As the sun rose over the Viridian Labyrinth, a young Wildclaw stood by the water, breathing the cool morning air and watching the river peacefully wend its way through the verdant land. Without warning, a massive green dragon's head burst from beneath the river's surface. Giving a shriek, the Wildclaw stumbled backwards, tripping on her own tail and sending herself tumbling into a clump of reeds. The huge shape in the river shook itself, sending water, plants, mud and all manner of river debris flying in all directions. With one massive claw, the beast delicately removed a snail from its snout and set the extremely startled creature in the water. The huge head, which the Wildclaw shakily decided was that of a Guardian, inclined towards her. And chuckled. She didn't know whether she should bite it on the nose or run.
The river dragon tilted his head, and ran his claws through his beard as he regarded the Wildclaw "Good morning, young one. I did not mean to startle you"
"Who..what are you, slinking around underwater and scaring dragonfolk like this!" she demanded, now that some of her natural boldness was returning.
"Your hatch-mother never told you tales?" the Guardian said in bemusement, his voice as rough as sedges that lined the river banks.. "I am...we are Riparians"
The Guardian plunged his head back under water for a moment and let forth an unearthly bungling song that would carry for long distances underwater.
"My friend comes. She will tell you of us. Tell your clan that we are indeed still guarding their waters. I have been a steward of this river since before you were in the shell."
He settled himself partially out of the water, his rough green hide still studded with pebbles and bits of river plants. As he fanned his mottled blue wings to catch the rising warmth of the sun, the Wildclaw realized that she could scarcely tell where the river ended and he began.
Off to his right, a ripple appeared in the water and an antlered head hung in river grass rose from the depths. Sinuous as a serpent, the great Imperial swam to the side of her friend. Her long, blue mottled wings, so like that of the Guardian, masked her movement so that she was like a phantom in the clear water, a moving piece of riverbed, water and sky. She looked up at the tiny land dragon and smiled "Hello, little one" she said, in a voice like water over smooth stones. “Let me tell you who we, the Riparians, are.”
"We are the stewards of the rivers in and around the Labyrinth, living our lives submerged in the waters that feed the Gladekeeper's realm. For ages upon ages, we have watched these waters. We are charged with care of the rivers, keeping them clean, free-running and safe. We ward the land dragons from invasion by beastclans and hostile dragons and guard the river creatures from danger." Incana playfully blew a plume of water at the Wildclaw. "This means that you, young one, can put your claws down"
The Imperial paused a moment, and stared pensively at her reflection in the water. “It is said, among us, that we have kin in other lands. We do not meet them, but perhaps wherever there is water, there is a Riparian to guard it. At least, I hope that this is so”
-End
So hi! I hope you enjoyed the story, which aimed to introduce the sub-species I've made for the Nature flight.
Riparians are also registered on two Nature subspecies lists,
here and
here
And here is the
Google Doc
Parameters of the sub-species
Breeds: Guardian, Imperial, Snapper
Flights: No restrictions
Genes
Primary genes
Iridescent, giraffe, speckle, falcon, clown, ripple, savannah, jupiter, jaguar , tapir, bar
Secondary genes
Toxin only
Tertiary genes
gem-bond only
Colors
Primary Colors
Green variant:
Thicket - avocado
Brown variant:
Sand - hickory
Ginger - auburn
Secondary Colors
Riparians whose secondary blue range does not have orange/pink/yellow tones added by the toxin gene are considered standard Riparians. Standard Riparians come in both green and brown varieties.
Standard Riparians:
Sapphire, cobalt, blue, periwinkle, splash, phthalo, teal, robin and aqua.
Riparians whose secondary blues have red/yellow/pink added by toxin indicate that the dragon is a Sunset Riparian. Sunset Riparians come in both green and brown varieties.
Sunset Riparians:
Turquoise, cyan, cerulean, caribbean, azure, stonewash, sky, cornflower, lapis, ultramarine, navy
Tertiary Colors
For all varieties:
Thicket - avocado
Some notes on breeds, colors and genes
The primary colors of green and brown were chosen as they are natural tones that blend well in a variety of aquatic habitats. The intent is to mimic the bottoms and banks of rivers and other bodies of water, as Riparians are secretive by necessity. Their coloration has evolved over the ages, though the Gladekeeper has had a hand in the development. Green and brown Riparians socialize and are considered equals. However, they do not interbreed, as they know this would result in hatchlings that lacked the vital concealing coloration. Each color serves its role, in accordance to the Gladekeeper’s wishes. Brown Riparians tend the less vegetated, rocky bodies of water. Green Riparians tend to the rivers that are well covered in bank and bottom vegetation. Thus, each are hidden well and can fulfill their duties.
Toxin was chosen for the wings, as it looks like rippling water. The mottled blue of the wings is intended to provide the Riparian with camouflage from above as it swims through the water. Only specific shades of blue conform to this effect.
Sometimes dragons are hatched with unusual wing colors that look like nothing so much as the reflection of a brilliant sunrise or sunset on rippling waters. These dragons are active only at dawn and dusk, when the sun's rays linger in red, gold and rose on the face of the waters.
Gembond is required as the tertiary gene, and only allowed in specified shades of green. As Riparians spend the bulk of their time submerged, algae tends to grow on their rough hides and scales. Often, they will remain motionless and hidden in underwater plants in order to monitor their surroundings. As such, all manner of debris and plant pieces become stuck to them. Sometimes pebbles, snails, freshwater molluscs and other things stud their hides. All this is represented by the gembond gene. Green gembond looks the healthiest and most organic against the green or brown hides.
The breeds, Guardian, Imperial and Snapper, were chosen based on appearance and lore. Guardians were a clear choice, as these giants were, at their core, already water dragons, due to their place of origin in the Sea of a Thousand Currents. Guardian also have an innate need to protect, and upon reaching maturity go on what is known as the Search, during which they find their Charge. This Charge is guarded, no matter the risk, for the lifetime of the dragon. Perhaps the Search that every Guardian goes on in order to find its Charge is what brought them to the rivers to begin with. Regardless, every generation of Riparian Guardian finds that its Charge is to protect the deepest parts of the waterways.
Imperial dragons are wise, scholarly and often solitary creatures. Perhaps it was curiosity that drove the original Imperial Riparians to explore the Viridian Labyrinth. Once settled, they must have found themselves well suited to the warm, clear waters. Their snake-like, sinuous bodies granted them grace and speed underwater and their keen minds, natural stamina and long lives made them excellent stewards of the rivers. Though they are gigantic beasts, their lithe bodies allow them to patrol smaller bodies of water than expected, making them the most versatile of the Riparians.
Only the Gladekeeper herself knows when and why the Snappers wandered into the rivers of the Labyrinth, and never wandered out. As they are naturally flightless, the transition to an aquatic life was not difficult. They also do not sleep and by nature follow long, complicated routes endlessly. They are also a bit smaller than the massive Imperials and Guardians. All this fits them perfectly for the twisting creeks and rivers in the Gladeveins, where they are most common.
