The StoneWings

## History

The StoneWings say that the mountains delivered them.

They say that their first dragons hatched from stone eggs, the result of rubble rock piles melding together deep within the heart of the mountains. They say that three of these eggs were made, and from these three eggs hatched three dragons like themselves.

## Location

Deep within the mountains are complex cave systems that span for miles. Their convulated passages careen unpredictably and sometimes lead into wide, spacious caverns. Large cities are built here, ones made entirely of stone: imposing edifices with reinforced walls and fortified structures. Cities serve as centers of socialization, trade, and government, while families reside in the smaller nooks and acloves that sprawl out from them. These family dens are secure, sheltered places that are very snug and homey. They are decorated with rugs and cushions and plush covers, bright knickknacks and shiny trinkets, dried herbs and pressed flowers, etchings and illustrations, ceramics and fossils and animal bones. Of course, they are also festooned with extensive rock collections that contain rocks of every type and every interesting shape, pattern, and texture imaginable.

### Notable Landmarks

The StoneWing Kingdom has four major cities. The largest is in the capital, and is placed in the epicenter of the kingdom, while the three other cities form a ring around it. StoneWings call the capital the "Primary City," while the other cities are collectively known as the "Secondaries." Individually, the Secondaries have been named according to their locations in relation to the Primary City. There is West, North, and East.

**Stone Castle**

The Stone Castle is the

**Igneous Fortress**

The

**Sedimentary Fortress**

The Sedimentary

**Metamorphic Fortress**

The Metamorphic Fortress

## Biology and Physiology

### Eggs

StoneWing eggs are heavy, solid lumps shaped like uneven spheres. The shell is tough with an abrasive texture, and it is dull grey in colour. A mother StoneWing can only raise one dragonet at a time, so in the rare case that two eggs are laid, one will be sent to the hatchery to be adopted.

### Lifespan

StoneWing dragonets mature slower than dragons of other tribes. They are considered adults at around fifteen years of age. The oldest StoneWing was recorded to be 500 years old.

### Appearance

As hatchlings, StoneWings are smaller than adult scavengers, but they grow to be massive. Their bodies are large and thickset; with stout legs, craggy claws, and small, heavy wings. Their faces and snouts are broad, and their horns are stubby and cragged. Their backs are lined with jagged, crooked spines that continue down to their tail, which ends in a heavy club.
The usual coloration for StoneWings is grey, but it is not uncommon for them to have streaks and flecks and bands in a variety of colours. Their scales are hard and rough. Some have an unusual luster to them, particularly for dragons that were hatched in mineral deposits. StoneWing eyes are black, grey, brown, or a mixture of all three colours.

### Abilities

StoneWings are large and powerful dragons, but their wings are small in comparison to their body, and quite heavy, making flight for them virtually impossible. Instead, their wings can be used as shields, or to provide shade for others. Additionally, their scales are almost invulnerable, and they can use their claws, horns, and tail to deal heavy damage.
StoneWings are born with poor vision, as it becomes quite useless in dark caves. They rely on their heightened senses of smell, touch, and hearing in order to better understand their surroundings.

### Diet

Although StoneWings eat very little, their diet is incredibly diverse. Anything from carrion and bones to dirt will be consumed, as long as it is digestible and nontoxic. After eating, they can be seen swallowing stones afterwards. These gastroliths have been purported to aid digestion and help keep balance within their bodies. There is no scientific evidence to support this, but the practice also does not seem to have ever harmed any StoneWings.

## Culture

### Beliefs

According to StoneWing beliefs, the first dragons hatched from great boulders, deep underneath the mountains.

### Traditions

Courtship and marriage are ceremonies that require much effort.

## Society

### Government

StoneWings are ruled by a queen, who has historically been called The Mother Rock. She has control over all aspects of government, but often consults with a council called The Foundation before making decisions. The Foundation is comprised of nine dragons, who are further separated into three groups called Claws. The Foundation Claws are titled as Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. Dragons from The Foundation are often without families, so that they may have more time to help govern the tribe. However, one dragon from each Claw must have a daughter, who will be raised by whichever Claw her parent is in. This is so that if a situation ever arises where The Mother Rock is unable to produce an heir, the daughters of the Claws may act as contenders for the throne.

### Family

The family is considered to be the center of a StoneWing's life. They mate for life and have very close nuclear families, and dragonets are expected to be raised by both parents. Those who wish to start a family but are unable to lay an egg can easily adopt an egg from the hatchery. StoneWings who do not have or want families find lodging in the cities. Many of these StoneWings devote their time to studying a profession and bettering their tribe.

### Names

Different types of rocks serve as the main inspiration behind the majority of StoneWing names. A dragonet called "Basalt" or "Slate" is perfectly acceptable. Females are named after igneous rocks, while male names are seen to be more sedimentary rock. Metamorphic rocks are used for StoneWings who have experienced great change, and feel the need to choose a new name to signify that change.

It is only royalty who are named after rock formations.

## Intertribal Relations

Many dragons believe StoneWings to be slow, lazy brutes who have no interest in bettering themselves. This is of course untrue, as many stereotypes are. However, StoneWings do nothing to dispel these myths, as they do not care about what the other tribes think of them. They stay within their territory and do not fight unless provoked.