

About once a month I will paint one new different subspecies from previous ones, and they will appear in Peter's series of books, more you can find here www.facebook.com/TheKingdomofR…







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SPECIES DESCRIPTION by Peter Fane





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Stone-skinned wyvern (“Rat Catcher,” “Town Culler,” “Mousebane,” or “Garden Drake”)

Unlike the vast majority of Dávanor’s lesser wyrms, the stone-skinned wyvern lives almost exclusively in urban habitats. These useful little dragons love fortresses, castles, and cities. Some wild broods populate the caves and mines of lower Kellor, but debate remains as to whether these congregations are native to these areas or if they were introduced by Dallanar engineers to clear the area of pests sometime after the Founding. Stone-skinned wyverns are one of the most common of Dávanor’s small breeds; they are known by many names, depending on locale.

Rat Catchers are almost never trained into service, although some notable exceptions to this rule have been made. When discovered, broods and individuals are typically left alone to keep their territory clean of vermin, a task at which they excel. Across Dávanor, the discovery of these little dragons in a home or garden is considered good luck. Although not particularly clever, when trained or raised from birth, a Catcher can be extremely effective eliminating rival messenger dragons, especially in urban environments. Catchers should never be lodged with any other smaller breeds; they are fiercely territorial and quite dangerous.

Catchers nest in small-sized broods. These will consist of one to two males, three to five females, and associated young. Foaling always takes place in the middle spring, but only if surplus food is available; catchers do not foal if food is scarce. A consistently small brood in a garden or courtyard virtually guarantees a vermin-free home. Nests are always tucked under eaves, built into hidden masonry crannies, or set beneath gutters; nests will almost always consist of mud and other detritus. Catchers will often “burrow” into human-made structures. A new nest will usually be just that. However, after several years this “nest” will slowly transform into a kind of “foyer” for the Catchers’ full quarters. Nests should not be disturbed. When a nest contains more than two mature males, the youngest will usually depart, taking with him one or two females to establish a new nest. Males and females share hunting, building, and child-rearing responsibilities. When food is plentiful, females will give birth to a single foal in a season.

As their common name suggests, Rat Catchers are entirely carnivorous. Large insects, mice, rats – all small mammals – are fair game. (It is with good reason that Davanórians do not keep cats or small dogs.) Catcher’s do not eat birds. The venom of a stone-skinned wyvern, delivered through their bite, is fast, painless, and lethal. While painful to adult or adolescent humans, a Catcher’s bite can be very dangerous to children and can result in developmental disorders. Catchers hunt at night and spend their day hours sleeping at perch, weather permitting

Typical colors: white and gray, sometimes mottled; Catchers will often take on the color of the masonry within which they live.

Typical wingspan: (f) 5-6 palms [ca. 35-40 cm]; (m) 6-7 palms [ca. 40-50 cm]

Typical length: (f) 6-7 palms [ca. 40-50 cm]; (m) 9-10 palms [ca. 65-70 cm]

Typical lifespan: 200-300 years

Horned? Yes.

Crested? Yes.

Toothed? Yes.

Venomous? Yes.