BladeWings (Angel Of Madness 001)

BladeWings are currently an open tribe, with set permissions of course. They are not for any tribe contest.
== Overview ==
Current Royal Family:
Queen- Queen Kunai
King- King Pristine
Princesses- Princess Iron
Princes- Prince Butterfly, Prince Cutlass
BladeWings are based off of precious metals like gold, silver, copper, iron, etcetera. Their dense scales have four main color variants, which fade into each other over a certain length of time as they get older. They use their razor-sharp edges to fight, which can easily slice through even Titanium and Kevlar (if it existed in Wings of Fire). BladeWings can also throw their small keeled scales.
BladeWing society works around fighting over the smallest things and cares little about bonds to the tribe. Family bonds are also rarely prized, but the strongest bonds tend to be between siblings. They have a strict code of law, and failure to cooperate even once can give a death penalty. They have a few tribal celebrations, which are usually celebrated with blood sacrifices to their higher power, Urumi-the goddess of dragonkind.
The queen is chosen on a tribal event known as The Bloodmoon Challenge. A queen's reign will start and end with this challenge, and they will typically rule for an average of 11 (Dragon) years. Any queen currently ruling is said to have the power of Urumi behind their strikes and must rigidly follow the law or be said to lose that power and be dethroned. The current queen is Queen Kunai, who won in a Bloodmoon Challenge (See Government) against Queen Slasher, Princess Sickle, Princess Shield, Quartz, Titanium, and Guard.
BladeWings have been a vicious and well-known tribe in the past for starting and ending wars quickly. They fight with whoever offers the best reward, or simply for who they feel like. They aren't very open to trading or permanent alliances, but there have been a few notorious instances of them reaching compromise with other tribes including the SkyWings, SandWings, and SeaWings.
== Rules ==
=== Free-To-Make ===
Normal BladeWings
BladeWings of any age
Hybrids (within reason, excluding Sky-Blade or Blade-Sky)
=== Permissions For ===
Royalty
Sky-Blade or Blade-Sky hybrids (See History)
Animi
Metalcraft
Guildmaster/mistress 
== Description ==
(This art is drawn by me and is heavily based off the Joy Ang style)
=== Coloration ===
BladeWings have little variation between members of the tribe. BladeWings, as young dragonets (less than a year old), have pearly, metallic white scales. At this age, their keeled scales are not as sharp, so young BladeWings tend to be the least dangerous. Some young BladeWings can also have cream mixed into the white of their scales. After a young BladeWings grows a year old, their outer keeled scales turn silver-or silvery blue. This age is when the keeled scales harden and become fully sharp. Once a BladeWing turns eight, becoming a young adult, their scales become a gorgeous golden color with brown possibly mixed in. The rarest color is a fully grown, adult BladeWing, which occur after the member is at least twenty years old. Then, their scales have a brilliant copper sheen with possible green shades. 
Throughout all their life, their flat underscales remain a polished white color like when they first hatched. The most variation in the tribe, however, is the fact that their eyes can range in all sorts of colors. Any color under the sun except black and white, though the most color colors are shades of glittering warm colors such as red, orange, yellow, or deep pink. 
=== General Build ===
BladeWings are a thick-built tribe. They have large, strong muscles, dense bones, and two layers of scales. The bottom layer is smooth, like a sheet of tin, but it's just as hard as metal. The second layer is made of sharp, dagger-like keeled scales that can make excellent scavenger weapons when shed off a BladeWing. The entire layer of these keeled scales are loosely anchored to the flat scale layer underneath, and as such make easily weapons to be grabbed, plucked off, and thrown. Their horns have a angled shape like a small thunderbolt, and are just as sharp as any other part of them. Their wings are large discs with two cresent shaped cuts on both sides, and have no clear difference between the wing membrane and the bone. This is because their bottom scale layer covers the wing membrane.
Their keeled scales do not cover their face, wings, or underbelly. Instead, those areas are coated in either the smooth underscales or neatly-fitting wide scales for protection. This means their underbellies are not sharp, but their faces do have a ridge of keeled scales over their eyes.
=== Shedding ===
As a BladeWing ages and changes colors, they do this in a process known as shedding. Yearly, all BladeWings will shed their keeled scales at some point to replenish the sharp edges and keep them pristine-even if the new scales don't grow back a new color. However, in cases like a young BladeWing's first shed, the scales will grow back silver instead of white. 
Any scales that are plucked off or shed off naturally take roughly a week to grow back. These scales shed in groups like patches, so a BladeWing-even in shed-is never truly unarmed. 
Sheddings are not traditionally celebrated-they're simply a fact of life that the BladeWings go through yearly. However, when they have a change of colors from a shed, it is celebrated by the dragon's close friends and siblings in an event known as a Color Celebration (See Holidays). 
=== Hybrids ===
Please make hybrids responsibly and make sure you understand which ones are more likely to happen than others! If unsure whether you'll need permission, don't hesitate to ask me. 
Hybrid BladeWings are a rare occurrence-after all, few BladeWings even find true love within the tribe and don't bother with outside tribes. However, when they do occur, a few things are always present in the hybrids regardless of heritage. Certain things will never occur, as well.
-Hybrids will always have keeled scales, though rarely the double-scale layer. This means that while they are impervious to most attacks, it will not work as a long range weapon. They will also never shed the keeled scales and instead will retain whatever color they hatched as, usually more influenced by the other parent's tribe.
-Hybrid BladeWings can never inherit any kind of venom weapon, regardless of who their parents are. BladeWing blood makes them unable to have venom of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to: RainWing Venom, HiveWing Venom, and SandWing Venom. Additionally, they cannot inherit flamesilk specifically for an unknown reason.
-Hybrid BladeWings can in fact inherit the animus gene, though the BladeWing tribe does not currently carry it in their gene pool. However, if a dragon with BladeWing blood has the gene for animus magic turned on, it automatically actives the gene for Metalcraft and forces the animus gene out. They can still inherit most other powers from almost any other tribe such as mindreading, foresight, firescales, etc. 
