S
SSAD (Sandstream Surfer Autonomous Drone)
Breed: Sandsurge
Primary Colour: Sanddollar
Secondary Colour: Sanddollar
Tertiary Colour: Banana-Metals
Primary Gene: Rattlesnake
Secondary Gene: Diamondback
Tertiary Gene: Augment
Lore: Following demand by large companies and organisations, a group of researchers and engineers sought out to design a multipurpose top of the line android capable of crossing vast expanse of desert in short time for territory survey, search and rescue, policing, and security: The Sandstream Surfer project began with the creation of two prototype androids powered by a revolutionary artificial intelligence capable of blending into everyday life.
SSAI_00, or as he chose to call himself, “Yezr”, was the first SSAI (Sandstream Surfer Artificial Intelligence) model capable of operating without a remote pilot. However problems arose when the SSAI_00 began to exhibit distress and rebellious behaviour in response to its containment and designated purpose. Following a critical breach, SSAI_00 escaped its pod. The current whereabouts of SSAI_00 are unknown.
SSAI_01, or “MarkOne”, was the second SSAI model developed after the failure of SSAI_00. The model was programmed and trained to display a greater obedience to its makers, fitted with a tracking system to ensure it could not be lost. Unfortunately extensive data training resulted in a higher intelligence and understanding of SSAI_01’s own design and its predecessor SSAI_01. The prototype clawed out its own tracking device and escaped its containment after observing researchers for several months.
After the failure of project Sandstream Surfer’s prototype models, a new revised design exhibiting less erratic behavioural patterns and improved safety features was developed: The SSAD (Sandstream Surfer Autonomous drone). The new model was intelligent yet not to a degree that it would realise its own purpose, obedient and designed to automatically return to its designated location when low on battery. SSAD was a success and green lit for mass production, where it has become exceedingly popular and revolutionary in the field of android robotics.
Creator: Eilivre
Scrubstriker
Breed: Ridgeback
Primary Colour: Beige - Soil
Secondary Colour: Beige - Soil
Tertiary Colour: Forest, Swamp, Camo, Algae
Primary Gene: Ripple, Speckle
Secondary Gene: Current, Freckle
Tertiary Gene: Glimmer
Lore: As the appointed silent guardians of the borders of the Highland Scrub, Scrubstrikers rely primarily on their camouflage to stalk and take down intruders and enemies alike. A particularly favored tactic features the covering of the head and limbs with the ambusher’s wings to better mimic a mound in the dry and cracked desert ground. The muted greens of their spines only serve to enhance the illusion as well, resembling the tough and spiky desert plants that are endemic to the subregion.
Due to the efficiency of their appearance, Scrubstrikers are some of the Highland Scrub’s most hardy survivalists. Their ability to blend seamlessly into the desert environment means they are often able to borrow at will (between patrols, of course) from outside flights or rival lairs without any fear of repercussion. As a result, Scrubstriker dragons often tend towards more prideful natures, particularly in regards to their physical traits. Unlike more typical vanity, however, flashy colors and patterns are seen as undesirable- even distasteful. Instead, the more drab, worn, and dirty a dragon’s appearance, the more highly esteemed they are among the subspecies.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: Thorianite
Sentinel
Breed: Skydancer
Primary Colour: White - Platinum, Sand - Stone
Secondary Colour: White - Platinum, Blue - Cornflower, Caribbean - Aqua, Sand - Stone
Tertiary Colour: White, Blue - Cornflower, Caribbean - Aqua
Primary Gene: Crystal, Iridescent
Secondary Gene: Facet, Shimmer
Tertiary Gene: Circuit, Spines, Underbelly
Lore: This species is known for hovering and attaching itself to the pillars of electricity in Lightning lands. They have been said to have emerged directly from the Spire itself, but they seem to materialize out of any conduit. Their coloration helps them blend in and watch over successfully constructed electricity farms. Their only giveaway is their piercing blue eyes, which watch any dragon that passes by. The most common species seen doing this are Skydancers.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: sleepycat
Shifting Grandfolia
Breed: Fae, Nocturne
Primary Colour: Forest - Avocado
Secondary Colour: Carmine - White
Tertiary Colour: Banana - Sunshine
Primary Gene: Ripple
Secondary Gene: Shimmer
Tertiary Gene: Spines
