Dragon type: All

  Universal Communications: Brow ridges; Tails; Ears; Wings; Scents

  -Brow ridges: not every dragon type has brow ridges, but ones who do use them to communicate pretty much the same way as humans use eyebrows.

  -Tails: Dragons’ tails are an important part of their body language, for some dragon types more than others. Positions and motions can signify many things.

  Positions:

  * Curled tail-tip: curiosity; contentment.

  * Wrapped loosely around their body: respectfulness of others by/or keeping to themselves; comfortable

  * Wrapped closely around their body: discomfort; standoffishness

  * Wrapped tightly around their body: distress; helplessness.

  * Raised: happiness or hope.

  * Lowered: cautious; worried

  * Tucked: scared

  * Limp: exhaustion; sorrow.

  Motions:

  * Tail-tip twitches/flicks: agitation; annoyance; nervousness

  * Flicks: beckoning; eagerness

  * Waves: greetings; dismissals

  * Lashes: anger; frustration; fear

  * Wagging/thumping: excitement; energetic

  * Still: neutrality; calmness; hopelessness

  -Ears: Not every dragon type has ears, but if they do, their positions can be part of their body language. Fins/frills on a dragon's head can act the same way as ears.

  Positions:

  * Raised/perked: alertness; curiosity

  * Lowered: relaxed; sorrowful

  * Flattened/pinned: fear; discomfort

  * Fanned: disgusted; angry

  -Wings: Not every dragon type has wings, but if they do, their positions and motions can be a part of their body language as well.

  Positions:

  * Folded (or stacked, in the case of Fairy types with two pairs of unfoldable wings): relaxed; respectful; confident

  * Folded around (or pinned against) body: scared; nervous; standoffish

  * Folded around someone else: affectionate; assuring

  * Lifted: happy; intrigued

  * Open and back: surprised; excited

  * Open and lowered: cautious; scared

  * Open and fanned: frightened; angry; threatening

  * Spread or folded over someone else: protective

  * Splayed/limp: sad; exhausted

  Motions (while not in flight):

  * Flapping both wings: eager; excited; energetic

  * Waving: greetings; dismissal

  * Flapping one wing: beckoning

  * A single flap/gust from fanned wings: warning; anger

  * A single flap/gust from open wings: playful

  -Scents:

  All dragons can recognize their own immediate family members (parents, aunts/uncles; siblings; cousins; and to a lesser extent, grandparents) through scent, even if they've never met before. This recognition is especially keen in solitary dragons who may have grown up without any family, allowing them to know who's trustworthy on their ventures.

  Names

  Names make a dragon an individual. Sharing or giving names is only done under certain circumstances.

  Introductions:

  -Giving or introducing their own name: dragons only give out their own name if they trust–or wish to build trust with–the recipient.

  -Asking for another to introduce their name: expressing desire to trust one they currently do not trust yet.

  -Asking for/giving out another’s name: it's a bit taboo, but usually only asked between friends, either for the asker to be introduced to the asked's other friends so they can expand their social circle, or to learn the name of a dangerous dragon so they can be safe.

  * If a dragon is dead, or one truly believes they are, one may openly speak of them by name.

  * Asking a stranger for their friend's name/giving out a friend's name to a stranger without that friend's knowledge is very disrespectful because a stranger knowing that friend's name can be used to manipulate the trust of that friend (since names are only given to those they trust; a stranger will only know their name if a trusted one told it to them).

  Giving Names:

  -Naming someone else: usually by a parent to their hatchling. This is a symbol of familial bonds and/or claiming responsibility for them.

  -Nicknaming someone else: only done to very close friends with the consent of the recipient.

  -Sharing their own nickname: expressing a desire to be closer friends.

  -Giving a pet name: only done between mates with the consent of the recipient.

  -Terms of endearment/casual terms of address: can be used to refer to anybody that one is--or wishes to be--on good terms with, regardless of having a connection to them (family, mates, friends, or strangers). It is respectful because it shows one doesn't mean harm, and it doesn't involve earning or giving trust (i.e. "big guy" or "little buddy")

  Using Names:

  -Referring to their friends/mates around others: Dragons will refer to their close friends or mates by their nicknames or pet names (respectively) when conversing with friends in their shared social circles as a public display of their bonds.

  -Referring to someone by their reclaimed names: If the dragon whose name was reclaimed doesn't have a new name, they may or may not respond to being called their reclaimed name. Others may associate that name with the events leading to it being reclaimed, however. Permission is usually asked regardless.

  -Knowingly referring to someone by their old name: If a dragon has chosen a new name for themselves, it is very disrespectful to call them their old name if they've already told you their new name.

