I've been chewing on the problem of Orange dragons and dragon sapience for a long time, partly bc I don't think I've satisfactorily engaged with it in my own lore
the conundrum is this: DB is just a tv show for kids, and the color-coded breeding schtick is ripe for kids to project themselves onto and create fan-characters. but then the show adds in Orange dragons, and suddenly we're left in the deeply uncomfortable position of breeding fully-sapient creatures who lost a war that was specifically in opposition to that treatment as objects. the color-coded breeding schtick isn't as fun, once you know that's a person you're breeding
so my three proposals for rewrites:
1) Dark and Gritty
the show locks down on the grim implications of its setting, and it's no longer a "general audiences" show. dragons are a fully-sapient underclass, oppressed by humans after the war. the show could still start out light-hearted, but learning more abt dragons over time leads to a slow, creeping realization (in both Artha and the audience) that something is deeply wrong.
before meeting the Prophets, Artha's gang only knows them as a dangerous anti-human collective. but after meeting them, Artha and co. finally realize that the Prophets are basically in the right-- this would be the big tipping point in the show's tone.
this is not my first choice for a rewrite, bc I do prefer DB as a light-hearted kid's show, even if it does engage with darker topics. plus, too much focus on the light-hearted dragon riding at the beginning could undercut the terrible reality of their lives later. it's also too easy to slip into real-life slavery allegories, which could be.... questionable. though I did kinda accidentally go this route in my own lore (namely the Honker lore) while trying to wrestle with Orange dragons, so I may need to rethink some things lmao
2) Working Animals
dragons are sentient but not necessarily sapient; they don't mind being partnered with humans, and particularly enjoy racing. essentially, they're working animals, and get enrichment out of their work with humans. they can still be bred by humans without many ethical qualms, bc the dragons themselves don't mind it.
Orange dragons simply do not exist as ultra-smart mind-controllers, they're just another, particularly clever clade of dragons. and there was no devastating war between humans and dragons. rather, the Big Bad threat of the series is a separate issue from humans' relationship with dragons.
while this is the easiest route for a kid's show, it's also not my ideal choice either, simply bc I enjoy worldbuilding around sapient nonhumans. I also think it's too easy to go a similarly uncomfortable route of, "but dragons likeee serving humans!" with this one. it's not a bad route overall tho; I can see the potential for a rly good, HTTYD movie-style story of human/dragon friendship in this
3) Cultural Exchange
dragons are fully sapient with rich cultures and societies outside of humans, alongside a rich history of co-mingling and working with humans. humans do not breed dragons for human purposes, but rather dragons choose to work with humans if they deem humans worthy, or their interests align. dragons just really enjoy racing as a sport, and carrying humans adds a unique and rewarding layer of challenge. humans and dragons are equals, with full rights and autonomy in either society (though dragons think humans are a bit silly and fragile).
I'm willing to keep the dragon-human war, leading to high tension in the current day. it probably started over resource disputes, maybe Draconium? and maybe shitty groups try to spread propaganda abt dragons just being "mindless beasts", or selfish parties want to trigger another war for profit. the dragons under Propheci are a splinter-cell of Orange dragons, either working for selfish reasons, or maybe genuinely working for good but with a bad rap, idk they could go several different directions. either way, both humans and dragons have their own splinter groups of good and bad people/ideas, and the narrative itself never questions dragon sapience.
this is my preferred route, bc I LOVE worldbuilding nonhuman cultures, and engaging with the complexities of cross-species communication and understanding. I also think this is a good way balance the light-hearted with the darker aspects-- the color-coded breeds still exist and can still work in harmony with humans, and these breeds aren't a direct result of forced breeding by humans... but these societies can still experience the conflicts and struggles of any real society.
more dragon anatomy! this is a mix of "narrator" and regular voice so just bear with me
Respiration:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a quadrupedal, Canid-type dragon, lean and somewhat gangly. a simplistic respiratory system has been superimposed on the body. the "entry nostril" located on the dragon's forehead leads down the trachea in the throat, down to the "primary air sacs" located at the bottom of the ribcage. these sacs then empty into the "lungs" located towards the front of the ribcage. the lungs then empty into "secondary air sacs", located to the sides of the ribcage. these sacs connect by tubes to two sets of "exit nostrils" located to the bottom sides of the ribcage. end ID]
comparable to avians of the past, dragons display a complex system of air sacs to regulate air flow. air first enters the entry nostril located on the forehead, flows down through the trachea, and into the primary air sacs towards the bottom of the ribcage. this air then flows into the lungs for gas exchange, then into the secondary air sacs towards the sides of the ribcage. finally, this air exits the secondary air sacs through two sets of exit nostrils on either side of the bottom of the ribcage.
without the need to exhale back through the trachea, as with most other vertebrates, dragons can maintain a constant flow of air through the lungs without any breaks. this results in arguably the most efficient respiratory system in the modern day. most researchers agree that this is one of the only reasons dragons can race at such extreme speeds and compete in such feats of strength.
but gas exchange is not the only function of this system-- the other reason dragons can race so effectively is due to the heat regulation of this system. both sets of air sacs (but particularly the secondary air sacs and exit nostril tubes) are lined with millions of capillaries on their inner walls, allowing blood to flow close to the surface of the thin tissue. air passing through these sacs picks up excess heat from the blood and releases it on the final exhale out of the body. thus, dragons effectively prevent overheating from their extreme racing habits.
