In general Dragon Wolves like to keep their affairs within their own species. They don't take well to intrusion upon their historic sites and pathways. They are large and some possess magical properties derived from the forehead gems they are occasionally born with.
There are four distinct types of dragon wolf which used to intermix freely before the domestic dogs began settling in the area and the war between the types began. Each type has very distinct coloring and some unique features and general personality quirks.
There are four distinct types of dragon wolf which used to intermix freely before the domestic dogs began settling in the area and the war between the types began. Each type has very distinct coloring and some unique features and general personality quirks.
~*~
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The general physical characteristics of dragon wolves are similar to timber wolves with minor variations between the sub types. Due to inter breeding of the types in the past these variations can sometimes be difficult to spot, though they have become more pronounced again the longer the types remain isolated from one another.
In addition to their wolf characteristics, they are also able to possess facial gems, two different types of wings and a few different varieties of horns. Dragon wolves can be born with all of these things, or none of them, but most of the time they are born with one or two in combination. *They are UNable, under normal circumstances, to be born with one of each wing type, or with one kind of horn on one side and another on the other.*
In addition to their wolf characteristics, they are also able to possess facial gems, two different types of wings and a few different varieties of horns. Dragon wolves can be born with all of these things, or none of them, but most of the time they are born with one or two in combination. *They are UNable, under normal circumstances, to be born with one of each wing type, or with one kind of horn on one side and another on the other.*
<>GEMS<>
Dragon wolves of all types can be born with or without facial gems. In some types a smooth or polished type of gem is more common and in other types a cut or jagged type is the norm. When a dragon wolf is born with a facial gemstone the stones impart some power to the possessor. These powers often have great influence over the personality, attitude and future of individuals born with them. Most often the power is primarily focused on strengthening characteristics of the wolf it is attached to, but in some cases the power is able to be projected onto others. Mostly the effects on others are positive, but occasionally a particularly potent projectable power when paired with a bad personality can be harmful toward others; this is rare, however.
Facial Gems are the most common dragon feature in dragon wolves across all types.
Facial Gems are the most common dragon feature in dragon wolves across all types.
@HORNS@
There are four general types of horns that dragon wolves may be born with. The shapes are somewhat hereditary but mixing the genes for two different types can spawn a wider range of expression in a litter. The primary categories of horns are:
Goat-style - short and straight, around 3/4 the height of erect ears.
Mountain Goat-style - long and straight, sometimes with a slight curve to them but no curve-back, usually 1.5-2x the length of ear.
Gazelle-style - can have a few variations of S curve to them, either straight back and down, or bowed out and then back in, 2x length of ear, sometimes longer, rarely shorter. They do not look quite this long due to the curves.
Ram-style - full curvature from top of head around back and returning to the front from below the ear.
There can be slight variations to these standards, particularly if the parents have (or carry) different horn types from one another.
All of the horn styles generally stop growing once the possessor has reached full maturity. It can be argued that they never completely stop growing, but rather they slow down to an almost unnoticeable rate, yet often they are worn down slightly with time so they never appear any longer. In some instances in very dominant males, or in extreme cases of elder dragon wolves the horns may continue to grow very noticeably. When this occurs the goat style horns can look like thinner mountain-goat style, the mountain goat-style may grow over the back in a majestic arch, gazelle-style may curve in and cross one another or curve down and out over the shoulders, and the ram-style may curve over into loose spirals that stick outward from the sides of the head.
Horns occur only slightly less often than facial gems and are equally common across all dragon wolf types.
Goat-style - short and straight, around 3/4 the height of erect ears.
Mountain Goat-style - long and straight, sometimes with a slight curve to them but no curve-back, usually 1.5-2x the length of ear.
Gazelle-style - can have a few variations of S curve to them, either straight back and down, or bowed out and then back in, 2x length of ear, sometimes longer, rarely shorter. They do not look quite this long due to the curves.
Ram-style - full curvature from top of head around back and returning to the front from below the ear.
There can be slight variations to these standards, particularly if the parents have (or carry) different horn types from one another.
All of the horn styles generally stop growing once the possessor has reached full maturity. It can be argued that they never completely stop growing, but rather they slow down to an almost unnoticeable rate, yet often they are worn down slightly with time so they never appear any longer. In some instances in very dominant males, or in extreme cases of elder dragon wolves the horns may continue to grow very noticeably. When this occurs the goat style horns can look like thinner mountain-goat style, the mountain goat-style may grow over the back in a majestic arch, gazelle-style may curve in and cross one another or curve down and out over the shoulders, and the ram-style may curve over into loose spirals that stick outward from the sides of the head.
Horns occur only slightly less often than facial gems and are equally common across all dragon wolf types.
~WINGS~
Dragon wolves may or may not be born with wings. When they are, the wings are fully functional for flight, except in special circumstances (runts or birth defects can happen which render the wings useless, but this is very rare). Most dragon wolf types have bat style wings. However, air type dragon wolves and their descendants have bird style wings. Wings are more common in some types than they are in others.
Across all types, except for air types, they are the least common dragon feature, in air types they happen in about 50% of offspring.
Across all types, except for air types, they are the least common dragon feature, in air types they happen in about 50% of offspring.
Shout out to the wonderful Aantlers (#223762) on Furry-Paws for the amazing bases for these technical drawings. The commission turned out exactly as I'd hoped it would and they will be infinitely helpful in illustrating the color and feature options of all the types of dragon wolves. The artist works quickly and is easy to communicate with. I would highly recommend!