Fiction:The Firmament/Ice Drake

"That skull above my throne belongs to an ice drake I slew years back. I look forward to add another to my collection soon."

- Anlaf Gudrodsson, Rusclander chieftain

Ice drakes are one of the many species of lesser dragon known as drakes, who inhabit the cold north of Telamon. They are considered among the most dangerous predators of the tundra.

Biology
Ice drakes, like others of their degenerate kind, are four-limbed lesser dragons. Their scales are white, with gray underbellies and wing webbing. Their eyes are a vivid blue, and a pair of straight horns grow from the sides of their heads. Adult ice drakes reach an average of eight meters long. They are believed to be distant cousins of the frost wyrms.

Ecology
Ice drakes inhabit the northern portions of the world; places such as Ruscland, Druacatakh, the Giantsteppe and Mirseleth possess a great number of the creatures. They make their lairs in natural caves, which are often littered with the bones of their prey.

Society
Ice drakes are solitary and highly territorial creatures. Possessing a nasty disposition and hunger for meat, they attack humanoids indiscriminately and enjoy getting into fights. While sapient, ice drakes are savages with little interest in dialog, preferring to simply devour whoever crosses them.

Abilities
Ice drakes are apex predators in most areas they inhabit, using their powerful teeth and talons to rip prey apart. They possess a breath weapon in the form of a ball of ice, which can deal heavy damage to even fully armored enemies. Ice drakes typically hunt by hiding themselves in snow, using their white scales as camouflage, and then ambushing their prey from beneath when they approach them.