-Hybrids with flamebreath or frostbreath will have duller scales. It is unknown why.
Certain tribes are more likely to have hybrids with BladeWings, and other tribes are less likely to have hybrids with BladeWings. For ease of use, a list can be found below of which tribes are likely and why:
==== Most Common Hybrids ====
MudWings: The MudWings and the BladeWings see each other as trustworthy allies in any dire need. They're less prone towards violence with each other, a feat few tribes can boast with BladeWings, and have made treaties before and alliances (See History). These may have broken down, but Mud-Blade hybrids were once more common than any dragon would think.
IceWings: The BladeWings and the IceWings, as of now, have an ongoing agreement to help each other in time of war. They've always fought on the same fronts of the war, always found the other tribe intriguing and menacing, and generally got along quite nicely. Blade-Ice hybrids are another somewhat common hybrid.
==== Least Common Hybrids ====
SkyWings: The BladeWings and the SkyWings are on incredibly bad terms as of now, (See History) and will probably always hate each other. No matter who their queens are, it's never forgotten how the BladeWings have tried to wipe out the SkyWings, and vice-versa. Even though they live on each other's doorstep, hybrids between a Blade and Sky dragon are highly unlikely. The most notable example of a living Sky-Blade hybrid is Flametongue (See Government).
SeaWings: While relations used to be good between the SeaWings and the BladeWings, things turned sour after a mass destruction of valuable SkyWing artistry. It caused the SeaWings, a naturally artistic tribe, to fear that someday the BladeWings would turn and destroy the sculptures and writings they held dear. As such, few Sea-Blade hybrids exist. 
NightWings: The tribe relies on mind-games and the BladeWings view them with mutual distrust. It's a matter of brain vs brawn, and both tribes see themselves as the superior in the situation. As such, whenever they interact, it's typically to prove to the other that brawn is better than brain (or vice-versa), leaving little room for any Night-Blade hybrids. 
== Abilities and Weaknesses ==
=== Abilities (+) ===
==== Sharp Scales ====
BladeWings have small, keeled scales with sharp edges that slice through scale and bone easily. These scales can be easily plucked off from the second scale layer, as they're only attached by a thin tissue that evolved to be broken often. Taking off these scales does not hurt the BladeWing, but they do take a week to grow back. With any of these scales plucked off, it's easy to throw them at a target, something that young BladeWings are taught from a young age.
These scales additionally can prove a BladeWing to be hard to attack with claws or teeth without the attacker taking damage in return. 
==== Metalcraft ====
Metalcraft is a power that some BladeWings will hatch with. Any dragon with at least 75% BladeWing blood in them has roughly a 3% chance to hatch with this power, regardless of genetics or the like. This power cannot be turned 'off', and if the gene for metalcraft is activated, it will delete the animus gene. A dragonet with the animus gene active and a BladeWing in the last three generations will have the animus gene automatically convert to the Metalcraft gene. This power allows for the BladeWing to be able to manipulate any metal around them, such as swords and armor. They cannot create or destroy metal, only force it to change shape or size (No, they cannot make it heat up or cool down either). 
Metalcraft BladeWings are valued in the tribe, and are always high-ranked soldiers. Every queen to date has at least one Metalcraft BladeWing in her personal guard. 
=== Weaknesses (-) ===
==== Poor Swimmers ====
BladeWings are a heavier tribe with less flexible wings and are more muscled, meaning they have a harder time underwater. BladeWings will sink quickly and struggle to surface again, even a full-grown one. They try to stay away from water, as such, and SeaWings can gain an easy advantage over them. BladeWings also rarely risk taking their armies overseas for this reason.
==== Poor Fliers ====
From their heavy build to their not-so-flexible wings, BladeWings are not meant to fly either. They can, but that doesn't mean they should. They move slower, can't react as fast, and have to put more effort into flying than any other tribe, especially their neighbors. 
==== Lack of Breath Weapon ====
BladeWings' lack of any kind of breath weapon gives them trouble when fighting enemies at mid-close range. Typically, the range for a breath weapon is just too far for claws or wings to reach, but a little too close to throw scales. On top of this, they have a strong dislike of fire, and try to avoid letting their enemies hover in that golden range.
=== Fighting Styles ===
Across the BladeWing army, they've developed a few different ways to fight an enemy-each BladeWing tends to be trained for one, but knows all of them in case they need to. These fighting styles aren't too uncommon, but slight oddities can give away a BladeWing who wasn't raised in the tribe or someone posing as one. 
==== Tanking/Blockading ====
If an enemy or prey is on the retreat, BladeWings don't let their catches get away often. Blockading ensures the enemy can't escape, and the name implies the style. If an enemy is attempting to escape, Blockading starts with either a body rush or a tail bash at the target to disorient them. Once the target has been set off balance, the BladeWing bowls into them to knock them over, before pinning them. The target typically ends up stomach-down, but if they land on their backs, the last step is to flip the enemy over. This strategy captures targets who would have otherwise escaped, and is a close-range option to pin an enemy down. 
==== Sniping ====
Sniping calls upon the BladeWing's unique ability to take and throw their keeled scales. Used to catch aerial prey or attack from afar, it's one of the more common strategies used in battle. Sniping is a quick process that has two main forms: Either the dragon plucks one scale to aim a single direct hit, or they pluck multiple and spread them out in hopes of hitting something. Once a target has been spotted, the BladeWing quickly yanks off a scale and flings it like a chakrim, straight for wherever they're trying to hit, in one fluid motion. Usually, Sniping is followed by Tanking or Striking, if it brings the enemy in range. Sniping only works from Long-Mid range, since it's difficult to get a proper fling if the enemy is in your face.
==== Striking ====
Striking is the de facto fighting style, and it's as simple as it sounds. Striking is when a BladeWing, or a group of BladeWings, surround a target and dart in for quick, rapid attacks with either claws or scales.
