Necrotic

The Necrotic dragons are carriers of a deadly, withering disease. In the unfortunate, it causes weakness and slow death. The affliction causes the skin and membranes of a dragon to rot and flake away, leaving them open to infection. It dulls the senses and attacks the nervous system, making them more prone to injury. It eventually makes it way through the entire body, destroying tissue as it goes. However, for the few blessed by the Plaguebringer, it is non-fatal and it brings with it a variety of useful gifts.

Conception
This subtype of dragon started with a single clan - infinitely unfortunate, or perhaps infinitely blessed. A large clan living near the Wyrmwound, and a single, curious Mirror. This Mirror wandered up to the Wyrmwound and was afflicted with a Leprosy-like disease that dulled his scales and ruined his nervous system. His scales began to rot and peel away. This wanderer returned to his lair with the affliction, spreading it to the entire clan. As these things go - they were wiped out...but not completely. A few dragons had enough of a resistance to the affliction that it did not spread into their deep tissues, but remained as a surface infection. A skin disease. These dragons acted as carriers for the Necrosis. These carriers are very dangerous to any clans they inhabit, but most Plague clans are able to quickly adapt and learned how to keep a necrotic member with minimal risk to the rest of the clan. The few dragons that can bare the disease without dying are considered especially blessed.

Due to how contagious the disease is, Necrotic dragons are occasionally employed to spread their disease to surrounding territories. Especially dangerous are the Dead-Claw Necrotic (okapi), who are able to inflict the disease with but a touch of their ruined hands.

Symptoms
The affliction causes severe side effects, even in carriers. The skin is thin and peels constantly. This makes the membrane of the wings generally too fragile for flight. This handicap has stemmed the spread of the Necrotic dragons - as they find it difficult to travel long distances outside the Contagion. It also affects the nervous system in a way similar to leprosy. This makes it so Necrotic dragons don't feel pain - both a blessing and a curse. They can't feel much more than minor discomfort at their condition, and they are able to fight longer and harder than other dragons, but it can be dangerous for them since they may be unaware if they have been injured. They often have severely reduced dexterity - especially Dead-Claws, which have great difficulty moving their hands and feet, and often require care and aid from clanmates. These handicaps are not entirely crippling however, and Necrotic dragons are still as fierce and dangerous as any other dragon. In rare cases the infection can affect the brain, making the dragons dangerous and irrational, prone to aggression and outbursts.

Regions
Necrotic Dragons can do well in any temperate environment, but not in places very cold or hot as their damaged skin makes it hard for them to regulate body temperature. Their damaged wings mean they are not often found very far from their origin.