I must admit that this entire respiratory system was inspired by a little one-off scene in s1 ep 3 where Beau releases "steam" after overheating on the lava track.
[image ID: a screencap from the show Dragon Booster, showing Artha riding Beau. Beau is a quadrupedal, "Canid-type" dragon with a blue/red color scheme at the moment. he's hunched over in exhaustion, with steam being released from a few implied sets of valves along his spine. end ID]
I just think it’s fun~
Heat Pits:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony dragon head with a dull red color. the dragon has a long, angular head, with flat fins on either side of the skull, and a large chin that points far forward. a few small holes sit to either side of the snout above the mouth, and towards the back of the jaw under the mouth. diagrams of the "heat pit organs" have been superimposed in these areas, looking like two sets of small sacs attaching to their respective holes by thin tubes. end ID]
dragons primarily use their heat pits to sense environmental heat and better thermoregulate using their respiratory system. dragons certainly can use their pits to aid in tracking and hunting prey (in fact, certain colors have emphasized pits for that very reason), but that is not their primary function.
Audial Fins:
[image ID: the same red headshot as before, but with different labeling/diagrams. instead, the flat fins on either side of the skull are labeled "audial fins". these fins have a couple rows of half-circles running down the length like grills, curved inwards towards the face. these lines are labeled "sensory lines". end ID]
audial fins function somewhat like fish lateral lines, sensing air disturbances and translating that to audio cues. they also seem to sense Draconium in some yet-defined way...
Hips:
[image ID: a simple scientific diagram showing two different, bipedal dinosaur skeletals. the top diagram is saurischian, with hips whose long pubis points forwards from the ilium, while the long ischium points back from the ilium. the bottom diagram is ornithischian, with hips whose long ischium and pubis lay flat together, both pointed back from the ilium towards the rear of the animal. end ID]
I've decided to give all dragons ornithischian hips (bottom diagram, with the projection pointing just backwards). no specific reason for it, I just needed to establish that.
Teeth:
[image ID: a side-view of a dragon head with a purple base color. it’s similar in shape to the previous dragon heads, and the mouth is open to show off a set of thick, chunky teeth, looking more like scale-plates than teeth. the top teeth have a sort of wave shape, with a pointed front tip that flows into a short bump towards the back. the bottom teeth have a short front point with a taller back point. a set of longer/pointed teeth at the tip of the top and bottom jaws serve as the canines. end ID]
I like the idea of the teeth looking like big hunks of scale-- I’m picturing Dunkleosteus, here. it’d also be cool if the teeth matched the scale palette in some way, whether the main or accents colors.
Chins and Lips:
[image ID: the same red headshot as before, but with different labeling/diagrams. here, the entire chin/bottom jaw and lips have been colored a dull green. a nearby label reads, "general region of tactile sensitivity". end ID]
dragons are highly social, tactile animals, and will often communicate with one another and their riders through touch. the chin and lips are a primary area of contact, far more sensitive to touch than other parts of the body. dragons will typically rub/knock their chins together, or lip at one another to establish and strengthen emotional bonds. this behavior extends to their riders as well, and lipping is a common form of communication from dragon to rider. humans may reciprocate affection by giving their dragons a good chin rub in return.
I had to lay out a rough estimate of evolutionary relationships or I'd go insane <3
"narrator" voice starts under the cut:
Dracalia
[image ID: a simple cladistic diagram of the speculative Dracalia clade. the first division from Dracalia leads to, "remains sprawling and ectothermic" traits, resulting in Hydrags (depicted as low-bodied and lizard-like). the other path leads to, "endothermic and erect limb structure" traits, resulting in the rest of the tree. this path then splits into "bipedalism" vs. "remains quadrupedal" traits. bipedalism results in two different lineages: Raptors (depicted much like a prehistoric raptor) and crow-drags (depicted much like a crow). quadrupedalism results in Bulls (depicted as bulky and bull-like), and another path which then splits into Canids (depicted as lean and gangly) and Felids (depicted with a lithe and curving stature). end ID]
Dracalia is the most populous and successful clade in the modern day, due in part to the disastrous Dragon-Human War several centuries previous. few clades survived the subsequent environmental fallout and extinction event of that terrible war, but Dracalia and humans are among the few that clawed our way to survival. humans due to our adaptability and ingenuity, and drakes* due to their high aptitude for Draconium manipulation and (typically) extreme temperature regulation.
(*note that "drake" is the proper name for any member of the clade Dracalia, whereas "dragon" is the layman term for the few clades of race-worthy drakes.)
