FR SCALE TYPE DIFFERENCES
These are my personal headcannons for each flight’s scales! In my lore every dragon has small differences in their scales, like human fingerprints, so irregularities are common, but for the most part scales follow the models listed here. All scales of a flight are resistant to that element, since they have adapted to it (ex. fire dragon scales resistant to fire, ice resistant to ice, etc.)
Fire- fire scales are tough and surprisingly soft like leather, but harden at higher temperatures to be strong as diamond. This keeps scales from melting or getting stuck to things near the forges. They radiate heat all the time, even after falling or being torn off. For the most part, a fire dragons scales are the same shape ( a rounded semicircle) and size is mostly uniform. They’re the closest match to most traditional dragon scales in stories.
Shadow- for shadow dragons, scales are irregular and can range anywhere from as pointed as a wind dragon’s to nearly as blunt as an earth’s, and all on one dragon. They tend to be very small and tight-packed also. Their scales are lightly ridged towards the ground, which prevents an easy grip for most opponents. Their scales are slick as well, lending to the “slippery shadow dragon” stereotype.
Wind- a wind dragon’s scales are small, thin, and pointed, almost like little feathers. The scales are very light too, almost weightless on their own. This allows something a bit different from any other element; wind scales can lift slightly from the dragon’s body. Lifting scales can be a sign of aggression or threat, but it also helps slow the dragon in flight. When slicked down, the dragon can become faster than any breeze.
Water- on water dragons, scales tend to be large and regular like a fish’s. Their scales lie completely flat against the skin to allow for a more streamlined form. There’s no space between scales for any water, or anything else, to get through. They tend to have a shimmery quality, like the dragon just came out of the water, all the time no matter the dragon’s genes. The long plate-like scales can make water dragons great in defensive positions of battle.
Arcane- arcane dragons have some of the most unusual scales of any. They appear slick and membranous, but are surprisingly thick. As for shape, they tend to be long and tapered, and grow shorter near the head and claws. Their scales also have a slightly jelly-like property that makes lighter objects glance or bounce off the dragon instead of hitting directly. It isn’t uncommon for an arcane dragon to have a few off-color scales as well.
Ice- ice scales are thick and insulated, good for keeping the heat in the dragons body. The thickness leads them to be hard as well, nearly the consistency of the frozen rock of the ice fields. As they age the dragon’s scales will become brittle and fall off for stronger scales to grow as they mature. Their scales seem to carry the cold of their natural home with them too, making them popular in warmer weather as cooling systems for their clanmates.
Plague- the scales of plague dragons are usually more scarred than any other flight, from disease to battle wound to anything in between. Plague scales seem to repel any illness attained, so keeping healthy is not nearly as much of a problem for dragons of this flight. They are not as thick as Ice scales, but a close second, and are shaped raggedly. The jagged edges help protect the dragon from light injury and make even a simple tail slap dangerous to an enemy. Add that to the diseases possibly remaining on the scales, and an opponent is in for quite the fight with a plague dragon.
Light- light dragon scales are regarded as some of the best in terms of looks. They are bright and reflective like mirrors, but very thin, which makes light dragons better suited to long-distance combat in most cases. As the dragon grows it’s scales grow with it, unlike some other element’s scales that will molt with age. The scales are closest to human fingernails in shape, and are relatively small in comparison to the dragons size, but make up for it in numbers. A light dragon can blind an opponent with a pinprick of light off their scales with enough practice.
Nature- for nature dragons, the upkeep of scales is very important. Like cats, these dragons will spend hours grooming each other’s scales. Since nature scales are shaped much like leaves, with tiny scalloped edges, foliage is easily caught on them, so grooming is actually necessary. The ends of these scales lift from the dragons body for a blooming type of look. Scales are thick at the base and thin out towards the end to enhance this. They can also be edged with a bright color opposite the dragon’s primary in some cases, like poisonous plants.
Lightning- when it comes to lightning scales, they have some of the coolest to look at. They’re normally curved like flat claws, but can also be straight as an arrow. Some are even notably spiky at the ends. Made hardy and thick all the way through, they can resist many types of magic and weaker weapons. Running all the way through the scale are tiny currents of lightning for elemental attacks, which light up the dragon a second before they attack.
Earth- the bluntest scales of the bunch, an earth dragon has plate-like scales that are hard as rock, except around the joints and belly where they turn more leathery. The individual scales are round and big with a sandpaper texture and curved edges. These scales give great defensive capabilities but are prone to falling off rather easily, like pebbles shaken from a larger rock. They also can have immense blunt force when the dragon slams into an opponent, no matter how strong the attacking dragon really is.
pixelskylines
2087
germansingergirl
amandla
snowghoul