==== Flinging ====
If the BladeWings fear they are losing a fight, they have a tendency to make reckless plays that do not value their own life if it means victory. Part of this is known as Flinging, which has two variations. Both variations are similar, involving a BladeWing launching themselves into the heat of the enemy, aiming to cut as many dragons with their scales and cause as many wounds/casualties as they can before falling. Sometimes, adult BladeWings will do this, but more commonly they allow dragonets to be used like high-speed projectiles and be thrown. The young dragonets have an easier time escaping danger after doing their job, as well as being easy to throw and confusing the enemies. Surprisingly few dragonets actually die from this battle strategy, as most enemies struggle to easily kill a dragonet, but also since the young dragonets curl up into a ball and are hard to touch without the attacker being harmed. 
== Territory ==
=== Geography ===
==== The Crimson Foothills ====
The BladeWing tribe is located at the base of the Claws of the Clouds Mountains, in the foothills that they have named The Crimson Foothills. They chose this name to intimidate other tribes, but additionally because excess fire and smoke from the SkyWings sometimes gave the impression that the area around them was red. They consist of somewhat large expanses of flatter, tall grassed areas with few trees and plenty of smaller, gradual hills. This plains area has been silently dubbed 'The Bladelands', as it's where most housing for the Guilds belong. Closer to the mountains themselves are where you find the more steeply elevated parts of the Foothills, and even some smaller peaks that have not been dignified with a name by the BladeWings yet.
The Crimson Foothills, as well as the Bladelands, experience similar weathers from their relatively similar placements. On a typical day, it would be very sunny and not incredibly humid out either. This heat is broken by frequent thundershowers that keep the plains moist enough to thrive, but not overly humid. Closer to the tops of the foothills is a noticeable dip in temperature-still inviting and pleasant, though. During the nights, the temperature shoots drastically downwards, being able to reach freezing temperatures at the highest points of the territory. Strong, cold north winds interact with the warmer southern winds on occasion to bring about snow to the area during wintertime-the amount varies, but typically is greater at the higher elevations. Chinook winds occasionally form in the plains, causing some large temperature differences in the plains, and even causing a few storms here and there. Strangely, the plains could be caught in a great storm that leaves the foothills untouched. 
In terms of natural disasters, the BladeWings have to cope with little from their placement of the land. However, they have particularly bad thunderstorms and heavy snowfall has killed young dragonets by trapping them before. Occasionally, a small tornado forms, but the BladeWings don't have a protocol for this event since it's such a rarity.
=== Settlements ===
BladeWings live their lives above ground, and tend to live in large clumps of individuals and families like villages. Not any settlement of BladeWings is called a Guild-only the settlements led by a Guildmaster/mistress or the Queen. When identifying any particular group, you identify the current Guildmaster/mistress's name of that Guild, followed by Guild (Example: Brass Guild, Flametongue Guild, etc). A BladeWing Guild can be identified from afar as a collection of the BladeWing's houses with some unique, large trait that varies within each Guild. There is no attempt to make the Guild camouflage, but instead they surround each settlement with strands of barbed wire to keep out threats to the younger, weaker dragonets, and show displays of violence and power to scare off other tribes from invading their Guilds. 
Almost every Guild is structured in the same way: A large central plaza that functions as a marketplace and fighting arena, sometimes both at the same time, and branching paths that lead to the Guild's most important buildings. Houses only have paths if the BladeWing chooses to make it themselves, and are built randomly around the plaza and major buildings, with most houses clustered closer to the center and getting scarcer the further out you go. The Guilds are all relatively close together, and they still act as one unified tribe that ultimately answers to the Queen despite being ruled by a Guildmaster/mistress most of the time. BladeWing houses vary in size, since they're built by whoever wishes to live in it until death. Unoccupied homes can be inhabited by whoever gets there first, but typically the tribe would rather use determination and a bit of elbow grease for their own, new house than take an old one. 
==== Furnishing ====
BladeWings build their own houses by cutting trees for wood-or threatening other tribes for it, as well as harvesting from rubber trees to create rubber. They combine the splintered wood with the rubber and add a bit of various precious minerals as well to give each home a unique feeling and color, depending on the minerals. This combination is surprisingly durable, and allows homes to withstand the sharp cutting edges of a BladeWing's scales, at least for a little. Commonly, these houses are one to two rooms, depending on what the builder wants, and are blocky dome shapes. One room is meant for personal quarters, and usually has some furniture inside, and any extra rooms are used for a variety of reasons. Typically, an extra room is meant for storing food, a personal training room, or for eggs/dragonets. 
Interior decorating is about as minimalist as one would expect. Mostly heavy stone furniture, such as small rounded seats around a block of stone for a table, or smaller blocks of cut stone for stands to place items. Each piece can be tailored to any BladeWing's desire, as if they don't like it they can simply cut away at it until it's how they want it to be. They don't usually cut windows into their homes, as they see it as an extra place for enemies to creep in and attack them. They sleep on piled up bits of soft materials, ranging from wool, woven grass, silk, woven seaweed, pelts, pretty much anything they'd get their talons on, piled up onto a stone slab and pushed to the corner of their personal quarters. Dragonets are given everything an adult would in their room, except smaller, and a dragonet's room would only have one bed, even if there are multiple dragonets. Siblings sleep together, and this is possibly why siblings tend to get along well. 
==== The Guilds ====
There are six Guilds in the tribe, ultimately ruled by the Queen and managed by the Guildmaster/mistress. Each one is vaguely circular, with a central plaza in the center, multiple homes lining the ground all along the inside of the Guild, and important buildings right on the edge of the plaza. These important buildings vary in different guilds, but all of them have a dedicated space for merchants to set up-BladeWing or otherwise. Each guild is additionally surrounded by thin metal strands with sharpened, twisted metal balls strung on them. From above, these Guilds are highly noticeable and make no attempt to camouflage. The plazas are commonly used for duels, celebrations, or announcements in all Guilds. Each Guild has a stone path connecting it to the Guilds both left and right of it. 
