Male Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Kuanos Crystalwing
Birthday: Monday, May 15, 2017
Owner: Lia
Element: Earth/Air
Kuanos crystalwings sequester their eggs in small cavities in the rock in environments which are a stable temperature year-round. Unlike other dragons, kuanos crystalwings will leave their eggs unsupervised for weeks at a time, relying on their lack of scent and inaccessibility to keep them safe from would-be predators. The crystalwing eggs take up to a year to hatch, but when the time comes for the hatchling to emerge, the parents will stick close, watching attentively for any signs of movement. The hatchlings are small and dull at first, but rapidly begin to show their colors within their first few hours out of the egg. Those which hatch in complete darkness are said to have almost no pigmentation, but the magi who seek out these eggs have reported no relation between the brightness of kuanos crystalwings and whether they hatch near the surface. The hatchlings themselves are highly precocious, able to climb around on near-vertical rock faces to lick minerals from vugs and veins. In order to ensure they receive the proper nutrients they need to grow strong, their parents will occasionally venture to the surface in search of special clays and muds to supplement their hatchlings' diets.
Kuanos crystalwings are rare at the surface, preferring to dwell in the depths of the Caves of Nareau and other caves along the Alasre Mountain Range. They are typically small, reaching only a few handspans on average, but exceptionally old specimens have been reported deep within caves which are large enough to be ridden by children. Docile animals, kuanos crystalwings keep to themselves most of the time, nibbling on gems of corundum, hornblende, and staurolite far from the prying eyes of explorers and magi, but if cornered or their families are put at risk, kuanos crystalwings will readily turn to the offensive and lash out at aggressors with sharp talons and powerful jaws. Their wings look thin and delicate, but they are rigid and glass-sharp on the sides, easily able to cut potential threats to slivers with a few quick swipes. The wings of kuanos crystalwings are most unusual for their strength varies depending on their direction. A blow to the side of each feather will deal little damage, but a well-placed arrow to the flat of the wing will cause the feathers to shatter into millions of pieces. For this reason, the crystalwings usually keep their delicate wings folded and out of harm's way, unveiling them only if they must fly to escape harm or fight a deadly opponent.
Sprite art: Mysfytt (hatchling) | Description: PKGriffin