Flight Rising Discussion

Well this was way wrong xD I figured I overcomplicated the hints, but it was super fun to speculate! I adore the Obelisks and am happy these weren't tundra! -------- So these statues all look like Tundra [s]or Snapper[/s]. My best guess is theyre the missing dragons, or at least some of them. Velya seems to have been mistaken in her dialouge that they were carved by the Earthshaker, she seems surprised and retracts her assumption that they were statues. Ive seen a lot of thoughts about what [i]turned[/i] them to stone might be the new breed, but what if its not. [B]What if the new breed is how Petrification is cured?[/b] So hear me out, Armik never actually touched the water. None of the dragons did (Update: Tetra is [i]currently[/i]). And we still don't know what the green light does. There [i]is[/i] a real lake that pertifies animals though, over a period of time due to the high salt content. Lake Natron in Tanzania. I'm gonna throw out the theory that [b]these dragons either touched or drank the water and got turned to stone[/b]. And the Earthshaker led the expedition there to free them, guided by the Tidelord, who had the remedy for them. My bet (which may be entirely wrong lmao) is either the [b]new modern/breed is something that isnt affected by the water; [i]or[/i] the magic embued by the Earthshaker, or the Tideloard, will cure these petrified dragons by turning them from stone into the new breed.[/b] From one state to another. From living to stone, from stone to a new form. [Center][b]I think the new breed is the cure for this ailment. [/b][/center] Chemical reactions, such as dissolving something in water, can release gasses. Perhaps its not [i]tide[/i] into the water at all, and the petrification was caused by a gaseous byproduct of erosion via the river. The Tundra all look to be calm, not panicked so I dont think an attack is likely, unless it was an ambush. They all look to be resting in some manner, with the exception of the one rearing up. Cockatrice and Basilisk need eye contact, which is unlikely as some of the dragons appear to be sleeping. If it was an attack, id assume it was a breath of some kind, but something changing them slowly and painlessly, such as water intake, would any of them have noticed? The one rearing up might have caught on that something was amiss, but was too late to do much more than panic at the revelation. [Center] ----[/center] Okay okay I'm back with more: So [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021914/1#post_3021914]this thread[/url] brought up the color of the stone being indicative of age, as if the dragons were petrified at different times. This would make sense, if there is no immediate threat in the area, the dragons likely would've let their guard down, that's why so many are sleeping or sitting. They let their guards down, [i]just like our adventurers[/i]. What if these dragons went down there, and started investigating the statues, without realizing they weren't statues, thus falling victim themselves? Or these dragons assumed the petrified dragons were attacked by something, same as the rest of us, and assumed the threat had long since passed? The one rearing up couldve been playing or even trying to get a better look at something in the cavern, rather than defending against an attack or panicking at being petrified! [Center]----[/center] Unrelated thought: Given the statues look to be tundra, they all seem to be in the same coat pattern as their site art, [s]which is their winter coat. Meaning these particular caves dont seem to have any geothermal heat vents, or volcanic activity or anything- which lines up with what we've been shown throughout the event. [/s] Just found out site art depicts summer coat, not winter coat like I'd thought. Makes a lot more sense that Tetra, Armik and Edgar are fine down there. However, it is unclear if the statues are in winter or summer coat form so I'm keeping the rest of this as a possibility. We dont know when they were turned to stone. The underground is cold. Caves are wet, damp and freezing. The further away from the sun gets you less and less heat. A heat source can lead to water evaporating, and theres nothing we've seen indicating that it is particularly warm. This petrified (expedition?) team may have all been tundra because of how cold the area may have been at the time! Judging by the other dragons (guardian, courier and snapper; guardians I'd imagine would be fine at cold temps due to deep water being freezing; depending on how fast Edgar flies, same deal; idk about Armik though his muscle mass might make up for it) being fine at this level, was this cavern frozen over at one point in time? Has it simply warmed up since those dragons were petrified? Is there a new heat source that wasnt there before? [I]Just how long have these dragons been buried?[/i] It's entirely possible that these caves are connected to the outlets all over the map, and that these tundra may have been exploring caverns in the Southern Icefield too. The Dripcave Dregs is a noted cavern system on the map. Perhaps these guys thought they could handle the Gaoler's domain and got lost? Have they been here since Gaolers were discovered? What do you guys think? (More in post 2) ---------- Unanswered Questions: [List] [*]If these are the missing dragons, why are they all Tundra? Fetter was a Spiral, Eora was a Snapper, and Mysher did not have a breed listed (may be a tundra). [B] [Perhaps related to temperature of the caverns] [/b] [*]Are the unknown dragon skeletons from BOTE relevant here? [*]How long have these dragons been buried? [*]What is the temperature of the cavern? [*]How far do these caverns stretch? [/list] ---------- [Center]Achievements ---------- [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854374117666848788/1623769049224.png[/img][/url] [code][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854374117666848788/1623769049224.png[/img][/url] [/code] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854378070491267102/1623769954600.png[/img][/url] [code][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854378070491267102/1623769954600.png[/img][/url] [/code] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854378070772023326/1623769993499.png[/img][/url] [code][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021780#post_3021780][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854378070772023326/1623769993499.png[/img][/url] [/code] (This one is unrelated to this theory but she's goin here for now) [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/853823828002078720/1623637847649.png[/img] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021529/1#post_3021529][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854403491157508096/1623776056748.png[/img][/url] [code][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/3021529/1#post_3021529][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/775234742235824148/854403491157508096/1623776056748.png[/img][/url] [/code] ------------- Previous theory, while we're at it: [Size=2]Just so everything is together for the conclusion[/size][/center] ------------- If its an ancient and a modern, I was thinking that perhaps the radiation from the crystal caused the ancient to evolve into a modern. [quote name="Stormfly" date="2021-06-12 08:48:12" ] Hmm this is a wild thought, and probably wrong, but what if its both? An ancient and a modern. Or a modern evolved from said ancient similar to Baldwins transformation. Exposure to the crystals caused something, it isn't 'harmful' to dragons, but neither are scrolls. Longterm exposure of an ancient breed buried beneath the earth, coexisting or competing for underground space? Earth ancient and water modern? [/quote]

