FrostWalkers

### Physical Appearance

FrostWalkers stand between 1.4 and 2.3 meters in height, their relatively large size helping conserve warmth in their frigid environment. These dragons have long, slender limbs and big feet to disperse their weight better and allow them to run on snow without sinking in. All individuals regardless of gender have a pair of antlers that can vary wildly in shape and size. Their sclera are dark to prevent snow blindness, their ears often large and plumed and their teeth protruding to make it difficult for prey to escape once caught. FrostWalker wings are peculiar, as their membrane is segmented, with the individual planes layered under each other. This helps conserve energy in powered flight as the membrane splits and lowers air resistance on the upstroke and closes up again and provides lift on the downstroke. These dragons have three layers of protection against the cold. Despite their slim appearance there is a thick layer of heavily compressed fat below their skin. This compression is also what allows them to breath their frigid ice breath, as their frostbearer organ within their chest pressurizes gas into liquid form and bringing it to an acceptable temperature. When expelling it, the liquid quickly expands and vaporizes, creating a blast of frost that can give severe frostbite to regular creatures with a single touch. Due to the nature of the weapon, it typically takes some time to recharge every few blasts. These dragons also have a thick layer of down feathers which further insulate them growing below the plates of their body. This is what gives most FrostWalkers their typically spikey appearance, as their entire body, save for the head, are covered in a layer of individually manipulatable spikes and plates. They grant both protection and further warmth. Especially as these dragons are semi aquatic, holding their breath for up to an hour, the spikes help seal air in and keep the down dry, ensuring they don't freeze.

### Coloration

When a FrostWalker hatches, it is always covered in pure white feather. The color helps them blend in while the family hunts and the feathers keep them warm. It also keeps the hatchling aloft, should it fall into water. As the dragon ages, it's feathers grow smaller, more like down, and are covered in their thick spines. At this point the FrostWalker is old enough to take to the sky, which protects them from snow stalkers, which are the only predators that can rival adult dragons. Due to this, camouflage becomes less important and the dragons branch out into many different possible colors. While cool and light colors are the most common, it's not unheard of for FrostWalkers to possess darker patterns and a variety of colors. The soft down below their scales can also change in color, though it typically stays one solid color.

*For more information on how to design a FrostWalker,* go here*.*

### Territory and Culture

FrostWalkers inhabit the Crystal Expanse, an area made almost entirely out of pure tundra. They often fish for food or, if the opportunity presents itself, hunt larger game like seals or polar bears. These dragons have no centralized government, instead they live in small family groups or villages dotted all across the territory. The packs are all very diverse in beliefs and rich in folklore, often passing the time by telling stories to each other within homes dug and built of ice and whale bone. They plan hunts, builds, migrations, and everything else amongst their own groups and focus heavily on collaboration as no one can survive the harsh environment alone. This often splits groups into two main categories. There are those who stick together regardless of circumstance, often forcing the whole group into periods of famine or disease as they refuse to abandon their weakest links, and those who will do anything to ensure the survival of the pack, even leave or exile family members they deem a problem. This practice often causes outrage amongst other groups as ages ago the Jade Serpent, in exchange for giving them a body that can brave the winter's chill and guiding them in place of the sun during their long nights, asked only for them to remain loyal to each other. But in the end both sides know who would win in an outright conflict so its best to look the other way and hope the Jade Serpent eventually intervenes before tensions rise even further. Legends say that a dragon who slays a brother becomes *Karuu,* a wandering spirit cursed to walk the lands during the long night, watching from the darkness, forever banished from the warmth of companionship and damned to an existence of eternal bloodlust. They feed on grief and anger and attempt to tempt others onto the same path. But the winter is cruel, the expanse unforgiving. Sometimes, death is the only answer to spare someone needless suffering. Those who damn themselves to save another become *Mi're,* who tug your tail when a Snow Wraith swims up behind you or leave footprints back to camp when you're lost in a snowstorm. When the winds of the long night howl, it is said that a *Mi're* attempts to warn you, for *Karuu's* hungry maw is never far. Whether there is any truth to these tales is debatable, for there surely are many dragons in the expanse with blood on their claws who still walk unpunished.

### Relationship with Patron

The FrostWalkers respect and admire the Jade Serpent, who steadily coils amongst the stars above them. Most of their morals stem from what the Serpent told them when they came looking for him during the Age of Frost, ever eager to please their patron. They feel a bond with him on an individual basis and often openly voice their troubles to him in private. They say he always sends you a sign, you just have to know how to recognize it. As such, some FrostWalkers decide to train specifically to become the Serpent's voice, a highly respected position within the family for they're also often the most well versed in the art of healing.