Greph

Dragons are a sapient spacefaring species of six-limbed reptilianoids, believed to inhabit a world orbiting the red star Coralyne.

Baseline Dragons are known properly as Grephs, but are commonly known to the Humans of Aerlith as Basics, to distinguish them from the enslaved Dragon breeds created by artificial selection. Conversely, the Humans who have been enslaved by Grephs (and similarly bred into several distinct phenotypes by them) refer to the species as the Revered Ones.

Biology
Baseline Dragons, a.k.a. Grephs or Basics, are upright bipeds with pearl-pallid skin, a pair of versatile central limbs, and a pair of articulated appendages called brachs on their necks. However, Greph war prisoners captured by Humans have been enslaved and subjected to a breeding program to create various phenotypes, the same being true of Human prisoners captured by Grephs.

While at least some of these Dragon breeds are still fully sapient and trained in the use of weapons, others have an unclear sapience level, such as the Spiders, which are employed as mounts by Humans. The Termagant breed is the one closer in physical appearance and intellect to the Basics, but can be distinguished by its rust-red coloration, which contrasts with the Basics' paleness. Other breeds range in color from blue to dark green to various shades of brown, and some are far larger and more massive than their ancestral brethren.


 * Termagants: Basic-like in overall appearance and intellect, but rust-red in color and known for their fecundity, which is useful to breeders. Despite their small size compared to other Dragons, Termagants are dangerous in combat, equipped with scythe-like claws, sharp fangs, and scales that can ward off bullets.
 * Striding Murderers and Long-horned Murderers: Two closely related breeds, although Long-horned Murderers are heavier and named for their enormous chest-spikes, which can be used for goring opponents.
 * Blue Horrors: Large, quick, no less intelligent than the Termagants, and known for being agile climbers.
 * Fiends: A strong and massive breed, whose bodies are squat and low to the ground. Equipped with a spiked club at the tip of their tails.
 * Juggers: The largest Dragon breed, greyish white in color, with skull caps as smooth as eggshells and heavily armoured bodies.
 * Spiders: Used as mounts by Humans.

All Dragons are oviparous and lay a clutch of eggs per year. They breathe by gill-vents, despite being terrestrial, and their scaly skin confers efficient protection against blades and bullets. They are also known to have regenerative capacities to some extent, such as being able to grow new eyes if theirs are damaged.

While mostly obedient and loyal to their masters during the day, enslaved Dragons are known to become far more violent at night, to the point that their masters can no longer control them.

Appearances

 * "The Dragon Masters", by Jack Vance (1962)