Draconium manipulation is a core trait of Dracalia, though it has naturally waned in certain sub-clades. other traits include audial fins, heat pits, and complex respiratory systems with associated Mufflers. drake respiratory systems are highly efficient, allowing for constant gas exchange and internal heat regulation, resulting in high adaptability to a wide range of environmental temperatures and high-energy activities.
most researchers believe that the most recent common ancestor of Dracalia likely resembled a modern Hydrag, with a sprawling leg posture, low body, and ectothermic physiology. the rest of Dracalia split off from Hydrags rather early on, developing erect leg posture and an endothermic physiology. this endothermic trait further developed into even more extreme control of internal body heat-- namely, increased sensitivity of heat pits and specialization of the respiratory system.
this sub-clade further split into two sub-clades-- bipedal drakes and quadrupedal drakes. the bipeds took advantage of their already complex, efficient respiratory systems, allowing bipeds to develop powered flight using webbed wings. Raptors are themselves descended from a flighted ancestor, but lost their ability to fly over time, instead specializing in ground stability and speed. their arms still have some vestigial webbing, and their bodies are still short and compact, though they cannot do much more than glide with the help of flight gear. crow-drags, on the other hand, are a fully-flighted clade, having taken over the skies from the extinct avians of the past, flourishing in the absence of other flighted competition.
the rest of the quadrupeds split into two core paths of specialization: bulk and agility. Bulls have made a living being some of the biggest, toughest creatures around, hard to injure and even harder to kill. few creatures seek to challenge such an opponent. Felids and Canids, on the other hand, aim for speed and agility, outrunning pursuers and prey alike. Felids have taken their agility slightly further than Canids, specializing in flexibility over stability.
((as for other creatures we see in the show:
Muhorta: we never see the full body, so I have no fucking clue. they could be some land-based cephalopod with a false dragon face for all I know... wait that sounds really cool actually..
newts: I think they're just regular newts. like, real-ass animal newts, but they evolved some semi-bipedalism in the show. or maybe geckos instead, so the poor lil' guys don't desiccate. I just think it would be funny.))
a lot of DB fans I've talked to think that DB has way too many Draconium colors, and I'm inclined to agree, lmao. so here's my take on a more condensed version of the Draconium color wheel!
I've had to rearrange and heavily revamp certain colors and basic lore (such as Gold, which I'll get to), but I think I like what I've done with the place~ I've also changed the names of most of the crews because we seriously need less "dragon" in names, everyone's starting to sound like Troll Will Smith. like, we get it, this show is abt dragons, lmao
I'm also aware that some of the more specific colors were meant to evoke certain types of vehicles/machinery (like white = planes, and brown = construction vehicles), but that reference is somewhat lost in my take. my hope is that secondary colors in dragon palettes could better evoke that machinery, but I may need to chew on it more. I do genuinely like the dragons = cars schtick and think it's fun to play with in terms of colors/design, so I don't want to go TOO hard on my own lore and lose that silly aspect, haha
and be aware that I haven't changed my other DB notes to reflect these colors since I'm not fully settled yet. I may wait for more feedback to see what other fans think of this take
anyways, "narrator voice" begins under the cut:
Base Colors
the Racing Association recognizes the following seven colors as the standard, core colors of Draconium. however, there is continued debate over these classifications, considering the fluid, gradient nature of Draconium. the concept of sub-classes has gained momentum in some circles, and several racing teams operate under the idea of these sub-classes, though these sub-classes are not officially recognized. common sub-class signifiers include "dark/light", "white/black", or mixed/specific color names such as "turquoise" or "mahogany".
also note that Draconium influences the integument, temperament, and energy of a developing dragon on a situational basis rather than an evolutionary basis. Draconium colors do not constitute evolutionary lineages, but are instead influenced by direct parentage and environmental influences during a dragon's development within the egg. additionally, while most organisms exhibit a "dominating" color type, all organisms exhibit some mix of colors. "pure"-color dragons are rare, and often exhibit health disorders due to the lack of balancing influence from other colors.
Red:
common temperament: passionate, competitive, loyal, flashy. these dragons thrive as the center of attention, and are eager to compete to prove their place. though this makes Red dragons excellent competitors, they are prone to show-boating and losing sight of their goal. adequate attention and praise from their riders will solidify a Red dragon's confidence and prevent overcompensation.
physical traits: Red dragons often develop more decorative cartilage fins and "flare" for show.
class percentages: Raptors: 30%; Canids: 30%; Felids: 25%; Bulls: 15%
known crews: Red Flares
((replaces: Red))
Orange:
common temperament: clever, inquisitive, stubborn, cautious. these dragons are considered the most intelligent of their kind, but also the most dangerous for that exact reason. they are quick to solve puzzles and avoid obstacles, quickly developing strategies for escape and success, outwitting even their riders. despite their potential as racers, very few Orange dragons will even cooperate with humans, much less compete on the track.
physical traits: many Orange dragons exhibit peculiar changes to the visual structure of the skull and surrounding integument/musculature, leaving the brain and Muffler visible. this does not seem to affect skull durability, but sparse research has yet to confirm. Orange dragons also seem to have a higher aptitude for telepathy than most modern dragons.
class percentages: Raptors: 85%; Canids: 4%; Felids: 7%; Bulls: 4%. this particular color skews heavily Raptor, but this may be due to historical/social influences rather than an innate aspect of this Color.
known crews: The Prophets ((and Keepers ("dark" Orange) but few know of them))
WARNING: most Orange dragons have defected from human society, and the dragon-led "Prophet" crew has been named a top terrorist organization by Dragon City Police. exercise extreme caution in areas you suspect Prophets or other Orange dragons may roam.
