basic x history x social x magic x breeding
Information -- Basic
Syon Dragons have a misleading name; while the word 'dragon' calls to mind massive, fire-breathing beasts, Syons are largely mammalian creatures. They have sturdy bodies with long, arched necks, a pair of elegant horns, four strong legs with cloven hooves, a long tail, and may grow a pair of magnificent leathery wings. They are 2 or 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and they weigh about 100 lb. on average. Their wingspan is slightly longer than their height at the shoulder.
Syons come in a wide range of colors. They can be just about any shade of the rainbow, though pure blacks or whites are very rare. It is not uncommon for Syons to sport small markings, but much rarer are those who have very large or distinctive patterns on their body. A dragon with extensive markings is almost always kept by its breeder. It is said that a dragon with such patterning is skilled in magic and very dangerous.
Though regular Syons, raised in their native home, look like the first paragraph describes, they are very much influenced by the surroundings they are raised in. For instance, it was discovered that if a Syon was raised in the mountains, its body would develop mutations made to help survival in a mountain range. Similarly, if a Syon was raised in the ocean, it would develop gills and other mutations to survive in water. This holds true for any environment that a Syon is raised in; it will mutate and develop the characteristics nessecary to survive in its home. It may also adapt to its caretaker, or any other beings that are near it often enough.
Though many Syons are perfectly content to live out their lives raising their families and enjoying themselves, some choose to go into some kind of magical art. Each Syon is born with a certain magical talent that has something to do with nature. It is like a rite of passage for young Syon to discover the magical element, though few choose to further their talent beyond a few simple powers. That process is described in detail on another page.
Most Syon Dragons are peace-lovers, though not all are especially friendly. Of course, there are always some 'bad apples,' though it is rare that a Syon will willingly go into battle and kill. Other than that, there is really no way to describe the personality of all Syons; their temperments are as varied as their appearances. Though their outward appearance is most affected by their surroundings, Syons may also have personalities that lean toward personifying their habitat, though this is not a proven fact.