Shardcatchers can be identified by their smooth, glossy, iridescent bodies in various shades of pink and their faceted shard-like mulberry wings. Their underbellies sparkle like the stars in the heavens and are also shades of pink in hue. Shardcatchers’ spherical magical shards are always kept close and it is said that the darker it’s color, the more powerful their magics. The shards are often used as a device for scrying or as a foci for their significant magical abilities.
Shardcatchers are surprisingly nurturing when it comes to their offspring and delight in teaching them the mystical arts. They can also be as aloof as their Pearlcatcher cousins, particularly when it comes to those whose understanding of magic is limited. A Shardcatcher teacher is a prize that any aspiring mage would sacrifice greatly for, but convincing one to share their knowledge with one not of their kin is almost impossible.
Starborn Shardcatchers (Official)
Flight - Arcane
Breed – Pearlcatcher
Primary Colors/Genes – Coral to Pearl Iridescent
Secondary Colors/Genes – Mulberry Facet
Teritary Colors/Genes – Coral to Pearl Glimmer
Breed Change Scrolls – No (except for Gen1s)
Gene Scrolls – No (except for Gen1s)
Starborn Shardcatchers MUST be born meeting the subspecies requirements and have parents from any of the four Shardcatcher classes. Gene and Breed Change Scrolls can NOT be used to create a Starborn Shardcatcher.
Fated Starborn are Shardcatchers born with the correct flight, breed, color and gene combination but whose parents are not from any of the four Shardcatcher classes. Gene and Breed Change Scrolls can NOT be used to create a Fated Starborn. The only exception to this is for Arcane Gen1 dragons. These Shardcatchers are still considered official members of the breed.
Fated Starborn are extremely rare and are considered good luck and a clear sign of The Arcanist’s favor.
Spellcrafted Shardcatchers (Honorary)
To qualify to be a Spellcrafted Shardcatcher, the dragon must be a Pearlcatcher that meets the color and gene requirements of a Starborn Shardcatcher but can be from any flight except Arcane. Gene and Breed Change Scrolls are allowed to create a Spellcrafted Shardcatcher.
Though Spellcrafted Shardcatchers are not Arcane by birth, they are considered Arcane in spirit. The original progenitors of the subspecies traveled through many regions before arriving in The Starfall Isles and so, many of the original Shardcatchers were not Arcane in origin. It is considered a privilege to use the magical arts to emulate the Starborn and further propagate the species and such Shardcatchers are held in high esteem.
Spellbound Shardcatchers are Arcane Pearlcatchers, with the correct coloring, that have had a Gene or Breed Change Scroll used so that they meet the requirements of the subspecies. These dragons are NOT considered Starborn (Official).
Spellbound Shardcatchers are not as highly thought of as Spellcrafted Shardcatchers. These dragons are often considered pretenders and imposters by Starborn and Spellcrafted alike.
Ascendant Shardcatchers are Limited (Imperial/Nocturne) or Rare (Coatl/Wildclaw) dragons that share the same color and gene requirements as Starborn Shardcatchers. They can be from any Flight. Gene and Breed Change Scrolls are allowed to create Ascendant Shardcatchers.
As those dragons that would become the original Shardcatchers travelled across the world to the Starfall Isles, they encountered other dragons that shared their ideals and continued the journey with them. Ascendants believe they are predestined to help continue the species and are participants in a great prophecy that The Arcanist will someday explain.
Empyrean Shardcatchers are Arcane Imperial, Nocturne, Coatl or Wildclaw dragons that are born to the pairing of a Starborn or Spellcrafted Shardcatcher and an Ascendant or Empyrean Shardcatcher. At least one of the pair MUST be a Pearlcatcher. Gene and Breed Change Scrolls can NOT be used to create an Empyrean Shardcatcher.
Empyrean Shardcatchers are a rarity that rivals that of a Fated Starborn and are considered just as fortuitous. They are believed to be an example of The Arcanist’s blessing and are often thought to have a great destiny. Empyreans are sometimes referred to as The Destined.