Breed Index

Historical Significance:

More than a decade ago, two draconologists from America and one from England engaged in cross-species communication with two of the supposed lesser species of dragon. Up until this point in history, modern day records had accorded only pure-blood Oriental types with the ability to communicate intelligently with a human. These two dragons were Blair, a Shaman type from what is now known as the Sanburgian breed and Jim, a Sentinel type from what is now known as the Ellisenian breed. These breed names are purposely misspelled versions of the secondary given names of these two dragons. After this initial contact, the leaders in the field of Draconology were called and after some discussion, Jim and Blair agreed to work as mediators and translators between dragons and humans in concordance with such famed draconologists as Lindl Kahf, her husband Aaron Ritchon, and most notably, myself, Saharra Schell.

Overview:

The Sanburgian is a breed of dragon which is assumed to be descended from a cross-species breeding of an Oriental serpent-type dragon and one of the smaller European types that have proven extinct in today's world, with the Oriental's heritage proving dominant. This belief is supported by their current physique. The Sanburgian has a sleek, lithe body which follows traditional serpent design, but unlike the traditional Oriental body type, it has a more stout body mass, as shown by the thicker neck, tail, and legs. Their musculature is also more similar to that of a European-type's body, as is the occasional appearance of wings. The average Sanburgian can reach up to 20 feet from nose to tail, unless they belong to the Shaman subtype, which has a maximum growth of 15 feet. The average lifespan of the breed is 450 to 500 years.

The Sanburgian make their home in the forest and mountains of Peru. They're a nomadic species whose migratory patterns follow the path of each individual flight's food preferences, seasonal growing periods, and population booms. Sanburgians are omnivores. They eat a diet that changes based upon the seasonal growth of various plants, flowers, and fruit. In conjunction with the vegetation, their diet also includes various small mammals, birds, and fish. Fish tend to make up the bulk of the non-vegetative diet, as well as the occasional snake or crocodile.

Sanburgians are, for the most part, non-aggressive. When different flights cross paths, they will often combine and coexist until their paths diverge and they part ways in order to find their preferred foods. When attacked, their small size and stout bodies prove a distinct advantage. In a defensively offensive strategy, they fight in groups. Their thick, agile tails make for a powerful bludgeoning attack. Once their foe is suitably confused, if possible they will flee the site of the conflict. It is only under the direst of circumstances that they will raise claws and teeth against an opponent, and even then they would prefer to cripple their opponent with a temporary injury over going for the kill.

Flights:

A terminology used to indicate a grouping of dragons, whether or not they have wings. In the case of the Sanburgian, a flight is a grouping of adult dragons and their young under the rule of a Flight Ruler and a Flight Leader. Each flight has its own personal migratory path that traverses the Peruvian countryside. This pattern is more often than not determined by an individual flight's taste in food and the position of flight gathering points.

Gathering points are places where multiple flights will meet and engage in a type of social gathering. It allows for the exchange of knowledge about allies, possible dangers, and local happening. It is also a prime place to meet and choose a lifemate.

Subtype:

Unlike most dragon breeds, the Sanburgian has two types. The main and more numerous type is the Common, which is a wingless Sanburgian with its traditional physique. The second and rarer type is referred to as the Shaman type. The most noticeable aspect that sets the Shaman apart from its Common brethren are its wings, which provide it with the ability of flight.

The less noticeable physical aspect which sets the Shaman apart from its brethren is the raised facial markings that trail from the front edge of the eye and shorter claws. The short nature of their claws increases their range of movement and ability to accomplish tasks needing a delicate touch. Both male and female Shamans bear these traits and the wings.

Hierarchal Positions:

These positions can be held by any Sanburgian, except for the position of Guide, which can only be held by a Shaman type. Traditionally though, the positions of Flight Leader, Healer, and Teacher are also held more often than not by a Shaman type. This appears to be caused more by a lack of desire for the position by their Common brethren.

• Flight Ruler: The Ruler deals with issues involving the defense of the flight as well as disciplinary issues. He or she also assigns the Hunt leaders as well as leading his or her own hunting group. Traditionally, the Ruler has a slightly more aggressive nature than the traditional Sanburgian. He or she attains this position by dueling both the current Hunt leaders and flight Ruler. It is rare for these duels to result in death.

• ~~Flight Leader: The Leader determines the migratory pattern of the flight, deals with interpersonal issues, and advises the Ruler in matters of diplomacy. This position is passed from mentor to apprentice.

• ~~Hunt Leader: Sanburgians in this position organize the hunts for both the vegetarian and more meaty aspects of their diet. While dragons which specialize in catching live prey may not do the actual foraging, they do provide protection for the members of the flight who specialize in this type of hunt. Hunt leaders are often referred to as Hunts and besides aiding in food retrieval, they also act as team leaders when under attack. This position is appointed by the Flight Ruler and his decision is based on performance in the field and in mock duels.

