Aratidae

### Physical Appearance

Aratidae stand between 1.4 and 2.4 meters. The backs of these dragons are covered in thick carapace, while their belly and tails are made of softer plating. They have a single pair of wings with often hooked talons and three pairs of forelimbs. Two of these are used in locomotion, with nimble fingers and wide feet to help grip their thick webs, even allowing them to move upside down. The frontmost pair of limbs is bladed, which are used to lash out and grip prey like mantids. The tails of these dragons are long and versatile, allowing them to easily position the silk glad at its tip. This gland produces silk strong enough to carry tens of dragons if woven together correctly. Aratidae have a crest of sever horns crowning their head which can bend and twist however. Their seven eyes can move independently of each other and allow them to scan the area in all directions, except for a small blind spot directly behind them. Instead of a regular jaw with teeth, these dragons have three pairs of mandibles tipped with large fangs. These can spread apart like the jaws of a snake and properly bite whatever is unfortunate enough to get too close, injecting a dangerous substance that slowly melts their prey. This allows the dragon to easily swallow the mushy remains.

### Coloration

The most common colors for Aratidae are browns, greys, and blacks, interspersed with shocks of other, brighter colors as a warning sign to whoever might be looking to pick a fight. Red is most common, but yellow, blue or even green isn't unheard of either. However, sometimes, an Aratidae may be born bright pink for no apparent reason. Most Aratidae view this as a curse as it actively interferes with their ambush based hunting strategies and therefore very few take it upon themselves to actually raise a pink hatchling.

*For more information on how to design an Aratidae, go here.*

### Territory and Culture

Aratidae inhabit the eastern part of the Broken Isles, Loca Alta. They make their homes in the caves, cliffs, and crevices of their mountain range. They fill these areas with webs going in all directions, creating an infinite number of walkways. The attach woven hammocks to the ceiling of their chambers and use them as a bed for both themselves and their young. They catch whatever wanders into their lairs or, more commonly, go out and hide in trees, webbing and snatching up whatever passes close enough. These dragons also love frogs. Some farm the great rock toads for food while others keep tiny tree frogs as pets and companions. Aratidae live in small family groups, often consisting of no more than five or six individuals. They often cooperate with other Aratidae close to them but typically still enjoy their personal space.

Due to their lack of conventional mouthparts, these dragons cannot speak. They communicate with each other in one of two ways. If the Aratidae they're trying to talk to is on the same web as them, they pluck the individual strings of their web and the other individual knows how to read the vibrations. Or they can use the bladed parts of their frontmost limbs to make sound. By rubbing them together like a bow on a string these dragons can string together complex sentences other Aratidae understand. To anyone else it just sounds like music. Due to this Aratidae as a whole have trouble interacting with other species, as even if they know how to understand the common tongue very few can do the same for their language. This has led to many, many conflicts, along with the fact that Aratidae, while tolerating each other, are often outright hostile to other species encroaching on Loca Alta. And out of all these they seem to despise Rophalomorpha the most, actively engaging in bloody combat where their lands border.

### Relationship with Patron

Aratidae have a great history woven around their god, with countless myths and legends. They take great care when writing stories, depicting the Fallen as an all powerful force that has the ability to tear the very heavens apart. His general neutrality on everything can only be explained as a test. This land was given to them to guard, so they will play sentinel against those who encroach on their land, until eventually they prove themselves strong enough. To die protecting your homeland is viewed as the greatest honor and many Aratidae believe that the souls of these warriors are lifted from their bodies with their last breath to soar side by side with the Fallen and look after the rest of their ilk from above.