SkyWings

**SkyWings**, also known as **mountain dragons, sky dragons,** or **fire dragons** to humans, are a Pyrrhian dragon tribe living in the mountains on the "wing" of Pyrrhia. They are currently ruled by Queen [name].

## Description

SkyWings are based on traditional Western dragons. They have red, crimson, orange, or yellow scales. SkyWings typically have yellow, orange, or amber eyes. SkyWing scales are "jewel-hard." They also have the largest wings of any tribe, and long, curved horns on their heads. Most SkyWing snouts are thin and long, with a nose-spike, and an extra horn on their jaw. SkyWing eggs are pale red, orange, or red-gold.

Most known SkyWings have stereotypically been portrayed as short-tempered, militaristic, grumpy, mean, and fond of violence.

## Diet

SkyWings are shown to eat scavengers, mountain goats, chicken, foxes, deer, bobcats, cows, pigs, sheep, birds, and rodents. They have been shown to eat roasted seagulls. SkyWings also grow their own crops.

## Abilities

SkyWings are the fastest fliers of any dragon tribe due to their enormous wings and endurance, and they are built for flying longer distances because of their stamina. SkyWing dragonets also learn to fly at a fairly young age. They are capable of breathing fire and are considered powerful fighters. They can see farther and have better cold resistance than most tribes, excluding IceWings.

SkyWings, like other fire-breathing tribes, can hold their fire until it's at maximum temperature.

A SkyWing dragonet in a twin egg may develop a condition known as firescales. This is when a dragon has "too much fire," causing their scales to be incredibly hot to the touch, and burn almost instantly. Firescales are much hotter than the average dragon's fire, and cannot be harmed by IceWing frostbreath. In addition, any rain that comes into contact with a firescales dragon will immediately evaporate into steam. Firescales may occur when one twin "sucks the fire" out of the other, leaving the non-firescales twin fireless and much sicklier. Due to the dangerous nature of this condition, SkyWings traditionally kill dragonets hatched with firescales by dropping them off of tall mountains.

Firescales dragons are immune to frostbreath and are often difficult to injure due to weapons melting or burning before or on contact. Frostbreath causes temporary numbness to firescales dragons when they are hit.

#### Animus magic

SkyWings had animus magic during or prior to the ancient years, and would kill animus dragonets by dropping them off a cliff due to possessing this dangerous power, the same way they kill firescales dragonets. They have not had an animus dragon in centuries.

In the ancient years, however, Pyre and his brother, Kite, were animus dragons, and succeeded in keeping this hidden. Kite was later killed after their secret was found, though, whilst Pyre managed to escape to the NightWing kingdom, thus causing the NightWing-SkyWing war.

## Society

SkyWings are regarded as grumpy and aggressive by other tribes. SkyWings have orchestras who perform music during celebrations. SkyWings dance, sing, and clap wings at parties.

Even in times of general peace, SkyWings still had minor skirmishes with IceWings and SandWings.

They do not tolerate dangerous differences in the kingdom. As such, they kill animus dragons and firescales dragonets as soon as they are discovered. SkyWings also kill dragons for having too little fire as well.

Most SkyWing dragonets are raised in a Wingery. The Wingery is a place for young dragonets to grow and play. As SkyWings learn flight early in their lives, the Wingery contains a place for dragonets to practice.

SkyWings have a traditional, ceremonial burial system, which consists of wrapping a deceased dragon's body in white cloth and offering it to the sky for seven days before being burned. This allows the dragon's spirit to fly free, reincarnating into a SkyWing instead of a dragon from any other tribe. A cave near the peak of Jade Mountain is a notable location where SkyWings have held this ceremony.

## Names

SkyWings can be named after mountain-dwelling creatures or birds, features of the landscape, gemstones or minerals, actions during flight, shades of red and orange, and generic fire-related words.

Click here for a list of known SkyWings.

## Trivia

* A SkyWing's hearing is said to be sharper when they are flying.
* SkyWings were described as "the friendly tribe" in the ancient years.
* SkyWings make a particular hissing noise before breathing fire. This same hissing noise can be used as a threat of anger, or of a respectful noise.
* SkyWings prefer to live high among the peaks in their kingdom, instead of down lower.