Moonviper Appearance
Typical Moonvipers
A typical moonviper; art by J-Haskell
Basic Traits
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Moonvipers have long, serpentine bodies with short, broad wings and four short legs. They have fish-like fins on their cheeks, back, and on their 'whiskers', which can be moved and wriggled with surprising dexterity. The fins running along their spine are made of tiny, delicate and highly flexible bones that connect to muscles above their vertebrae.
Moonvipers are known for their extreme length, being longer than any other dragon species when compared to their height. The average moonviper is about 40’ long - with only 15’ being from their nose to hips, and the remaining 25’ being just their tail. The average wingspan is ~26’6. Their scales are sleek with a velvety texture, and while most commonly silver or grey, can be the colour of any metal. For example, there are black, lead-coloured, blue cobalt-coloured, gold-coloured, green or blue patina-coloured, or even copper-coloured moonvipers. They may have a variety of markings, in the same variety of colours, from subtle gradients to banding and barring on their wings and scales. Moonvipers have pupilless blue-black eyes, teeth, bones and blood. This is due to the fact that they have hemocyanin, rather than hemoglobin, in their blood - an adaptation that helped them survive when they lived in the Frozen Gates to the north, long, long ago. |
Eggs & Hatchlings
Moonviper eggs are small. between 1 and 2’ in diameter, and perfectly round, milk-pale in colour with no markings save for faint brown or grey spotting. Their eggs are filled with a black, syrupy fluid that dries clear. They need to be misted or kept in water, and the hatchling within will die if the egg dries out before hatching.
Hatchlings are just over 1’ at hatching, and on average grow about 3’ per year, reaching their full adult size at 16. While growing up, they shed their skin every time they’ve increased in size a decent amount, and throughout their childhood will usually molt at least once a year until they’re 16 years old. They get their full venom at age 10.
Hatchlings are just over 1’ at hatching, and on average grow about 3’ per year, reaching their full adult size at 16. While growing up, they shed their skin every time they’ve increased in size a decent amount, and throughout their childhood will usually molt at least once a year until they’re 16 years old. They get their full venom at age 10.
The Moon Children
The Moon Children are moonvipers who have been blessed by their goddesses, the Moon Sisters. To become a Moon Child, their egg is placed upon a moondial and left to be nurtured by 'moonlight alone'. Despite the heavy layers of frost that grow around the egg during the months it is left in the cold, a healthy young moonviper will hatch.
While mostly resembling normal, if very pale, moonvipers, Moon Children have red eyes with black pupils and sclera, and round, white 'moons' spotting the edges of their wings. The Moon Children are respected by the followers of the Moon Sisters, and often receive gifts of stone jewelry and rare fruits when they pass through towns where the Sisters are recognized. Moon Children often draw further attention to their status by wearing moon-shaped jewelry. |
A Moon Child; art by J-Haskell
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