===== Brass Guild =====
The Brass Guild is the Guild focused on War. Notable features inside include the largest barracks of all guilds, as well as a large arena-like structure near the plaza. Brass holds gladiator fights regularly, and while typically it's BladeWing versus BladeWing combat for entertainment and social status, prisoners of war are often pitted against each other for fun. This Guild also has one of the two prisons across all guilds, being underneath the arena for fights. Next to the barracks is a more sturdy, well-built house that is a decent bit fancier. That house is the home of the current Guildmaster/mistress. 
===== Flametongue Guild =====
The Flametongue Guild is the Guild focused on Intertribal Affairs. Stretching from just outside the plaza is a tall, tower-like structure with a wide spiral staircase inside and a large platform on top. This tower is where new visitors first arrive, joined by the Guildmaster/mistress, who is the first and main negotiator. On rare occasions, the queen has to be called for additional problems. This Guild also has some of the more friendly BladeWings (as friendly as they can be) and a larger marketplace than the rest. Flametongue lives in a slightly elevated home, larger than usual and additionally a bit of a meeting hub between himself and other negotiators. 
===== Mercury Guild =====
The Mercury Guild is the Guild focused on Finance. Here, most of the wealth of the BladeWings is piled up and stored securely in an hollow cave underground, guarded closely by three guards who must be checked (Are they aggressive and able to fight), double checked (Are they loyal and honest), and triple checked (Are they willing to dedicate their life to this) to get the position. On top of this cave is a small building made for transactions with treasure regarding the queen herself and those who are allowed to enter. Most of the intelligent BladeWings who'd rather calculate equations than calculate attacks live here, and this makes the Mercury Guild the smallest Guild. The Guildmaster/mistress lives on the opposite side of the plaza from the small building, in a small decorated home. 
===== Nine-Life Guild =====
The Nine-Life Guild is the Guild focused on Health and Education. Regarded as the softest guild of them all, the Nine-Life Guild is also the second smallest Guild and is comprised of the few BladeWings who wish educate or care for dragonets. Despite the title additionally claiming Health, BladeWings do not have doctors or medics, as they see it a weakness to rely on outside influence to recover. The Guild is settled closest to the mountains, and has two large buildings situated next to each other: A large building with bedding inside meant for isolating sick dragons with infectious disease, and an orphanage/dragonet daycare. BladeWings off to war with dragonets may leave their children here, or if they don't want the dragonet it will also be left here. The orphanage is essentially a large dragonet's room meant for dozens instead of two or three. Nine-Life lives next to the orphanage in a smaller building. 
===== Darkheart Guild =====
The Darkheart Guild is the Guild focused on Hunting and Agriculture. Roughly half the dragons who live here are simply dragons who didn't want to be in any of the other Guilds, so they became hunters. The other half are the farmers, the BladeWings who roughly toss seeds in the ground and pray something grows. The main structure here is a split food storage building. Using ice from the IceWings, half of the building contains frozen prey items to be thawed and eaten later, or possibly traded around guilds or to other tribes. The other half is for their crop yield, such as rice, potatoes, and carrots. Darkheart herself lives in a flat building, almost like a bunker, meant to act as a safety measure. Kunai has attempted to replace it, but Darkheart insists that at least one Guild should have a safe space for a natural disaster. To prove her point, Darkheart lives there. 
===== Kunai Guild =====
The Kunai Guild is the Guild run by the Queen. The most luxurious and strict Guild, it is reserved for only the best of the tribe. BladeWings have to have a certain amount of treasure to live in this Guild, and have to follow the rules exceptionally well, but in return they live a mostly work-free life and can focus on fighting each other and honing their battle skills while not actively being in war. The Queen herself lives in a large palace, not very ornate, but fancier than the average settlement. Inside are multiple large rooms for negotiations, battles, and of course, the throne room, where a large crystal chandelier hangs to hide a hole for the royal archers. There are smaller rooms for the Queen herself, the King, and her dragonets. Unlike most siblings, the princesses and princes do not sleep together, even as dragonets. 
==== The Palace ====
WIP
Guild-to-Guild Movement BladeWings are allowed to freely cross between most Guilds, or even move Guilds, but typically stay in the Guild they hatched into. Some Guilds view leaving as an unlawful act, such as the Brass Guild and the Kunai Guild, and view those who do leave or change as traitors to their birth Guild. It is still not illegal in these Guilds to move between them, but rather frowned upon. BladeWings choose to travel to other Guilds typically if they want to be involved with that Guild's main purpose-a BladeWing who wants to make sure younger ones know how to fight properly may move to the Nine-Life Guild, or one who wants to hunt as their life's purpose may move to the Darkheart Guild. 
Rights to Land BladeWings view all the land inside a Guild as owned by the Guild leader, and as such treat it that way. The leader has the final say in what the land can and can't be used for, and it changes based on the current chief's leadership. They can offer patches of land to be used by a certain BladeWing, but the official owner of all land is the Guild leader.
Rulership Despite having power over their Guild, Guild leaders ultimately answer the queen. She has the power to veto any decision made by the Guildmaster/mistress, and her word is law. 
=== Landmarks ===
==== The Skyclaw ====
The Skyclaw is the largest mountain peak still in the BladeWing's territory, and was once a place where a small palace for the SkyWing queen's visits took place. It was dubbed its name for the exclusive usage by SkyWing royalty, but additionally due to it appearing like a towering claw reaching up towards the sky. 
On top of the Skyclaw can be found the ruins of the old palace, after the BladeWings tore it down, rebuilt it for their queen, and the SkyWings burned it. Inside of the crumbled walls can be found ancient artifacts and stone tablets from a time when the SkyWings and BladeWings got along, as well as an overall feeling of SkyWing and BladeWing architecture at work. For BladeWings to go up there is considered treason, and SkyWings see it as an unfortunate reminder of their past allies (See History). 
