The Evermourn - a faux Flight Rising breed concept I've been doodling a lil bit. They could easily be non-flight rising dragons sure, but I was aiming a bit for the style so... Faux-Flight Rising it is!
Was having some art block today so figured I'd poke around with a faux dragon breed concept. They're inspired by goats, gargoyles, and... beavers?? And Plague flight, obviously. Even used one of my dragons colors/genes as an example. In universe description: Hailing from the Scarred Wasteland, the Evermourn are a hardy race of dragons, small but sturdy, and swift of foot. They're a flightless breed whose wings and heavy tails are used more for heat dispersal, bodily protection, and- should need arise - swimming through rotten pools of plague-waste to rescue lost beasts who may otherwise find themselves helpless in such terrain. The name Evermourn comes from their tendency to voluntarily accept the heavy mantle of local search and rescue throughout the plaguelands. The eldest pairs lead impromptu missions at a moments notice in an otherwise brutal landscape, knowing all too well many outsiders won't survive the conditions of the place they call home. The tough leathery portions of their body render them flightless, but incredibly helpful, especially when the need arises for an impromptu dam, diverting plague-filled sludge away from dens and workplaces. Their ears also disperse heat, but generally protect their exposed softer belly and neck from pests and spores. Ears can also be laid flat against the body when swimming, to close off from liquid. Being a smaller breed, they can easily locate dragons who may have fallen into caverns or crevices, or find the source of troubling leaks in den walls. Unfortunately their stature and flightlessness often puts them at odds with their more brutal plague cousins - Mirror dragons.
The antlers closest to their eye have a bit of wiggle room, such that if they were to close their eyes, squint, or snarl, they would point forward slightly to keep their eyes protected to a small degree, to help keep them from getting hit in the eyes by unseen obstacles/critters in murky waters. The antlers can be seen forming a small crown around the back of the skull for general protection, and, as they're shed yearly, are often collected and left as warning signs near particularly treacherous paths or areas to deter unpracticed travelers. The scent from a fresh batch of antlers can also help others track down a group in the area should their assistance be needed, so it's imperative to keep them rotated frequently!
I hope you like them! Feel free to draw your own Evermourn if you want, and uhhh share I guess?? I'd love to see. ♥
((I can't lie I just wanted a dragon with big ol ears and went from there! The why and how of it just fell into place as I played with anatomy choices.))