((replaces: Orange, Light Green. I almost put Light Green in Yellow instead, but then I thought abt the tension of two wildly different crews representing the same "dangerous" Orange color. maybe Prophets see Keepers as pathetic, living off of the little scraps of human society and meekly refusing to demand more. and maybe Keepers hate how they're associated with the "dangerous" Prophets just bc they're Orange too, painting a similar "terrorist" target on their backs. I think there could be an interesting conversation here abt the ideas of acceptance vs assimilation, and the cost of survival under the will of human society...))
Yellow:
common temperament: skittish, flighty, curious, adaptable, energetic. these dragons have a high well of energy perfectly suited for racing, but are often distracted and startled by the unexpected. a gentle, guiding hand can keep these dragons focused and on-track.
physical traits: Yellow dragons usually develop fins along their sides and tails to aid in gliding. these fins are usually cartilaginous, though some may develop bone-like spines and tendon attachments to further control fin shape. these dragons also tend to be smaller than dragons of other colors, but this is not a universal trait.
class percentages: Raptors: 50%; Canids: 25%; Felids: 20%; Bulls: 5%. Raptors adapt best to the flighted aspects of Yellow, while Bulls struggle to maintain their energy or properly utilize their fins.
known crews: Windstorm ("white" Yellow)
((replaces: White, Turquoise? we don't know much abt Turquoise...))
Green:
common temperament: steady, stubborn, focused, loyal. though Green dragons are not the quickest to start a race or make a decision, you can trust that they will dedicate their entire focus to their goal. their patient determination can carry riders through any obstacle, especially once a rider has a gained their loyalty.
physical traits: Green dragons tend to develop thicker hides/plates, and heavier musculature.
class percentages: Raptors: 3%; Canids: 10%; Felids: 7%; Bulls: 80%. due to the "heavy" nature of Green, this color skews heavily Bull. the delicate structure of a Raptor struggles most to handle the added weight that Green can induce in the body, though some Raptor breeders have been working to address this.
known crews: Will of the Dragon ((combining crews as well. I think it would be interesting if Kawake was the former head of the Will of the Dragon, and Fistus admires him and maybe feels guilty for taking over his role? maybe he tries to convince Kawake to come back after his recovery. idk, I need more interesting character dynamics))
((replaces: Green, Brown))
Blue:
common temperament: easy-going, adaptable, playful, sociable. Blue dragons love the thrill of a race more than competition, prone to nipping playfully at other dragons or skipping about on the track in their excitement. they may need a reminder and extra incentive to keep their focus on the race rather than play.
physical traits: Blue dragons usually develop fins along their tails, spines, and legs to aid in swimming. much like Yellow dragons, these fins are usually cartilaginous, though some may develop bone-like spines and tendon attachments to further control fin shape.
class percentages: Raptors: 10%; Canids: 40%; Felids: 40%; Bulls: 10%. though Bulls and Raptors struggle with the swimming-oriented aspects of this color, they otherwise seem to adapt fine, despite their low numbers.
known crews: The Inner Order, Nautilus ("light" Blue)
((replaces: Blue, Light Blue))
Purple:
common temperament: sociable, loyal, attentive, focused, cautious. one of the most sociable types of dragons, Purple dragons quickly pack-bond with any humans and dragons they spend extended time with. though a boon for solidifying connections within crews, this can also spell trouble outside of the crew, as Purple dragons are deeply suspicious of strangers. it takes a solid connection and stable environment to make sure a Purple dragon's healthy caution doesn't develop into outright hostility and tunnel-vision.
physical traits: Purple dragons often develop more exaggerated heat pits and larger audial fins.
class percentages: Raptors: 35%; Canids: 40%; Felids: 5%; Bulls: 20%. Felids are less adaptable to the "tracking" aspects of this color than other classes.
known crews: Huntsmen
((replaces: Purple. I'm going back and forth on whether I should just combine Black and Purple together? but I think they exhibit enough unique 'personality' traits that they prolly ought to be separate..))
Magenta:
common temperament: independent, stubborn, curious, clever. these dragons take a long time to warm up to their riders, and are often considered "aloof" by racers of other colors. but once their trust is gained, they quickly open up to their riders, showing a much more affectionate, playful personality than initially expected. even then, riders must keep a close eye on their own dragons to make sure they haven't wandered off into trouble on their own.
physical traits: ((tbh I can't think of any for this one. help))
class percentages: Raptors: 20%; Canids: 10%; Felids: 50%; Bulls: 20%.
known crews: Snake Eyes ("black" Magenta) ((idk if snakes still exist but I'm just going to say they do for now))
((replaces: Black. I just think "Black" is a silly color for a color wheel tbh, and it feels a little too on-the-nose for the "evil" group, y'know? also, let's be honest, most Black dragons have purple/magenta as secondary colors, so it feels appropriate.))
Special Cases
these cases of dragon and Draconium development are beyond the scope of typical racing, exhibiting unique and highly-specific traits compared to other color groupings.
