Foreword from the Grand Keeper of the Imperial High Stables of the Hvel'Luthnor Empire, Kalashni Silokaz Walikis IV’s Kodakis din Taxinomica son Drakonis.

While the lower beings, the stonedwellers, the one-eyed and even some of the less elevated among our own glorious people might be satisfied to look upon the form of a glorious Alrunick Sapphire Sky Serpent, or a fearsome Belphonik Mountain Thornback Drake and be satisfied in calling both by the name of Dragon., the high born should not accept such sloppy inaccuracy. Those of higher education know better than the common folk, and armed with this knowledge know better how to defeat or utilise these magnificent animals in battle or tame and control them in times of peace. 

Of course knowledge must first be gained before it can be utilised and so in the infinite wisdom of the Emperor of Hvel'Luthnor I have compiled this "Kodakis din Taxinomica son Drakonis" (codex on the types of dragons) in order to further the education of our young nobles and knights to master the understanding of all of the many different animals that are known colloquially as dragons. 

While the foreword is often no longer included in modern printings of Walikis' Codex of Dragons, as it is sometimes called, due to its Elven supremacist rhetoric, it is still important for scholars to understand the context in which it is written. While Walikis' Codex of Dragons is still the most complete Codex on the many species of Dragons and their respective sub-species and varieties, a fact helped that every new Grand Keeper of the Imperial High Stables is expected to update the Codex as a matter of tradition, it should be noted that it is still an old book and many of the entries include language that can be considered racially charged. Not every entry can be trusted completely, but it still serves as an excellent starting point for the studies of dragons.

 -Professor Ixaztli Ruzhi, Arcano-Biology department, Zipacnaan College of Sciences, University of Uxmaling, Turangar

To begin there is the obvious question. Why do the lesser races call so many different animals "Dragons”. The answer is simple, because all "Dragons" share some common characteristics like; primarily having scales, being carnivorous, having some form of innate magic, and so forth. Some propose that Dragons all have some form of common ancestors and have since diverged over the years, however this is obviously impossible without some form of magical manipulation and specific breeding programs such as the ones carried out in the various Royal and Imperial Elven stables.

-note: since the writing of this book the theory of evolution has become widely accepted even by the most conservative Elderkin scholars. However when the Codex was written, the works of the Cyclops scholar Charlaemon Daricles had not yet been published, much less accepted. The common theory at the time was that only the concerted efforts of magic users could affect the reproduction of species. This has since been disproven with the famous Amrhyllis islands experiment. 

These magics and the concerted efforts of highly trained dragon tamers have led to the creation of many new breeds but there are 6 categories that predate all records of such programs existing. These categories are Coatyls, Drakes, High or True Dragons, Serpents, Salamanders, and Wyverns.

-note: Evolutionarily, all dragons belong to the Order Draconus, though this also includes Hydras, Cockatrice, Basilisks, Deep Crawlers, and Elemental Lizards. Dragons also all belong to the Suborder Drakonum though this still includes Hydras, Cockatrice, Basilisks. As for families, The Family Dragonis includes High Dragons and Drakes, the Family Amphithius includes Wyverns and Coatyls, the Family Serpentius includes Serpents alone, while interestingly both Salamanders and Basilisks belong to the Family Lindius, despite Basilisks being considered Pseudo-dragons, while Cockatrice and Hydras belong to the families Ichneumos and Lerneus respectively.

The High Dragon is the most noble, powerful, and graceful of all the animals known to the lesser races as dragons. They are often associated with the royal and imperial Elven houses of the world and their services are often limited to the most important of Elves or the most elite of warriors. High Dragons include some of the fastest flyers, some of the strongest scaled, some of the most magical, and some of the most courageous dragons among their ranks. From the Imperial Saressen Highcrested Thunderwing, to the Obsidian Burhos Starclaw, to the Ciradonish Ruby Flame-throat dragon. 

High Dragons are the most symbolic and magnificent of all "Dragons" and their position in the armies and heraldry of the world reflects it. The High Dragon is separated from all other "dragons" because they all possess both 4 legs and a pair of wings.

