#fucanglong

Owing to the rich, ancient history of the region, East Asian dragons have evolved and diversified to such an extent that comparisons to dragons of the West are far too simple. But, of all those dragons, the Chinese lungs are agreed to be their progenitors. Jiaolong (Giao crocodilus) and Dilong (Lung panlong) are thought to be the earliest known dragons from the area, resembling their ancient serpentine ancestors more so than anything else. Figurines from Vietnam point to Jiaolong as the earliest Chinese dragons. Biologically, they may look crocodilian, but also possess many mammalian characteristics, like their warm blood and primitive hair. Dilong, or snake dragons, are much more similar to the lindworms and drakons of Europe, but have the more derived appearance known to their family. Similarly, the T'eng (Teng she), a type of legless dragon, appears to have been the first Chinese dragon to develop flight. Whereas wyverns have wings, Chinese dragons have a chimu, a magical lump on their heads which allows them to move through the air like water. T'eng do not, however, have the ability to ascend to heaven like other dragons. They remain animals all their life. The species everyone knows as the Chinese dragon, the lung (Lung huang), have spread all across the region and diversified into different forms. But the originals remain ever plentiful in their homeland. Coming from a small, snake-like hatchling to a mighty, semi-aquatic adult, and finally ascending to heaven to become a godly being if they reach the end of their enormous lifespans. Most don't live past 300, so they can be safely kept like any other animal. Because of this, the long line of royalty and aristocracy have kept and bred them to show their devotion and connection to the gods. Dozens of breeds exist, mostly variations of color, but in the wild them mostly come in red, blue, yellow, black, and white. After reaching sexual maturity, they develop big, luxurious beards. Two variants have themselves been bred by the gods and spirits of the region: fucanglong (Lung fucang) as guardians of treasure and tianlong (Lung xian) as steeds or chariot pullers. The final lung, the Yinglong (Kumonlung gyarodosi), has risen from an odd source: carp able to make it up a waterfall (the location of which is unknown) instantly rise to godhood. Their biology is unknown, and sightings of them are rare. Like all lung gods, they reside over the rains and rivers and seas like they did in life, but also get into godly debacles and misadventures as well. -- Needed to work these guys out before I got to the others. The koi dragon's scientific name is a pun based on a breed of koi called "Kumonryu" or "Nine-Tatooed Dragons" and Gyarados.

Fucang-Shen Long by zockraw

Suggest a spook.

(Click to see better probably)