2. The Raptors

Survivors from the age of dinosaurs, the raptors are one of two representatives of the oldest intelligent species on earth. Along with the crocodillians, they survived by becoming both subterranean and reclusive. Being unknown to man, they survived. Had man known of other intelligent species, they would most likely have taken action to eliminate the threat they might have been rather than risk cohabitation. The raptors are the least common of all intelligent species, living primarily in tropical rain forests, though they are sometimes found in heavily forested temperate regions as well. The raptors have a predatory magic that provides a situational awareness of all other animals within a 20 mile range and fire magic that allows them to swallow coal, brimstone, or bitumen and mix it with internal gases in a second stomach, then breath it back in the form of a fiery belch to a 30 foot range or a cloud of noxious gas which will fill an area of 15 feet around the dragon. The raptor itself is immune to the effects of the flame or gas it produces. While all raptors have the situational awareness, the use of the second stomach must be learned, so not all raptors become dragons, and not all dragons are equally skilled. One species of raptor had begun its divergence prior to the meteor fall. The aerosaur was a dinosaur that evolved from land dwelling raptors, developing feathered wings and a lighter bone structure conducive to flight. They retained a resemblance to raptors and were a separate evolutionary path from the now extinct pterosaurs. They survived underground in large caverns, feeding where they could use flight to their advantage. In the new age, they took to the high ground, placing themselves in direct competition with the harpies. Although slower and less maneuverable than the harpies, their situational awareness while flying high could extend to 35 miles and they retained the raptor ability to become dragons.