OdoniteCluster

Odontolite Clusters (Commonly referred to as Bone Turquoise Clusters, or simply Clusters) are a rare phenomena that only occur under very specific circumstances; namely, the body of a dragon buried close to a large concentration of unrefined copper ore. Lightning scientists have discovered that over a period of several years, natural turquoise deposits within the copper ore grow exponentially towards the remnants of the elemental magic left within the bones of the deceased dragon. As the crystals grow, they will either replace the body of the dragon with rather smooth turquoise gemstone (through a process known as infiltration pseudomorphism) or will grow over it in rough patches (incrustation). The end result of either is a turquoise copy of the deceased dragon; the beginnings of the golem-esqe creature it will become.

Those who have studied the process by which these creatures come to be are still unsure as to all the variables that effect the next step of the process - the awakening of the cluster's mind. What is known is that after the body has been fully replaced with the crystal, the newly-formed Odontolite Cluster will begin drawing in ambient energy from the environment. It is speculated that the amount of energy it manages to pull from the environment has an effect on its intelligence and cognitive functions, but also appears to be based off the size of the dragon as smaller clusters seem to be, on average, more intelligent.

The awakening of a Cluster takes roughly the same amount of time as it took the crystal to fully convert the original body to turquoise. Once the necessary time has passed, the Cluster will become active. The active cluster will then attempt to extract itself from the ground as it finds itself trapped. If the cluster is able to successfully do so, it will then search for either a purpose or food in the form of copper ore. However, if it is not able to escape from its original grave, it will then become dormant, continuing to feed off of ambient energies in the surrounding area until its situation changes.

Most Clusters are found buried deep inside collapsed mines or lairs, uncovered when either the clan attempts to recover lost resources or clan-mates or when a new clan decides excavating an existing location would be far simpler than carving out a new one. Although the most common forms of Clusters found tend to be Ridgebacks or Coatls due to their mining proclivities, there have been reports of Clusters in the forms of most known dragon species, decreasing the chances of dragon species being a variable in their creation.

As the Cluster is created from what is effectively a corpse, many view them with distrust or revulsion. A great many of those who knew the dragon whose body became the Cluster tend to reject adding such a companion to the lair, or try to convince the cluster of its identity as its former 'self'. Multiple studies have been made, and out of almost three dozen relatively self-aware and intelligent Clusters none have any recollection of their former 'lives'. As such, many of the intelligent Clusters take some offense at being seen as just the copy of another dragon.

As companions and lair-mates, Odontolite Clusters are commonly rather dull and mechanical in personality, a result of inadequate ambient energies collected during their creation. But most Clusters, even the most dull, appear to be excellent at routine/mundane/repetitive tasks. Often a Cluster will be used by a clan as a laborer or soldier, and it is very rare indeed to see a Cluster in a position that requires creative thought processes.