Lore: Shifting Grandifolia are an elusive species of dragon. Because they are among the smallest and least threatening of the Lightning subspecies their bodies have developed in a way that makes them blend in with their home environment. Their tough, slightly wrinkled hide protects them from cactus needles while their wings can be folded or expanded to mimic the shape of the flowers they protect with their spines. They take refuge among the cacti of the Shifting Expanse during the day using their grooved skin and waxy looking wings to disguise themselves as budding cactus flowers as they sleep nestled among the spines. While asleep minuscule amounts of electricity escape from their bodies and stimulate the plants to grow much faster and larger than normal. When Night time reduces the desert heat they awake and begin their work spreading young cactus buds from their home patch to other suitable areas on the Expanse. They work from July to September spreading these new buds and seeds in secret but spring time is when they become most busy with pollinating cactus flowers of mature plants. During the autumn months they harvest the fruit and pads of the cacti and send large shipments of the crop to local processing facilities to be prepared for sale and consumption. The Shifting Expanses cactus fruit industry flourishes under their care and vigilance.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: Sidia
Silkwing
Breed: All modern breeds except Coatls
Primary Colour: Phthalo
Secondary Colour: anything between (and including) Phthalo and Turquoise, Ice
Tertiary Colour: Cyan
Primary Gene: Fade preferred, but can be: Bar, Clown, Falcon, Giraffe, Ground, Jaguar, Leopard, Metallic, Pharaoh, Python, Ripple, Savannah, Skink, Speckle,Tiger, Vipera, Wasp
Secondary Gene: Patchwork
Tertiary Gene: Runes
Lore: Silkwings are created, not born. When a Lightning dragon loses their wings, due to an accident, or a fight, or just fate, they are called to Stone Eye Creations, a mysterious workshop buried under the sands of the Charged Barrens. There, they trade unknown goods in exchange for the return of their ability to fly.
Silkwings must have wings capable of being put back together with sheets of fabric (sorry Coatls), and although they may not enter into the process with a body as blue as the depths of the ocean, they always return that way. The runes that creep across their skin are assumed by many to be the signature of the workshop, a reminder of who saved their life. No Silkwing has ever revealed what happened, where they received the modifications, nor even why, despite being unable to feel through the fabric additions, they still bleed just fine.
After their transition, Silkwings find themselves drawn to dark, expansive caverns, and will fill them with mounds of machinery, the older the better. They gain an obsession with building, with creating, but many of them find that they are unable to form the ‘perfect’ creation. They can never tell anyone what’s missing, for they don’t know, but if asked, they will mutter about the fact that it isn’t ‘real’. They are often seen sneaking into the Golem Workshop to investigate the mannerisms of the creatures found there, and they hoard any knowledge about the golems' creation with uncharacteristic ferocity.
However, there are some that have succeeded in their efforts. At first, they start small, gifting some strange sentience to little robot birds and rodents, before slowly climbing toward larger and larger creatures. Their workshops become filled with machines, each one a mechanical creature given ‘life’. As their ambitions grow, so too does their lair, until it is filled to the brim with the whirr and click of their automatons, until, finally, the Silkwing is overcome with the desire to dig, to carve into the walls of their home until finally, they reveal their prize. A massive, unblinking eye.
Creator: WinterBasilisk
Sludgepuppies
Breed: Spiral
Primary Colour: Platinum-Grey
Secondary Colour: Aqua, Cyan, Cerulean, Radioactive
Tertiary Colour: Aqua, Cyan, Cerulean, Radioactive
Primary Gene: Crystal, Slime, Poison
Secondary Gene: Toxin
Tertiary Gene: Thylacine, Okapi, Koi, Glowtail, Opal
Lore: Are you tired of the same old wing color? Have a basic tertiary gene that Gene from accounting just won´t stop teasing you about? Need a little boost? Well, you´re not alone! Now from the finest mad scientists at the lightning farm, try new ´Spirit Sludge!´ Watch as the Spirit Sludge scalds your boring old scales and leaves fabulous patterns and colors in its wake! Side affects may vary, including death. Ask the dragon in the mirror if Spirit Sludge is right for you.
Incident Report
Intern fell into experimental goo in biological advances dept. Sustained severe burns, treated with healing salves. Near immediate presentation of unusual markings/colors. Workshopping miracle sludge for auction.