Prismatic Dragons:
Prismatic dragons do not exhibit a single, dominating color of Draconium, but rather the intersection of all colors. thus, these dragons function as prisms-- able to refract different Draconium colors at will.
historically, Prismatic dragons were much more common, as Draconium naturally blends and merges across the spectrum, and organisms gather mixed collections of Draconium from their surrounding environments. it is only in the modern day that we rarely see Prismatic dragons emerge, and indeed have yet to see one for many years...
known crews: none ((that the Association knows of, at least~))
((I really want Yellow to be one of the main colors, and Gold doesn't feel as 'neutral' as I think it ought to be, so... *jazz hands*. on the one hand, I'm remiss to nix Beau's iconic black/gold color palette... on the other hand, what if the originally "gold" sections on his body changed colors to reflect whatever Draconium color he focused on, and simply shimmered a metallic silver otherwise? that sounds cool))
Grey Dragons:
Grey dragons exhibit a bizarrely neutral form of Draconium. however, unlike Prismatic, this is not due to a prism effect, but due to the lack of distinct color itself-- Draconium in its purest, most uninfluenced form.
Grey is even less understood than Prismatic. we know that no living dragon is Grey, only reanimated corpses. we do not know how these corpses reanimate, nor why it so rarely occurs.
some have suggested that, once a Prismatic dragon dies and the color of mixed Draconium drains from their body, they are truly Grey underneath, and are reanimated to continue some unspecified duty. this is impossible to verify, given the rarity of Prismatic and Grey dragons, but it is certainly an interesting theory.
perhaps it is simply the nature of life, that even Draconium must strike a balance-- that for all that there is light, that there must also be an absence. for all that there is life, that there must be death. perhaps this is too poetic a notion for an academic journal, but we have few other hypotheses to consider.
first, a note on terminology: canon Dragon Booster interchangeably uses "class" as both a descriptor of body type and of Draconium color. this would be fine if body type was locked to certain colors, but it often isn't, and I'm p sure the showrunners even stated at one point that this wasn't the case.
instead, I'll use "class" to refer specifically to body types, while color refers to a separate system of classification. thus, a combination of Class + Color would give a full impression of the dragon and their abilities (classpecting for dragons! /gets bonked by cartoon mallet/).
on that note, I've also revamped my take on the colors themselves! though I haven't changed the colors referenced in this post yet, since I'm not fully settled on my color types, but we shall see...
also, do not mistake racing "class" with the evolutionary clade "class". while body type classes are locked to certain clades in my lore, these clades are, at most, genus or family-level clades.
that out of the way, "narrator" voice starts under the cut!
Standard Classes
the Racing Association recognizes the following four classes as race-worthy dragons. though specialized breeding has produced more variety, none have been recognized as specialized classes by the Association.
note that none of these broad classes can interbreed. genetic and morphological differences have long separated these lineages, past the point of interbreeding. however, this does not mean that different colors cannot interbreed. any number of Draconium colors can exist within each class, and all these colors can freely interbreed within classes. although Draconium colors often gravitate towards compatible class types, a developing dragon's Draconium color is far more influenced by direct parentage and environmental factors.
Bull Class:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a Bull-type dragon. the dragon is quadrupedal and bulky, with a thick, round ribcage leading down to somewhat thinner hips. a tall hump at the shoulders gives them an even bulkier appearance, with thick neck muscles leading down to a short, blocky head held at torso-height. thick, digitigrade legs end in wide, rounded "hooves" with three short toes with flat, rounded nails, much like a rhino. a short, thick tail sticks straight out from the hips. the neck, shoulders, and hips have several layers of heavy, folded skin layered over various joints and bends. end ID]
physical traits: these quadrupedal dragons are thick and bulky, with wide, round torsos, sturdy legs, and short tails. Bulls have a tall shoulder crest, where thick neck and front leg muscles attach, leading down to short, thick skulls. Bull skulls are much shorter and thicker than other classes, giving them a flattened, snubby look. irresponsible breeding has pushed many Bull snouts into brachycephaly and underbites, which reputable breeders are working to address. since Bull heads hang so low, Bull saddles are uniquely designed to Mag-lock on the crest of the shoulder rather than the back of the skull. Bull claws are wide and thick, with blunted tips and flat edges.
racing compatibility: Bulls are best suited to heavy lifting and feats of strength. though powerful, this power can easily drain their stamina, and they require far more food and rest than other classes of dragon. a Bull can easily eat a racer out of house and home, if they aren't prepared for the Bull appetite.
most common Draconium types: Green and Brown. Bulls are a particularly finicky breed, and are rarely seen in any other color than Green or Brown; the rare exceptions are usually Red, Turquoise, or Purple. just as well, since Green and Brown are rarely seen outside of the Bull class.
