dragon rider Kaz thoughts,,,
(most of this is gonna be inspired by httyd but it’s NOT a httyd au I’m gonna make a different post with more high fantasy inspired dragon riding ideas)
his cane wouldn’t be practical or useful when riding so I imagine he’d use a brace or compression knee pad (that’s absolutely not what they’re called) and I like the idea of his dragon being disabled as well, I don’t think I’d have it be the tail fin like Toothless, mostly bc I don’t how I’d adapt the tail fin functions Hiccup does with prosthetic without it being wildly impractical when it comes to a leg brace. Even beyond practicality and need, using a leg brace can place a distinguishing factor between Dirtyhands and whatever his dragon riding persona is called. He’s a masked rider as well.
as for the dragon he rides, I think it would be the obvious choice would be to go with night fury inspired dragon (which isn’t a bad choice!) but I think I’d like rider Kaz to contrast regular Kaz, a pearlescent dragon he blends into with a lot airy and light clothing, seeming almost angelic in the skies.
the crows would not be aware of his riding but they’d be aware of the tales of a boy who supposedly commands dragons, who sinks slaver ships and saves dragons from Hunters. Dragons been known to the world at large but as either beasts to be feared or the ultimate prey for any hunter. I’m playing around with them finding out via midnight scrum inspired storyline, where at some point Kaz was unmasked by someone, he escaped but that person put a bounty on his head. I imagine Kaz would be highly sought after, a boy who can command and communicate with dragons is incredibly powerful weapon to have in arsenal. But anyway, the crows would find out about the bounty poster (after Kaz has already been taken) and connect the dots from there, fully prepared to rip Kaz a new one when they find him. (If they find him.) (they will but they’re gonna have doubts in the moment)
debating making this a Jordie lives au where sort of takes on Stoick’s role in the shows anyway (Jordie would not disown him) but honestly that might be a little to cheap and self-indulgent but this whole concept is self-indulgent so idk
I also love the idea of him being some kind of dragon kin or just dragons look at him and go ‘strange small hatchling, hm, appears to have no parents, I’ll guess I’ll just have to take care of him then.’ Cue Kaz trying escape from the well-meaning dragons who have kidnapped him.
idk man, this is very coherent or well thought out but dragon rider Kaz has been consuming my brain so here we are.