Difference between revisions of "Dragon (cosmere)"

Most dragons in the cosmere are [[fain]] creatures, and as such they are hexapedal, with four legs and two wings. They are inherently ageless, and suited towards their long lifespans, but they are not unkillable.{{wob ref|5730}}{{wob ref|15310}} In their true forms, they are not necessarily large; some are smaller than [[sandling]]s, while others can be as large as [[chasmfiend]]s.{{wob ref|2655}}{{book ref|sa4|80}} Their skin is covered with pearlescent scales, as well as silvery streaks of [[Dragonsteel (metal)|dragonsteel]] that run along the body, mostly the limbs, up towards their horns, which are made entirely of dragonsteel.{{book ref|Tress|51}} Even in this nonhuman form, they are still able to speak with a human-sounding voice.{{book ref|sa4|80}}{{book ref|tress|51}} Despite being reptilian, they are able to grow hair across the head, and under the neck and chin as a beard.{{book ref|tress|51}} At least some of them are carnivorous.{{book ref|yumi|28}}

Most dragonsDragons have the capabilityinherent ability to shapeshift,.{{book takingref|tress|51}}{{wob onref|14996}} theThe formscope of differenttheir species,shapeshifting includingpowers humans.may vary by individual,{{bookwob ref|tress|5112076}} In fact,but shapeshifting into a human is a core aspect of their life cycle. Dragons are born in humanoid form, then transition into their draconic form upon hitting puberty, and eventually gain the ability to switch between those two forms at will.{{wob ref|16187}} It is also likely that assuming a humanoid form is required for them to bear children. {{ref|group=fn|text=Brandon has stated that dragons "give birth in humanoid form."{{wob ref|16187}} Given the context, this most likely means that the dragon is born as a humanoid. It is unknown if a dragon needs to be in humanoid form to bear children.}} When in their humanoid form, dragons aredo indistinguishablenot formdisplay theany speciesidentifiable theynonhuman are presenting ascharacteristics.{{wob ref|7171}} Their shapeshifting method is different to that of the [[kandra]], even if the result is similar.{{wob ref|148}}

Most dragons have at least two names -- a full, long name (such as [[Xisisrefliel]]) and then a shorter nickname they aremay moreuse commonlyin knownsome bysituations (suchfor example, Xisisrefliel corresponds with some people using the asname "Foil").{{wob ref|16182}}

Aside from the so-called "greater dragons", the cosmere is also home to a number of lesser dragons,. orLesser drakelings.dragons Littlehave issome knownnotable aboutdifferences theto lessergreater dragons,; asidethey fromdo not share the factamphibian-like thatlifecycle theyof greater dragons, and are incapable of transformation into humanoid form. An unnamed planet is home to a variety of non-hexapedal lesser dragons known as '''drakelings'''.{{wob ref|16187}} Nothing else is known about the biology or abilities of lesser dragons, and their relationship (if any) to greater dragons is unclear.