==== The Fortune House ====
The Fortune House is a building located roughly in the middle of each of the Guilds, with stone paths from each guild leading to it. It is a large place for the entire tribe to gather and worship their goddess, Urumi, who they believe made dragonkind and made BladeWings to be the rulers of all. The Fortune house is where the whole tribe gathers on Silver Nights (See Holidays) to provide sacrifices to Urumi and additionally duel each other to please her. BladeWings in need come to the Fortune House to pray to Urumi and ask her for strength and prosperity. This, along with the Spire of Rulers, are the only places considered sacred. It is believed the Fortune House is where Urumi descends from her home above the clouds to be with her kin. 
==== Spire of Rulers ====
The Spire of Rulers is a tall, hollowed out, narrow mountain peak (Not to be confused with The Skyclaw) that holds within it stacked trophies and words of advice from queens past. This place is considered sacred, along with the Fortune House, and it was discovered long ago by a BladeWing Princess who told everyone that Urumi had given them a safe place, hidden from the SkyWing's prying eyes. 
The Spire of Rulers was the original location of the first Guild, before they changed it to be a place that only the queen could go to for help in her rule. It contains tips for fighting, how to run wars, as well as some true inspirational words from the queens. Each queen is expected to contribute something to the Spire of Rulers, lest their spirit be forbidden from meeting their goddess in the afterlife. Queen Spear is the only queen known to have not contributed something. 
=== Defenses ===
The BladeWing Guilds each are excellent fighters, and the tribe as a whole does not have a designated army. Instead, each dragon of age can be called upon to fight, everyone being designated a part-time soldier. They have no additional defenses, and additionally do not use dragon-made weapons such as spears, swords, or staffs. 
== Trade ==
The BladeWings are notable for being cruel and menacing, so it's not surprising how little they trade between other tribes. On the rare occasion they do trade, the BladeWings mostly offer warriors or precious metals/gems in return for things such as food, information, or gems. 
=== Technology ===
The BladeWings are on the same level of technology as other Pyrrhian tribes, but do use metal for things more often, hinting at some kind of new age dawning on them soon. They used to know how to craft armor, but as time proved they had little need for it, the skill was forgotten. They are well aware of how to contain fire and have it controlled, despite not having it as a breath weapon themselves. 
=== Agriculture ===
Almost as expected, the BladeWings do not partake in much farming. What little they do is mainly in crops that other tribes enjoy that cannot be grown where that tribe lives. Guildmistress Darkheart ensures that the harvest is plentiful and Guildmaster Flametongue trades and/or sells it. Some of such crops include root crops, like potatoes and carrots that the SkyWings trade for (through a middle man of another tribe), and rice that the SeaWings are partial to. 
They're keen on ensuring that the crops grow well and are effective at keeping wild animals from grazing on their growing crops. They rely on the natural elements to take care of their plants, and don't exactly farm-they more so stuff seeds in the ground and hope something happens. The tribe believes that if Urumi wants the crops to grow, they will-if she doesn't, they won't-and they don't interfere with their goddess's wishes. 
=== Currency ===
The BladeWings use the standard measurement of the rest of the Pyrrhian tribes, with gold coins or bars being used to trade. However, given the BladeWing's love for shiny objects and overall increasing need for treasure, a gold coin to them is only worth about half of what it would be in most other tribes. 
== History ==
It is unknown where BladeWings descended from, but they were never native to Pyrrhia or Pantala and appear unrelated to any other tribe. 
=== Origin ===
While outsiders are unaware of the BladeWing's origin, the tribe themselves is fully aware of where they came from-it is stored in precious tablets kept in the Spire of Rulers-and knows their history. 
BladeWings used to call a third continent home, one called 'Protura'. Protura had been home to them along with two other tribes that the BladeWings have lost to time. As centuries passed, Protura began to no longer sustain all three tribes and was sinking down back into the ocean. The BladeWings were the softest tribe on the continent, and the tribe believes this was when they evolved their sharpened scales to defend from the other tribes. The tribe was almost driven to extinction by the others, but all three tribes eventually realized their home was dying and they had to leave. It is unknown where the other tribes ended up, but the BladeWings landed on the northern coast of Pyrrhia. 
The tribe had lived on their home as mostly individual dragons, not working together and functioning alone without the rule of a queen. When they fled, they had to organize and help the rest of their species across the ocean or they'd all perish. The tribe estimates they lost a third of their former population during this intercontinental travel.
=== The Scorching ===
The BladeWings arrived on Pyrrhia shortly after the events of the Scorching took place, meaning they saw tribes beginning to unify and strange creatures they'd never seen before stealing eggs and the like. At first, the BladeWings attempted to force one of the newly born kingdoms to give them territory and safety, but after realizing how much bigger the other tribes were, they had to rely on generosity. 
Every tribe refused them land, some for good reason and others for lack of interest, except the SkyWings. In this past age, they were a more friendly tribe and offered the BladeWings to live at the base of the mountains and be mostly undisturbed. The only catch was that the BladeWings had to submit to the SkyWings and be obedient puppets.
The BladeWings, unable to carry on if they lost this chance, took the offer and formally became part of the SkyWing kingdom shortly after it was made. 
=== The Shadowed Sky ===
The Shadowed Sky is the period that started roughly a century after the Scorching, and ended with the last battle of the Fire and Swords War. It was where the SkyWings truly dissolved into tyranny and abused their treaty with the BladeWings that forced them to be obedient servants. Multiple generations passed, and the last queen who was peaceful with the BladeWings was Queen Firehawk. 
After Queen Firehawk passed, her daughter, Whirlwind, took the throne next. Queen Whirlwind was unlike her mother, and originally tried to force the BladeWings out, but after pressure from other tribes, ceased that course of action. However, she began to treat the BladeWings poorly, and by the end of her rule the BladeWings were regretting their choice already. Queen Whirlwind and her successors, for five generations, mistreated the BladeWings and forced them to be effectively, slaves. 
