Learner

Feral form :

Appearance :

A prime western dragon in shape, Learner could be qualified as a standard of the kind. Muscular but in right proportions for a natural predator, his body is covered in green scales that blend in most vegetation-type environment. A natural weapon nature gave to the species of the forest dragons to efficiently hide as younglings, and hunt when mature.
His paws might look common for a dragon at first glance, but a fourth finger on the forepaws allow some relative dexterity to grab. Equipped with curved claws at the end of the fingers, he could cut through rocks if the situation or the mood required it. The high bone density in these deadly weapons never allow to break them, just like his teeth. He wouldn’t break so easily, but it’s commonly assumed it is better to have these claws gently stroke you instead of slicing you in half in a blink.
His body is blessed with two large, powerful and surprisingly agile wings. With a thick membrane bounding the structure, they can easily propel him high in the sky. But he’s also found a refreshing use of them to ventilate himself during hot days. Not all parts are made to kill in a predator’s body. Because of his habitat subjected to low branches and overall natural elements keen on ripping them, his species developed a lizard like ability to regenerate them in case or cuts, or even broken bones.
The tail of a forest dragon is commonly an underestimated limb, but sneakily effective. Gifted with a high control and flexibility, it doesn’t wear any spike or bone protuberance like some dragons have. Decreasing in thickness the more it comes to its end, it can yet be used efficiently and surgically as a whip, or to coil around an unsuspecting opponent. Its length, about the distance between his rear and muzzle, make it a sneaky appendage that is often used as a third hand to hold things.
Coming to his head now, it is attached to a semi long neck that is just above the length of the average western dragon in proportions. The back of his skull is the root of two curvy horns, about half of his head in length. The head ends in an elongated muzzle forming his jaws. And inside, like you could expect, ranges of curves, sharp white teeth surround a pinkish tongue… but you’ll probably see by yourself soon enough. ;)
Overall, his body could be defined as rather elegant, with the lower half of the torso a bit thinner than the chest. That is when the belly is empty, of course, because the stretchy insides may contain up to his weakly needs in prey.

Background:

Despite having been describe above as a killing machine, Learner isn’t such a bad dragon, in terms of a human’s perspective. Rather the opposite. Because you’re built for war, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a peaceful life. And that would describe quite well his state of mind.
Unlike other species, forest dragons are a species that managed quite well to keep away from other creatures’ attention, including humans. For big beasts, they are astonishingly skilled in camouflage, and never really any knew the fear and harassment of knights, territorial creatures, or greedy ones. The fact they do not see interest in gathering precious metals, it might have helped as well.
Consequently, Learner never really knew the sense of the world threat. Of course he’s not alien to the concept of danger, but the gut fear of being slain had never truly been a concern to him. Growing in a forest, without fear, left him with particular traits to counter the boredom. A peaceful nature inclined to appreciate the calm and simple things in life. And an immense curiosity for whatever new interesting stuff he might find on his territory.
In that, Learner won’t be aggressive, unless he feels hostility. He would rather stalk for a while, observe silently, and maybe try a friendly contact. Beware though, his kind isn’t used to resistance either, and if in confusion for too long, might give up in understanding hostile or behaviors he can’t get. He’s still a dragon, maybe an odd one. But it still wouldn’t be advised to push his nerves too far.

Anthro/demi form :

Appearance :

As an anthro or demi dragon, Learner will have a slightly taller yet humanoid body in shapes. In both forms, he will have the same dragon tail as his feral form, all proportions kept. His feet and paws will be draconian as well, with claws and green scales, although they will be humanoid in their overall form.
In anthro form, he would have the same head as the feral form, once again in proportion. And his neck would be slightly longer than a human one. His wings would be present as well, just big enough to carry his body. Though he would probably have found ways to hide or temporarily suppress them to fit his environment (most likely urban).
In demi form, his face would be human, with the exception of his mouth that would display the same sharp teeth as his other forms. His head would have dark hair, and two shorter curved horns would appear on the back of his skull. His eyes still carry the yellow and reptilian lenses of his dragon self. Except for his tail, hands and forearms, and below the calves level that are all covered in his natural green scales, the rest of him would be human in appearance.

