Ghost

Rising from a pool of oil and chemical waste in the carrion canyon, she was a new dragon. A new a terrifying dragon; a worshiper of the cursed remains of the canyon. She and her mate, who had lept after her when she fell- now roam the glowing pools of the southern reach from dusk to dawn. They remember little of their past life nor care about it, eating marrow from bones and remains of the unlucky ones that fall into the canyon.

Driven mad by the lost souls and enchanted chemicals alike, she and her mate act as the curators- ensuring that everything is as it should be. How have they survived so long down there. Are they even still alive?

What is clear, is that they are fertile enough to have young. Sickly, dark-furred things that may have bones, limbs, teeth, eyes, or other body parts out of place. Their bone structure glows from beneath their skin, and is best seen in the dark. Even in the egg, you could see the bone growing from within as it developed.

These mutants are soon abandoned beside the tracks of the great bridge, or along the rim of the canyon itself. There is no more room for you; this clan was made for two. Most hatchlings do not even remember their parents beyond warmth and comforting shadows.

During particularly fruitful times, hatchlings are allowed to stay longer and grow- to play among the skulls and drums of oil while their parents teach them of their small toxic world. These children, once old enough to hunt for themselves- are given an ultimatum: Choose to leave under their own terms, or be chased out when the time of new eggs comes.

These mutant misfits are eerie and strange, but if treated with care they may use their power over industry's horrid wastes. They can poison without being touched, they can revitalize what was thought to be lost. Their power is in physics and chemistry; how a bombardment of particles can shatter DNA and doom another dragon to a horrific death, or burns caused by liquid instead of fire.

They can immediately sense if something is tainted or if the land is dangerous, and can steer their clan away from the danger. Or they may lead enemies to it purposely, walking away completely unscathed and alone.

They are not decay as plague is, no. They represent the cycle broken by hubris and lack of engineering ethic. They represent mistakes and regret; they are the embodiment of danger to all. They represent salted earth and fouled water. They are corroded bones and mutant growths.

Decay by life is plague. Decay by destruction is a tragedy; which is exactly what these lightning dragons are.

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