-note: evolutionarily speaking the high Dragons are part of the genus Draco and are separated from their drake cousins not only by their wings but also by their tendency towards lighter bones and longer tails, both useful for flying, though some are bred out of these traits. While other flying Dragons have lighter bones and even longer tails, the family Dragonis are separated by their 4 powerful legs and by the fact that they possess a secondary stomach which can only process magic. Drakes and High Dragons, especially High Dragons, are the most dependent species on the magic of the Fieldic Ley Lines and need large amounts of Aurite to survive very far from them. 

It is this combination of power in the air and on the ground which makes these creatures so desirable. High Dragons are the reasons why so many of the great scaled beasts of the world are referred to as dragons. Because when the lesser races see the predatory gaze of a Drake, the towering form of a Coatyl, or the lightning speed of the Salamander, they can only compare it to the legendary power of the High Dragons.

The Drake, while far less noble than the High Dragons which they are mistaken for by the lesser races, is still an animal of great power and grace. While they do not bear wings, some species have gained the power of flight through the magical manipulation of their breeding. However, these "cloud hopping drakes" are not nearly as fast or as graceful as their winged counterparts. The majority however are ground bound. This can be to their benefit in some situations as Drakes have gained a reputation as trackers, with some especially specialised species said to be able to track down even magically hidden beings. 

Unfortunately, the only species recorded as actually being able to do this, the Mahogany Long-snouted Tracer, were all killed during the botched High-Sun Insurrection. They are also well-regarded for their ferocity and their brutality in a melee (due in part to their thick bones, powerful leg muscles, and large claws as well as their training). Notable Drake species include the Vertisklian Mountain Gasher, the Degergan Steelclaw Drake, and the Luthnorian Emerald Thornback. The Drake is separated from the other "dragons" because they all possess 4 legs and no wings. 

-note: evolutionarily speaking the Drakes are part of the Genus Zmejos and are separated from their High Dragons cousins by their lack of wings and their tendency towards heavier bones and shorter tails. Though these traits can be bred out of drakes. The family Dragonis is separated by their 4 powerful legs and by the fact that they possess a secondary stomach which can only process magic. Drakes are less dependent on magic than High Dragons but are more dependent than most others. 

Their lack of wings sometimes means they are underestimated but this is a terrible mistake. Drakes are well known for their surprising speed. In the terrain they are bred for they can easily outpace a well trained war unicorn. They can turn on their trainers if irritated and one must always be careful.

The Wyvern, while seemingly very similar to High Dragons at an initial glance, the thousands of years of study by Elvish Scholars tell us they are rather different. The most obvious difference is the fact that Wyverns only have two legs. While the tips of Wyvern wings sometimes have claws this varies by species and breed and is not always the case. Magical alteration has allowed some species of Wyverns, like Coatyls, to grow feathers. 

Though not all Wyverns grow them. It should be noted that the Lesser being sometimes refers to Feathered Wyverns as "Featherdrakes", while this lack of knowledge is only to be expected from non-elves, it shouldn't be copied. If one were to separate the two groups one should refer to them as Feather-wyverns and Scale-wyverns respectively.

-note: Featherdrake is a widely accepted colloquialism and is not considered incorrect in casual conversation. Studies show that all Wyvern and Coatyl species had feathers in some point of their evolutionary path and it is actually their scaled cousins that have been bred and magically altered to more closely resemble the famous high dragons. Wyverns belong to the Genus Guivrius though some propose that the sub-genus Plumus and Squamus (feathered and Scaled respectively) should be moved to genus status.

Wyverns are well regarded as aerial mounts due to their speed and manoeuvrability compared to High dragons, and their stability in the air compared to the Coatyls. They are often utilised by medium areal calvary and are often the pride of the stables of lesser Elven nobles or the wealthiest of Elven Merchants. Notable members of the Wyverns include the Thunderpeak Silver Knifewing, the Emerald Krokninfae Swimmer Wyvern, and the Beaked Tassendreli Suncaller. Wyverns are separated from Coatyls by their possession of legs.

-note: evolutionarily speaking the Wyvern belongs to the Genus Guivrius and is separated from their Coatyl cousins by their tendency towards shorter, thicker tails, and their pointed rather than forked tongues. The Family Amphithius is separated by their universal possession of wings, their ability to grow feathers, their hollow bones, and their relative lack of reliance on the magic of the Fieldic Ley Lines as they need the least of any Draconic family to survive on average.