Background:

In this form, it is more likely that Learner grew up in a city, a wolf among the sheep. Despite a good willed natured, he would often be conflicted between old instincts and respect of the others. Not an easy task when the old tales died hard.
In his youth, how many times did he have to tell bullies that he never hunted, or preyed on anyone without any changes… Because of his draconic lineage, others avoided him, feared him without even knowing him. It was probably the hardest time of his life, young and lost, fighting against ferocious instincts, and being rejected. His parents, and other adults from predatory species, did try to give him good advices but nothing ever worked. Because of his loneliness and because he never cracked, Learner came to thing he was different, but on another level.
That was the first time, as a youngling, that he had a life changing thought. He was stronger than them, because when he saw many other predators cracking and devouring others on an impulse, he stood still. Alone, but proud. And before he knew, he started to laugh about it.
Others were afraid, so what? Offering them a good fright once in a while was hilarious! Draconians were target of many clichés? It was so absurd to play along that it was always a good time. Little by little, Learner mastered the art of self-joke. And a strange thing began to happen.
Some people liked to be frightened. Some found thrilling to be around a prankster but harmless draconian. People around him, predators and prey alike, were becoming nicer to him. And it was at this period that he first connected with his predatory side. Sometimes pushing the fun a bit far but never harming or killing anyone. He discovered how fun it was to prey on someone, and when things got out of hands, sometimes even playfully devouring them.
Overall, in these forms he would act and be aware of human-like codes and culture. But he would often be somewhere between the beast and the reason. Able to defend himself, able to live for himself. A hybrid struggling to find his place but doing it with a smile.

Shapeshifting form:

As the name suggest, it is very possible to have Learner free to access any of the three forms described above. It would imply some changes on his background however.
It is likely the Learner would have had a complicated path to master these forms and how to use them. And also to adjust to the state of mind of each. A dragon doesn’t think or feel the same way and it was as subtle to assimilate as it couldn’t be understood by anyone who didn’t live such struggle.
It might have turned him a bit more aggressive at times, or even full of ego. He would sincerely try to not consider him above the other, but couldn’t help but feeling a little superior. The pride of the dragon that merged with the kindness of a human, to find something in between. Not exactly nice but trying. Not exactly bad but so easy to succumb to.

Anatomy:

Although the three forms are different, I put this section aside because from the maw, the rest of their insides will be very similar.
First is the maw, ornamented with sharp, white and curved teeth as stated previously. Even in feral form where the tongue will be slightly longer in proportions, the muscle would be laying at the center and not so different than a human tongue. The insides are always humid, but he will come to salivate a bit more if his appetite or hunter instinct is aroused. Despite a scary look, his teeth will mostly be there for teasing nibbles and careful grabbing, with an impressive control for the taste of blood is disliked. And the jaws can unhinge to take a prey up to his own size, and lead it to his throat.
From there, the stretchiness of the flesh will be in the continuity of what his maw can send, but it will never stretch more than the volume it handles. Meaning it will be a tight descent whatever the size. Same goes for his chest and stomach. His ribs can unhinge as well to allow a large prey in without crushing his lungs and heart. Though the inner pressure the prey would make from there will be felt as highly pleasurable for the dragon. A sort of nervous system that inherently make his species delighted with a big meal.
There is a secondary pouch-like organ that can be used to store food. In the wild, it allowed the species to regulate their consumption of food after a big hunt. But in more civilized environment, this remaining organ could be used conveniently as an inside pocket to store things, or… others. By default, if the dragon swallows something he doesn’t want to consume, it will go to this storage stomach.
The main stomach though is much like any regular stomach, stretchiness aside. However, in all form his digestion will be subjected to reptilian metabolism. First, his digestion is by default quite slow, but can even be slowed down with low temperatures. With quite a control of his body, he will enjoy offering some squeezes, but will also be able to spit his prey out if he wants to.
From there, I put a little limit. As a player I’m really not into scat so if the prey is digested, there would be no further description and nothing coming out. Magic of a dragon’s bowel and all xD On a less mood breaking note, if the prey isn’t broken down by the stomach for an extended period for some reasons (indigest prey, nullification of acids,…), it will still be processed further thanks to the same stretchiness of the intestines.
There, Learner won’t have any control anymore. And just like the prey, he could only wait a few hours for nature to work, and evacuate it cleanly, if not a bit slimy. Not easy, quite sensitive, he will be a bit weakened during the process of a large prey through this part, but so far his body never failed to.
A curious evolution of the nature made his body void of any nociceptors, meaning he will feel a touch, but not the pain coming from these limbs. It will not make him any less careful not to hurt himself or others, but he is basically blissed with the gift of ignorance of the pain. Struggle all you want, you’ll only increase the pressure on his nerves and will only be replied to with a purr.