The water from the river and the stagnant water have different hues to them. That either doesn't mean anything and is simply an aesthetically pleasing art choice, or thats an indication that there is something different about them. As if the stagnant water has changed, somehow. Could just be the lighting available in the cave, or an indication that the river has more of those crystals in it. The lanterns give off an amber glow. To spin this theory even more, what if the crystals themselves aren't harmful to dragons, but [i]when combined or eroded and absorbed by water[/i], something rivers are known for, [b]it alters the water composition to something capable of turning dragons to stone![/b] The stagnant water would be more potent than the running river, the river has a current, sure, but the pool at the bottom is where all the mineral runoff from the crystals would have been deposited and collected. [S]You also shouldn't drink cave water.[/s] You dont know whats in cave water, what bacteria is unique to it, if anything lives in it, who knows what else could be in the surrounding rock that was eroded into the pool. Plenty of minerals are dissolved in water, many of them which can be dangerous. Its also entirely possible that what turned the dragons to stone wasn't actually the water, but a gas released as a byproduct of the crystal or minerals being eroded and dissolved into the water. A lot of dangerous gasses can be created by dissolving or mixing chemicals with one another. Perhaps these crystals were eroded by the river, and combined together to create a gas instead of water that can petrify, that later dissipated, or simply hasn't taken affect on our adventurers just yet. (Though I like the water theory better now that Tetra is touching the water). [Center][S]also obligatory Spyro Crystal Dragons Reference[/s][/center] ----------- [quote name="Refractor" date="2021-06-15 06:02:55" ] I like the theory. The problem is that Tetra looks like she's touching the water. Every time she dances back, it ripples away from her. Edit: Or, maybe that's part of the lore. She will become petrified, and the others will draw out the new breed to save her? [/quote] Thinking about it, Tetra hasn't really had a role this entire event, but to hop back and forth as a spectator. Armik was digging, and Edgar saved him when he fell. Tetra hasn't actually contributed anything yet aside from moral support, and the early hint that the Tidelord was involved (though Velya mentions him as well, and maybe foreshadowing the cave-in, though she was asleep when it happened). Other dragons were mentioned as being present, like the rest of the excavation team waiting outside, so we know its not just these four at the digsite. What is the purpose of Tetra being visually present? How much would change if Tetra was removed, despite a few hints being portrayed without a visual? Her touching the water right now has more weight to it than I thought, because if it petrifies her, it gives a [i]reason[/i] for her being present.

oH i thought it was the new breed that petrified those dragons 0-0;

Maybe!

If we go with the assumption that the statues are the missing dragons, I decided to read Earth's BotE story again to see if water was mentioned at all. It was not. But, I wouldn't rule out the possibility.

I like the theory. The problem is that Tetra looks like she's touching the water. Every time she dances back, it ripples away from her.

Edit: Or, maybe that's part of the lore. She will become petrified, and the others will draw out the new breed to save her?

[quote name="@kizuato" date="2021-06-15 05:51:09" ] oH i thought it was the new breed that petrified those dragons 0-0; [/quote] It very well might be! I just wanted to throw something different out there, from another angle. [quote name="@MaplesHaiku" date="2021-06-15 05:53:41" ] Maybe! If we go with the assumption that the statues are the missing dragons, I decided to read Earth's BotE story again to see if water was mentioned at all. It was not. But, I wouldn't rule out the possibility. [/quote] I just reread it as well, and thats a good point! Maybe its the crystals entirely? They've only been underground a short time. The skeletons are something that hasn't been found in this dig, and im wondering where those tie in. The other question if this is the missing dragons, is Fetter is a Spiral, so where is he? Eora is a Snapper, and Mysher is unknown. [quote name="@Refractor" date="2021-06-15 06:02:55" ] I like the theory. The problem is that Tetra looks like she's touching the water. Every time she dances back, it ripples away from her. Edit: Or, maybe that's part of the lore. She will become petrified, and the others will draw out the new breed to save her? [/quote] Oh I hadnt noticed that! I like that, that would tie in what we've seen to what happened to the stone dragons so nicely!! Do you mind if I quote you and put this in the second post?

Something unrelated; but im wondering now that I've woken up a bit more, if Velya wasn't wrong in her assessment, and the Earthshaker did turn them to stone: To protect them from whatever is down there.

There are so many possibilities, im so excited to find out what happened!

Sure, no problem!

I like this theory!

Glad you like it! I've updated with some more ideas!