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concernedlogic · 6 days ago

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Wings of Fire Worldbuilding: Tribes and adaptations

Below are some headcanons for adaptations each tribe has to survive in their environment! Note: These do not include any magic-based tribe traits (Breaths, leaf speak, NightWing magic, etc)

SeaWings

Habitat: Various Marine

Gills allow for breathing underwater

Lungs and ribcage able to collapse under pressure

High levels of O2 bound in hemoglobin and myoglobin in muscles

Buoyancy is reduced due to the collapse of lungs, saving energy for moving back to the surface

Have both antifreeze proteins in their blood (like alligatorfish) and blubber layers to cope with freezing temperatures

Streamlined bodies for energy efficiency

Lateral line sensory organs (like in sharks and fish), as well as barbels on chin and/or vibrissae on face allow for individuals to pick up on nearby vibrations in low light

Nostrils positioned on the top of their face able to close to block water from entering

Large, dense kidneys to process salt

Inner ear between the tympanum and cochlea fills with blood, allowing for good hearing underwater (fluid-fluid-fluid transfer, rather than fluid-air-fluid which would result in poor hearing while underwater as is the case with humans)

Large eyes and pupils for low-light environments

tapetum lucidum ("eyeshine") allows for ample opportunity for eyes to receive and process light

Rapid dilation of pupils allows for SeaWings to see both above and below water

More rod cells, which allow for better night vision

Semi-flattened limbs allow for stability and speed in swimming

Powerful, muscled tails allow for strong, fast swimming

High blood volume for more oxygen

Able to do anaerobic respiration when holding their breath. While they breathe with their gills, if they're in a low-oxygen environment, they can also use anaerobic respiration when needed

Large body to minimize heat loss

Countercurrent heat exchange allows for hot arterial blood to warm cold venous blood to prevent thermal shock

Curved jaw tip aids in catching prey

Webbed talons

High aspect ratio wings- active soaring, Long, narrow wings for long-distance flight over water, pointed tips (Albatross, gull, gannet-like wings)

Bioluminescent scales that can be turned on and off for communication

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

SandWings

Habitat: Various Arid, including Desert and Xeric Shrubland

Naturally high body temperature, increases thermal tolerance and forces them to go to shade only when the air temperature is greater than their internal temperature

Reduced resting metabolic rate (Their metabolism is naturally low) reduces energy costs in a low-productivity environment where regaining lost energy is difficult. This also reduces the amount of water lost due to slower breathing

Smaller clutch sizes and long dragonet development period

Lower oxygen use

Most active in the dawn and dusk, often avoiding the hottest parts of the day

Large "sails" along their body and large ears allow for thermoregulation to keep cool

Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare

Don't excrete wet waste to conserve water

Long legs and lean bodies

Stinger that can inject venom which grows more potent with age

High endurance

Light coloration reflects light and keeps them cool

Wide-set talons prevent sinking in sand and aid in digging

Low aspect ratio passive soaring wings that are long and broad with "fanned" junctions/slots at the tips. The slots allow for soaring without reliable wind currents, instead rising on warm air. (Eagle, vulture, hawk-like wings)

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Nictitating membranes and thick eyelashes to protect the eye

SkyWings

Habitat: Alpine and Subalpine

Long tails

Larger lungs and hearts than other tribes to optimize oxygen in low-oxygen environments

Higher resting metabolic rate allows for increased breathing rates and increased oxygen intake

High levels of hemoglobin in blood to bind more oxygen

High oxygen extraction in lungs due to cross-current exchange (air passing over the lungs during both inhale and exhaling as well as gradient of oxygen through blood to maximize intake)

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Some individuals may possess thick fur or feather-like scales on some or all of their body, providing insulation in frigid temperatures

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare

Roughly scaled skin along the bottom side of their talons aids in gripping stone and their talons are spread relatively wide to provide balance

Higher body temperatures, though not as high as SandWings

Fairly low center of gravity due to stocky bodies and legs

Thick, well muscled upper bodies

IceWings

Habitat: Arctic including Tundra and Taiga

Shorter snout and ears to preserve heat

Serrated claws for moving across ice

Semi-ectothermic meaning they need to regulate their temperature manually by basking, or in most cases, moving to cooler climates. They can warm themselves up through their metabolism (muscle movement, digestion, etc), but it's not easy for them like in most of the other tribes. As a result, they, despite their extreme climate, can tolerate and adapt to warmer climes when needed, though many prefer to stay in cold regions. Additionally, in warmer climates, their internal temperature is often too high for them to produce frost breath