  -Outsiders referring to others by their nicknames/old names/pet names: extremely disrespectful; often done to mock or spite others, especially former friends, exiled society members, or ex-mates.

  Taking Names Back:

  -Reclaiming a given name: ending that trust or responsibility; disowning. This is only seen in social dragons, or solitary dragons that live social lives.

  -Reclaiming a given nickname: ending a friendship/trust.

  -Reclaiming a given pet name: ending a relationship; separating as mates.

  Self-Naming:

  -Naming oneself: independence. This is only seen in solitary dragons, or social dragons who live solitary lives (especially if they were disowned).

  -Changing one's own name: Usually only done after a life-changing event or after making a decision to change one's life/identity.

  -Being nameless: a solitary dragon (or social dragon whose name has been reclaimed) may not name themselves if they

  * aren't ready to be independent

  * are still looking for what makes them an individual.

  Dragon type: Fairy

  Unique communications: Wings’ glow; glow-color; glow-brightness; hypnotism influences

  -Wings’ glow: A fairy dragon's wing-color is inherited from their parents. Their wings glow autonomously. A fairy dragon cannot change their inherited color, but they can

  1) change the color and brightness of their glow on command (to emphasize certain emotions, or to hypnotize others)

  2) temporarily stop the glow. This will conceal their emotions, often to communicate that they do not feel safe enough to be seen or express themselves freely.

  -Glow colors: Their wings' glow instinctively changes color to reflect their emotional state. They can consciously override this instinct, but it is difficult to. There are 7 colors and corresponding emotions:

  * Inherited color glow: Neutrality; contentment; happiness

  * Red: anger; frustration

  * Orange: bashfulness; modesty; embarrassment

  * Yellow: surprise

  * Green: thoughtfulness; consideration

  * Blue: sadness

  * Purple: fear; confusion

  If a fairy dragon is feeling multiple emotions, their glow may alternate between those emotions’ colors, or their glow may be the dominant emotion’s color with a tint of the lesser emotion’s color.

  -Glow-brightness: The brightness of one’s glow communicates how intensely their emotion is felt (the more intense, the brighter the glow).

  -Hypnotism influences: Fairy dragons can further communicate by influencing the senses of the recipient through hypnotism (such as creating visuals, scents, sounds, tastes, or tactile sensations within the mind of the recipient). This can be used to communicate nonverbally with any type, or converse nonverbally with their own kind (with each fairy type using the ability on the other in turn. This is also used to communicate trust that their recipient will not maliciously manipulate them).

  Names: Self-named; Usually named after their qualities (such as fur or appearance) or their desired personality traits (if they want to be fair, or strong, or admired, etc)

  Dragon type: Wind

  Unique communications: Vocalizations; singing; pitch frequencies; silence

  -Vocalizations: these are the most common way for wind dragons to communicate in a casual setting. Roars, shrieks, grunts, etc., can all be nuanced and understood given the specific context. With their volume control ability, they can boost their vocalizations to be heard over great distances.

  -Singing: Since wind types are solitary travelers, it’s important for them to let others of their kind know which areas are safe to roost in. These songs communicate how their environment impacts their emotional state through the melody. The songs’ rhythm and volume can communicate their environment’s weather, its native inhabitants, or potential danger–and in the latter’s case, it can be a request for rescue if they cannot leave that environment. Singing can also be used to claim a territory as a retreat during their visits to it by letting any dragon type in hearing range know when the singer is there.

  -Pitch frequencies: more commonly used between their own kind in situations where silence is necessary. They can change their voices’ pitch to converse in frequencies that other dragon types cannot hear.

  -Silence: Wind dragons can literally silence themselves to others, and will do so if they feel unsafe expressing themselves around the recipient; or if they're being petty by refusing to contact someone by way of the silent-treatment.

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  Names: Self-named; usually named after their traits (i.e. what they like to do or how they act), or based on their colors or objects of those colors (i.e. pearls or flowers).

  Dragon type: Earth

  Unique communications: Headbutts; wrestling; kneading

  -Headbutts: depending on context, these can be used to communicate affection in a casual setting, anger in a tense setting, or playfulness (often to initiate play amongst hatchlings and juveniles).

  -Wrestling: often used as combat practice, but it can also be used in play. In either context, this is a way to communicate trust that the recipient will not hurt them.

  -Kneading: often used to express contentment (or a longing for something that will cause them contentment), usually by pawing the ground in place.

  Names: Named by parents; usually named after their physical strengths, or things that are powerful (i.e. floods or hurricanes)

  Dragon type: Revealer

  Unique communications: Reveals; Conceals; Tails; Frills; Gems

  -Reveals: used to communicate distrust if they don't believe the recipient is honest.