While Wyverns aren't as noble as the High Dragons they are still rather formidable. More than one ancient house of Elven nobility bears this creature on their heraldry due to their resilience and reliability in combat. Some species however are primarily bred for their beauty and are kept as well-loved pets and status symbols.

The Coatyls are sometimes considered the most graceful of all "Dragons" due to their long slender bodies, prehensile tails, and powerful wings. Though this humble author would argue in favour of the High Dragons for that honour, it is undeniable that the Coatyls hold a certain amount of grace. The Striped Thunderclap Coatyl, The Midborian Lake-dancer, and the feather-crowned quicktail are considered some of the most beautiful "dragons" to ever roam the skies. Like Wyverns, Coatyls have undergone some magical alteration and breeding which has allowed them to grow feathers. While only some species exhibit this trait, it is somewhat more prominent than among Wyverns.

-note: Feathered Coatyls are sometimes also included in the label feather drake, though this should generally be avoided in scientific settings since it is primarily related to feathered wyverns. It should be noted that the Coatyls belong to the genus Quetzal though some propose that the sub-genuses Kukumel and Escamal (feathered and non-feathered respectively) should be moved to genus status.

Coatyls are not as useful as High Dragons or Wyverns for use as arial mounts. This is because their more serpentine bodies can make it difficult for Coatyls to serve as a stable platform for their riders in the air. Only the most skilled of riders can effectively use Coatyls in battle. Though properly bred and trained Coatyls, partnered with very skilled riders have historically been formed into elite arial light cavalry formations like the Alrunick Cloudpiercer Corps or the Lazuulic Sky-Hobelars. 

This can be a rather time-intensive endeavour, as these formations are notoriously difficult to maintain. Coatyls are much less common than Wyverns so they are rarely seen outside of noble stables though some cultures favour them more than others. Mirengar and Laazul being notable advocates of the Coatyls.

-note: Coatyls belong to the Genus Quetzal and are separated from their Wyvern cousins by their tendency towards longer, thinner, prehensile tails and their forked rather than pointed tongue. The Family Amphithius is separated by their universal possession of wings, their genetic potential to grow feathers, their hollow bones, and their relative lack of reliance on the magic of the Fieldic Ley Lines as they need the least of any Draconic family to survive on average.

Serpents are perhaps the greatest example of the Lesser races' inability to properly classify organisms. Serpents, unlike true dragons, not only don't have wings, but they don't have any limbs at all. They are rather reminiscent of characteristics held by snakes, they are separated from snakes by their generally larger bodies and their innate magical abilities primarily. Yet still the lower beings persist in naming these beasts dragons.

-note: The study of evolution tells modern scholars that Serpents share no greater relation to snakes than any other member of the Order Draconis, For one thing, Snakes don't possess eyelids, while serpents possess two, one translucent and the other transparent, Serpents also have vestigial structures that indicate that they once possessed limbs as well. Serpents are part of the family Serpentius by themselves, technically Serpents can be divided into three genera, Zahakas, Athussos, Rehabus. These genera are still being debated over but the proposal goes that Serpents of the Zahakas genus are land bound serpents, often living in caves in the wild, Serpents of the Athussos genus live in the seas, rivers, lakes, though some are semi-aquatic. Serpents of the Rehabus genus are largely unknown as the only proposed members of these genera live deep below the surface of the water and were discovered due to their dead bodies floating up to the surface.

Serpents largely fall into two categories, land serpents and sea serpents. Land serpents are often smaller than their powerful maritime cousins, but are still rather large in size. While most types of serpents are too slow for use in anything other than heavy cavalry, their strength and arcane abilities means that they are still devastating in a fight. Some land serpents are often notoriously good at manoeuvring, making up for their lacklustre speed in a sprint with their quick twists and turns in close-quarters combat. 

Land serpents are also useful for countering the advantages of dwarves when fighting in their holds as land serpents are also able to navigate their tunnels well Sea serpents on the other hand, tend to be larger and are quite quick in the water, they are often an integral part of any naval force. Serpents are rarely owned by individual non-royal houses, instead belonging to military orders, royal navies, or kingdoms though it isn’t unknown for a powerful Jjopili merchant to own a serpent to protect their trading fleets. 