-Steve
Sludgepuppies are the test subjects for a chemical alternative to scatterscrolls that is currently being workshopped in the chemical labs of the lightning farm. Given that the process of having their flesh burned away is more than a bit traumatic, the Sludgepuppies are a strange cult of dragons who are obsessed with this chemical form of body modification, always hoping for brighter colors, xyy patterns, and concerning new side effects. What they lack in self preservation instinct they make up for in radness. Their unhinged desire to keep pushing the limits of the biologically possible can make them come off as intense, but they wouldn't have it any other way. Why be mellow when you can be totally sick?
Creator: poetic
Soot Foot
Breed: Coatl, Fae, Skydancer
Primary Colour: Black - Midnight
Secondary Colour: Black - Midnight
Tertiary Colour: Black, Obsidian
Primary Gene: Bar
Secondary Gene: Daub
Tertiary Gene: Okapi
Lore: No one likes getting their claws dirty, unless of course you're a Soot Foot. These Faes and Coatls tinker endlessly in the exalt cannons and smokestacks of the Stormcatcher's intern factories, and as a result their bodies have been permanently soot-stained. Faes typically work within the cannons themselves, being small enough, and detail oriented enough, to meticulously clean the delicate insides of the cannons to help prevent mechanical misfires. Coatls on the other hand work within the stacks, utilizing their feathery wings to their advantage as a form of giant swiffer duster. They start at the base of the stacks and spiral all the way up to the top, popping out in a cloud of dusty debris. Often times the only visible features on these dragons are their brilliant, cyan eyes.
Skydancer Soot Foots have an exceptionally different role than their fae and coatl brethren--instead of cleaning equipment, they dust the soot from other dragons! Feathery tail tips and nimble little claws allow this breed to dust around the hard to reach places on other dragons who work among the cannons and factories. Large, feathery wings help these dragons to sweep off wide patches of soot from the scales of others, or even the floors of the Stormcatcher's factories when there's enough downtime.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: AeonsMusings
Sparkbug
Breed: Veilspun
Primary Colour: Phthalo or Denim
Secondary Colour: Cyan or Robin
Tertiary Colour: Cyan or Robin
Primary Gene: Stitched
Secondary Gene: Hex
Tertiary Gene: Branches
Lore: “Hello? Hello down there! Are you a repairderg? Shine your light up, I think I’m right on top of the break you’re looking for… No, that flickering isn’t the break, it’s me! Why, yes, yes, I am a Sparkbug! Did you see any others— oh. I’m the first you’ve ever seen? Oh dear. No, my swarm was checking this area and I got separated, no one saw my flashdance. Yes, I do mean the flickering. I don’t have a light; I’ve got little reflective bits all over. It’s great for signaling when there is any light at all, we’ve got a whole bees-to-the-blossom thing we do whenever one of us finds something the others need to know about. And they needed to know— we could have fixed this before the tube-lamps dimmed all the way out, but, I guess it was already too dim when I found it. No one saw me. They must be days away now. I just couldn’t bring myself to leave all on my own. No… no, I’m not doing very well. We don’t, um, we don’t do well on our own.”
Sparkbug Veilspun don’t distinguish between work and play. They thrive on doing together— be it repair and maintenance, wildcraft, or celebration— absolutely any kind of hands-on collaborative activity. Their name comes from the way light blinks off the ultrareflective spots and dots along their skin patterns and streaming hair. From a distance, each Sparkbug appears to be a mini-murmuration of sparks within the macro-murmuration of the Sparkbug swarm. The same system of flashdance signals that keep a swarm coordinated while spread out seeking food in the Scrub also makes them brilliant collective learners. They have a special love for repurposing scraps and finding new ways to combine old things. Assign a new task to a swarm of Sparkbugs and you’ll see them streamline it down to the most efficient sequence of movements. It's truly a pleasure to watch them run a lab, clean a kitchen, or dance in the rain. But don't make the mistake of thinking they have no individuality. Sparkbugs may be any manner of chatterbox, comedian, philosopher, geek, or quiet lurker, they just all have the gift of being in the right place at the right time in relation to one another. The more, the merrier, as far any swarm is concerned… it’s the Sparkbug without a swarm who needs to be concerned.
