Snowdragons Ethology - Part 8, Gathering, The Songs Once the sun sets on each day only the Singers of the winglets are allowed to speak. Direct communication through telepathy is still "allowed", but can be taken as a sign of disrespect. Once it's fully quiet apart from the wind and rustling of fur and feathers they may begin. The order for the first nights is by arrival. They first sing of threats their winglet may have faced. If one of their winglet died, they will sing of loss. In a ceremony of grief and condolence every dragon flaps their wings. Letting clouds of snow raise to the skies lights, while staying absolutely quiet. Once the snow settles, the next may sing. And when every Singer has told their tale and the final snow is settled, a more cheerful tradition begins. They will next sing praise of their winglets' dragons, who chose their name. A task connected to becoming an adult, as the young are kept nameless in almost all cases. As they announce the name, the mentioned dragon may choose:

- To spread their wings and fly to the sky. Staying up dancing beneath the lights for the entire night or some even longer. A dance in honor of the goddess Balance, who granted dragons flight. And a display of gratitude and love for the freedom it gave them. - Add their fire to the skies lights. Breathing it like lances into the air. Afterwards they rise to a platform away from all winglets. Here they will endure the cold of the night, without their inner warmth or winglet warming them. A sacrifice to show humility for the life the goddess Chaos gave dragons ages ago. Some dragons lack the strength and endurance though. And sometimes there's non-draconic winglet. Because of that, it is allowed to also proof oneself differently, if one wishes. A common method for non-dragonic ones decide to join the flight together with their friend without saddle or gear as a sign of trust. While it's not necessary to proof oneself, many see it as a way to embrace their new name and life and feel like it'd harm their pride to stop early. Their winglet isn't allowed to step in, but there are dragons standing watch for safety. For these nights the sky belongs only to the lights and the new dragons dancing beneath in flight.

Ehm... today's part didn't fit well on a single screenshot^^
There's 4 more parts, before I'm coming back to the hatchlings that are growing up x3

(I really hope I'm not annoying with the lore posts TwT)

#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon

Snowdragons Ethology - Part 7, Winter-Gathering Once the long winter night approaches, the winglets come together. While the exact locations are kept secret by snowdragons and their winglets, at least some things are known. There's two main locations where they meet up. The snowdragons who live further south in "warmer" climates gather near a frozen lake. The others seem to hold their gatherings next to a forest with trees made of ice. The locations can't be far from each other. Winglets decide themselves which location they prefer and travel to. The ones whose members prefer milder climates taking the southern one. Only the Singer is obligated to stay with the winglet. Every other dragon may decide themselves, but they are not allowed to speak once sun sets. Another important rule is that at the gatherings bloodshed is strictly forbidden. On the days, where the sun still rises, not a lot happens during the hours of light. The arriving winglets choose their sleeping spots. The late ones are given less choice. And they get to know some other dragons often walking in smaller groups of their own winglet. Hunting is voluntary, but to keep from over-hunting during the time requires to travel a distance. Timely these Gatherings are about a week before the sun won't rise anymore and then at least a fortnight more. "At least" because most winglets join the collective wintersleep and stay till the sun rises again.

And so I don't forget, bit of lore for today ^v^
Also as I'm putting together a bigger part, it may not stay always a post per day, even if me tries to post more regularly^^"

Text as always also in Alt-Text~
#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon

Snowdragons Ethology - Part 6, Winglets, the Singer One thing every winglet has is a "Singer" that functions like a leader. This Singer isn't required to be the eldest, wisest or strongest. It's the dragon, whom the winglet as a whole trusts most with their life. They are usually only taken to make a decision, if the rest of the winglet is split or unsure on a topic that affects all. And in that role they listen to everyones side before making a decision. In the rare case of a winglet not being unanimous (or if that Singer prefers it), the youngest adult of the winglet acts as a second and advisor. At the great Gatherings they are responsible for all of their winglets actions and are the only one allowed to speak during the night.

And here's a bit to the mentioned singers :3

#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon #winglets

Snowdragons Ethology - Part 5, Winglets First of all, the dynamics and hierarchy can differ a lot between different types of winglets. Hatchlings join one, in whichs dynamic they feel most comfortable in. It is important to note, that it happens that sometimes a winglet splits into two, individuals switch to other winglets or even form new ones. Often the reason is that the dragons views changed over time or they love someone from another winglet and want to join them. In those winglets everyone matters equally and they care about the others. They all connect by friendship and learn to trust and respect each other. Younger members are taken care of by the more experienced ones. And if one is less good at a task, another will help out. It is not required of one to be able to do everything. Because of this it is encouraged from the start to communicate with the others in the winglet. If there's unrest between two or more members, they either try to find a solution together or ask the "singer" for help.

Fluff isn't feeling too well, but wanted to keep up writing and posting a bit of lore^^"

#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon #winglets

Snowdragons Ethology - Part 4, Hatchlings in Winglets Being quite vulnerable, hatchlings follow older dragonets and observe them. They are VERY curious and what they learn can vary a lot. They pick up how to communicate telepathically and some even how to speak different languages. In play with other young winglet-members they learn how to hide, sneak and fight. Learn to tend to fur and feathers during social grooming and feather preening. And towards the end of the year, they already begin to hunt small critters. It's a very rare occurrence, but a few even discover an innate aptitude for magic. (More to these will follow in another lore snippet.) This is their life till the long night of winter approaches. That's when the winglets gather into bigger groups north, where the light spirits dance in the sky. The older dragons carry the younger ones and the ones unable to fly. Giving the hatchlings a first taste of flights' freedom and joy. At the gatherings they follow members of their winglet as they're often shy and prefer having someone to hold onto or hide behind. With them they listening to stories and observe the ceremonies. When opening up a bit, they spend time playing with hatchlings from different winglets, exchanging knowledge and skills.

More lore^^
At least already at the end of the "first year" x3
Next is more towards social structure
Hope y'all don't mind, that I only post a snippet daily (it feels less stressful than writing more x3)

#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon #hatchlings #winglets

Snowdragons Ethology - Part 3, Hatching& Winglets As they hatch the hatchlings dig out of the snow. They will instinctively search other Snowdragons or creatures. Many group up with some hatched at a similar time and then form or join winglets that act like families. It's rare for siblings to stay together. The family by blood means less than these chosen families of friends. Most of these winglets are with other Snowdragons, but there's also been cases where they were with other like minded beasts. Or even rarer some of the humanoid races still living in the frosty wastes. Winglets are chosen simply by feeling comfortable and safe around the others. Within them they take care of each other and share tasks based on their abilities and age.

Fluff found out, it's "Ethology" not Ecology x3
And here's another bit to it for today~

Text also in alt-text again, I forgor on last one *screm*
#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #ethology #snowdragon #furred_dragon #hatchlings #winglets

And more lore~
A bit on how snowdragon hatchlings look like at the very start :3

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Snowdragons Ecology - Part 1, Eggs Mothers usually bury their eggs in the snow of their nesting grounds. This happens at the start of the long night of winter. The eggs are between white and lightblue in coloring. The snow isolates the egg and keeps them from being discovered easily. The dragonets hatch once the snow gets softer in spring.

Starting with some lore-dump^^
Please don't judge me too hard for bad writing, I try >_>

What better to start than with my main species, Snowdragons. Beginning with the greatest treasure of all... the eggs.

(Text also in alt-text :3)
#worldbuilding #lore #species_lore #snowdragon #furred_dragon