Ruby dragon

The Ruby dragon are a species of dragon native to Ruby territory.

History
The history of the Ruby tribe of dragons is similar to that of the other dragon tribes; they inhabited their territory long before the Land of Dragons became known as Deltora, and were aware of the forthcoming cataclysm that fused it with the land that was Pirra but later became the Shadowlands. They thus took flight as it occurred, and later landed safely after its effects had subsided. The Ruby dragons also became aware of the emergence of the Ruby from within the depths of the land after it was claimed by the Ralads, and of its addition to the Belt of Deltora. A Ruby dragon also responded to the summons of the Ralads to help distract the Shadow Army so that Adin could escape their notice.

Hundreds of years ago, the Ruby dragons were the victims of theft by the Capricons, who stole unhatched eggs from the dragon's nests and sucked them dry to create lanterns to decorate their city. The dragons warned them to halt these actions on several occasions, but the Capricons were obsessed with adding to Capra's splendour and refused to listen. As such, the dragons attacked the city and leveled it, refusing to allow their young to be slaughtered any longer. As the centuries passed, the tale of Capra's destruction was distorted, with many coming to believe that the dragons had destroyed Capra out of envy; this was done without thought for the fact that the dragons' realm encompassed the entire Ruby territory with all of its natural beauties.

Like the other dragon tribes, the Ruby dragons were hunted to the verge of extinction by the Shadow Lord's Ak-Baba to prevent them from interfering in his conquest of Deltora, with Joyeu being the last known surviving member of the tribe. After going into an enchanted sleep for centuries at the behest of Doran the Dragonlover, Joyeu was later reawakened by King Lief and the Belt of Deltora. She then took part in the efforts against the Four Sisters and the Grey tide; whether or not the species was subsequently able to repopulate is unknown.

Known Ruby dragons

 * An unnamed dragon summoned by the Ralads to draw attention away from Adin (deceased)
 * An unnamed dragon whose death was witnessed by Hopian (deceased)
 * Joyeu

Diet
Fish, Pig Rat, snake, Painted Plain Deer Sea Serpents.

Deltora Quest 3

 * Dragon's Nest
 * Shadowgate
 * The Sister of the South

Other

 * Tales of Deltora
 * Secrets of Deltora
 * The Deltora Book of Monsters