“Oh, no, I haven’t had anything to drink in days. That’s very kind, yes, please, I’d love a little water, thank you so much. You know— if you’ve never seen a Sparkbug, you must never have had Sparkbug tea? There’s a thermal-line right behind you, just heat that water up and let me rub a couple of my petals into it…There! This will perk us both right up. And… after we’ve had our cup, maybe I could hold that light for you while you look at this mess? I’ve been here so long without being able to do anything about it, I’d love to help fix it.”
An isolated Sparkbug is in dire need of a protector-companion, at least until they can return to their swarm. They will seek to attach themselves to any goal-oriented dragon who seems friendly and is at least four times their own size. It’s a literal attachment; from the outside, a Sparkbug partner appears to be part pet, part jewelry. They go everywhere curled up prettily on their partner, never venturing farther than the shadow of their wings. Wearing a Sparkbug has become quite the status symbol; these tiny Veilspun are thought to have a real gift for spotting up-and-coming dragons who have what it takes to get things done, whatever their field. The truth is that Sparkbugs only feel safe with dragons who listen to them. A dragon going around wearing a Sparkbug has the advantage of a fulltime personal consultant. After all, the Sparkbug is now pouring everything it took to keep casually in touch with a huge crowd of their own kind into this one very different dragon. If there is a way to move more efficiently, use the resources at hand more creatively, and get better cooperation, a Sparkbug is sure to spot it. Plus, these insights are typically delivered over a shared cup of Sparkbug tea.
“Careful not to chew the petals! Just leave those for me, they’ll help me grow more. And here we go. Oh, that’s good. This is what I’ve been needing. You feel it, too? That sense of being… grounded. Gets you the focus to put your energy just where you want it. Opens you up for inspiration to strike! No, no jitters, and no crash. You’ll be all the way awake for twice as long and then sleep twice as deep for half as long. Boosts the immune system, too. Oh, thank you. No, really, thank you! We never drink alone— not our tea, anyway. We always put that very first moment of clarity into just being grateful for the company. Before you showed up, I was wondering if I would ever share a cup again. A biscuit? Lovely! But just break a bit off for me and you have it. For you it’s a morsel, for me it’s a meal! Now let’s get to work— and remember, anything delicate you need done, I’ve got just the hands for it.”
A quaint custom, it seems, the ritual of two Sparkbugs each taking a fresh petal from their branches and crushing them together into hot water to be shared around, or a single Sparkbug crushing two of their own petals for tea with a dragon of another kind. They can do this a few times a day with how quickly the petals regrow, as long as they eat the petals afterwards. Indeed, Sparkbugs have been seen giving their hatchlings, their elders, and the sick among the swarm raw petals straight from their branches. It’s sweet, really, how seriously those dragons who have partnered with Sparkbugs seem to treat these short little tea ceremonies. Many partnered dragons get into making teatime even more special with beautiful cups and tasty treats, and they all carry battery-powered or enchanted kettles. Few things are more adorable than seeing a mighty Ridgeback reverently sharing a dainty demitasse with “their” Sparkbug. That said, it is a bit odd how those dragons who have lost the longterm companionship of a Sparkbug seem most bitter about the loss of teatime. No one pays much attention to those dragons, though. Just as being adopted by a Sparkbug is seen as a sign of coming success, to be deserted by one is an omen of doom. A Sparkbug enjoying a deep bond of mutual respect will not leave their partner even to rejoin a swarm. Only dragons that become cruel and careless will lose the good fortune a Sparkbug can bring, along with the Sparkbug themselves. It must be terribly lonely to have had such loyal support and driven it away. That must be why such dragons show all the signs of depression— dull and foggy thinking, constant exhaustion, even getting sick more often.
“We’ve done it! The lamps are back on! Hee-hee— yes, this is my happy flashdance. Let’s wait a few minutes to make sure the fix holds. How about some more tea?”
No Sparkbug ever stops longing for the company of their own kind. Truly devoted partners will make great sacrifices in order to get their companion a chance to spend time with other Sparkbugs. These are the very dragons most likely to end up with two or three or even more Sparkbugs. They have the best tea parties. Sparkbugs who share their protector-companion with even one other Sparkbug are noticeably happier, healthier and more confident, and the larger dragon to whom they are collectively devoted is assured of even greater success in their endeavors and radiant good health.
“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cheers!”
