hex Variations: Nyx and Phos

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After the discovery of the Sunportal and its connection with the Moonportal, dragons from both light and shadow have used it as a shortcut for their travels, despite the slight disorientation they experienced upon their usage. And as with all things in Sorienth, some took it too far. Passing through the portals repeatedly in a short amount of time has changed some dragons' physiology as well as magic. Shadow dragons who were once wearing exclusively dark hides and were gifted in the dark magics, have found themselves with brighter colors and an affliction for light-based magic. The reverse happed to residents of the Sunbeam Ruins. Their colors darkened and their magic became foul, more adept to illusions and lies.

There was panic at first of course, as the switched dragons couldn't use their new magic properly and in some rare cases it even hurt them to. Shadow dragons who have gone blind from an accidental flash or light dragons who have lost their shadow after a poorly-researched spell were uncommon, but not hard to find. Not to mention their discomfort with the new colors. Some dragons who have placed great significance to their appearance were devastated to find out their beautiful hide has been tainted with such unpleasant colors, even betrayed if they held a strong dislike for the other flight. Some didn't care at all and were more occupied with the possibilities of their new magic.

Researchers from Lanternlea Port and tricksters from Murkbarrow Close took a while to get used to the new way of things. Aside from the discoloration and the magic swap, there didn't seem to be any other side effects. So they got to work, each with their own methods (admitedly, the methods of the Tangled Woods residents were a bit...chaotic) until they ended up with a comprehensive guide to the magic of the two flights. The phenomenon was studied extensively and although it remained at large mysterious and hard to describe, they knew enough to get by.

Schools and organisations centered around this phenomenon can be found in both flights and rumours say that there's a class about it even in Astrolodome. Young, adventure-thirsty dragons willingly go through the transformation these days. Sure it hurts, but it's cool to have unusual powers and show off to their peers.

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There are two variations of Nyktophoses, depending on their flight of origin. A dragon who comes from Shadow and has been touched by the light is called a Nyx, while a dragon who comes from light and has been coated in shadows is called a Phos.

Nyxes

Nyxes, despite their light-based magic, are still tricksters at heart and will often use their new magic to cause trouble. Turns out light manipulation isn't too different from old-fashioned illusions. Not to mention they can turn invisible now, the perfect tool for an agent of chaos to have at their disposal! With that in mind though, not all Nyxes are public menances. The vast majority are decent dragons, who make responsible usage of their new-found power and take extra care not to get too flashy as that might turn them into social outcasts or even targets for the shady residents of the woods. It's not uncommon for Nyxes to be suspected for spying for the Lightweaver, as the average Shadow dragon doesn't have easy access to an organised library. A Nyx is in constant danger in the Tangled woods but then again, it wouldn't be any fun if they had it easy, would it? That's the Woods baby! Due to that aspect of a Nyx's life there's the stereotype that they're all just thrill-seekers who got creative.

Phoses

Phoses are organised and with their giant libraries, they have easy access to information about their condition. Despite their vast knowledge on the subject, they choose to use their shadow magic for frivolous things like spicing up a play, passive-agressively annoying an opposing scholar by making it impossible to read without vision that surpasses magical darkness, and hiding in the Emperor's shadows waiting for the perfect opportunity to swoop in and grab the ancient artifacts left in its wake. Of course, not all Phoses are like that. Social pressure is one thing, but also their ideas get discussed less often as there's the stereotype that their minds are "corrupted" by Shadow, which is untrue. A Phos, if they choose to not hide their new magic, has to constantly fight to prove themselves and their ideas worthy to be shared and remembered. Then again, it feels so good to prove everyone wrong!