Something to Entertain You From...
Walking with Dragons
Dragons are old. Fossils have been found dating back to the early Jurassic, and genetic studies indicate they may very well date back as a distinct group to the early Triassic. They are most closely related to the crocodilians on one hand, and avians on the other. Indeed, they are more closely related to mammals than they are to lizards, snakes, and turtles.
In contrast, the species we know are younger than man, being descended from a small, gray colored beast that dwelt in the mountains of Central Asia. While their larger cousins were being driven into extinction by the Ice Ages, these clever animals were advancing in intellect and size, and changing colors. To become the silvers, reds, green, and coppers we know today.
(N.B.: it should be noted that "small" in this case is relative, the typical gray dragon of the time being a 1 ton animal.)
Of all the different types of dragon the reds are considered the most successful. This group is comprised of the Red Dragon, along with the Copper, Brass, Bronze, and Gold. The most adaptable group consists of the White and Silver dragons. With the Silver more than making up for their primitive cousins. The final group consists of the Green, Blue, and Black dragons, though it is possible the Blue is more closely related to the Silver Dragon than to the other two. Genetic testing is still being done.
The dragons of my world are dangerous, intelligent, cunning, sly, duplicitous, honorable, treacherous, and above all, very amused by the primate sapients. They love shiny things, intellectual pursuits, being obscenely wealthy, and running the world from the shadows. To quote a certain Gold Dragon I know, "Oh, we conquered the world tens of thousands of years ago. But you got so upset about it we decided to let you think you were running the place."
Alawn Chuillaugh (For Alan Kellogg, who otherwise threatened to stop sending news about the doings on Firefly if I didn't.)