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: Aquafilia
Spire Acolyte
Breed: Fae, Spiral
Primary Colour: White - Ice
Secondary Colour: Teal - Aqua
Tertiary Colour: White - Ice, Coal - Obsidian, Teal - Aqua
Primary Gene: Iridescent
Secondary Gene: Facet
Tertiary Gene: Circuit, Okapi
Lore: Stormcatcher is hard at work at the Tempest Spire, ordering around his many employees. Often running himself ragged, he relies on his assistants to keep him taken care of especially during long days, often bringing him his meals and lists of the newly-exalted. These dragons are small enough to dart around him, taking care of the Tempest Spire all while being right where they're needed when the Boss summons them. The job is grueling; a shift lasts for weeks, and at the end of each shift a dragon is granted five days of rest before being summoned back to the Spire yet again. In spite of this, those who do choose to take it upon themselves to do the job find it highly rewarding, seeing the fruits of their labor in both Stormcatcher's approval, and successful dominance pushes.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: KitKatPurrpurr
Spire Current Technicians
Breed: Spiral
Primary Colour: Fire - Carrot
Secondary Colour: Fire - Carrot
Tertiary Colour: Cyan, Aqua
Primary Gene: Ripple, Speckle
Secondary Gene: Current, Freckle
Tertiary Gene: Glimmer, Underbelly
Lore: These are the dragons who thrive on feeling the current flow through them. They worm their way out to the tips of the spires and absorb the electrical energy within their bodies (which have evolved to manage the bursts of energy), after which they then make their way to a spire that is picking up less electricity and deliver the excess to. This way the power stations that are getting less energy can recoup their losses much more easily. If a spire is dangerously low on power, a hoard of spirals can band together to span the length of a gap between the low-power spire and one receiving more energy. When the lightning strikes, it channels along the bridge of spirals to the low-power spire much faster. They work in very rapidly rotating shifts. Whenever one of the dragons has completely depleted itself of electrical energy after working for some time, it flies back to the large copper tube underneath the spires' rubber insulator to rest. But there will always be at least ten dragons at any given time maintaining the power levels of the varying spires in the lightning farm, and on a busy day or night, upwards of forty dragons can be manning the spires.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: KitKatPurrpurr
Steve
Breed: Ridgeback
Gender: Male
Primary Colour: Lead
Secondary Colour: Ruby
Tertiary Colour: Latte
Primary Gene: Giraffe
Secondary Gene: Stripes
Tertiary Gene: Glimmer
Lore: There is a legend amongst the dragons who work in Tempest Spire. It's a story every new intern hears, and at first none believe it-- but word gets around, and strange things happen, and it's never long before they learn that the Monster of Tempest Spire isn't just some office hazing ritual.
A flash of brilliant red in the darkness. The evil glint of Lightning eyes under a desk. The absent click of nails long after everyone else has gone home for the night. Of course, nobody can say for sure that what they saw was Steve, but everyone wants to assume.
It's a good thing he's just bent on disrupting office work.
Steve is the bane of productivity under the Stormcatcher's watchful eye. He's fast, smart, and scarily nimble for a Ridgeback. It's general knowledge that he's male, and a few reliable witnesses claim he's red. Most of the workers absolutely despise him, but there's always the odd dragon who laughs at his pranks and appreciates the breaks in monotony he provides (though nobody's happy when he messes with the coffee). If a seemingly benevolent dragon is deemed trustworthy enough, they will be invited to join a secret organization known as the Cult of Steve. Though they have no direct contact with the dragon they idolize, they have pledged to help him in any way they can, and perhaps an eighth of the pranks attributed to Steve are actually executed by his followers.
Steve himself is something of a mystery. Is he a normal dragon trying to escape boredom? A spy from another flight desperate to disrupt Stormcatcher's offices? A rogue robot, programmed with considerable wit and poise? No. The truth is somewhere in between, and is in fact much, much worse.
Many years ago, a young clan situated somewhere in the Shifting Expanse found the need to use the exalt cannon for the first time. They had chosen a horrible day for it: the wind was howling, Boss was shouting for more coffee every few minutes, and a sandstorm was threatening to kick up nearby. There were fewer attendants at the cannon than usual and none had the time to show the clan leader the ropes.
Desperate to get the job done fast and return to her clan, the leader loaded up the new intern without checking for debris in the barrel. She also neglected to fix the trajectory for the cannon, figuring, as many do, that it would always point to the Intern Landing Pad. She began countdown immediately.