Canid Class:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a Canid-type dragon. the dragon is quadrupedal and lean, with a comparatively barrel-chested ribcage leading deeply down to much thinner hips. a long, thin, pointed head sits on a short, lean neck, held above and forward of the torso. thin, digitigrade legs with knobby joints end in dog-like paws with four toes and short claws. a long, thin tail sticks straight out from the hips. end ID]
physical traits: these quadrupedal dragons are lean and energetic, with a barrel-chested ribcage and stiffer spine made to quickly snap into action. their lean legs usually have proportionally wider paws and more pronounced joints than other classes, giving Canids a knobby, coltish appearance. Canids also have longer, smoother skulls than other classes.
racing compatibility: Canids are best suited to long-distance races-- though they may take some time to accelerate, Canids can keep pace for hours without flagging. rookie racers may find themselves overwhelmed by a Canid's deep well of stamina-- if you aren't prepared to spend a few hours every day running out a Canid's energy on the track or trail, then this may not be the Class for you.
most common Draconium types: Blue, Purple, Light Blue, Turquoise, and White. though these are the most common, Canids are a flexible breed, and can be found in practically every color of Draconium.
Felid Class:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a Felid-type dragon. the dragon is quadrupedal and long, with a curving spine and relatively even torso. a somewhat blocky head sits on a long neck, held above and forward of the torso, though lower than the Canid head. the digitgrade legs are thicker and smoother-looking than the Canid's, though they have similar dog-like paws with four toes and short claws. a long, thin tail sticks straight out from the hips, though it has some curvature implying more flexibility. end ID]
physical traits: these quadrupedal dragons are lithe and flexible, with long, curving spines and smooth, even torsos. Felid tails are usually longer and a bit more flexible than other classes. Felids tend to have short, square skulls, sometimes giving them a snubby appearance. Felid legs tend to be shorter and thicker than their Canid cousins, and some breeders have bred this to dubious extremes (these breeders have suggested a new "Ferret Class" in these cases, but the Racing Association has rejected these suggestions).
racing compatibility: Felids are best suited to short-burst sprints, and feats of maneuverability and agility. Felids can twist, leap, and climb their way through the most complex obstacle courses, but they have trouble pacing their energy, and their stamina can quickly flag after just a few quick maneuvers. many rookie Felid racers complain that their 'lazy' dragons just lay out in the sun all day, failing to realize that a Felid's well of energy is best replenished by these long bouts of rest.
most common Draconium types: Black, Blue, Light Green, and Light Blue. much like Canids, Felids are a very flexible breed, and can be found in Colors across the spectrum. however, due to their low stamina/energy, they don't usually function well when bred into high-energy colors like White or Turquoise.
Raptor Class:
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a Raptor-type dragon. the dragon is bipedal and somewhat bird-shaped, with a short, stiff torso without much distinction between ribcage and hips. a pointed, wedge-shaped head sits on long, thin, curving neck, holding the head high above and a bit forward of the torso. the digitigrade hind legs are long and thin, with three long toes with long talons. the front limbs are short and arm-like, with a small hand, two fingers, and one thumb with curved talons. small bits of webbing extend from the inner elbow, between the elbow and the torso, and between some of the fingers. a small diagram to the side shows the arms folding against the body when at rest. a long tail with a thick base sticks straight out from the hips. end ID]
physical traits: these bipedal dragons have short, stout torsos with long, thin legs. though their torsos are stiff and inflexible, their long necks and lithe limbs more than make up for any lack in torso flexibility. Raptor heads tend to be sharp and wedge-shaped, but not always. Raptor toes are much longer than those of other classes, lending to greater gripping ability, particularly in their front limbs. though Raptors' diminutive front limbs are small and weak compared to their hind legs, these limbs are highly dexterous with high a grip strength. these limbs also retains vestigial webbing from their flighted ancestry, though modern Raptors can't glide without assistive flight gear.
racing compatibility: Raptors are rather adaptable, but especially excel in flight-based obstacle courses. their stiff, light torsos make them the perfect match for white flight gear, with near-perfect balance, stability, and maneuverability in-flight. however, Raptors are much less stable on-land than their quadrupedal cousins, and can easily be tripped by a false step or a tricky competitor. rookie Raptor racers are injured far more often than other rookies due to this instability.
most common Draconium types: Purple, Light Green, White, Blue, and Red. though Raptors are adaptable, they do not function well with high-power Colors (Brown and Green) due to their instability, and certain kinds of maneuverability (namely the aquatic nature of Light Blue).
Notable Non-classes:
niche breeding efforts have led to some extreme lineages of dragons, typically used for tools or entertainment purposes.
[image ID: a screenshot of some small, hand-sized dragons from show Dragon Booster. the overall CGI art style is blocky, angular, and cartoony. the first image shows a gangly, emaciated purple dragon with neon green highlights. the head is capped by a metal helmet with green lens, and more gear sits on the back. green, dragonfly-like wings also sprout from the back. the second image shows several tiny orange/red, raptor-like dragons leaping across the screen. they look blocky and juvenile. end ID]
pictured: a Purple Felid "tracker" with attached flight gear, and an Orange Raptor "teacup" pet.
