Soul Merger

Monsterpedia

Dragon

Monster Level - IV

Soul Type - Complete

Intelligence - Human Level (dangerously smart)

Strength - Immense

Magic - Overwhelming

Rarity - Uncommon

Dragons are possibly the most powerful monsters in existence. Their ability to draw on magic surpasses all but the most powerful spellcasters, which they frequently use for their many different elemental breaths. However they also have bodies that average 12 feet high at the shoulder while resting. Obviously this gives them terrifying might, and incredible resistances. Which their hardened scales and bone protrusions only enhance.

Fortunately for humanity, dragons are incredibly individualistic and usually lazy. This individualism is reflected in their form as well. No two dragons have ever looked the same. While most have four legs, wings and a long neck and tail, variations on the specifics are common. Dragon head shapes have massive differences in horns, jaw lines, and eyes, and of course scale patterns are universally unique.

Dragons have human level intellect, but they don't think like humans. They hoard items from their surroundings, and they refuse to flee their lairs even when facing impossible odds. This is why dragon slaying is not certain suicide. Though it still requires a large team (30+) of merged delvers to keep casualties down.

Dragon materials are useful in all sorts of etchings. And of course dragon merges are very popular among the ultra wealthy, meaning capturing one alive is very profitable.

There are arguments over whether it's wrong to use a monster with a complete soul as a merge sacrifice, but dragons themselves rarely seem to care. There are even more arguments over why dragons don't care. Dragons do care about that, giving several conflicting answers and ending debates with violence if they find an answer 'insulting'.

Merge

Common Name : Dragonman/Dragonlady ; Dragonblooded (Frequent variations depending on the local nobility's desires)

Benefits : A boost to magic and strength. Protective scales. 'Dragon Breath'

Weaknesses : 'Dragon Madness'

As you might expect Dragon merges give an incredible boost to a human's abilities. Even weak dragon merges can toss around other humans and unleash powerful if unfocused magic. All merges also get some level of protection from draconic scales, though the specifics vary from person to person (or maybe dragon to dragon?). Many families specifically hire delver groups to deliver live dragons to their estates. (Or their children to subdued dragons.)

While there are children's stories about an unmerged human slaying and gaining a dragon merge, those are just stories. No unmerged human will get to a dragon without killing a monster along the way, much less defeat one solo.

However there is one drawback to dragon merges. As complete souls a dragon's mind remains in their merge. Some let their emotions flow into the merge, while others speak directly into their host's mind. Many people who merge with dragons have personality changes afterwards. Some claim this is a unique madness or that the dragon can control the minds of those they merge with. More likely it's just that stapling a highly intelligent soul to a spoiled teenager in their rebellious phase leads to drama.

Simply put, a dragon merge is the best all around merge you can get. However, rarely do dragon merges get the unique specializations that make other merges really excel. If you need to breathe underwater, see to the horizon, or pick up burning logs without flinching, another merge might be better for you.