Rainwings

Description: RainWings are long and graceful, with ruffs behind their ears, curved horns, and prehensile tails that are used primarily for climbing trees and hanging in the rainforest they inhabit, like birds of paradise. When afraid, insulted, or angry, RainWings flare their ruffs as a sign of aggression or hostility.

RainWings have small, round scales that can change color. Most RainWings prefer vivid, bright colors. They can control the colors of the scales, though they often have a hard time stopping strong emotions from showing through. Most RainWings have a 'default' color scheme that they set their scales to when they aren't showing emotions. RainWings' eyes can change color, and they may not be able to camouflage when they are afraid or in pain. RainWings are able to blend into their surroundings at will otherwise.

RainWings are able to uncannily mimic the appearance of other tribes with their scales. RainWing dragonets develop their color-shifting scales while they are still in their eggs, which are a smooth white.

Abilities: RainWings have a long, prehensile tail great for swinging through the rainforest, long fangs, and color-changing scales. Some RainWings are able to mimic bird calls.

They are capable of absorbing sunlight, which gives them energy and causes their scales to become brighter. They have a dedicated time to sleep in the sun, known as "suntime," and RainWings who cannot sleep in the sun may have duller or unchangeable scales. Sunlight is also vital to the development of other RainWing abilities, such as venom, and to their good mood.

RainWing scales change color by bending light. When at ease, RainWing scales may reflect their emotions. They can also manipulate their scales to be any color they wish. Strong emotions may break through a chosen scale color. RainWings can also use their scales for camouflage, reflecting their surroundings and making them effectively invisible to most dragons. Other RainWings may be able to spot a disguised dragon; this is a skill they develop young, during games of hide-and-seek. RainWings can change the color of their eyes and are able to manipulate a fine level of detail onto their scales. RainWings who are born blind always show their emotions on their scales, and cannot manually change them. When relaxed, their scales will automatically camouflage to their surroundings.

RainWings have long front fangs and a jaw that can unhinge to shoot corrosive venom. This venom only affects organic material, such as animals and plants, and inorganic materials such as rock and metal are immune. It can be deadly if it reaches a dragon's bloodstream or eyes. If a dragon survives a venom attack, it will leave warped, scarred scales or skin. RainWing venom is neutralized by contact with the venom of a blood relative. Dragonet venom is weaker than adult venom. RainWing venom is black and will dry into glossy droplets (reminiscent of obsidian) after some time exposed to air.

RainWings cannot see as far or as well as IceWings or SkyWings, but they can see more clearly in the dark.

Society: RainWings live an idyllic lifestyle, with easy access to food and shelter, and no involvement in conflicts. They are mostly ignored by other tribes. RainWings are viewed by the other tribes as lazy, unintelligent, and weak.

RainWings have a unique, peaceful royal challenge, in accordance with their pacifistic beliefs.

They have blowguns with sleeping darts, coated in tree-frog poison. These darts are used as a form of protection, to knock out strange dragons wandering into the forest, and for games.

RainWings keep sloths as pets, often when a sloth chooses a dragon by climbing on them during suntime. A dragon may own many sloths. It is taboo to eat a sloth in the rainforest.

RainWings perform a venom test before having eggs, ensuring that they are not blood relatives. This prevents inbreeding in the tribe, as formal families do not exist. RainWings engage in communal raising of dragonets, with everyone pitching in to help. RainWing dragonets are trained to aim their venom, glide through trees without getting snagged by the foliage, and gather fruit. Some may train as medics, as RainWings have multiple healers in their village. These healers keep their scales calming shades of blue and white.

RainWings have begun to sort eggs and may begin to form family units. Previously, they would not count or track their eggs. They have dragons keeping watch in the Rainforest for danger, both RainWings and NightWings. They are also beginning to read and write, and are attempting to grow a moon globe tree (from the Ice Kingdom) for light.

In the time of Darkstalker, RainWings were a more threatening tribe. They had merchants selling both fruits and potions to the other tribes. They could also read and write at some point before the events of the series. It is unknown how they lost this knowledge.

Names: RainWings may be named after Rainforest flora and fauna (such as Kinkajou, Tamarin, Jambu, and Orchid), fruits (such as Banana and Coconut), and adjectives (such as Exquisite, Handsome, and Dazzling.)

RainWings have a list of names that they cycle through; when they reach the end of the list, they return to the beginning, meaning that many RainWings have had the same names throughout history.