most of these breeding efforts result in extreme health defects in their dragons, and the Racing Association does not condone these practices. please contact the Association with any information if you encounter these types dragons-- we all must hold racing to higher standards and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Dragon Booster Notes: Prophets and Dragon Autonomy
as a continuation of this post, I’d like to talk more about the Prophets
[image ID: a screenshot of the dragon Propheci from show Dragon Booster. the overall CGI art style is blocky, angular, and cartoony. Propheci is a bipedal dragon, somewhat raptor-like in shape. his base color is bright orange, with red claws and pointed scales along his back, red accents across his face, a bright red flap of skin under his neck, and bright blue accents along his mouth, eyes, paws, and down across the sides of his torso like racing stripes. notably, his pink brain is exposed across the top of the skull, even leading into the tip of his snout. his yellow eyes are squinted, and his mouth is pulled up into a snarl. end ID]
now, I know that humans “supposedly” bred orange dragons, but that’s dumb so I’m ignoring it
I’d like to think that the Prophets existed before the Dragon-Human War-- a lineage of dragons which developed more advanced telepathic powers than their brethren, as a result of their affinity to orange Draconium
now for the sake of covering up their poor brains, I decided that the tops of their skulls should be covered in a clear layers of scales, which hardened enough to serve as a proper protective skull cap.
[image ID: a semi-cartoony drawing of a dragon head with a similar color scheme to Propheci. rather than the brain being completely exposed, it’s covered in a semi-clear shell. the brain no longer extends into the snout, but there’s a spiral structure there attached to the nostril on top of the skull, and to the pair of nostrils on either side of the snout near the eyes. this nasal structure makes the clear shell covering the snout section bulge out from the skull. end ID]
as for why.... I have no idea. maybe a clear view of the brain allows for better telepathy?? who knows. and as for how the skull, integument, and underlying musculature are all see-through... haha, don’t worry about it <3
I don’t think I’ll commit to a “narrator” voice for this one since it’s kinda all over the place, so enjoy simple rambling~
orange dragons took their clear skulls as a sign that they were meant to embody trust and honesty among their kind-- to remain “transparent”, as it were. many orange dragons took on the roles of scholars, truth-seekers, and peace-keepers among their kind, often serving as the third party to help settle disputes between dragon nations. foremost of these groups were the Prophets-- a large network of dragons spread across the land and throughout all nations. this system wasn’t perfect, of course, but different dragon sects served as checks and balances against one another, helping curb most ideas of control or subjugation between sects.
even during the Dragon-Human War, orange dragons were largely on the side of peace, seeking to settle all the pain and anger to the benefit of both sides. but after the war, when humans failed to respect dragons, and even started to treat dragons as tools and pets... the Prophets could no longer compromise. joined by humans who felt the same, the Prophets first tried to fight back against these systems. after almost being wiped out, though, they went into hiding to protect themselves from the artificial breeding that was starting to remove their comrades’ precious telepathy. their hope was that one day, someday, they’d be able to return to society and restore telepathy and (ultimately peace) among the rest of their kind.
the Prophets not only retained their telepathy, but they refined it over time-- no longer just a means of connection, but honed into a weapon. at first this was merely a means of protection-- a way to hide themselves and scare off anyone hunting after them. but over time, as the Prophets grew more bitter, they became more aggressive towards humans as a whole. their few human comrades no longer looked like their partners in arms, but served as a reminder of what humans are capable of, even to their own kind. in their grief and rage, the Prophets lost sight of their desire to free dragons, turning instead to the destruction of humanity.
every pain they inflicted on humans was fully justified in their eyes, for how could a Prophet be wrong? they were born impartial, by nature of their orange scales and clear skulls. they served as the voice of peace and justice for a millennia... now it was time to return to their rightful role.
setting aside the brief narrator voice though, I’ve always been on the Prophets’ side, even when I was a kid. it’s genuinely disgusting how the show claims that humans love their dragons and see them as equals... yet continue to use them as tools and entertainment. god, even to the point of breeding teeny dragons used as LITERAL technology (like the “purple tracking gear”)... absolutely sickening.
it would be one thing if humans were allowed to be wrong-- if human society was rightfully acknowledged as horrible, and the main characters changed their behavior, and eventually the system too... but no, it’s all treated as normal. so it’s especially gross when dragons are FINALLY given a voice to demand their rights via Propheci... and he’s fully villianized. the idea of dragons demanding better, of demanding that their autonomy and lives be respected is treated like a threat
like, literally what was the point, then. what’s the point of mending dragon/human bonds, if the humans don’t actually have to change their behavior and treat dragons like people. I’m literally shaking the writers like GIVE ME NON-VILLIANIZED DRAGON REBELLION GIVE ME THEMES THAT ACTUALLY RESPECT DRAGON AUTONOMY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!
and obviously I don’t think the Prophets were COMPLETELY right, like... I will state for the record that I do not condone human slavery 😬. I Just think DB could’ve done so much good with the Prophets. like, once Propheci was taken out of leadership, maybe the rest of the Prophets could’ve re-learned to work with their human partners instead of just controlling them-- mirroring the actions that the protags could’ve taken with their own dragons. I’m not even against ~violent rebellion~, but it just needs a more productive direction! have the Prophets attack the big dragon racing industries instead of random people on the street, like. something.
now I’m imagining how much the boundaries between the Prophets and their humans were dissolved over the years. the Prophets don’t even ask to enter their humans’ minds, like they do with fellow dragons, they just do it. and the humans are so used to having their boundaries violated, they have to remind themselves that they’re allowed to have their own space and lives... ough. they all have to relearn their boundaries...
