Yeah I draw this guy a lot but I thought it was time i put together my take on him in a more Coherent way. Lots of design notes/lore/hc stuff under the cut.
-> Usually dragons Riyu’s age are more lanky, but between ninja training and his unconventional diet (he eats So much human(oid) food lol. Probably a v different meat-to-everything-else ratio than a typical mtn dragon has), he has put on a lot of muscle and fat. He’s built like the dragon equivalent of a pro body builder it’s so funny i love him
-> Mtn dragons have relatively long wings as far as dragons go. Their wingtips naturally are deeply notched as well. These adaptations are good for passive soaring without sacrificing much maneuverability; two things that are important for living, traveling, and hunting in their home mountain ranges.
-> My idea for a scarification tradition in mtn dragon communities 🎉 patterns associated with clan or group carved/burned into the keratin of tail clubs:
This is most done by older or higher ranking members of a clan or family, to teen dragons as a coming of age thing. It is also done at any age to show allegiance to groups/causes/etc not directly affiliated with birth clan/family. It is done with sharp tools heated over a fire, or simply with a claw charged with the carver’s own powers/energy in order to the burn patterns.
Keratin is the same material that makes up fingernails, hooves, and the sheaths on horns of many irl animals. I imagine the keratin layer on mtn dragons’ tail clubs is very thick. So, done correctly, the process isn’t painful (mildly painful at worst) but can be uncomfortable. Since the layer continues to grow and repair itself throughout a mtn dragon’s life, the ritual needs to be repeated occasionally over the years lest the patterns fade/fill with time. Riyu had his club engraved for the first time during the time skip between drs1-2.
Mtn dragons will also have symbols or patterns added to their tail clubs throughout their lives that represent affiliations to causes, other groups, accomplishments, their interests, etc. Riyu has a ninjargon “R” because having something in a ninjagan human script represents his association with, and status as, a ninja. Also I based his clan markings off one of the shapes on his Matriarch’s crown.
-> Accessories time 🎉🎉🎉:
Carry bag: he doesn’t have pockets… he needs pockets… give him pockets. And bags (there is a bag on each shoulder). He’s got a couple of these but the green one is his favorite.
Glove-shoes: Riyu walks on his hands, but also uses them as.. well. Hands. Wouldn’t want to handle things like food (or objects which he otherwise wouldn’t want to dirty) with the same hands that are all over the ground all the time. This way, his glove-shoes can get dirty while his hands stay clean inside. He can just take them off when it’s time to eat or handle anything that doesn’t need to get dirty. He also just likes how they look; he’s got a few pairs. Stylish guy.
Friendship bracelets: for funsies :) an orange one for Arin, a pink one for Sora, and a red one for Wyldfyre.
