Dragon Information Guide

This guide explains how to use the Dragon Information Template to create an article on an original species/subspecies/breed of dragon. Only original DrARPG-specific breeds may be added, and these may only be added by their original creator(s) or owner(s).

To complete the infobox, simply click the links in the title area of each field and you will be taken to a page which defines the fields and contains the options available for each.

Write an introduction here, in this space, so that it appears at the top of the page. Make it brief—the substance should be in the body.

Origin
Talk about where the breed/species originates from (or where it is said to originate from). Also include information on the history of it and where it has gone since it was discovered.

Taxonomy
Here is the place to write about the type the dragon belongs to as well as the species, subspecies, breed, and strain—whatever is relevant. Remember that the types do not define a whole species. (Ie: "wyvern" is not a species.)

If applicable, include what others they are capable of interbreeding with and the success of such breeding.

Appearance
Include the appearance of the dragon here, which generally includes all the following, as does the standard—difference being that standards tend to be more strict.

Good information to have on their physical features is the hide (leather, scales, scutes, feathers, fur, etc...); build; proportions; weight, height, and length (average, minimum, maximum); coloration (colors, patterns, markings); and the carriage (gait) and stance (stack)—including the hold of the head/neck/wings.

Standard
The standard includes the features accepted for a breed/species by a council. This applies to the domestic and tame individuals and is used when assessing them for work, as breeding stock, for shows, and for sports. (Though there are instances where there may be no difference between the wild/feral population and the domestic/tamed.) When standards are set, they usually strive for the betterment of a dragon breed/species as a whole towards optimization for their intended purpose. (Ex: A dragon that is good at driving prey may be bred to be less inclined to attack and kill and creates a good herder.)

The standard should mention which are the deviations from the desired standard, which of these deviations are faulted, and which result in disqualifications.

The standard also takes into account the desired temperament—not just the physical features.

Abilities
Their physical, elemental, and magical abilities. May also include the weaknesses and strengths as well as defensive and offensive behavior.

Behavior
Information on things such as social behavior, communication, denning or nesting behavior, territorial behavior, nomadic behavior, migratory patterns, if they are diurnal or nocturnal, hunting, foraging, resource guarding behavior, and other instinctual behavior or habits.... You may also expand on their temperament here. It should include differences between the wild or feral and the domestic and tame individual, if there are any.

Intelligence
This is a good area to talk about their intelligence. Are they sentient or sapient or somewhere in between? In which aspects is their intelligence concentrated or augmented? In which aspects are they "lacking"?

Reproduction
When is their breeding season? What is their courtship and breeding behavior? Mateship and brooding behavior? Etc...? Include the incubation/gestation period and brood size (average, minimum, maximum).

Genetics
Here is where you may include information on the genetics, if there are any. Please state if they are optional or required, although it should be included in the original resource. A link to the original resource or a separate article for extensive genetic systems is recommended.

Lifespan, Maturity, and Aging
Include here their average, minimum, and maximum life expectancy; at which age they reach juvenile; and at which age they reach full physical and sexual maturity. State at which age they are capable of breeding (if before they become fully mature adults)—if you so desire. And then you can include things such as how they go on aging....

Diet
You needn't simply state carnivore/herbivore/omnivore; you can mention what creatures they hunt or what vegetation they forage for.

Habitat
Include information on their biome, habitat, range, region.... However it is best.

Domestication
How well do they tame (if it is common practice to take wild or feral dragons; if there is a wild/feral variety)? Also include information on their train-ability (which applies to domestics; like some dog breeds are good companions, but difficult to train).

Utility
Include in what disciplines they excel, as within the infobox. Except that in this section, you also include the full utility/sports/shows participation list (even if they do not regularly work in or excel at a particular field).