Sylvan’s WoF Tribe Redesigns Part 1: MudWings and RainWings
MudWings are, on average, the largest tribe. They have heavily armored scales and tusks used for territorial displays, self-defense, and mate selection. Females tend to have larger tusks than males. Some MudWings are born with fire-resistant scales; while this trait is still relatively rare, it tends to become more common in the generations following conflict.
Despite their terrestrial lifestyle, they’re actually more closely related to SeaWings than to other fire-breathing tribes. MudWings’ fire-breathing ability is thought to have developed independently of “true firebreathers” (SandWings, SkyWings, and NightWings.) They are susceptible to a unique autoimmune disease known as smokesickness, which causes failure of their fire-breathing organ. MudWings rely on damp, freshwater environments to keep their scales in good health—without consistent access to water, their scales become brittle and prone to breaking. Some theories propose that the minerals present in a MudWing’s wetland contribute to the strength and structure of their scales.
RainWings are among Pyrrhia’s smallest tribes. They have slender bodies and long, flexible limbs, along with a prehensile tail. They are capable of changing their scale colors for the purpose of camouflage, sun protection, and expression. Even their horns and claws are coated with a thin layer of skin, allowing RainWings to precisely control the appearance of every inch of their body.
RainWings are adapted to a primarily arboreal lifestyle. They are facultative bipeds and usually only stand upright to reach tree limbs or fruit. They may also stand as part of a defensive display. They possess highly modified thumbs that splay backwards from the palm, rather than to the side, granting them proficiency in climbing and grasping branches. Their wings are short and better adapted to gliding than sustained flight. RainWings that spend extended time on flat ground are more likely to develop joint issues. Additionally, given their largely vegetarian diet, proper vitamin intake is crucial. RainWings require more sun exposure than other tribes to properly absorb nutrients.
I’m thinking of making these drawings available as bases—y’all let me know if you’d be interested in that and I’ll work on making it happen :)