Some individuals may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some or all of their body, providing insulation in frigid temperatures

Antifreeze proteins in blood, like in alligatorfish

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare

MudWings

Habitat: Riparian Forest and Wetland

Webbed talons

Increased lung capacity allowing for long durations underwater

Ability to close nostrils and ears with membranous flaps underwater

Well developed sense of smell

Short, powerful neck

Large pupils for navigation in low-light and low-visibility areas

Dome-pressure receptors- extremely sensitive sensory organs along body and jaw that detect movement

Dorsally positioned nostrils, ears, and eyes

Streamlined body

Powerful tails to aid in swimming

Thick, armor-like scales

Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

NightWings

Habitat: Deciduous and Coniferous Temperate Forest

Tapetum lucidum ("eyeshine") allows for ample opportunity for eyes to receive and process light

More rod cells, which allow for better night vision

Enhanced sense of scent, sight, and hearing

Large corneas and eyes that allow for more light

Traditionally noctournal, though many are cathemeral- not limited to a traditional day-night cycle and instead functioning at odd hours without any single resting period (think how most mammals hunt and move in both day and night)

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

RainWings

Habitat: Tropical Forest

Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding. Able to take off quickly, maneuvering through tight spaces, and avoiding entanglement in foliage

Have weak photosynthetic abilities, with photosynthetic cells in their membranes

Fangs that can inject venom through bites or by flexing their fangs to spray it as a long-distance defense mechanism

Long, prehensile tail for maneuvering in dense undergrowth

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

BeetleWings

Habitat: Grassland and Shrubland, both montane and lower elevations

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Long hindwings (alae) tucked under their elytra (hardened forewings that form protective coverings when not in flight; the back hard part of a beetle) with reduced and modified veins to allow for folding

Strong flight capabilities

Hard exoskeleton made of thick, plate-like scales for protection

Two pairs of veined wings made from protein and chitin. Veins prevent tearing and provide stability and structural support of the elastic membranes that make up the wing's surface, as well as containing sensory organs and nerves that detect air movement, inform of any strain on the wings, and aid in balance of the dragon overall

Antennae (clubbed, thread-like, angled, string-of-beads-shaped, comb-like, or toothed) aid in sensory detection and can pick up on motion, odor, and chemical signals, as well as physical touch to aid in low-vision navigation

Can excrete pheromones to communicate

Unlike other tribes who only have three life stages (Egg, dragonet, adult), BeetleWings have four- egg, flightless dragonet, metamorphosis, and adult

Some have venomous stingers, some can spin silk, and others may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some of their body.

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare

SilkWings

Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grassland, Savanna, and Shrubland

SilkWings may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some or all of their body, similar to moths. Even if they don't possess the obvious 'fur' of moths, all SilkWings have a fine layer of soft, feathery scales on their head, wings, and portions of their abdomens, almost akin to the layer of velvet on deer antlers. These soft scales provide insulation, aid thermoregulation, and make gliding easier on their fairly light frame

Powerful muscles in the forewings to propel flight, while smaller hind wings, while muscled in their own right, may act for more of stabilization

Unlike other tribes who only have three life stages (Egg, dragonet, adult), SilkWings, like BeetleWings, have four- egg, flightless dragonet, metamorphosis, and adult

Have antennae used as sensory, balance, and navigation aids that come in a range of shapes and sizes

Relatively weak flight when compared to the other tribes. Broad wings make them excellent gliders, though they usually have poor long-range flight ability

Ability to produce silk or venom, though some have fur-like scales, similar to SilkWings

Contain chromatophores in their scales and skin, allowing for color changing.

Many have the ability to mimic sounds with ease, to an almost eerie extent.

Long, strong limbs and tail

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

LeafWings

Habitat: Temperate and Tropical Forest

Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding

Wings flattened and almost papery like a samara ("helicopter" or "whirligig" of maple trees and other fruiting plants)

Photosynthetic cells in their scales and membranes providing them with a secondary energy source

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

HiveWings

Habitat: Temperate Grassland, Savanna, and Shrubland

Hindwing locked onto the forewing by hooked bristles (Hamuli)

Tough outer edge of forewing acts as a pseudo elytra to protect the hindwing and softer half of the forewing, as well as the dragon's body and organs.

Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes

Stingers act as defense mechanisms or for the subduing of prey by injecting venom

Can release pheromones for communication

Nictitating membrane to protect the eye

Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare

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