Dragons are creatures with nearly unlimited life spans. They can survive for long periods of time, and no one has found a dragon that has died of old age. Adolescence is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. Once they hit adolescence, hatchlings change quickly, maturing to their full forms in only 2 years.

Dragons don’t communicate with each other verbally, but they will growl to scare off predators and frighten prey. Young dragons will emit an extremely high-pitched squeal when they are frightened. To communicate, they use telepathy with each other and to speak to other creatures.

Swallowtail dragons are graceful and quick flyers, much like their namesake bird. They are capable of precise aerial acrobatics, and can reach very high altitudes. Because of this, humans observing these dragons are often astonished at how large they are when confronted up close. A Swallowtail’s diet consists of insects and small mammals plentiful in temperate forests. These dragons are also made remarkable by their paper-thin wing membranes, which allow light to pass through, creating an astonishing effect on starry nights.

Cluck. Cluck. Cluck.

That was the only noise he heard before his hatching. It seems the ninja chickens of the cave stole away his egg, and raised it as their own. Now as an adult, he adorns himself with the molted white feathers found lying around, struts and talks like a chicken. He wonders why he looks different from his tiny "sister", but doesn't know the words to ask his "mother" why. All the other "chickens" in the cave talk in a weird language he doesn't understand, and often try to steal him from his family. When that happens, his "mother" rushes to protect him and chases them away. He is very proud of his "mother". She is so small, and so brave. He knows better than to approach the other "chickens" of the cave, since his "mother" told him about them being cannibals.