Croaker

The Rescue

Kaja looked down at the little hatchling in confusion.

The little stone coatl made another ribbit.

She was about to remark on this rather odd behavior, when she noticed a tiny frog trying to crawl out from under the hatchling's wing.

"What's this then?" she said and she pointed a claw at the stowaway.

"I was hiding it cause Galio was going eat to it! He can't! Look at it! It's so cute!"

Kaja had to choke back a chuckle at this. "He is indeed cute. But dragons have to eat little one. This is the way of things. Do you want Galio to go hungry?"

The hatchling spent a moment thinking about this. "Can't he eat the chirpies and the fluffies instead? We have lots of those. Why does he have to eat the cute little croakers?"

Kaja smiled at the hatchling. "Cute little croaker indeed. Very well then, hatchling. Let us go outside and let your little friend go. It will be our secret."

The hatchling's eyes lit up at this, but it could have been as much from the offer of a shared secret as it was at the chance to save the little frog.

"But then we're going out to help with the foraging. If you're going to set someone's dinner loose, then you're going to learn how to catch something to replace it."

Her little charge looked a bit less excited at this. She ruffled his feathers. "Come on then little Croaker. We've work to do."


The Stone Coatls
This subspecies of coatl is native to the lush forests of the Viridian Labyrinth. Most stay close to home, but a few brave souls have been known to venture out into other parts of Sornieth.*

*For further reference see the life story of Bilbo, contained in his biography "There and Back Again: A Stone Coatl's Tale."

Natural Camouflage:
Stone coatls (as the name suggests) look as if they are made from living rock. One has only to touch their seemingly stony plumage to discover that this is in fact not true. Their feathers are as soft as the feathers of any of their other coatl cousins.

Why the deception then? The Labyrinth may be home to many dragon clans, but not all dragons choose to live within the safe walls of a clan lair. A lone dragon can find the forests of the Labyrinth filled with untold dangers. While unconventional, their unique coloring has aided them is staying safely hidden for hundreds of years.

To this day they still are often mistaken for actual stone statues in the ruins scattered throughout their homeland.

Behavior:
While appearances can be deceiving, actions can be even more so. Stone coatls are well known for their ability to remain virtually unmoving and silent for long stretches of time.

Some dragons find this trait unnerving. This is mainly due to the fact that stone coatls can exhibit this behavior even while in the company of other dragons... which has led some dragons to believe that they are trying to eavesdrop on the conversations that are happening around them. As a consequence, most dragons believe that stone coatls collect secrets which they trade amongst themselves. The truth is much simpler. Many stone coatls simply have the ability to sleep with their eyes open.*

* A valuable trait to develop, whether one is hiding from predators or from endless chatter about "that cute dragon in the next lair over."

Other Information
Stone coatls have a reputation for being excellent trackers and map makers. They have an uncanny sense of direction, and are rarely become lost (even when in places that they have never before traveled.)

They also have a rather unfortunate phobia of large bodies of water. Dragon clans lucky enough to attract a stone coatl often create elaborate ponds for them to fish in, so they have access to fresh food.

Stone coatls are known to have a quirky sense of humor, and have been know to lay in wait for hours for another dragon to pass by in order to surprise them. They have also been know to play (mostly) harmless practical jokes on their lair mates.

Unlike most other dragons born in the Labyrinth,* stone coatls treasure small rocks and stones above all else. They have been known to leave suitably impressive specimens as gifts for those whom they care about, or respect. It is important to show the proper appreciation when receiving such a gift, even if you do not share a stone coatls' opinion of it's value.**

Though not usually warriors, stone coatls are fiercely protective of the dragons of their chosen clan, especially any hatchlings that may call it home.

*Flowers and rare seeds are the favorite treasure of most Viridian dragons.

**Lest you find your favorite battle helmet has become the nesting place of the clan dodo.

Lore written by GryphonSong.

Dragon with Sign art by TangeloJack

Coatl art by bearxing (not shown right now)

Frog badges by brit. Amazon milk frog & heliconia, Golden banana frog & malgas lily, Red eyed tree frog & orchids, Twin spotted flying frog & hibiscus, Balearic green toad & soapwort, Boreal chorus frog & bunchberry, Green and golden bell frog & doughwood, Glass frog & amazon lily.