings.

Plating Colors

Most plating is gold. Silver, bronze and copper are rare but have been noted to occur.

• PP, Pp, Pp^c: gold plating
• pp: silver plating
• pp^c: bronze plating
• p^cp^c: copper plating

Eye Color

Tavrayns have either gold or brown eyes, with gold being common. Blue has also been noted but is rare. (note, albinos have red eyes).

EE, Ee, Eu: gold

ee, eu: brown

uu: blue

Magic and Abilities

Magic is genetic and divided into earth based and sky based powers. Non-elemental powers are indicated with O and o; O being the healing type powers and o being the demonic powers. O and o are very rare amoung Tavrayn’s but there are a rare number of dragons who carry these genes.

The breakups of powers are as follows:

Earth Based Powers

• M^f: fire
• M^w: water
• M^e: earth
• M^p: plant
• M^s: stone
• m^l: lightning
• m^a: air
• m^w: wind
• m^s: storm
• O: healing
• O^d: divination
• o: spirit
• o^c: corruption/control

Sky Based Powers

Non-elemental Powers

Size and Gender

Other colorations are typical, XY/XX for gender, SS, Ss, and ss for size (large, average, small).