While they were still recovering their numbers, the BladeWings could do nothing but take their loss and suffer under the SkyWings. As years passed, they began to be more and more resentful and even began organizing the tribe for battle under the SkyWing's snouts. Silver, a popular BladeWing among the tribe, dawned a title the SkyWings had held above their heads for so long-Queen Silver. It is believed that this was the start of the Fire and Swords War, also known as the BladeWing Fight for Independence. 
=== Fire and Swords War ===
==== Major Battles ====
===== Destruction of the Skyclaw/Assisination of Queen Nimbostratus =====
While not a true battle, the Destruction of the Skyclaw was the BladeWing's first act of rebellion against the SkyWings, as it was where the royalty had been visiting for so long. The BladeWings timed this so that when they began tearing down the palace on top of the Skyclaw, they could additionally attack and kill the then Queen, Nimbostratus, along with two of her three advisors.
The SkyWings quickly charged to defend their palace and avenge their queen, but the BladeWings made a quick retreat leading to a SkyWing victory-but the SkyWings did suffer more losses overall, including their second palace and their Queen. Nimbostratus's daughter, Princess Skimmer, made her first action as queen to declare war on the BladeWings. It was viewed as a hasty action by other tribes, but the SkyWings did not seem to acknowledge. 
===== Stiletto's Charge =====
Victor: SkyWings
Stiletto's Charge was the first true attack, and it started with the BladeWings taking position on the Skyclaw's ruins, using the rubble to hide and the height to try and gain an advantage. However, the SkyWings were prepared with firebombs, dropping dragonflame cacti on the unsuspecting dragons and causing severe burns to a good number of the army. Stiletto still ordered a brutal charge into the sky to fight the SkyWings, and while the BladeWings fought hard, the air superiority the SkyWings held caused a number of BladeWings to pointlessly perish in the fighting. Inevitably, Stiletto gathered the remaining army and retreated.
===== Battle of Clashing Scales =====
Victor: Draw
The Battle of Clashing Scales saw two of the tribes' top generals fighting head-to-head with each other, those being General Mace and General Rockslide. During it, most notably, the BladeWings forced the SkyWings to the ground with their scales while taking heavy casualties from firebombing from the SkyWings. After the second half turned into claw-to-claw fighting and both sides realized how many dragons had been lost, the two Generals both ordered a retreat to preserve their numbers.
===== The Final Battle for Freedom =====
Victor: BladeWings
In the Final Battle for Freedom, it began with the SkyWings dropping more cacti onto the BladeWings to keep them weakened. However, Queen Silver herself took charge and fiercely ordered them into the sky to force the SkyWings down. At first, it seemed like a retreat, before the BladeWings descended upon the SkyWings with sharp scales being thrown and their heavy bodies dragging soldiers down to the ground for a fair fight. This strategy paid off in a massive way, as too many SkyWing soldiers were dragged down to continue to firebombing. They came down to help their fellow soldiers, and that was where they were torn apart. Despite everything, the BladeWings had firmly won this battle.
==== Major Treaties ====
===== Treaty of World's Edge =====
Noted as the treaty that formally ended the Fire and Swords War, the Treaty of World's Edge is responsible for forcing the SkyWings to give up the territory for good and cease to threaten the BladeWings for good. The SkyWings originally refused to agree, but during a tense peace negotiation between Queen Silver and Queen Skimmer, it is said that Silver slashed the SkyWing queen's face until she agreed to accept the terms. 
It is rumored in scrolls that Queen Skimmer would have held out until she died from the wounds, except that her sister, Sparrow, jumped in and surrendered to keep Skimmer alive. Skimmer hated her sister for this, and her attempted second declaration of war lead to her removal as queen and her sister's crowning. Queen Sparrow was the first queen in a long time who had been kind, but only out of fear. 
=== Crowning of the First Queen ===
Shortly after the Treaty of World's Edge was signed, the BladeWings officially had their first ceremony for the crowning of a new queen. Queen Silver was their first officially titled queen, crowned as such in the Fortune House, where now, each new ruler is also crowned so that Urumi may shine down upon them and give them guidance and strength. The very first BladeWing crown was actually just several strands of loose metal roughly wrapped together with a smooth stone held fast in the center. It was meant to model the IceWing crown style. As time passed, the metal was refined to silver with carefully woven strands of metal around it and the stone replaced by a diamond.
=== Establishment of Guilds and First Chiefs ===
Queen Silver was not the queen who made the Guilds-it was actually her sister, Pommel, who took over when Queen Silver passed in her sleep after fighting severe illness. Pommel had an odd idea among the young tribe, that she would need a council of dragons to help manage various aspects of ruling a tribe. After a few years of mulling on the idea, Queen Pommel decided that whoever helped her with these should have like-minded dragons around them-creating the idea of a Guild. She even went ahead and had the five Guilds built, though for now, each dragon just lived in one and moved wherever, no Guildmaster/mistress but the queen herself. Pommel offered the BladeWings she knew were best in the five aspects she wanted help in and named them 'Guildmasters/mistresses'. 
The first six Guildleaders were: Queen Pommel, Guildmistress Bayonet (War), Guildmaster Pike (Finance), Guildmaster Lance (Health and Education), Guildmistress Sabre (Agriculture). Guildmistress Javelin (Intertribal Affairs)
The first Guilds were created around the time of Darkstalker hatching, and while the SkyWings were eager to try and take advantage of a weakened, confused BladeWing state, the Royal SeaWing Massacre led to the SkyWings having their own issues to deal with, and not wanting to fight a war on two fronts, they left the BladeWings alone.
=== Darkstalker's Reign ===
During Darkstalker's time, as he grew to power, the BladeWings developed a disdain for the NightWings overtime. Their use of magic, lack of regard for other tribes, hostility towards the IceWings, and the overall chaos they'd allowed to happen made the two tribes uneasy with each other. The IceWings were looking for aid to return their Prince home, and enlisted the help of BladeWings. Queen Pommel agreed, at first sending troops for payment, but soon sending troops for nothing more than support of the IceWings. 
