SPECIES VARIATION
Although any species of dragon may become an Emissary, the differences between species themselves can determine those dragons' roles as Emissaries. Although these descriptions are not the end-all-be-all (every dragon is a different individual, after all!), these descriptions are a good baseline of determining many dragons' positions as Emissaries.
BOGSNEAKS
Due to their typically solitary natures, and their general inclination to stay on the ground, Bogsneaks are one of the rarest Emissary species. Although they prefer to fight under the cover of night and/or dense brush or swamplands, these dragons are warriors to be feared on almost any form of land terrain.
COATLS
Coatls, due to their patient temperaments and affinity for giving gifts, make excellent diplomats and messengers. Their strong connection with the Flamecaller and the Ashfall Wastes is rumored to make their electrified breath weapons that much hotter.
FAE
Due to their diminutive sizes, Fae Emissaries are often the best spies, as well as messengers. As Fae tend to be more monotone in their voices, since they typically use their frills to convey emotion, they aren't often used as diplomats unless it's to other Fae colonies. Although tiny, Fae Emissaries are to be feared, especially in lightning storms; their naturally-massive energy stores and their magical prowess can often spell out doom for an unprepared foe.
GUARDIANS
Most Guardians, predictably, are guards and/or warriors. Although they are more of a physical species, elder Guardian Emissaries have a considerable amount of magical energy storage so that they may augment their strikes with lightning. Although they are worthy fighters, and elders make excellent generals, their firm ritual of finding a charge may help/hinder their standing, depending on what or whom their charge is.
IMPERIALS
Imperial Emissaries are often healers, long-distance messengers, or magic-endowed warriors. Their lightning magic is usually accompanied by blinding flashes of light and a deafening thunderclap-- the disorientation among enemy ranks that this causes is a favorite fighting tactic.
MIRRORS
Mirror Emissaries, like their normal counterparts, usually travel in packs, are a more physically-oriented species, and are long-distance land travelers. They make for excellent messengers, given their inclination to roam, but they are poor diplomats. Although physical in nature, Mirror Emissaries can augment their bites and strikes with lightning-- they can even use their lightning magic for blinding bursts of speed!
NOCTURNES
Nocturnes were the first official Emissary species. They are the best night-fliers and, along with Fae, they make up some of the best spies the Stormcatcher has in His ranks. Also, due to Nocturnes' natural instinct to mimic and blend in, they make for excellent diplomats. They can even serve as messengers, given their speed. However, they are terribly weak physical fighters.
PEARLCATCHERS
Pearlcatcher Emissaries' pearls-- their very essence-- crackle with static electricity. They are skilled architects, often tasked with managing building plans for the Shifting Expanse, crafting blueprints, and laying out battle plans. Although they may serve as diplomats, their 'holier-than-thou' attitudes tend to start more fights than they resolve. Pearlcatcher Emissaries often become cockier than usual in lightning storms-- although their lightning magic peaks in these conditions, their cockiness can lead to their own downfall.
RIDGEBACKS
As the Ridgebacks were created in the Stormcatcher's image, He has a soft spot in His heart for these Emissaries. They are impeccable builders and burrowers, and thus often get their claws dirty with hard labor. On the battlefield, Ridgebacks are notorious berserkers; their claws, spines, and teeth are already deadly as is, but even more so when amplified with bursts of lightning!
SKYDANCERS
Skydancer Emissaries' specialty lies in diplomacy; due to their empathy and sensitivity to the emotions of others, they are the Stormcatcher's number one choice if he needs a diplomat or two. They are often paired with Coatls and/or Nocturnes for best effect. Skydancer Emissaries are often seen dancing through lightning storms, using the deadly electricity to create elaborate displays.
SNAPPERS
Although slow, Snapper Emissaries are good messengers (especially since they don't need to sleep and constantly wander) and even better historians. Though most Snappers despise fighting, Snapper Emissaries are a force to be reckoned with. They are capable of shielding themselves with lightning, as well as releasing shockwaves through the ground, on top of their natural defensive bulk.
SPIRALS
Spiral Emissaries are arguably one of the fastest creatures in all of Sornieth; they dart through lightning storms fast enough to be considered lightning themselves. If there is any urgent message to be delivered, a Spiral Emissary can launch itself across Sornieth in record speed. These dragons are often fueled into blind ecstasy and hyperactivity when they can sense a thunderstorm approaching.
TUNDRAS
Tundras make for good long-distance messengers, especially on icy/frigid terrain. Although work is scarce for these dragons-- their memories are terrible and they can scarcely enter warmer climates without getting heatstroke from all their fur-- they are still valued. They make for excellent trackers of ores, plants, materials, mineral deposits, and even other dragons. Never anger a herd of Tundra Emissaries-- they can conduct lightning through their fur to other members of the herd, forming a massive, deadly shockwave in a matter of seconds!
WILDCLAWS
Fierce and fast, Wildclaw Emissaries are often utilized in tandem with packs of Mirror Emissaries as messengers and/or warriors. These dragons often partake in making glorious murals and stained-glass creations by combining their lightning magic with sand. They often leave trails of showering sparks in their wake when running at top speed. They are often poor diplomats, due to the typical Wildclaw upbringing, AKA 'if they make you mad, challenge them to a duel'.
