Definition: A distant planet with waves of life from Earth, evolving independently.
Indigenous Life: Microbes called "mag Magic" harvest and copy Earth organisms.
Dinosaurs on Chimere
Dominant Species: Dinosaurs remain dominant due to asteroid impact not affecting Chimere.
Tyrannosaurus Extinction: Enabled smaller dinosaurs like ALLosaurs and Mega raptoran to evolve.
Northern Island Chains: New apex predators emerged on isolated islands due to the extinction.
Therapsids: Dominated in certain regions after extinction of giant counterparts.
Emergence of Dragons
Lineage: Dragons evolve from venomous theophan called abor felian, endemic to the islands.
Evolutionary Development: Good understanding due to tracked relatives throughout the islands.
Diversity: High diversity; arboreal climbers and gliders emerged early on, leading to powered flight.
Characteristics of Dragons
Venom Development: Evolved to incapacitate prey; repurposed as a defensive feature against larger predators (codons).
Venom could produce a debilitating allergic reaction in mammals, especially humans.
Evolution Timeline: Dragons grew larger and reached hundreds of lbs with a wingspan exceeding 30 ft shortly after dynastic extinction.
Dominance: They became the apex predators in their ecosystems except in extremely dense regions populated by crocodiles.
Human Interaction with Dragons
Arrival: Humans arrived around one million years ago; details on their civilization are scarce.
Civilization of Witches: A dynasty of witches arose between 5000-3000 years ago, possibly taming dragons.
Dragon Riders: Enabled communication and control over dragons, leading to a united civilization of islands.
Diversity of dragon breeds developed based on specialization for war, sport, and travel.
Decline of Dragon Civilization
Factors of Collapse: Revolution, famine, and civil wars among Dragon Rider factions.
Feral Dragons: Post-collapse, domesticated dragons integrated with wild relatives leading to feral breeds.
Coloration and anatomical traits diverged slightly from ancestors.
Understanding Traits of Dragons
Diet: Generalist carnivores, adapting to prey availability.
Cannibalism: Documented behavior, especially among male dragons for competition and resource allocation.
Venom Variability: Ranges in color and potency, with colors in domesticated dragons being distinct from wild types.
Social Structure: Males establish larger territories, females defend theirs but may socialize at territory edges.
Reproductive Behavior
Mating Rituals: Includes courtship displays; nests built, and low-frequency songs to attract males.
Egg Clutch and Care: Clutches of 3-9 eggs; dominant males assist in nurturing hatchlings.
Survival Rates: Mating strategies and parental care significantly influence cub survival.
Cultural Perspectives on Dragons
Reverence vs. Contempt: Varies among human civilizations regarding dragon Riders, with differing narratives.
Current Threats: Ongoing conflicts in regions near dragon territories; potential emergence of lone Dragon Rider figures.
Conclusion
Dragons are closely tied to the history of civilizations on Chimere, with significant adaptation and evolution leading to their modern existence. Understanding their past helps comprehend the dynamic relationships they hold with their environment.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Ash Hawk for sponsoring the episode and to patreon patrons.
Encouragement to watch the previous episode for a deeper understanding of dragon natural history in the context of Chimere.