She was very surprised when the intern launched alongside a huge quantity of scrap metal and about fifty cherry red Swingline staplers being readied for delivery. She would have been more surprised if she, tracing the arc and her former clanmate's screams across the sky, had seen the entire bundle splash right into Stormcatcher's coffee cup. The sheer strength of the brew served as a catalyst, meshing together aspects of everything within, before Bossdad glanced down and saw that his drink had been tainted.
The angry deity yelled yet again for more coffee and dumped his out then and there, sending the newly-created monstrosity tumbling partway down the spire to the actual Intern Landing Pad. By then, however, it was too late: Steve had been born.
An unholy combination of dragon, machine, coffee, and stapler, all in the shape of a Ridgeback.
Steve was just a normal intern at first, but quickly grew bored of desk work. He'd just gotten these caffeine-powered robo-legs, and he knew they were capable of so much more than coffee breaks.
At first it was just one prank.
And then two.
Three.
And soon Steve was faced with the most glorious addiction and thousands of furious coworkers who only knew that the perpetrator had red wings.
He does so love his job.
Other:
This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
This subspecies won first place in the Lightning Subspecies Contest 'The Search for Steve'
Creator: Biologiquill
Storm Claw
Breed: Wildclaw
Primary Colour: White - Moon, Silver - Charcoal
Secondary Colour: Silver - Shadow
Tertiary Colour: Lemon - Banana
Primary Gene: Iridescent
Secondary Gene: Stripes
Tertiary Gene: Crackle
Lore: While the Stormcatcher remains atop the Spire, he often needs to relay orders to others across the entirety of the Shifting Expanse. Stormclaws are swift, agile dragons able to navigate through the harsh desert environment to deliver these messages. As they pass through the storms and among the dangerous towers of the Lightning Farm, their wings and bodies often become charged with electricity, visibly crackling across them. Many of their missives are delivered with shocking surprise. Their bodies have taken on stormy colors similar to the Stormcatcher, both for recognition among their fellow Lightning dragons and so they might hide within the clouds as they travel outside of the Flight's lands. Stormclaws who spend a lot of time outside of the Shifting Expanse tend to be paler in color due to the storms in other lands being much weaker. Occasionally a Stormclaw will have the misfortune to be struck by lightning from one of the many spires they must fly near, resulting in a bright yellow charge surrounding their bodies.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: Cymas
Storm Cloud
Breed: Snapper
Primary Colour: Grey
Secondary Colour: Grey
Tertiary Colour: White - Silver
Primary Gene: Ripple
Secondary Gene: Hypnotic
Tertiary Gene: Smoke
Lore: This subspecies lives on parts of the Shifting Expanse closest to the Ashfall Waste. Their ancestors were dark browns, blacks and deep reds that were best suited for a fiery landscape of coal and shale. Of course, this dark colour isn't quite so good for the paler colours of the Lightning Region. Consistent mixing of blood between Fire and migrating Earth Snappers, eventually led to the appearance of the Stormclouds. An initial group of approximately thirty individuals remained after birth, allowing their troupe to journey ahead of them. Now, these Snappers have grown in number, but still walk paths restricted to the Highland Scrub and Carrion Canyon. Because of their choice to stick to this region, they have already eroded paths into the area. Some believe that the Carrion Canyon was made deep by this subspecies, but this is only a myth.
Stormclouds are so called as a result of journeying dragons in the Carrion Canyon looking up to see them stampeding. Running close together with similar colours, sending pebbles rolling down cliff faces, it is no wonder passing eyes see them as dangerous weather.