  -Conceals: used to communicate respect toward the recipient by showing they're willing to suppress their wants in order to maintain peace with them.

  -Tails: Revealers have Z-shaped tails by default or if they're content.

  -Frills: can be used similarly to ears, but their frills will flow out when a powerful revealer uses reveals--communicating dominance and power.

  -Gems: when a revealer draws from their gem

  * openly, it communicates that they trust the recipient enough to use their reveals/conceals around them

  * discreetly, it communicates fear, discomfort, or distrust with the recipient; they wish to hide the usage of their gems/abilities.

  Names: Named by parents; usually after a personality trait (i.e. what they enjoy doing) or a trait they present toward others (i.e. how they act).

  Dragon type: Water

  Unique communications: Splashing; Currents; Water-shooting; Bipedalism

  -Splashing: When on or near the surface of water, splashing someone is done to initiate play. A water dragon only plays with those they trust.

  -Currents: While underwater, they can use their water-storage ability indefinitely, creating a current to deter those they distrust.

  -Water-shooting: If one shoots or douses

  * an ally water-type, it communicates care since it dampens their dry scales. It can also be used while playing with allies or to initiate play. Water dragons cannot be harmed by another's water shot.

  * a stranger, it communicates distrust and is used to deter or harm them.

  -Bipedalism: since water dragons are quadrupedal by default, taking a two-legged stance makes them taller, but also less balanced. Standing on two legs can

  * communicate vulnerability around allies who will not unbalance them, or to showcase a desire for an alliance. In both instances, it shows trust.

  * show care by giving support to an ally water dragon (especially one in their pod) who is taking a bipedal stance. This support can be physical (as in, keeping them balanced) or emotional by showcasing alliance.

  * intimidate dragons they distrust, usually with the support of their allies/pod.

  Names: Usually named by their parents. Water dragons’ names are commonly made up, but they can also be inspired by inanimate things of similar colors/grandiosity (i.e. glaciers too grand to move in their icy territories, or geysers too powerful to fight in their hot spring territories, etc).

  Dragon type: Fire

  Unique communications: Courtship; Fire- & Gas-breath; Wings; Nonchalance

  -Courtship: Fire dragons are solitary, and they are at the top of the food chain, so their only concerns are getting food and mating. By showcasing one's independence and capabilities, they communicate that they are worthy mates. Mates may or may not choose to stay together after mating, and their offspring do not require parental care if neither parent stays to raise it.

  -Fire- & Gas-breath: showcasing great control over their abilities to breathe out methane gas and fire, particularly over the amount and direction, communicates that they're capable of hunting and fighting off foes. This is attractive in courtship.

  -Wings: Fire dragons who are fully grown may have outgrown the strength of the wings, making flight difficult at their size. If one showcases the power of their wings, this is attractive in courtship.

  -Nonchalance: A fire dragon not being bothered by anything or anyone communicates pride, self-confidence, and independence, all of which is attractive in courtship. Vulnerability and/or desperation is a turn-off for potential mates.

  Names: Usually self-named, after gems, volcanic rocks, or similar formations. Their choice can be based on color, or to symbolize their own power or endurance (since these gems and rocks are formed by enduring powerful forces).

  Dragon type: Seers

  Unique communications: Connections; Wisdom; Power; Rankings; Survival of the Fittest

  -Connections: as social dragons who require a connection to whatever they're foreseeing, connecting with each other–both as mates, and as a society–is extremely important for the safety of weaker seers and hatchlings. Making a connection with someone communicates protection over them.

  -Wisdom: A seer who is wise may have more accurate interpretations of any seer’s visions, including their own, which is beneficial for everyone in their society and communicates that they are trustworthy.

  -Power: A seer with powerful magic can foresee more visions per session and/or futures that are more distant. Physical power is necessary to hunt for the food shared in their society as well. Using both magical and physical power communicates that they are reliable.

  -Rankings: Seer dragons who are wise, powerful, and/or have many connections, may climb up the ranks in their society. A higher ranking communicates dominance. The best ranking is of the leader, the second best is of elites. Elites are segmented by skill set (connections, wisdom, and power).

  -Survival of the fittest: Only the leader and the elites are allowed to mate–and are only allowed to mate with seers of equal ranking–to ensure that their society's next generation is stronger than its current generation. Because of this, seers are expected to mate based solely on the compatibility of their skill sets, and to keep the same mate for life. If weaker seers are caught/foreseen engaging in courtship, they are likely to be cast out of their society.

  Names: Usually given by their parents. Seers’ names can be made up if their skills are too unique for a common name, or they can be named after things that relate to their amount of natural skill (i.e. named after revered stars/astrology, or the services their skills can provide to their society).