• ~~Specialist: Any Sanburgian that specializes in a particular skill or type of knowledge holds this title. Examples of such areas are: den building, water finding, ability to seed a specific plant in order to increase produce, find a particular plant or animal, etc.

• ~~Matriarch/Patriarch: An older member of the flight that is normally past the age for child-bearing or siring. They provide a personal sense of history in that their tales tend to involve their own shenanigans and not an overall recitation of the combined history of the breed itself. Essentially, they are those in the clan who have lived and they pass on their knowledge of life through sometimes acerbic advice and tales, much as a human of the equivalent age and position would

• ~~Guide: A Shaman falls under this position when it leaves its flight after completing the Way of the Shaman, (See Maturation) and takes up a partnership with a Sentinel-type Ellisenian.

• ~~Healer: This position falls to a Shaman and occasionally a Common who, after achieving their full majority, furthers their study in the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, fruits, animals, etc. under an already fully trained Healer. Beyond taking care of the overall health of the flight, a Healer also serves as a midwife (Due to its delicate nature, midwifery is practiced only by a Shaman).

• ~~Teacher: The holder of this title is responsible for teaching the youth of the clan. The subjects taught include the identification of medicinal or beneficial vegetation and fruit versus harmful vegetation and fruit. They also pass on the love and history of their breed as well as past and present knowledge of their sister flights, their allies (namely the Ellisenians), and the other breeds in the area that fluctuate between ally or enemy depending on the individual which is encountered.

• Specialized skills, such as hunting, foraging, den building, etc. are taught not by the Teacher, but by the flight members who are most capable in this area. The final function of the Teacher is an action only witnessed when the flight falls under attack. The Teacher will gather the young of the clan and flee with them, hiding them in an undisclosed location which was either found or built days before the rest of the flight arrived at the new den area. Every Shaman holds the position of Teacher until they reach their majority whereupon they can choose to remain in their position or to seek further training in a different discipline beyond the basics that were initially taught to them.

Maturation:

Sanburgians give birth to live young. Twins or triplets are possible, but they are exceedingly rare, especially triplets. Up until they reach age six, the young rarely leave the safety of the main group without a number of escorts.

At the age of sixteen, the younglings are put under the tutelage of the Teacher to build upon the lessons given them by their parents. In addition to these lessons, as the younglings age they'll begin gaining more specialized teachings in the area or areas in which they have a gift and/or are interested in, such as finding clean water, a particular plant or even building a solid den. This learning process continues up until maturity or the necessary as well as specialized skills are learned.

Sexual maturity occurs at age thirty for males and thirty-three for females. After reaching maturity, females go into heat every 10 years for the next two-hundred years. From these possible twenty pregnancies it is likely that an actual conception will occur four to five times at most (Occasionally as with most averages, there are exceptions to this rule of thumb).

A secondary form of maturation occurs for the Shaman during their late thirties to early forties. The wings, which up until this point have been little more than glorified shade providers, begin to grow and strengthen in preparation for flight. This time period is called The Way of the Shaman. It is considered complete once the Shaman in question has accomplished a controlled, sustained flight that has been witnessed. It is only after this passage that a Shaman is considered an adult and will seek a lifemate.

Mating:

Mating season occurs in the early months of winter. Females will come into heat every ten years after their first cycle. In the months preceding and during this time period, the males court the females. Unless partnered with a lifemate, Sanburgians tend to take and mate with numerous partners during the season. If conception occurs it is possible for the father of the kit to sniff out their offspring in the first few hours after birth. Once this brief window has passed, it would require the aid of a Sentinel-type Ellisenian to determine the kit's heritage.

The gestation period is sixteen months. At the end of this time, the female gives birth with the aid of the Healer, and her mate, if she took a permanent one.

Kits born to unmated females are treated the same as kits born to mated ones. All kits are viewed as treasured charges of the flight.

Since Sanburgians rarely seek a permanent mate until fifteen or more years after their maturity, it is considered rare for both the female and the male of the pairing not to have at least one kit each before mating permanently. Sanburgians also have a tendency to seek a permanent mate from outside of their birth flights. This is especially true for the Shaman type. There are currently only two matings on record in which a Shaman took a lifemate from its birth clan.

Gender Differentiation:

The male and female Sanburgians are nearly identical except for the front of their faces. Females have a scale-less facial front. A male's face is entirely scaled. This difference holds true for the Shaman type as well.

Personal Observations:

Sanburgians, as with many dragon species are very oriented and participatory in the raising of their children. Scientific observation would have me say it's because of the low conception rate, but in reality it's the simple fact that this species finds value in all life and what better example of that life than younglings? In truth there have been many cases according to the Sanburgians' own historical accounts when they adopted and raised the young of other dragons as well as the occasional human child.

What a delightful bit of luck. Unfortunately, according to young, Blair, I myself am too old to obtain the position of treasured child. Instead, during our travels and work, I appear to have become a matriarch. I suppose, there are worse fates.