#velue

Welp, here is an entry I have been dreading for some time. Now you may assume this worry and hesitancy is because I have something against the species in focus here, and that would be incorrect. I got nothing against these creatures, I am totally fine with them. No, my issue is that this beast has a....certain look to them. A rather...monstrous appearance. Or, more specifically, is very dragon looking. "Of course it looks like a dragon, Chlora, because it is a dragon! Ya silly knot head!" are words I can already hear ringing from around the globe when they see what I am writing about today. It is a big ol dragon, and we all know how Chlora feels about dragons!

But take a good look at the Velue! See its impressive size! Its scaly hide! Its serpentine neck! Bear witness to its strength and mighty flame! "Now there is a dragon if I ever did see one," you may say. And this is the part where I dig my fingers into my headcap and groan at what is to come. Because the Velue is a grand beast of legend and power, who appears to be the perfect candidate for the True Dragon classification, and I got to be the person everyone hates in pointing out that IT IS NOT A TRUE DRAGON!

Oh how I must restrain my quill in this entry! How I desire nothing more to scribble pages upon pages of angry rants at the dragon legends and complete mess of classifications! Yet I must contain myself, lest Eucella reduce me and my writings to mulch. But I stand with what I write, because I am correct, that the Velue is not a true dragon. Because we have to remember that this classification is for reptilian beasts and I can already hear people scream "how is that not a reptile?!" It has scales! It has a snake-like look to it! That has to be a reptile! Yeah, well fish have scales too! And some mammals have scale-like structures too! SO I GUESS THOSE MUST BE REPTILES TOO, YA GNARLED GALL INFESTE-

Now let us professionally discuss this matter at hand. Professionally and politely! The Velue certainly has a scaled look to it, and its appearance does look reptilian, but deep research into their remains and structures have found that they do not align with typical reptiles, either old or new. Instead, the species we find most in common with them is the Tarasque! And if you have seen the Tarasque, then you know that those beasts are very much mammals! They have way more hair and the usual look for a mammalian, while it is much more reduced in the Velue, so what gives? Well, the current theory is that the Velue is like an ancient ancestor of the Tarasque, and possibly something that has been dubbed a "protomammal." A creature that is tied to mammals, but is old enough that it was around before they got all the stuff we associate mammals with! It is wild stuff to learn about, I must say! So despite its six limbs and scaled body, it is not a True Dragon! And I have been informed by my editor that we move away from this subject right away!

The Velue is found in temperate climates, often dwelling in forests. The shifts in temperature that come from changing seasons may be why they have such a shaggy body, helping them keep warm during the colder months. Their long necks are for getting food from trees, be it meat or fruit, as they are omnivorous (though with heavier leanings on the meat side). Velue live solitary lives, staking out huge chunks of territory for them to hunt in and call home. With their size and needs, there is certainly not enough room to share with others of their kind!

When it comes to hunting, their large size makes pursuit a no-go. Can't really chase down things with their slow gait and hefty weight. Instead, they rely more on ambush, letting prey come to them, or using their long necks to snare animals from above who thought themselves out of reach. Their heads can snap forth like a viper, lightning quick, to nab food before it can flee. On the other end, they have a venomous spur on the tip of their tail that can drop food and foe alike with blinding speed and crazy precision. And when all else fails: burn it! The Velue will use its flame to start small fires that flush prey out, forcing them in a direction of their choosing. And if their food burns to death, well, still a win!

Obviously, not much challenges a Velue, as they are heavily scaled, covered in sharp spines and have the weapons mentioned above. Yet, some larger carnivores may try their luck on the young or sick, while hunters and slayers seek them for other gains. Their quick neck and tail makes finding a blind spot difficult, and one wrong move can get you killed. Flame breath scorches any in their wake, and their huge bulk can crush foe who get too close. Other Velue may challenge them for territory or breeding rights, and these battles are settled by a duel of tails and neck. They coil their necks around each other and try to wrestle them down, all while the tails jab and stab in an attempt to achieve dominance. Watching one of these fights is fascinating, but best done at a good distance away. As they wrestle and shove each other around, they can cause a whole lot of collateral damage with their bulk. You would think they were going to knock down the entire forest from the sheer din!

In the regions they are found, Velue are called "dragons" and treated as such. To that, I will keep my mouth shut, because if their culture views them in that way, then who am I to tell them no? In cultural perspective, yes, let them be dragons, but if you dare tread over into my field with that idea, then I will start getting testy! Regardless of my opinions, the Velue are creatures that both inspire and terrify. Their likeness can be found on many crests and shields, and numerous artworks bear their visage. Unfortunately, their powerful presence means people like to hunt them for sport and bragging rights, while their nasty temper and hunger gives people the excuse to slay them. Velue will attack farms and towns if food is scarce, and they don't like intruders into their territory. Thus, conflicts are abundant, and many seek to kill them to gain glory and trophies. Velue materials are highly valued, and I have even seen coats made of their fur!

One last note I want to bring up is a new debate, or I guess idea, that has come up. With how many "dragons" that aren't "true dragons," some folk have gotten the idea that we create a group for mammalian dragon-like creatures known as "Dragon Beasts." That way we can lump all them together into something more dragon sounding! And to that I say, we already HAVE dragon beasts! That is the term we use for any creature with dragon-like features that isn't a dragon! What, we going to use the same name again?! Why does it have to be called an official dragon in science?!What is the hang up!? Call anything you want a dragon, I don't care! As long as it remains in the realm of common names and public views, I can tolerate it (kind of), but when you come trying to actually classify them as such, then I got a problem! Yes, Eucella, I know you told me to stop ranting about it, but I WILL! AND YOU CAN'T STOP M

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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La Velue was a terrible dragon who dwelled within a cavern by the Huisne. While it was ultimately slain, its various abilities made it quite a fearsome thing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78817081