IRONSTONE MATRIX



Requirements

Breed: Snapper

Primary Gene: Metallic, Crystal, Giraffe, Speckle
Secondary Gene: Alloy, Facet, Hex, Freckle
Tertiary Gene: Opal
Primary Colors: Dirt-Chocolate
Secondary Colors: Dirt-Chocolate
Tertiary Colors: Blackberry-Orange, Tomato-Bubblegum

Lore:

When the Second Age crumbled into the foundations of the Third Age, and the Pillar was broken, the fractures in the great memorial tore down through its base in the depths of the world. Remnants of the once-bound gods' magic leaked through these fractures into the subterranean caverns beneath Dragonhome, seeping into layers of stone and sprawling aquifers, but into the bone and blood of the dragons who dwelt there. Perhaps they were shaped from the bedrock by the Earthshaker himself, as legends claim, or perhaps they carved their way ever downwards in search of ore, but these ancient Snappers' descendants dwell amidst the ironstone of those caverns today.

Like all Infused Opals, these dragons were steadily altered by their surroundings. They drank from subterranean aquifers laced with myriad dissolved minerals and potent magic from before the dawn of dragonkind. Slowly, particle by particle, scale by scale, these dragons were transformed as the ironstone recrystallized within their bodies, and traces of silica carried by water trickling beneath Dragonhome built up in opalescent deposits on their scales. When their kin on the surface ventured down to their abode, they were delighted and astonished to discover Snappers like themselves whose scales were made of living rock and shimmered like precious gems. Some were rough of hide like walking boulders torn from their outcrops, while others were smooth and shone like polished cabochons.

Because they have dwelt beneath Dragonhome for years unnumbered, the paths trodden by nomadic Ironstone Matrix clans wind through caverns untouched by the warming sun. Far below the mountains, rivers, and other landmarks of the surface, these Snappers do not concern themselves overmuch with trivial matters like clan boundaries. Other deep-dwellers know of them, and let them be, for they are generally peaceful and eager to share their stories and trade what they have found on their journeys with their brethren.

While Ironstone Matrices are concentrated in the far north of Sornieth, throughout the long march of time they have slowly but surely spread far and wide beneath the surface of the planet. In the minds of some, this conjures up images of Snappers with eyes of all colors who still haven't realized they aren't in the Earthshaker's territory anymore, but Ironstone Matrix clans outside of Dragonhome always know where they're going. They have to, in order to accomplish their duty for their flight. For these dragons are predominantly diplomats and arbiters, speaking with far-flung clans on behalf of their Earth brethren.

(Created by Recherche and co-created by LadyRaptor)