LadyJessica

Official Water Flight Subspecies: Abalone Creator: Bonibaru

Breed Specifications: Any Colors Specifications: Sapphire-Overcast Primary Sapphire-Spruce Secondary Lapis Tertiary Genes Specifications: Iridescent-Tide Daub-Foam-Hex-Toxin Crackle Noted for: Pattern reminiscent of an iridescent seashell; strong forelimbs and claws; exceptionally strong swimmers; secretive

Within the rocky tidepools and plentiful reefs of the Sea of a Thousand Currents live a multitude of plant and animal species. This bounty of the Sea is an important link in the food chain of Sornieth. Among the most valued of the edible prizes to be found here are the rock-clinging mollusks such as snails, scallops and other gastropods. While some are toxic, many are delicious and highly sought after in marketplaces throughout the land. Nothing is wasted - their meat is eagerly eaten while their bright, durable shells are polished and made into jewelry, scrying tools, and other objects that are highly desired by dragons and other inhabitants of the realms.

Abalone dragons are uniquely skilled at harvesting these creatures. Smaller dragons like Fae stick to harvesting the shallower tidepools, while the larger dragons take on the challenges of the deeper reefs. All Abalone dragons are impressively strong – their targets cling to the rocky surfaces of their homes with surprising force, and for good reason. While the surface of the water may look calm, there can be sweeping currents down below that may wash an inexperienced or weaker dragon away. Dragons diving for mollusks have been known to be caught up in the undertow and dashed against the rocks, or get tumbled into beds of seaweed, becoming so entangled that they drown. Only the most expert of swimmers can survive this job. In addition to the environmental risks, other predators are drawn to places where there is food to be found, so these dragons must be watchful at all times. When a threatening shadow passes near, a smaller Abalone dragon will freeze in place, flattening itself and mimicking a discarded shell – of no interest to a hungry shark - until the danger is passed.

With such dangers inherent in this task, one might reasonably ask why any dragon would undertake such risks just for a mouthful of shellfish. The answer, of course, is profit. The danger involved in the harvest only adds to the desirability and is naturally reflected in the selling price. Abalone dragons need only do harvesting work for a few short years in order to gain financial security for the rest of their long lives. The nature of their work makes them highly competitive, so they tend to live only in pairs or small family units who dive together for safety and share in each other’s bounty. They are secretive about their hunting locations as well. When an Abalone dragon finds a thriving source of prey they go to great lengths to keep it protected from other divers, sometimes taking circuitously long routes to get there in order to confuse or shake off any nosy followers.