==== The Icicle Alliance ====
During this time, the Icicle Alliance was forged, being an unofficial means of peace and support between the BladeWings and IceWings. As Darkstalker was defeated, the alliance became official, sealing it with the signing of the Diamond Treaty. This was when the IceWings and BladeWings began to support each other more heavily, and has been the only treaty to be passed down as queens are dethroned.
=== SandWing War of Succession ===
=== Defeat of the Othermind ===
=== More Historical Information ===
Following the Fire and Swords War, the BladeWings changed names of several things in their lives and altered much of their lifestyle to differ from the SkyWings. Before the FaSW (Fire and Swords War), BladeWings lived very similarly to SkyWings. They had a similar structure for their palace, housing, and lifestyle. They threw parties on the SkyWing Queen's hatching day and followed their traditions, such as leaving the dead to reincarnate and alcohol used for celebration. 
After the FaSW, however, changes were put in place. BladeWings no longer followed most SkyWing traditions. They ceased to celebrate SkyWing events such as the Sky Queen's hatching day, and the BladeWings also restructured all of their buildings to insult the SkyWings more. They even grew a taste for avian prey instead of the more land-based prey the SkyWings liked. BladeWings also have different names for items than the rest of the tribes. Examples of these changes are: Calling humans 'Four-Limbs' (as opposed to a dragon's six limbs) instead of scavengers or humans. They refer to the moons as 'Silver-Eye' (Oracle), 'Tungsten-Eye' (Perception), and 'Platinum-Eye' (Imperial). This is to further insult their former rulers. 
Some traditions were changed, but not fully removed. The BladeWings still leave the dead to reincarnate, though in a different process than the SkyWings. They also still use alcohol to celebrate, though it is reserved for the royal family and guild leaders. 
== Government ==
=== The Queen ===
The Queen ultimately has the final say in most, if not all matters of BladeWing life. She dictates who becomes a Guildleader after the passing or abandonment of the old one, determines the outcome of many delicate situations, selects generals and her personal guard, as well as selecting the royal archers. Her word is treated as law in most cases, but the tribe can and has ignored unjust treatment or rules considered 'silly'. 
==== Becoming Queen ====
Bloodmoon Challenge
A Bloodmoon Challenge is the unique way BladeWings change power. The challenge can only be declared the predicted night of a blood moon, as determined by the Royal Astrologer. The challenger must declare their challenge to the queen before midday of the predicted night, or it is considered invalidated. Only daughters, sisters, or nieces may initiate a challenge, but once declared, any female of age in the tribe may join in for a chance at becoming queen.
Once a challenge is declared, the rest of the day is spent preparing. It is announced throughout Guilds, often via The Fortune House, so that any additional challengers may prepare. These preparations include a special 'last meal' meant to bring good luck and strength to the dragon, potentially paying a visit to the Fortune House to pray to Urumi for her fighting prowess and blessings, but most of all, last-minute training or resting. 
At dusk, every challenger who participates gathers in the throne room before the current queen. The royal archers are evacuated, the guards leave, and the dragons say any last words they'd like to before fighting. A typical assortment of challengers will be the queen, the main challenger, any royal sisters, daughters, or nieces of age, and three to four dragons from the tribe. As they exchange pleasantries, threats, tactics, or goodbyes, the guards begin to shut the room. The passageways to the attic are closed, the windows closed and curtains drawn over them, and at the very last, the doors are shut and locked. Three rapid knocks on the throne room doors indicate the first light of the blood moon, and the fighting begins.
There are no rules when it comes to the Bloodmoon challenge. The only rule is to leave no survivors. Fighting becomes brutal, bloody, and it doesn't end until there's only one dragon alive. Anyone who attempts to leave the challenge is killed, seen as a weak traitor, and any dragons who refuse to kill their enemies are locked away and a winner appointed (Example: Two BladeWings refuse to kill each other, saying one can be queen and one can live. The guards fix this by locking away one of them and making the other queen). 
Then, at the light of dawn, the former queen's personal guards enter the room. Whichever dragon is still alive becomes the new queen, having won the challenge through the blessing of Urumi.
=== The Guildleaders ===
==== War ====
==== Intertribal Affairs ====
==== Agriculture ====
==== Finance ====
==== Health and Education ====
==== Becoming a Guildleader ====
=== The Council ===
=== Law and Punishment ===
=== Other Officials or Positions of Power ===
Royal Archers
Stationed in the hidden attic of the throne room, the royal archers are a set of four elite BladeWings who can throw their scales in the blink of eye with pinpoint accuracy. They are believed to have been given a blessing by Urumi to do such things, and as such, serve as the second layer of protection for the queen (the first being the guards). Hidden by the two chandeliers are four small holes (two per chandelier), each archer stationed at a hole, where they have a view of the whole throne room together. Their job is to remain silent, hidden, and look for a specific signal by the queen that indicates to throw their scales and kill whomever she is talking to. The gesture is always a flick of the tail, pointed at the intended target.
The royal archers have a small say in politics, being allowed in meetings. They can freely suggest ideas, though they are rarely taken seriously, and are usually just there to sway the majority. Often their suggestions are about the average BladeWing life, not about a current war effort or anything relating to money, since the archers aren't treated as royals or guildleaders, only as slightly above average dragons who live in the queen's guild. 
The current royal archers are: Obsidian, Flint, Chert, and Stone.
Royal Astrologer
The only other high-profile position that can be filled by hybrids, the Royal Astrologer has two main jobs. They interpret the position of the stars into messages from Urumi, comparing with the queen before coming to a final decision on the message, and to track and time the next blood moon. The Royal Astrologer is one of the few dragons regularly allowed to invite outside dragons or leave the BladeWing territory to converse with other high-notch dragons. 
The current Royal Astrologer is Shuriken.