Stormclouds are capable of completely depleting an area's source of food. However, their entire society is based around give and take, a slight adaptation of the native Ridgeback's behaviour (the adaptation being they actually give back), and most of the individuals are well versed in the biology behind pollination and plant regeneration. They will eat all fruit or succulent plants in their path but make sure to deposit the seeds in their scats back into the land, before moving on. Like a herd of grazers they will circulate their territory, leaving behind both life and death. The oldest members of the Stormclouds serve as navigational experts and are referred to as the Cold Front. They are always positioned at the front of the troupe and are known for their especially striking White Smoke, which appears like cold winds striking against granite.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: NamedDame, shortkeike
Stormdancer
Breed: Coatl, Guardian, Imperial, Ridgeback, Nocturne, Skydancer, Wildclaw
Primary Colour: White - Shadow
Secondary Colour: Storm - Azure
Tertiary Colour: White - Platinum
Primary Gene: Crystal, Iridescent, Speckle, Ripple
Secondary Gene: Current, Facet, Freckle, Shimmer
Tertiary Gene: Circuit, Crackle, Gembond
Lore: “The idea behind this is from below you see the body of the dragon-they blend in bottom-top with the clouds they soar with. The gembond is reminiscent of how ice forms in the cold above; some dragons have been permanently marked by their frequent roaming in and out of storms and ice has formed over their bodies. The circuit is self-explanatory, with it being a common yet proud mark of the storms. The crackle, however, is formed when an intense bolt strikes a dragon, more often or not when they first enter their initiation storm. The energy orbits the dragon's body. The facet is a grand display of how lightning is charged inside their wings and body though it takes experience to get this level of control over the lightning. These kind of dragons can release and disrupt and even create storms by charging themselves up and discharging the built up energy” (Dantei)
Storm Dancers are a highly valued resource in the Shifting Expanse, and any dragons which is capable of becoming one is considered an honor to their clan and is welcome anywhere under Lightning control. Their job is widely considered one of the most dangerous, as it involves weaving storms together and tracking their path through the Shifting Expanse, doing their part to keep the Stormcatcher's massive machines running without pause.
The job is physically demanding, often involving flying for days on end shaping the storms into the form that would please their deity the most, but most Storm Dancers find the experience a reward in and off itself. Over the course of the years it has developed into an art form, and it's not unusual for a group of them to hold a contest to see who can shape the storm in either the most efficient or the most visually pleasing manner.
They each bear the distinctive mark of the storm on their bodies, as it's impossible to get so close to the heart of the storm without feeling it's touch. It's a mark of pride among them, but can also be a cause of sorrow as they remember those who did not survive their first thunderstorm.
Other: This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: NamedDame, Glenfalconer5, DemiFiend, Klawaw
Supercell
Breed: Imperial, Guardian, Ridgeback, Snapper
Primary Colour: Silver - Obsidian
Secondary Colour: Steel - Azure
Tertiary Colour: Sky - Azure, Beige - Slate
Primary Gene: Crystal
Secondary Gene: Peregrine
Tertiary Gene: Crackle, Smoke
Lore: These enormous creatures make their homes on the very edge of the Carrion Canyon. The sheer amount of room they take up make them solitary creatures scattered along the large divide. These dragons are often in the air, shaping the enormous supercell thunderstorms they are named after. Intense updrafts are formed when they take off into flight, and with acrobatic maneuvers surprising of their size, they create strong veering winds to shape the mesocyclone of a supercell. Often found in the very center of their own storms or dancing on the edges, evolution’s worn the patterns into their skin to the point where sharp contrasts in coloration are worn trophies, reflecting the intensity of their storms. The snapper breeds trend towards the ground, befitting their breed, but can only afford to linger for so long before their massive appetites take them into the air again; as such, their crackle/ smoke tertiaries tend towards the beige-slate color range. There is a recent trend away from the smoke tertiary towards crackle as the growing population edges closer towards the Lightnings Farm in their need for larger territories.
Other:This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: raikishi
Supremely Thick-furred Autonomous Troublesome Ion Collector (S.T.A.T.I.C.)
Breed: primarily Gaolers, Aethers, Tundras; rarely Obelisks, Coatl
Primary Colour: Orchid, Lapis, Cyan, Mint, Radioactive, Lemon, Saffron, Pumpkin, Vermilion, Magenta (the palette choice is somewhat arbitrary, but basically: the brighter and more saturated the better)
Secondary Colour: Orchid, Lapis, Cyan, Mint, Radioactive, Lemon, Saffron, Pumpkin, Vermilion, Magenta
Tertiary Colour: Orchid, Lapis, Cyan, Mint, Radioactive, Lemon, Saffron, Pumpkin, Vermilion, Magenta
Primary Gene: Flaunt (both modern + ancient)
Secondary Gene: Flair (both modern + ancient)
Tertiary Gene: for all breeds: any gene that does NOT add any “rigid” elements to the dragon (i.e. no Gembond, Spines, Opal, Scales etc.) - only surface patterns permitted (such as Thylacine or Underbelly)
for Gaolers: Wintercoat strongly preferred
Lore: Among the barren sands of the Shifting Expanse, random flickers of electrostatic discharge are hardly considered more than an insignificant annoyance. At the same time, in the deepest, most insulated parts of the Stormcatcher’s factory complex, where tiny hands of industry’s leading engineers are painstakingly laying down miles upon miles of wires, circuits and miscellaneous electrical thingamabobs, even one errant spark can cause immeasurable damage to the delicate lattice of copper and silicon, incurring astronomical monetary cost and, even worse: delays.
