Dra’gals, whilst capable of live birth, predominantly lay eggs for their offspring. These eggs can be as large as a watermelon at full size (up to 12cm diameter average). Whilst they can be this large when laid, they are often anywhere to half that size upon laying. These eggs, if laid smaller, will often develop in size over the course of the following weeks.
Total gestation time from conception to hatching is around 6 weeks. 2 weeks for the egg to develop to it’s smallest size, a further 2 weeks to develop to it’s largest size, then a final 2 weeks until it hatches.
Dra’gal shells are made of overlapping ‘scales’ that have the appearance of a silvery crystalline material. These plates are incredibly durable, matching tempered metals in toughness. These protect the egg from harm, whilst still allowing growth. These scales attach to the inner ‘skin’ of the egg, a thick glue that expands as the egg develops, causing the scales to slowly unfold until they interlock during the later stages of development when the egg is full sized. Inside the egg, is a mixture of semi-fluid goop, that is composed of raw silvrum compounds and organic material. This mixture is what develops into the Dra’gal kitt, and fuels the development, much like the yolk of an egg.
Whilst the average of egg gestations is a total of six weeks, this time will vary depending on the environment. The most important factor is the how plentiful energy is, most commonly heat however other forms such as chemical, electrical, mana; will all function similarly. In hotter climates, the presence of high electrical currents or electrical fields, or mana-rich environments, the egg will develop faster. This scaling is non-linear, with smaller amounts needed to half the gestation time, but significantly more past that. In the lack of such energies however, the egg’s development can become significantly slower.
It’s because of these traits that it’s common for Dra’gal mothers to construct a nest out of conductive, or flammable material to ‘cook’ the egg. The most common kind of nest is a large ‘pan’ of sorts that the eggs sit within, often with water, with a space underneath for kindling and fuel.
It’s to be noted that these eggs are highly durable. Kinetic impacts will struggle to damage the shell, and do little to harm the material within. Chemical, thermal, and electrical energy will all fuel the egg’s development, and attempting to freeze the egg will not kill it but instead force it into a state of hibernation until conditions improve.
At the end of the gestation period, a Dra’gal will break free from the egg. Unlike other creatures that use specialised teeth or horns to break the shell, a Dra’gal egg will shatter with explosive force, sending small brittle fragments scattering. Most of the eggshell will have developed into wings for the Dra’gal, even wingless Dra’gals are born with wings. As a Dra’gal kitt develops over the following weeks, these wings will fall off, shedding like an egg horn if the Dra’gal’s not coded to retain them.