MudWing

**MudWings**

## Description

MudWings are various shades of earthy colors, such as oranges, ambers, and various shades of brown, including many shades of ginger, ochre, reddish-brown, orange-brown, and chocolate-brown. They have thick, armored scales, flat snouts, nostrils on top of the snout, thick, curved horns, broad, flat heads, and large, strong, muscular, robust, and crocodile-like bodies. Some MudWings may have odd markings, such as dappled scales, or gold or amber underscales, which are more visible in the sunlight. MudWing eggs range from reddish-orange to greenish-brown.

## Abilities

Like NightWings, SkyWings, and SandWings, MudWings can breathe fire, but only if the temperature is warm enough. For example, if a MudWing is in an area in which the temperature is cool, or if they are manually cooled down through ice (typically from an IceWing's frostbreath), they will not be able to use their fire. They are the only known tribe that has this requirement.

Because of their brown/orange-brown color range, MudWings can also blend into large mud puddles, somewhat like crocodiles. When they do this, they often have their eyes and snout out of the mud, so they can breathe and see what’s around them. In case they are drowned in or under the mud puddles, MudWings also have the ability to hold their breath for up to an hour, though it’s possible that this ability develops as the dragon grows, or that the breathing time is shortened if the dragon starts to panic.

MudWings are normally viewed as stronger than other tribes in terms of body structure, most likely because of their large, broad tail, and their muscular talons. There has been no known MudWing with animus magic. However, if a member of the tribe hatches on the Brightest Night, they will be immune to fire. This ability can be strengthened and sped up if the dragon puts mud on the wound.

## Diet

MudWings are omnivores, but they prefer meat over fruits and vegetables.

## Society

### Sleephouses

Sleephouses, like the name implies, are tall, strong dens that MudWings sleep in. They are mainly consisting of mud that was molded before it dried up into a structure, similar to clay. Sleephouses seemed to be big enough to fit a whole MudWing sibling troop, although Cattail told Clay that there was no room for “clingy little dragonets.”

### Sibling Bonds, Mates, Troops

Usually, the dragonet whose egg was laid first is the biggest dragonet in a MudWing clutch of eggs. So, when that dragonet hatches, they help their siblings hatch, too, by breaking their eggshells. That “biggest” MudWing dragonet would be known as the bigwings, and the group of dragonets in that same clutch would be known as sibs, short for “siblings.” The bigwings and their sibs together would be known as a troop, with the bigwings taking care of and leading the troop. The troop dragons would fight together, and for each other. If even one dragon in that troop dies or is captured, they would feel very down.

Every month, adult MudWings in the Mud Kingdom would come together, mate, and lay a clutch of eggs. Oftentimes, the mates would forget each other, and if they do remember, then they wouldn’t care. MudWings dragons mostly stay loyal to their own troops. This was sometimes known as a disadvantage by the IceWings, although the tribe *had* survived about 18 years of war without being completely wiped out.

### Stereotypes

MudWings born in/near the Diamond Spray Delta are considered lower in rank than those born in the south, near Queen Moorhen’s Palace. In The Dragonet Prophecy, Queen Scarlet had mentioned, “But again, MudWings aren’t known for their brains.” This may imply that other tribes don’t think of MudWings as very smart. MudWings were also known to farm and raise crops in the Mud Kingdom, hinting that they may also be agricultural.

## Known Dragons

Clay (MudWing Dragonet of Destiny)

Reed (Clay’s brother)

Sora (Clay’s sister)

Crane (Clay’s sister, deceased)

Umber (Clay’s brother)

Marsh (Clay’s brother)

Cattail (Clay’s mother)

Asha (Clay’s aunt, Cattail’s sister, chosen MudWing guardian for the Dragonets of Destiny)

Newt (attending Jade Mountain Academy)

Sepia (attending Jade Mountain Academy)

Moorhen (current queen of the MudWings)

Crane (historical queen of the MudWings)

Gharial (Crystal’s soon-to-be husband)

Crocodile (former member of the Talons of Peace, secretly allied with Blister)