  Dragon type: Shadow

  Unique communications: Camouflage; color-changing; Body-alterations

  -Camouflage: Shadow dragons can naturally be just as colorful as any other dragon type. However, they use this ability to change their colors to blend in with their environment if they

  * feel unsafe to be seen (regardless of where they are)

  * are being stealthy while hunting flighty prey, or while scavenging prey whose hunters are nearby.

  Choosing not to camouflage their natural colors can communicate

  * bravery or carelessness if they're at risk of being spotted or attacked

  * confidence in the ability to handle themselves if they are attacked

  * trust in whomever sees them

  * safety in their environment.

  -Color-changing: A shadow dragon may change their colors to stand out against their environment. This is often used while courting potential mates to showcase how confident they are and how much control they have over their abilities. Some just like testing the limits of their abilities, though, especially juveniles.

  -Body-alterations: Altering their body size or giving themselves additional limbs/appendages can communicate

  * insecurity, if they feel the need to protect themselves or to adapt to a hiding space

  * aggression if the shadow dragon intends to fight or hunt

  * fear if they intend to use their altered body to flee/fly away.

  Names: usually self-named. Shadow dragons may make up a name, or choose a name based on how much they think they're worth/how they view themselves, or how they want others who know their names to view them.

  Dragon type: Electric

  Unique communications: Kicking; Shuffling; Blocking; Tail-intertwining

  -Kicking: Electric types’ foot-pads naturally gather the static from the friction of stepping on anything. If an electric type kicks you, it sends a powerful shock through your body on top of the force from their swift movement. Kicking can communicate fear or aggression.

  -Shuffling: if an electric dragon shuffles their feet, they are gathering static through their foot-pads in preparation to shock you. This communicates distrust, and is often done as a warning.

  -Blocking: continually blocking a foe’s attacks with their long mane, rather than dodging, fleeing, or counter-striking, can communicate

  * bravery against stronger a foe

  * self-confidence in their ability to win the fight by exhausting their foe

  * an attempt to build an alliance/trust with their attacker by way of not fighting back.

  -Tail-intertwining: Usually only done between mates. It communicates affection and unity. Electric types are solitary, but mates stay together for life. If two electric types intertwine their tails, they are sharing the sparks between them, boosting each other's electrical charge. It can also be done for one to take the electricity stored in the other who is overcharged, creating a balance. If a mated pair attacks you while/after they have intertwined tails, you'll be struck twice as hard.

  Names: Self-named. Electric types choose names based on birds or raptors, depending on how they view themselves in the natural order. Birds are chosen by those who are docile or flighty, and raptors are chosen by those who are brave or feisty.

  Dragon type: Poison

  Unique communications: Hissing; Aiming; Spitting; Stings; Bites

  -Hissing: this is a warning or alert, usually to give their foe a chance to flee. If they hiss a second time, it’s a threat to spit venom or bite.

  -Aiming: if one aims their stingers at you, this communicates a threat to sting you.

  -Spitting: this can be used to deter those they distrust, or to poison one in anger.

  -Stings: If a poison type stings you

  * once, for a short time, this is a second warning, communicating that they are serious.

  * once, for a long time, this is an attempt to kill.

  * multiple times, it's a reluctance to kill and/or self-defense.

  -Bites: If a poison type bites

  * with their fangs in, this communicates affection

  * another poison type with their own fangs out, this can communicate playfulness or aggression. Poison types are immune to venom.

  * a different dragon type with their own fangs out, this is an attempt to paralyze or kill.

  Names: Usually self-named. Poison dragons are named after their colors, or something related to an ability they take pride in (i.e flight, venom yield, toxicity, etc)

  Dragon type: Light

  Unique communications: Tusks; Tears; Light Flashes; Heat Rays

  -Tusks: If a light dragon

  * lowers their tusks to you, this communicates respect by meeting you at your level, or by letting you climb on them/transport you.

  * aims their tusks at you, this is a threat to stab you.

  * aims their tusks away from you, this is a welcome or beckon for you to follow them in the direction they face.

  -Tears: Light dragons can cry

  * on command, to illuminate their surroundings and create a welcoming environment

  * on command, to illuminate someone. This is done to those they distrust, making them a visible target.

  * to communicate distress or sorrow. If they cry long enough, their glowing pool of tears will communicate a visible, literal 'cry' for help.

  -Light Flashes: if a light dragon uses Light Flash repeatedly, this is communicating through Morse code.

  -Heat Rays: if a light dragon

  * creates a heat ray slowly, this is a warning.

  * shoots a heat ray, this is used to deter or harm those they distrust.

  Names: Light dragons are named by their parents or their leader. Their names can be made up, or determined by their abilities/how the individual uses their abilities.