Dragon Biology

[Theozilla]

So I am already aware from the Lorebooks and interviews that Dragons are capable of reproducing asexually and that gender is largely just a matter of convenience and/or individual preference for dragon kind.

But my question is, has it ever been answered/specified as to whether dragons as a species are only capable of asexual reproduction, or are they capable of both asexual and sexual reproduction like many organisms in real life (such as aphids, slime molds, sea anemones, some species of starfish, and many plants) are capable of?

[ItMe]

Dude they're all aliens.
As far as I'm concerned they can do whatever they want.

[Theozilla]

Dude they're all aliens.
As far as I'm concerned they can do whatever they want.

I am well aware that they are effectively all aliens.
Doesn't mean I can't, or shouldn't, be curious about the lore/in-universe biology of their species.

[Alleluia]

Well I think it is actually stated somewhere that Tiamat and Bahamut were mates, which does imply sexual reproduction. But that’s about as direct a reference I can think of. I don’t recall any dragons mentioning both a mother and a father.

Edit: oh and I think Ratatoskir and Nidhogg were mates too? Or is that headcanon?

[Theozilla]

Well I think it is actually stated somewhere that Tiamat and Bahamut were mates, which does imply sexual reproduction. But that’s about as direct a reference I can think of. I don’t recall any dragons mentioning both a mother and a father.

Edit: oh and I think Ratatoskir and Nidhogg were mates too? Or is that headcanon?

Oh I already know that mates have been used to described Tiamat and Bahamut but as stated in older interviews that Anonymoose translated, the term "mate" for dragons doesn't imply
"partner for reproduction" so unfortunately that doesn't answer the question either way.

It's from a Dengeki interview with the dungeon design team from when they were running Heavensward PR. I made translations of such interviews, but never really decided on the best way to re-publish them and then I got swept up into a bigger project, lol. I'm sure I'll get all the info into relevant things eventually, depending on what people are most interested in me helping to puzzle out (right now, it's the bestiary). Here's what you're looking for, though:

We know that Tioman is Nidhogg's consort, but what is she other than a dungeon boss? What kind of background information exists for her?

We should start with the fact that dragons don't have a traditional concept of gender. They can reproduce alone, aesexually. After a dragon is born, and over the course of a very long life, their form changes drastically. For creatures such as these, a "mate" doesn't mean a "partner for reproduction" like it does for other organisms. It's more of a deep and spiritual bond. Even in the bond between the dragon Hraesvelgr and the human Shiva, the spiritual connection is what was emphasized. In the same vein, even though Tioman is presented as a "female dragon" that is Nidhogg's "consort," this means only that she is the most important being in his life, spiritually. It should be noted, however, that even this is still slightly different from a human concept such as "marriage". These terms will probably be explored in the game, as well, once relations between man and dragon improve.

It's still not altogether clear if that means female-only asexual reproduction, but given the direct emphasis on how dragons don't really fit established gender concepts in general, it doesn't sound like it. Dragons have very deep roots in aether and magick. For instance, an Ishgardian can't just slay a dragon and drink it's blood and be turned - it has to be magicked blood spilled by the dragons for that purpose. It wouldn't surprise me if something similar was involved even in the creation of eggs ... but we just don't know.

[Hikari_Kishimoto]

I think they are capabale of sexual reproduction.
As a Dragoon, you help the little Dragon Orn Khai 'rescue' his father's consort.
It is said that the two of them got together in order to breed. So yeah.

[KylePearlsand]

I think they are capabale of sexual reproduction.
As a Dragoon, you help the little Dragon Orn Khai 'rescue' his father's consort.
It is said that the two of them got together in order to breed. So yeah.

We also know from Tioman's card that she is the consort of Nidhogg. So it does seem that dragons at least pairbond. I'm pretty sure we see egg shells when running through the Aery but I might have to run through it again to be sure.

[Alleluia]

Technically eggs don't have to mean sexual reproduction. Its a fantasy setting.

[Mixt]

*Points at IRL komodo dragons*

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo...n#Reproduction

Have a wikipedia article.

So yeah, that's a thing in real life, no fantasy setting required.

[Vyrerus]

Neat, so Komodo Dragons have an inset, "Make guys so we can make gals" thing going for them.