Runic

Eye of the Beholder

Runic was different the other stone coatls in his lair.

It wasn't a difference that was apparent at first glance. Or second. A visiting dragon might believe that he was simply quiet. Perhaps a bit more thoughtful than the others. Those who shared a lair with him knew the truth though. Runic didn't speak. Not ever.

Not that this was usually much of a problem. Runic was an otherwise very expressive dragon. He learned that in most cases he could get across what wanted to say with a bit of pantomime. And he was very clever with his tail, using it to grip writing tools to draw glyphs on parchment (or occasionally walls) when all else failed.

He didn't mean to fall in love.

Banshee was simply the most beautiful dragon he had ever laid eyes on. And not only lovely on the outside. She was kind and generous. And patient, especially with the hatchlings that sought her out for her seemingly endless hoard of stories.

Whenever he was near her, Runic felt like there were a hundred butterflies fluttering around inside him. He started and abandoned too many notes to count. He knew that he didn't have a chance with her, not when he couldn't tell her how he felt.

Then the unexpected happened. She came looking for him one exceptionally lovely afternoon, while he was fishing at his favorite pond.

"I saw you, last night. Pretending not to listen to my story about the lizard and the rabbit. It seems like you're around quite a bit when I'm entertaining the hatchlings. I can only assume that you either really like my stories... or you really like me. Which one is it?"

Runic was rather startled by her forthright question. He could only blush in answer.

"Ah." He was even more startled when she gracefully walked over and sat right next to him, close enough that their feathers were almost touching. "You're not the only one who's different you know. Just look at my wings." When Runic only looked confused, Banshee used her tail to move the feathers apart. Underneath the black feathers were... blue ones?

"Odd aren't they? Who ever heard of a stone coatl with blue wings? I'd stick out like a sore claw in the Labyrinth. So I keep them hidden." She looked a bit embarrassed as she said it. "So. Now you know." She didn't wait for Runic's response, but got up and padded away silently.

The next morning when Banshee woke, she found a single red rose lying next to her. And a carefully scribed note lying next to that.

I still think that you are the most beautiful coatl I have ever seen.

When she sought him out a second time, he was so nervous that he was sure that his tail was shaking.

Banshee looked at him. The stare of a stone coatl is unnerving to most dragons, even their own kind. But Runic didn't look away. Even though he was sure that he was blushing again.

"I think I talk enough for both of us." Then as if that decided everything, Banshee settled down next to him in front of the fire.

And as Runic nestled closer to Banshee, he supposed it did.


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. Please do not reproduce without permission.