More About Appearances

(A dragon concluding their procrastination)

Spoiler :

You, are terribly upset right now aren't you? Well the next chapter is the real continuation of the end to chapter 29...and tomorrow there will be three chapters :)

A Gem-Dragons flight speed is not bad, being anywhere from average to above average. Actually it can be considered quite good as unlike some flight enabled races Gem-Dragons are not hollow boned or light in weight, rather they are quite heavy. The reason they are able to remain up in the air at all let alone at their decent speeds is because of the races instinctive ability to compensate their weight and not quite aerodynamically designed build with magic.

This build is not sleek and serpentine like many dragons but rather more feline and perhaps in the more bulky examples even canine. Of course most Gem-Dragons (myself included) prefer to use such descriptions as lion akin, or wolf sleek. Meaning of course the most handsome examples of that breed such that which even the vainest of dragons would not be ashamed to be compared to.

Continuing this theme that is shared by many species and races, unlike many races of dragons rather than having a reptilian style hidden earhole. Gem-Dragons all have a pair of large pointed ears. Some of described them as bat like, but I would say instead exaggerated deer like or perhaps even look outside the animal kingdom entirely for inspiration and go with ‘leaf like’.

Whichever description method you prefer, the ears of a gem dragon point upwards and are angled slightly to the sides, they are also shaped resembling spoons or perhaps shallow cups or bowels. As one might expect from such a description Gem-Dragons have quite excellent hearing.

Hearing is considered one of their best senses, only inferior to their ability to sense magic. After their hearing their sight and smell are about tied. Like most dragons they have great sight and smell, however amongst dragons these two senses are just average. This is partly because they only have two of each. Nostrils and eye balls that is.

Both which are located in the unexciting place of on top of their heads. Being predators their eyes face more forwards than to the sides, but being a flight enabled creature their eyes are positioned more towards the sides than most other kinds of predator.  This gives them a decent degree of vision, as well as avoiding the hassle of having no forward blind spot unlike a few dragons.

The snout and head shape is similar to a horses but not completely as it has its own different charm.

I will next speak mainly of the more superficial traits, or at least the ones that tend to greatly vary between individuals.

First is the horns. More or less than 50% of the Gem -Dragons population have horns, one sometimes two but never more than that. It is also uncommon but also possible for a Gem -Dragon to have a line of small spikes following the ridge of their back bone. Both traits of horns and spikes are more common for the males of the species. As females are generally larger, it is often seen as impressive when a female has both “thorns” and weight.

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Then is color. Gem-Dragons color runs the gambit of the rainbow and many more besides. As I have mentioned in the past color most often has to do with rank. Though the rule is not absolute usually a “prettier” color equals an indication of a stronger dragon.

There can be one color, several different colors, or more than several mixing together in various ways. The most common pattern is one single shade of color covering the whole body. The next most common pattern is two colors, one covering the majority of the body and other covering the belly and sometimes neck, in this case the belly color is usually lighter than the other.

The less common patterns are too numerous and unique to count, stripes, spots and splotches are possible. Unlike color patterns are usually maintained even through rank ups. With just the hue and purity changing but not the vibrancy or shade.

Then comes one of the most unique features of Gem-Dragons, in fact it is believed to be one of the main reasons that Gem-Dragons got their name. That is the large gemstone found in the middle of their forehead.

The gem varies in transparency, luster, and brilliance but all gems are mesmerizingly beautiful.

The color never changes, no matter the rank or other changes of the dragon, it remains the same from hatching to death, upon which it vanishes. It is believed that the gem is the embodiment of all the dragons magic, and it is certain it is one of the main reasons that Gem-Dragons have such great magic sensitivity.

The gems are also seemly indestructible, no one has ever seen be broken. It is thought that the gem confers some ‘gem affinity’ on to Gem-Dragons, for they usually find it quite easy to do magic and skills related to gemstones, and the Gem-Dragons jewel smiths and carvers are considered some of the best in the world.

An interesting fact about the color of the gems, is that it is also usually shared with the eyes. That is usually the eyes and the gem are the same color. A somewhat confirmed myth about this coloring trait, is that this color is an indication of the dragon’s potential.

For example if a dragon hatches with a brown color with blue eyes and on their forehead is a blue gem, it is thought that it will be likely that they will rank up to a blue dragon. Once they reach their max/full potential their gem will turn clear like a diamond, and it is then thought it will be much harder for them to advance in rank, for any further advancement would be ‘going beyond their potential’.

The reason this myth isn’t completely confirmed is mainly because there are many dragons who don’t seem to follow these guidelines in their coloring or ranking.  Also because Gem-Dragons have been at war for most of their history there have not been many dragons that lived long enough to ‘reach their potential’.

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Reincarnation Flower Birthday Party Continues!