== Education ==
=== Schooling ===
=== Higher Education ===
==== Battle Scholar ====
==== Knowledge Scholar ====
==== Nursing Scholar ====
=== Army Training ===
== Culture ==
=== Naming ===
BladeWings are given names around the day they hatch, and like most tribes, the name assigned at birth sticks with them through their life. Some prefer to use nicknames (Example: A BladeWing named Morning Star may go by Star), but most of the tribe takes pride in their name, even if it's long, and wants everyone to say the full thing. BladeWing mothers choose the name of a dragonet, but if the mother is dead or abandoned her child, it goes to whichever BladeWing is going to raise the dragonet.
Names are commonly one word, and revolve around weapons. BladeWings may be named after weapons, parts of weapons, types of weapons, or types of metal (not gems, however). 
Examples: Kunai (A dagger-like tool that has been repurposed as a weapon), Halberd (A pole weapon with a large axe blade and spike at one end), Gold (A precious metal found underground)
=== Language ===
=== Religion ===
=== Society ===
=== Guild Behavior ===
=== Holidays ===
==== Silver Nights ====
==== Color Celebration ====
==== First Crowning ====
=== Food ===
==== Diet ====
==== Recipes ====
==== Feeding Habits ====
==== Hunting ====
==== Sacred Meals/Foods ====
=== Marriage ===
=== Dragonet Raising ===
Under normal circumstances, BladeWing dragonets often only know one of their parents. This happens from the parents not getting along well, or one of them being deceased as usual reasons. Other cases, such as both parents being deceased, at war, or unable to care for the dragonet, will leave them at the orphanages established in each guild by Guildmaster Nine-Life, though the one in the aforementioned Guild is the biggest of these.
Regardless of their caretaker, dragonet raising is much the same. For their first year of life, when they don't have sharp edges, they're being taught to speak, but roughly that's all. Once they have their sharp edges, though, that's when training for things starts. Firstly, all BladeWings under the age of eight have clear rubber guards for their wing edges until they have better control over their bodies and for safety reasons (also a thing Nine-Life did). But, for the first few years of their life, they're being taught to fly, basic fighting techniques, basic hunting methods, as well as learning the basic BladeWing values. Some dragonets are also taught to swim at this age, though it takes a lifetime of practice to be able to swim decently.
Once a BladeWing is four, they're enrolled in their schooling-something that is again mandated by Guildmaster Nine-Life in each Guild. These schools teach them more basic skills, such as reading and writing, but all have a heavy focus on sparring and basic anatomy as well. Once they start schooling, they're also taught about their keeled scales and how to use them properly.
=== Death ===
When a BladeWing dies, their body is treated differently depending on the way they died. 
If they died honorably, courageously in a fight, holding to what the tribe prizes and not giving up, they are given the highest honor in death. Their bodies are first set inside the Fortune House for three days, believed to let Urumi descend to collect their spirit and guide them to be seated next to her in the heavens. Then, the body is burned by some method, and the ashes are collected. These ashes are then spread around the Fortune House so that they may forever be near the most sacred place. 
If the BladeWing passed of a natural cause or in a simple way, they are simply burned and have their ashes scattered in the wind, their mark being left in the world but nothing memorable been done. They are seen as having been worthy by Urumi, but untimely ended by something else. Their spirit may find their way to her on it's own to prove to her one final time that they were, indeed, worthy.
If they died doing something against the tribe's beliefs, or in a way that would bring shame, they are instead stripped of their scales and taken to the ocean to sink and be forgotten. These dragons are seen as having been unworthy by Urumi, cursed to bring dishonor to the tribe and better of dead and forgotten. Their spirits shall remain trapped in the ocean forever, never to be united with their goddess.
Queens are treated similarly to the rest of the tribe, though unless they passed in the third mentioned way, their bodies will be presented for Urumi, burned, and the ashes spread around the Spire of Rulers. Additionally, a Queen who dies without contributing to the Spire of Rulers is dishonored and treated as if they'd broken the code.
== Relationships with Other Tribes (Canon) ==
=== MudWings (Neutral) ===
The BladeWings have mixed feelings with the MudWings. They think they're too soft and snuggly to be true warriors, and think the sibling bond is too strong and weakens them. However, their natural bulk and fighting drive to keep each other safe has something about it to be admired. To the BladeWings, the MudWings have glaring shortcomings, but the two have allied in the past and generally tend to get along.
=== SandWings (Neutral/Negative) ===
While the BladeWings and SandWings used to be on good terms and have even a possible alliance in the works when Oasis and Burn were in control of the stronghold, Thorn's takeover had her pull away from the cruel and bloodthirsty tribe. Queen Kunai absolutely despites them for this, and her hatred boils over into the rest of the tribe. While she won't go extreme lengths to the likes of Diamond and Vigilance, she thinks the SandWings have become soft and are more like 'overgrown lizards' than actual dragons.
=== SkyWings (Negative) ===
=== SeaWings (Neutral/Negative) ===
=== IceWings (Positive) ===
=== NightWings (Negative) ===
=== RainWings (Neutral) ===
=== SilkWings (Neutral/Negative) ===
=== LeafWings (Neutral/Negative) ===
=== HiveWings (Neutral/Positive) ===
== Relationships with Other Tribes (Fanon) ==
If you would like your fantribe to appear here, comment or send me a link to them on my Message Wall, along with a brief description of what relation you want and reasoning for why.
Currently . . . none! I'm not doing the 'canon' fantribes since I'd have to talk with their creators, and since the BladeWings are unofficial then it just doesn't really work out, y'know?
== Official Art ==
Official Art is the art created by me. Edited bases do not count as official art, even if I edited the base. Art currently in use on the page will not be here.
== Community Art ==
Community Art is any other references for the BladeWings, whether a base edited by someone or art created by someone other than me.
File:Screenshot 2023-02-18 2.54.07 AM.png|Art by Sel the Rainwing
== Bases ==
File:Static-assets-upload8722917909935182971.webp|Base by Nectarinne, Edited by Angel
Category:Tribes (Fanon)
Category:Work in Progress
Category:Content (Angel Of Madness 001)