Some well known serpents include the Kyrzgalian sharp-scale Wavebreaker, The Lytherian acid-spitting Leaf-scale, and the Horned Sea-devil Serpent. Their visage is common on naval emblems, and sea-oriented societies and, with the exception of Hvel’Xiren, The most common sea-mount in the great navies of Tyrell.

The Salamanders are perhaps the most enigmatic of all the beasts that the lesser species refer to as Dragons. Their mysteriousness causes much confusion, for instance in the Human language of Mitannian, they use the word [Salamander] for Salamanders but also for a type of semi-aquatic lizard. Salamanders have very elongated bodies with 4 pairs of short limbs which they use for getting around. 

These creatures are notably stupider than other Animals the Lesser species confuse for Dragons and they tend to have stunted snouts as well. These creatures are also notably smaller in general than the other animals on this list and almost every type lives their natural lives underground. Unsurprisingly they are favoured by Dwarves for this reason and some breeds have been bred to be able to identify valuable metals and gems behind dozens of feet of stone. Their innate magic also tends to be shorter range than any other creature on this list but can affect a large area at once by being sprayed in a conic pattern.

-note: Salamanders belong to the Genus Stellio and the Family Lindius along with Basilisks. They are separated from Basilisks by a number of differences including the inability to grow feathers, the inability to dislocate and relocate their joints at will, the inability to sense movement through tremors, the ability to see, and the inability to turn people into stone. These differences are largely caused by the mutations inflicted on the species by the Forgotten during the earliest stage of the second gate war. The Family Lindus is separated from members of the Order Draconis by their 4 seats of legs, their shorter snouts, and their digestive systems ability to digest some minerals as well as meat and magic.

The Salamanders are also highly resistant to heat and fire, making them well suited to mining near volcanoes. Some breeds, guarded jealously by the Dwarven High Kings for this ability, are said to be able to survive in Magma and even swim in it. Some notable breeds of Salamanders include the Ciradon Magnaguard, the Trakenite Ore-sniffer, and the Bladeback Salamander. They are extremely well regarded by Dwarves and should always be considered an important part of the Dwarven Defences of their guild holds, often serving as a mobile reserve or even pseudo-cavalry in their bizarre tunnelling style of warfare.

-note: While modern scientists believe that Hydras, Cockatrices, and Basilisks are evolutionarily linked to Dragons, these species have generally been dismissed by ancient scholars like Kalashi Silokaz Walikis IV due to their status as being untamed and connected to the Forgotten in their origins. More modern iterations of Walikis' Codex of Dragons includes a brief mention of them in the afterword, though it has not been updated since the tenure of the late Grand Keeper Kalashni Silokaz Walikis XII.

Basilisks are sometimes considered dragons by the uneducated lesserkins, but a noble Elf should not let their ignorance confuse them. The Basilisks are a creation of the Accain, a corrupted monstrosity that was first seen in the hosts of the dark ones during the 9th Gate war. Their hideous forms are outwardly similar to Salamanders and they might be a corruption of that creature. Basilisks have sporadic patches of feathers across their bodies, the ability to sense movement through tremors in the earth, but are incapable of sight. However the Basilisks still retain eyes, which are instead used as channels for their corrupted magic as looking into them causes the victim to be paralyzed.

-note: Basilisks belong to the Genus Cyrenes and the Family Lindus along with the Salamanders. They are separated from Salamanders by a number of differences including the ability to grow feathers, the ability to dislocate and relocate their joints at will, the ability to sense movement through tremors, the inability to see, and the ability to turn people to stone. These differences are largely caused by the mutations inflicted on the species by the Forgotten during the earliest stage of the 9th gate war. The Family Lindus is separated from members of the Order Draconis by their 4 seats of legs, their shorter snouts, and their digestive systems ability to digest some minerals as well as biomass and magic.

Basilisks don't come in breeds but varieties which the Forgotten unleash with their armies. There are only 4 known varieties of Basilisks known to be with the hordes of the forgotten. The Split-tail Basilisk, the Poison Belly Crawler, the Great Jaw Basilisk, and the Black Feather Scrumbler. Basilisks notably share the Salamanders resistance to heat but they are universally weak to Electricity. These creatures are the bane of the Dwarves, especially of Parthus, as there is nothing more Basilisks desire than the taste of Dwarven flesh.

