Read below cut for close-ups of the individual wings + the thought process / headcannons behind the design choices: 👇
Skywing: Huge wingspan to body ratio, meant for catching air current with ease, and soaring great distances, even days on end without rest. It can also assist in billowing fire, mainly from the sheer power & air that flapping their wings can generate. Inspired by seabirds such as gulls & albatrosses, all equipped for traveling overseas.
Mudwing: Rounded wings to assist in parachuting and carrying more wind under a Mudwing’s muscled & bulky form. Striped patterns underneath wingspan resemble swamp reeds and algae when hunting. Given Mudwings are ambush predators, their wings are inspired by birds such as owls, which despite tending to be larger birds of prey, are very silent predators.
Sandwings: Coiled wingtips which mimic their barbed tails in flight. They have wavy line like patterns underneath, meant to resemble shifting dunelines or freckled sand spots. Sandwings have the largest wingspan next to Skywings, due to their requirement of flying long distances across the desert. Primarily inspired by vultures, and carrion birds meant to soar & circle.
Seawings: Fin-like Wings better equipped for swimming than flying. These wingspans are Manta Ray inspired, with dolphin-like tail ends connecting all the way to the wing tips. Depending on genetics, some seawings are born with more shark-like tail ends.
Nightwing: Sleek & recognizable wing shape, commonly associated with all dragon imagery. Their wingspan is inspired by bats, making them equipped for gripping craggy rock ledges, and blending into the night, since they can easily furl around their body.
Rainwing: Decorative and frilled wings. Inspired by Macaw/frilled lizards. Their wings mimic the same frills on their necks & tailbase, and can come in a variety of colors & patterns underneath. Stripes, spots, & swirls are all common sights. These wings are meant more for gliding, but also serve simultaneously as threat and courtship displays with the right whorls of color.
Icewings: Icewings have ridged wings which mimic icicles and shattered glaciers. Their wings feature sharp, narwhal-like spines at the tips. Similar to their serrated claws, they are perfect for stabbing into ice for balance, or spearing seals & fish. They can also hold dragon/prey firmly in place, and easily scewer an opponent in flight if needed.
It's been too long since I wanted to do a fanart of Auren, from the Plated Prisoner book series by Raven Kennedy
The first time I drew her was a commission and I hadn't read Gild yet, so glad I picked it up 💛