For All of Dragonkind: Lore Book

Crystal Dragons

A subspecies of earth dragons that have focused entirely on crystal.

Earth dragons are the master of the world's building blocks, including the soil and stone they stood on and the trees and plants they cultivated. However, one less taken study is that of the beauty of the planet's ingenuity that are gemstones and crystals. Unlike other areas of fascination, many of the emerald-scaled dragons saw little interest in such a thing, especially in times of global warfare. And yet, even then, there was clearly untapped potential and discoveries to be made in delving into those lattices.

Such are the crystal dragons, the ones that have dedicated their entire life to an existence to the eternal crystal. Forsaking their master over raw earth and stone for mastery in the crystalline networks, it was a path less traveled than most due to the implications of such a thing. The process of transformation into this branching race was one most terrifying, but it was all for this gift of fully understanding this part of their world, a privilege even the most powerful of earth dragons could never fathom, let alone comprehend.

Those that dive into the secrets of the crystal undergo an irreversible process that occurs when they allow the precious stones to grow on their body that eventually consumes them inside and out. All their internals, including their intestines, lungs, heart, and even their eyes get turned into crystal, leaving them not requiring food, water, or air to exist. Most unfortunate of all, the crystal inevitably consumes their brain, leaving them permanently mute, and they become entirely infertile. Their scales are also taken over by the lattice, ultimately becoming incredibly fragile while forcing them to adopt robotic movements, but bestows upon them intense resistance and the ability to grow back limbs and body parts except the head. In addition, they gain complete power over this lost art of the sacred crystalline world all too forgotten.

Shockingly slow and can easily be shattered and killed by impacts, but are immune to all else, including elemental attacks such as lightning, something even the strongest and most resilient dragons are vulnerable to. Their crystal-creating breath and their control over the networks, along with their unnatural movements and their choice to become the very thing they've given their life for makes them a symbol of fear amongst the dragon race, including earth dragons. And yet, it was a symbol of respect as well, as only the most dedicated would ever voluntarily commit to such a life-altering decision and give up their chance at creating a bloodline, something that is signature to true courage, a highest honor in the realm of Dragonkind.