I’ve been working on my contribution to the Dragon Booster zine recently, and it’s made me think a LOT abt dragon anatomy/evolution in that show, and well... y’all know how I get with specevo <3
2024 EDIT: this post has been edited to JUST the info on honkers. I’ve moved other anatomical info over to a separate post
“narrator” voice starts under the cut~
Muffler Organ:
though it is often referred to as the “honker” by laymen, the proper term for a dragon’s noise-making organ is the Muffler organ (named after Dr. J.T. Muffler, renowned dragon biologist and first to describe the organ in detail).
[image ID:
a semi-cartoony dragon head with a dull purple color. the dragon has a long, angular head, a large chin that points far forward, and a bulbous snout. a pair of flat fins sit to either side of the head, with a couple rows of half-circles running down the length like grills. there’s one nostril on top of the skull between the eyes, and another pair of nostrils just in front of the eye ridges, on the sides of the snout.
a drawing of internal anatomy has been superimposed on top of the snout. the internal tubing starts at the single top nostril (labeled “entry nostril”), and can direct either down further into the skull, or forwards into the snout. the tube in the snout flows forward, splits into two tubes near the tip of the snout, then each tube curves back towards the cranium, where they loop forwards again near the eyes, and finally fold into themselves in a spiral back towards the eyes, where each tube stops at the nostril in front of either eye (labeled “exit nostrils”). these tubes have some extra folds near the center.
end ID]
the entry nostril on top of the skull serves as the entry for both the Muffler and the respiratory system. muscles on either side of the snout can expand and contract the space the Muffler occupies in order to pull air in through this nostril.
((it’s not super visible on the diagram, but here’s a preview of Libris from a different DB piece:
[image ID: a screencap of a semi-cartoony drawing of the dragon Libris, head pointed down at an angle and jaw gaping open. Libris is just bare, off-white bones, with the skull, teeth, vertebrae, and all other bones visible. a ghostly green glow emanates from the eye sockets. notably, for our discussion, the snout has a wide hole through the sides, leaving the internal snout open to the air. end ID]
you can see that most of the snout is solid bone, but the sides are open so that the honker can expand and contract in that direction, using muscles attached around the outer edges of the holes.))
air then enters the main tubing of the Muffler, which contains complex internal anatomy that can squeeze, stop, and vibrate the air at different points on its journey. finally, air exits through the exit nostrils on either side of the skull, located near the eyes.
[image ID: the original image of the dull purple dragon head, but without the superimposed honker. some arrows indicate the air flow through the honker: entering through the entry nostril, then pointing either down into the respiratory system, or forwards into the snout, making a loop from the tip, back towards the cranium, then back towards the tip, then folding under itself towards the eyes and out of the exit nostrils. end ID]
this precise control of air flow allows dragons to produce a huge range of noises, some of which aren’t even audible to the human ear. dragon audio communication is a rich and delicate language that few humans have come to even partly understand on its own.
luckily, dragons are capable of far more than audio language, as most riders are well aware. beyond the physical, Mufflers are also intimately linked to a dragon’s ability for telepathy and mental connection. researchers have identified many noises specifically used during telepathy, such as “invitation clicks” to invite telepathy, or whistling to strengthen connections already in progress. once activated, dragons can communicate intimately across these mental connections, projecting emotions and thoughts alike.
in this realm, at least, humans may play an active role, once invited into conversation by an initiating dragon. though we humans have little ability for telepathy on our own, we can strengthen our skills with our dragon partners, building connection and complexity over time. many of the closest dragon/human bonds have mastered the telepathic plane together, and freely communicate in the mental realm.
unfortunately, these connections are gradually becoming rarer in the modern day, as humans breed smaller and smaller Mufflers into their dragons.
[image ID: an edited version of the original dragon head, with a dull red base color instead. the snout is much thinner, no longer bulging up from the skull but flowing smoothly straight out. a smaller honker has been superimposed over the snout. end ID]
smaller Mufflers have led to a decreased ability for telepathic connection, damaging dragon communication and bonding. so many layers of meaning and intimacy have been lost with this degradation of their language and telepathy, and we can see the psychological effects of this in extreme cases of botched dragon breeding.
this is why I and many other researchers propose a flat ban on this "anti-Muffler” breeding, and instead urge the Association to initiate breeding projects to re-introduce healthy Mufflers back into dragon lineages. post-war anxieties may have excused bad decisions in the past, but there is no excuse for this breeding practice in the modern day. this is far beyond just a dragon health issue, though that would be enough to warrant outcry on its own. no, this is trend of psychological cruelty that has been allowed to continue for far too long.
and if that is not enough motivation, we humans are hurt by these breeding tactics as well-- how long has it been since you’ve had a proper conversation with your dragon? with any dragon? do you remember?
aren’t you tired of this isolation and alienation from your dragon siblings? don’t you mourn what was lost to us, what was taken from ourselves and our dragons?
we thank the Racing Association for considering our proposal, and urge the Association to take careful consideration of further action.
-- Dr. Reepyr Hale, representing The Union of Dragon Restitution
