Nettle

Grim Lore

A reclusive and ill-favored clade of Light dragon, the Grim hail from the deepest recesses of the Hewn City. Most Grim are descendants of exiles; the result of generations of dragons who had no choice but to raise their broods in those profane Shade-touched depths where few other clans dare tread. Over the centuries, the sickness of those ruins has seeped into the scales of these woeful pariahs, tainting their magic as well as their hides. Though the Grim are hardly evil-- indeed, they behave no differently than any other dragon-- their presence is largely considered an ill omen, and so they are often shunned.

Physical features of the Grim include dark, strangely crystalline hides and velvety wings-- the texture on their wings is not unlike that of a moth's. Born as they are in Light lands, their eyes are pale, and glow luridly.

The extent of the corruption on their bodies tends to vary greatly per individual, and seems to correlate roughly with the darkness of their scales. Exceptionally dark Grim are those most affected by the taint, and are considered the unluckiest. Many Grim are unable to call upon their elemental magic, or if they can, only in small amounts. Standard magic (such as aid and contuse) remain unaffected. Perhaps as a consequence of this, their populations feature a high incidence of sterility.

Nearly all Grim possess a certain level of aversion to sunlight. For some, it is a mere annoyance. For others, it can result in real injury; particularly tainted Grim have been known to start disintegrating in direct sunlight, sloughing off black flakes as if burning. Though this is rarely lethal, if that sunlight were to be amplified to the magnitude of a Light spell, it very well could be. Given this aversion, most Grim prefer a nocturnal lifestyle.