The ScavengerWings

## History

In Pyrrhia, scavengers are generally thought of as irritating vermin or adorable pets. Very few dragons think of them as intelligent beings. Most don't even consider that as an option.
The ScavengerWings know differently.

At some point, a new tribe of dragons came into existence. They were clawless, benign, and had a strange interest in scavengers. The scavengers at first feared these dragons, but eventually, they saw that they were harmless beings.

## Location

ScavengerWings live amongst scavengers. They might live in the homes of the scavengers or in their own dwellings next to a Scavenger den, but always if there is a ScavengerWing, there is bound to be a scavenger nearby. The two species peacefully coexist with each other.

### Notable Landmarks

Due to the way that ScavengerWing society is structured, there is little opportunity and need for them to build grandiose fortresses or majestic palaces. The one exception to this would be nomadic ScavengerWings, who travel between scavenger settlements instead of permanently inhabiting any of them. Nomadic bands of ScavengerWings often create large monuments out of stone and timber to announce their presence within an area, and because of the sheer size of these monuments, they cannot be easily destroyed or removed. Many of them serve the purpose of landmarks to lost travellers.

## Biology and Physiology

### Eggs

The eggs of ScavengerWings are smooth and pale with a shimmering iridescence, not unlike that of an opal. They would look like giant chicken eggs if they didn't have that opalescent shine to it, but since they do, they are very clearly ScavengerWing eggs and not chicken eggs. These eggs hatch after a period of about a month.

### Lifespan

ScavengerWing dragonets grow quickly, quicker than dragonets from most other tribes. They are considered to be fully mature at four years of age. A ScavengerWing that has reached maturity will either stay in the region in which they were raised, or leave to start a band of their own.

### Appearance

ScavengerWings are sturdily-built, but they lack claws and sharp teeth. Their spine ridges are more spaced out and taller than the ridges of dragons from other tribes, so that scavengers can more easily wedge cargo or themselves between them for transportation. Additionally, ScavengerWings have long tails and wings that are large enough to rival those of SkyWings, for better flight when carrying heavy loads. They have horns which resemble the horns of a cow.

The scales of a ScavengerWing have color variations that change with each region, as they have been bred to camouflague into specific environments. This has made it so that the ScavengerWings in the mountains are as grey as mountain rock, while ScavengerWings in the desert will be as sandy-yellow as any Sandwing. However, the most common scale colours lean towards greens and browns.

### Abilities

Unlike other dragons, ScavengerWings do not have any special abilities that are unique to their tribe, although they do have fire. However, they do not so much as breathe fire as they belch it; they must deeply breathe in before expelling large embers from their mouth. Due to the noise, it is quite easy to predict when a ScavengerWing will release fire, and it likewise quite easy to stop them. To simply apply pressure to the throat of a ScavengerWing is enough to prevents their fire.

Asides from their fire, a ScavengerWing has few other powers at their disposal. In fact, they do not even have claws or sharp teeth, for these characteristics have been bred out. They do tend to be quite strong and durable, though.

### Diet

The ScavengerwWng diet is herbivorous, and consists largely of grains, roots, and nuts. They tend to graze or forage for food. Fruit is viewed as a dessert, not as part of a proper, nutritious meal.

## Culture

### Values

Selflessness. Loyalty. Free will and Choice.

#### Religion

Many ScavengerWings do not practice a religion, although some may imitate what the scavengers around them do. They generally hold the belief that scavengers are friends, however, and that because of their small size they should be helped.

### Traditions

ScavengerWings, despite being disconnected from one another, do have quite a few traditions.

#### Mating Traditions

They are not strictly monagamous. It is accepted if a ScavengerWing wishes to mate with more than one dragon, but consent is mandatory for all who are to be involved. Mating ceremonies are initiated when one ScavengerWing brings gifts of food to another and sings. The other may choose to not respond, which signals a declination, or they may sing back and sway in agreement.

While mating ceremonies are simple affairs, nest building is an elaborate and complicated task. Eggs are laid in nests made of whatever materials are readily available nearby. If a ScavengerWing lives in the rainforest, the nest is made of leaves and branches woven together, and decorated with bright flowers and curling vines. If they live in the mountains, the nest will be made from rubble rock, and decorated with stones that glitter with flecks and streaks of colour. Nests by the sea often have shells and seaweed and driftwood incorporated in them, and nests in the desert will have animal bones and desert flowers.

#### Funerary Traditions

Due to the physically demanding lifestyle that most ScavengerWings lead, they do not wear jewellery. In fact, the wearing of jewellery is associated with death. Those who are mourning the loss of family wear necklaces and headdresses. These most commonly include hair, if the deceased is a scavenger; or they include scales, if the deceased is a dragon. Funeral rites are held where those still living recount tales of the one who has passed, before either burying the corpse, or leaving it in an area exposed to the elements. The latter is most commonly practiced in the desert, the mountains, and along the coast, as the soil in these three areas tend to be unsuitable for burial.

Every equinox, all bands of ScavengerWings will gather with their neighbors to celebrate. Many paint themselves with bright colours to signify their joy.

## Society

### Government

There is no unified government for ScavengerWings. In this way, they are freer and more independent than dragons who might feel they owe fealty to their tribe. One would also think this meant ScavengerWings are more vulnerable than other dragons, as they have no group to rely on for support, but this is untrue.
Instead of turning to government for protection, what ScavengerWings tend to do is form bands of dragons, which are lovingly refered to as "families." A  small family might have six or seven members in it, while a large one can have over twenty.

#### Laws

While ScavengerWings do not have a unified government to answer to, all of them are taught the ScavengerWing Law Code at a very young age. The ScavengerWing Law Code is a set of advice that is meant to provide guidance in the life of a typical ScavengerWing..

1. Help the weak and those in need.
2. Upon entering a new region, pay your respects to the reigning authority and establish a good relationship.
3. In the case that the reigning authority is a tyrant, leave the region as soon as you can, and liberate any who suffer under the tyrant's rule if it is possible to do so.

### Family

For ScavengerWings, family is made with the ones you choose to be with. Whether the family is made of dragons, scavengers, or some other creature is inconsequential. Family should be loving and supportive, and it should produce considerate and responsible individuals. If ScavengerWings comes across abandoned or abused dragons, they will often attempt a rescue and adoption mission.

### Names

As dragonets, ScavengerWings are given temporary names that correspond with a defining trait of theirs. They can be called "Long-Horns" or "Spots," "Talkative" and "Prankster." They will never be described with a trait that is perceived as negative; no ScavengerWing dragonet will be named "Meanness," for example.

When an individual has gained enough awareness of their self, they will pick their own name. Often, they name themselves after traits that they admire, possess, or aspire to possess one day. Justice, Tenacity, Honor, Courage. What the scavengers call them are nicknames. In return, they nickname the scavengers.

## Intertribal Relations

ScavengerWings are treated by the other tribes much like how domestic housecats are treated by the Clan cats from the book series of *Warriors*. At best, they are considered odd and slightly frivolous, at worst, they are considered to be inferior and openly scorned.