Similar to the Basilisk, Cockatrices are sometimes considered dragons by the uneducated masses. The Cockatrice are also the creations and minions of the Accain, though they are so deeply corrupted that it is difficult to say what they once were before they were twisted by the cruelty of their masters. Cockatrices were first seen among the evil hordes during the 9th gate war. Their grotesque forms appear to be a horrible mixture of the features of Wyverns, Roosters, Snakes, Toads, and Wolves, though this is likely deceiving. While smaller than any of the other creatures that are commonly referred to as dragons, the Cockatrice are still dangerous due to their quick speed, paralysing venom and resistance to magic.

-note: the Cockatrice is likely a highly mutated Wyvern, the depth of the genetic differences has led to their classification in a separate family from Wyvern and Coatyls. Some theorise that the Cockatrice has actually evolved from proto-wyverns during the age when the Accain ruled the world, though there is no evidence of this. While some of the Cockatrice's features have been compared to other animals, these are just the manipulation of the Accains. They belong to the Family Ichneumos, and the Genus Cocatriz. They are separated from the other dragons by their small size, their deadly venom, their lack of innate ranged magic, and the fur on their bodies.

The Cockatrice has the plumed wings, spurs, and plumage of the rooster, it has the jumping ability of the toad, The long, scaled tail of a snake and its deadly venom, The fangs and coarse fur on its body like that of the wolf, but the eyes, strength, speed, legs, claws, and magic of the Wyvern. No warrior who ever faces one of the small number of these creatures in our world, should ever underestimate this opponent. 

To do so would be to invite death. While they lack the ranged magic of the Basilisk, their speed and the deadliness of their venom and claws makes up for it in spades. The known varieties of Cockatrice that have been unleashed by the forgotten have been created to fill specific roles. The Greater Cockatrice, the Bristle feather swarmer, the red wing swarmer, the creeping razor-fang, the burrowing cockatrice, and the Scarlet bonemuncher.

The  Hydra is the last of the major category of creatures seen as dragons by the ignorant, though like Basilisks and Cockatrices, they should not garner the same consideration as  even Drakes, Wyverns, Coatyls, Serpents, and Salamanders when compared to the majesty of true Dragons. Also mutated by the machinations of the Accain, though their appearance is more recent, first emerging during the 9th gate war. 

They are also the largest of the dragon-like creatures that have been forged by the twisted will of the Accain. While similar to the Drakes in body structure, The Hydra tend to be much squatter as their body needs to be thicker to support the long necks of the Hydra. 

-note: Modern scholars believe that the first hydras might have been mutated drakes, though many scholars argue that they might be most closely related to dragons. Still the mutation of hyper regeneration across the entire body, fire vulnerability, cranial mitosis, and incredibly hard scales marks enough differences to justify their separation into the family Lernus, and the Genus Hydraz, which is separated from other families by their regeneration ability, their multiple necks, and their ability to regrow two heads from any neck which is severed. 

The most notable feature of the Hydra is the multitude of necks which extend from the body. Hydras are naturally born with  just one head, which is situated on an extremely long neck, however the Accain purposefully decapitate young hydras to ensure that they have a multitude of necks to better serve in their invading hordes. It should be noted that, despite popular myths, Hydra's regenerate across their entire bodies, not just their necks and heads. 

Hydras' purpose on the battlefield can be generally split into two categories, artillery Hydras, and frontline Hydras. Artillery Hydras are often bred with harder scales and are decapitated more to create more throats from which its innate magic can be spewed from. They  also tend to be less mobile in battle due to the weight of their heads and necks so are kept further in the backlines of their armies. 

While Frontline Hydras tend to have lighter scales and are decapitated less, but also have greater regeneration abilities and  are faster on their feet to counter the use of drakes and other large magical creatures on the battlefield. Notably all Hydras are universally weak to fire and do not use it themselves, as their regeneration is halted by its use upon or even near their wounds. The known varieties of Hydras that have been released by the Accain upon our worlds include the Indigo Sword Claw, the Bladescale Hydra, the  Crimson Razor Crest, the Topaz Rifle Throat, the  Rose-bellied Lightning Belcher, and the Frost Hydra.