Catastrophic Quaken

The **Catastrophic Quaken** is a medium-large Stoker Class dragon that lives on rocky terrain.

## Official Description

Strong and bulking, the Catastrophic Quaken relies on its size as the ultimate defense mechanism. When threatened, its immediate reaction is to enter protective mode and roll into a ball like a giant armadillo. Once secured into this position, it quickly takes the offense, smashing into the ground to create huge shockwaves they will knock dragons down whether they are on land or airborne. A lack of human interaction has made these dragons cautionary over time, but in the modern age, they are slowly becoming less stony and more caring.

## Physical Appearance

### Egg

A Catastrophic Quaken's egg is spherical with a ridge of spikes along a central line. The colors are brown and pale tan, arranged in a pattern similar to that seen on the underwings of an adult Catastrophic Quaken. The egg has a pebbled surface mimicking dragon hide. The egg is also portrayed as having a thin golden haze rising from its surface.

### Hatchling to Adult

The Catastrophic Quaken has a compact body shape, covered with short spikes all over its body, ending in a thick stubby tail with a single long spike with the appearance of a rapier or stinger. The spikes not only protect it from attack when its curled in a ball but also help it to grip on the ground when it rolls, giving it more control and even allowing it to roll uphill when in a ball. Additionally, it has one pair of small wings compared to its bulky body. The Quaken’s thick pebbled hide typically comes in earthen colors such as browns and grays.

One of the most notable physical characteristics of the Catastrophic Quaken is its bifurcated lower jaw - when opening it’s mouth not only does the mandible move away from the skull, but also the left and right sides move away from each other. The tongue is likewise almost split into two equal halves to fit each side of the mandible, only becoming whole at its root at the back of the mouth. It's speculated this is to aid in its diet. Not only does the 3-point bite help hold boulders in place when in the jaws, but it also allows the Catastrophic Quaken a better chance at finding the points in the rock where the rock is weak and will break apart more easily.

## Abilities

### Firepower

Catastrophic Quakens, like most Boulder Class dragons, eat rocks. Their love for the geological material derive from their habitat in rocky terrains where they roam and pick up sustenance while traveling. Though Quakens typically rely on other defensive and offensive abilities, if needed they are able to disgorge these rocks as molten lava.

### Volvation

     Catastrophic Quakens possess the unique ability to tightly coil themselves into a spherical shape closely resembling a boulder. This enables them to execute both offensive maneuvers and swift locomotion by rolling. While in this rolled state, they have the capability to forcefully collide with the ground, generating powerful shockwaves that can topple over dragons, humans, and objects in their vicinity, both on the ground and in the air. The volvated Quakens' remarkably sturdy hide grants them exceptional resistance to attacks, even when confronted with the formidable firepower of numerous dragons.

### Strength and Endurance

Catastrophic Quakens are very strong. They can easily break through rock walls, boulders, and other geologic formations with ease. Quakens are also one of the few dragon species able to damage marble block with sheer brute strength, where other dragons' firepower and strength fail.

    The Catastrophic Quaken has one of the toughest non-adorned skins of the dragon world. This ability is augmented when rolled in a ball. They are able to withstand the firepower of other dragons, even a Night Fury's plasma blast. Smashing into rock at a high speed does not appear to cause harm, and they are able to withstand living in and around the high temperatures and molten magma of volcanic chambers. Even their eggs are able to survive intact in a magmic environment or the corrosive belly of a Gronckle.

### Camouflage

Most Catastrophic Quakens are various shades of brown and grey, and appear very rock-like. They blend in well with rocky surroundings, especially when remaining motionless. Even their eggs are mistaken for rocks by some predatory dragons.

### Vibration Detection

Quakens are very sensitive to the vibrations and respond accordingly. These dragons use vibrations to communicate with each other - but humans can do the same. The most common way to subdue Quakens, discovered by Dragon Hunters, is to use a large hammer to slam the ground to force them into mining or warfare work. However, soft vibrations can be used to calm these dragons and make them more cooperative to commands.

## Weaknesses

Due to their massive size, Catastrophic Quakens can get easily trapped in tight spaces. For example, if a Quaken fell between two walls of rock with little space between them. In order to have enough strength to rupture rock faces, Quakens must utilize a running or flying start to achieve enough force.

## Behavior and Personality

    The Catastrophic Quaken is described in some texts as the *bully of the dragon world*. This may be due to their extreme territorial and solitary nature, even with other dragon species. While they can initially be rather hostile, this dragon can become rather friendly and loyal at times.

These dragons surround their nests with large boulders in order to protect them from other dragons, rather like a fort barricade. Quaken eggs explode, so before the dragons hatch, the parents will reinforce the barricade as a precaution. Quakens do not mate for life, but they will raise the hatchlings together for about 3-4 months before parting ways, the babies going with the mother until they're ready to head out on their own.

Quakens communicate with sound and movement. One communication signal is by stomping. However, researchers are unable to suss out specific meanings and mistakes signals for greeting for displaying anger.

## Training

Due to their reclusive behavior, Quakens are hard to train. However, once a trainer asserts a certain level of trust with the dragon, as well as befriends them, Quakens are easy to train and will not hesitate to help the trainer too. They are also professed to be extremely loyal once their trust has been earned.

In addition, Quakens can be easily trained in the face of an authority. This higher authority, however, must be based on mutual respect and trust, instead of a strict demanding force, or the Quaken will simply ignore any commands. Vibrations from an axe or hammer hitting the ground would work.

## Trivia

* The Catastrophic Quaken is originally from the How To Train Your Dragon universe.
* Quakens that have had positive human contact have shown to possess more empathy to other creatures and dragons in the wild.

## Gallery

A light brown Catastrophic Quaken©MoxieMooo©grm1978Two Quakens destroying a marble fortA Catastrophic Quaken rollingQuaken crashing into the ground to create a shockwave
## Image Sources

1. Shake Rattle and Roll by Volatic-Soda on DeviantArt
2. A Dragon for Week 58 - Catastrophic Quaken by MoxieMooo on DeviantArt
3. The last time you saw a boulder roll uphill? by grim1978 on DeviantArt