Personality and particularities:

Ego-wise, Learner still have some pride even if it’s not his dominant trait. He will often appear surprisingly calm, positive, positive and open minded for a dragon. He won’t be one of those who will see you as food before seeing you as a person. He’s overall a kind soul, with limits to not cross.
This being said and despite his good will, he couldn’t help but still sometimes see things through the spectrum of a draconic mind, even unconsciously for the most part. One innocent example would be a tendency to lick to show affection, when many would consider it scary or at least inappropriate. One less innocent example would be the urges to leap on someone or even play predatory on them out of playfulness or affection. In anthro or demi form, it might lead to awkward explaining afterward…
Despite these traits, he will often be generous, kind, and overall undeserving of the draconic clichés. He is someone you can trust with your life, for as long as you won’t give him a good reason to betray his words.
It becomes more surprising when learning that the dragon always had a curiosity toward the other side of the foodchain. Maybe because himself often came to associate eating a prey to something nice. Or because very few creatures in this world would dare to prey on a draconian.
It won’t be something he will naturally bring in a conversation with someone he just met, assuming none would naturally want to try preying on a dragon. But his interest wouldn’t remain a secret if confronted to a real situation. He idealized it for so long that he probably be blind to the downsides of it. And he is aware that it could lead him to a premature death, if he got forgetful of the events.
In this extent, Learner managed to get his claws on a prophylactic solution. A spell is bound to his soul, providing an assured immortality through a magical reformation. If killed, or definitely damaged, his body would regenerate or entirely reconstruct if necessary. A safe guard, for a dragon aware of his unusual fascination.

About the size:

As a player, I enjoy a personal spectrum of size differences when it comes to character interactions, vorish or not. The upper limit would be the prey not being more than 1.5 times bigger than the pred. Cartoonish situations where you barely recognize the pred among the immense bulge is a bit too absurd for me. On the opposite end, I won’t go below the size of a good mouthful for the prey. I find no fun in swallowing something that can’t even be felt.
For these reasons, the sizes of the character I’ll play can be adjusted, but by default will be a bit bigger, all proportions kept, than my partner’s character. The size of my character will depend on the role, on what my partner prefers, in brief, it’s open and discussable topic.
You can have him the size of a mouse if you’re a playful feline, or as a three-meter beast if you’re a human falling into his claws, possibilities are countless.

RP ideas:

A pet becoming more (feral): either the dragon would have lived his all life as a pet to someone else, or the dragon would have captured someone to make it a servant. But as time goes on, and the relationship tends to be respectful on both sides, either the pet or the master tried to get more from the other. To obtain better living conditions? To try and take over? For romantic purpose? Who knows?

An adventurous spirit (anthro/demi): In a city, being a dragon attracts a lot of look and mostly distrustful ones. But on day, the adventurous spirit would break the routine. Either the dragon would want to try talking to someone, or someone would feel brave enough to try him. How will it end? Will the dragon feel playful at some time? Is the other a hidden predator, looking for a rare catch?

Tale vs reality (feral/anthro/demi): The dragon faces another who had too many tales coating the childhood. But this one, the dragon would get tire with and decide to confront the myths. Showing he’s not a mindless beast, not a monster, and maybe through demonstration.

(more to come as the muse does her job, feel free to suggest new ideas :) )