Riixti's "A Field Guide to the Drake"
This is an in-character guide written by Riixti. It is intended to be a simple, surface-level field guide for the various drake species. Discussion of classification and scientific names can be found here- though there's not much discussion yet, any contributions would be appreciated.
Each passage is handwritten twice, first in asuran script, with a Krytan translation below. The Krytan handwriting is very round, and written more slowly and deliberately. It's plausible the author is more accustomed to writing in asuran script.
The following is a very short and very general field guide to the many species of drake found in Tyria. Provided are scientific names (for the studious progeny), physical descriptions, where you may find them, what to expect should you come into contact with one, and scientifically accurate visuals captured by the author.
Draccus crocodylus: the Rock Drake
The Rock Drake is a relatively uncommon drake found in Ascalon. It is middling in size. Its scales are green-brown, large and bumpy, with distinctive dark scales above the eye ridge. It also has a short, pointed ridge along the spine. Hatchlings are relatively soft, toothless and with an abundance of loose skin. It attacks by biting, ramming and striking with its tail.
Draccus glacialis: the Ice Drake
The ice drake is indigenous to the Shiverpeak Mountains. The Wayfarer Foothills population is generally non-aggressive due to frequent interaction with the norn. It sports a distinctive, feathery crest over most of its back. Its scales are broad, smooth and overlapping. Hatchlings are pale and soft, with a dark colored face. Its defense mechanism, its icy breath, is unique among drakes. It is thought to be able to survive in freezing conditions due to an antifreeze substance in the blood, similar to arctic fish.
Draccus igneous: the Salamander Drake
The famous salamander drake is found in regions of Ascalon. It is a very popular pet among adventurers, due to its formidable appearance and ability to breathe fire. It is red-yellow in color, with smooth skin adorned with bony lumps and spikes all over its body. It has very small, dark eyes. It also attacks by biting and swinging its spiked tail to impale foes.
Draccus palustris: the Scaled Drake
The scaled drake is a hardy, but slow-witted species. It is found in swampy locations all across Tyria. It has all but wiped out the marsh drake in areas where their populations once overlapped, such as Queensdale. Their most distinctive feature is its very long, curved snout. The scales along its face and back are broad, overlapping, plate-like, and dark in color, while its underside is much lighter, covered with smaller scales and loose skin. On its back and tail it also sports two shark-like fins. Like the salamander drake, it can breathe fire, but is difficult to tame due to its apparent lack of intelligence.
Draccus southsunensis: the Reef Drake
This beautiful drake, favored by the author, was just discovered about a decade ago. It is only found in Southsun Cove, and breeds in the warmest waters of the southeastern shores. It is very large in size, with a triangular head and two pointed spikes on the chin. Its scales are a bright red in color, flat and round and varying in size. Reef drake broodmothers are distinguished by a shocking blue set of scales along the spine, and possess remarkable bulk even relative to the species. Both hatchlings and juveniles may be found near broodmothers, suggesting close family units. The reef drake's defining combat mechanism is a high-pitched shriek, which can incapacitate prey and foe. The sound can be heard for miles, with some individuals reportedly breaking the sound barrier. This ability is unique among drakes, and is similar to the cries of moa and raptors. It is recommended to view them from afar, for they are as deadly as they are beautiful.
Draccus spiculiferous: the River Drake
The river drake is commonly found in Krytan fresh waters, in some parts of Ascalon, and a small population can be found in Timberline Falls. It is somewhat large in size and grey-blue in color, with orange-yellow underbellies, and large, round eyes. Its skin is rough and wrinkly, with few scales, but many, many spikes. Hatchlings are almost white in color, and covered in many bumps that will soon grow into long spikes. The river drake can breathe fire, but it is not quite as intelligent or hot-headed as the salamander drake, and is viewed by many in a negative light.
Draccus toxicus: the Marsh Drake
The marsh drake is commonly found in Maguuma Jungle, and also in some parts of Kryta, where it is beginning to be overrun by the more proliferous scaled drake. There also exists a saltwater species which lives in the Sea of Elon. It very cosely resembles the salamander drake, with two major distinctions: it is a mossy yellow green all over, and rather than breathing fire, it breathes toxic fumes. It is a popular pet among young rangers because it is relatively easy to tame when raised from the egg.
A rare Krytan specimen of the marsh drake. Note the enlarged spines and dramatic black striping. Found in Godslost Swamp, Queensdale.
Basilisci cyclops: the Basilisk
The basilisk is only very distantly related to the drake. It is sometimes categorized [by bookahs in asuran script] as a drake for convenience. It is found in Kryta, Maguuma Jungle and the Shiverpeak Mountains. Its most distinctive feature is the singular eye, located in the center of the skull, and odd arrangement of teeth. It can be safely identified from afar by two barbed spines growing from the shoulders, and a gaunt, angular silhouette. Avoiding this creature is advised, for it has the ability to immobilize its victims with its gaze.
Required Assistance No ☐ Yes ☑
My father, for instilling in me a love for Tyria's reptilian beasts;
My loyal scientific partner Ziatt, without whose assistance the intimate visuals of these magnificent creatures would not be possible.
