Hellkite

The Hellkite is a common species of lesser dragon that has been sighted all across Arenam. Hellkites are also referred to as "Fury Drakes" by the Meridans, however they are not true drakes in that they have four legs and lack a drake's wing talons. Hellkites are known for their volatile and aggressive natures, which according to legend is said to be the reason why dwarves were driven to live underground. Despite this, Hellkites have been domesticated in small numbers throughout history, first being used by the Faeril Imperial Cavalry in the 3rd Era.

Life Span
Hellkites are known to live up to a maximum of 50 years old, however most of them tend to be killed in battle long before that. The oldest known wild Hellkite was Old Ironhide, a legendary Hellkite that plagued the Mediane region from 770 TA to around 800 TA. It was believed that when Old Ironhide was finally hunted down and slain that he was about 40 years old, and was noted to have been horribly scarred from hundreds of battles across his lifespan.

Hellkiites are hatched from eggs that are usually laid in a clutch of about 5 - 8 eggs. A Hellkite's aggressive tendencies are apparent at birth, with most clutches fighting with each other for their first meals, and often killing and cannibalizing each other. Young Hellkites are not yet capable of flight or fire breathing, first taking flight at about 1 month of age and first breathing fire at 3 months of age. It is during this gap that Hellkites are ideally able to be domesticated, as once a Hellkite learns to fly and breathe fire it is almost impossible to curb their aggressive nature.

The following terminology describes a Hellkite based on its age and gender.


 * Hatchling: A Hellkite that is younger than 1 month old.
 * Wyrmling: A Hellkite that is between 1 month and 1 year old.
 * Yearling: A Hellkite that is between 1 year and 2 years old.
 * Bull: A male Hellkite that is 3 years or older.
 * Sow: A female Hellkite that is 3 years or older.

Size and Measurements
An adult Hellkite will typically grow to be about 25 feet long from head to tail, and will typically stand about 9 feet tall. Their wingspans can be as great as 40 feet long, and are often said to weigh more than half a ton.

Anatomy
Hellkites are quite similar to true dragons in appearance, having four legs with clawed forelegs and taloned hind-legs, with a set of leathery wings. Their scales are said to be just as tough as dragon scales, however they are notably not as resistant to energy attacks. Hellkites lack the horns that are characteristic of true dragons, and have a much more spine-covered hide than true dragons. Hellkites also have the ability to breathe fire, using a fire bladder that stores highly flammable bile that combusts immediately when it is exposed to air. Hellkite fire bladders are highly prized and valued by alchemists across the world, however harvesting one is often exceedingly difficult, as the slightest pin-prick is enough to cause the entire bladder to combust.

Behavior
The aggressive nature of Hellkites is legendary in all areas that they can be found. Hellkites fight among each other constantly for territorial rights, with one Hellkite generally controlling one or several mountains. These mountains and their surrounding foothills and lowlands serves as the Hellkite's hunting grounds, which they aggressively patrol. When the territory of a bull and a sow interlap, they may mate instead of fighting over territory. For a bull to be able to mate, he must first win in a fight over the female, proving himself worthy to sire her clutch. If the female wins, the male is usually killed and eaten.

Intelligence
Hellkites are notably intelligent and cunning predators, often using whatever means they can to kill their prey. Particularly cunning Hellkites have been known to carry rocks and boulders with them, dropping them on large trade caravans before descending and killing the remaining members with their fire breath. It is because of this intelligence that Hellkites are highly difficult to domesticate and train, and even ones that are supposedly tame have been known to break free from their master's grasp or pens when given the slightest opportunity.

Habitats and Range
Hellkites live in mountainous regions, often hunting in the foothills and lowlands surrounding mountains. It is often noted that there is a correlation between Hellkite territories and ancient ruins, and it is believed that Hellkites may have been introduced to these areas in the distant past as some form of watchdog. Hellkites can be found on almost every continent except for Ragnos, where it is said that they were hunted to extinction in that region by Hraesvelgr, an ancient bird deity of the Ragnir people.

Interactions with Civilization
Hellkites have historically been the bane of travelers and caravans that pass under the shadow of the mountains. The most ancient reference to Hellkites was an account from the War of Wrath, where a plague of vicious and spined "wyrmlings" were set upon the peoples of the earth, harrying them and driving them from the mountain peaks.

Hellkites typically avoid attacking walled settlements, but have been known to burn small villages and hamlets that are built too close to their mountain domains. In the ancient past, Hellkites were written to have not had any aversion to attacking walled settlements or even great cities, and Hellkite incursions would frequently happen about once a decade. Presently, it is highly unusual for a Hellkite to range far enough from the mountains to attack a settlement, and it is only when a Hellkite gets particularly old enough, such as in the case of Old Ironhide, that a Hellkite grows bold enough to do so.

Notable Hellkites
The following Hellkites are legendary beasts that have been featured in the stories and legends of people throughout the ages.


 * Old Ironhide: Oldest known Hellkite; terrorized the Medinae range from 530 TA to 560 TA.
 * Milvex: Hellkite mount of Emperor Adamantius II. Died in battle along with Adamantius against during the Fire Giant Incursion of 194 TA.
 * Black Scales: Hellkite mount of Warchief Azhag, during the Hobgoblin Incursion of Faerol, 564 TA.
 * Helvete: An ancient Hellkite that the ancient Ragnir hero Ragnar was tasked to kill to prove himself as worthy of the Jarldom. According to legend, Helvete was highly intelligent, and could speak like a man.