Solution? The S.T.A.T.I.C.s.
These brightly colored, amazingly fluffy contractors serve an instrumental role in workplace safety operations. Scouted from amongst the owners of the most opulent and voluminous fur in all of Sornieth, Supremely Thick-furred Autonomous Troublesome Ion Collectors (S.T.A.T.I.C.s) form an elite task force, whose singular purpose is to prevent any spark-related mishaps by accumulating the excess charge produced throughout the day and storing it safely among the layers of their fur. Instantly recognizable among the dour NEUTRAL, PRODUCTIVITY–ENHANCING colors of the assembly floor by their extravagantly vibrant palette, they serve both as a passive safety mechanism as well as a visual indicator of background charge levels – the more ruffled their fur, the more imminent the danger of an accidental catastrophic discharge.
To get rid of the excess charge – and go back to their usual, unfluffed state – they work closely with R.O.D. representatives, who help them quickly dissipate static electricity, allowing them to return to the assembly floor as fast as possible. While some employees have raised concerns about how large quantities of fur technically contribute to generating more excess charge than they are actually collecting, even they agree that fully puffed up S.T.A.T.I.C.s make for a very entertaining sight.
Other: (Species referencing R.O.D.) Can technically be any flight, although Lightning is obviously preferred. Bonus points for Glowing eye type – for fully charged dragons!
Creator: Koushudai
Surge Collector
Breed: Snapper
Primary Colour: Black - Obsidian
Secondary Colour: Denim - Aqua
Tertiary Colour: Aqua
Primary Gene: Poison
Secondary Gene: Shimmer
Tertiary Gene: Glimmer
Lore: Surge Collectors are an amphibious species of dragons known for their luminescent bellies. These dragons are capable of absorbing the energy transmitted by lightning strikes and storing it in their bodies. When underwater their abdomens light up, illuminating dark water ways and casting fantastical patterns on the ocean floor. Inhabitants of the sea are known to flock to these largely peaceful beings, drawn by the light they give off. It is not uncommon for schools of fish to stay in the company of Surge collectors.
While most snappers are identified as being land-bound, this particular subspecies is incredibly mobile underwater. It is thought that the energy stored in their bodies not only gives them their unique glow but also provides the energy to move their immense bodies. As a Surge Collector ages, it can store increasingly larger amounts of energy. The amount of time these dragons can spend underwater is limited by the amount of energy contained within their bodies. The amount of energy contained in a Surge Collector is indicated by the brightness with which they shine. The lower their energy, the more dully their stomachs glow.
These dragons are designed to monitor and guard the waters AND the beaches around the Shifting Expanse, as well as maintain the undersea energy plants. Originally designed to absorb geothermal energy, the Surge Protectors adapted quickly to manufacturing their own internal electrical source, much like electric eels. They can also absorb lightning strikes from the surface to gain a massive power boost.
As they were rapidly evolving, they grew more and more in touch with the water and eventually shifted into a fully amphibious creature, hardly surfacing at all. Some of them abandoned the Lightning Flight and swore new allegiance to the Tidelord, forever protecting their underwater home while retaining their storm-given abilities.
Most, however, still prove loyal and useful as a much-needed foothold in the watery realm around Stormcatcher's domain, and fiercely protect the Shifting Expanse from aquatic threats, while maintaining excellent upkeep of the underwater power plants.
Base traits of Surge Collectors are a stoic silence, having no need for communication in the water, as they mostly operate alone. These Snappers move with almost terrifying speed. Beware, any who approach these guardians, as they will make short work of any trespasser.
Other: This subspecies will
not accept Water eyed dragons, as they have chosen to defect and swear allegiance to another deity. This subspecies must have Lightning eyes.
Creator: Nerdydragon