Duskwood Portal Clan
The Bishel dragon clan in Duskwood is what is known as a portal clan. This is basically a clan of Bishel dragons that has settled in an unusual area and evolved to fit their environment.
They are referred to as portal clans, as occasionally some of them come through portals to the most well known clan, the Machesri Clan, in the Bishen Realm.
The Duskwood Clan was started by a trio of hatchlings that found their way to Duskwood after being seperated from their family. Their efforts eventually led other Bishen to Duskwood and thus the clan was formed.
During the time frame the clan started, many hatchlings were being born with weird mutations in an attempt to find a form that would be better at surviving those troubled times.
Many were armored, larger, or more advanced than was usual for their species. Over time, the hatchlings started following a pattern of sorts. Those that were pure types would be born with
their legs or wings already developed. The mixed types however would sometimes develop further when they grew to shrapehood.
As the clan spread out across Duskwood, they started forming smaller units within the clan based on the area of the wood that they lived in. (see geography section)
The result of this was that there was no one leader, or Kailan. Each group would have an elder that would speak for their area in the council. During the council meetings, one member
will be elected to represent their race in the annual Duskwood gathering.
Hundreds of years ago, Bishen dragons would have a coming of age ceremony known as a Shantel. It was
where young shrapes would be given a magical object to awaken their dormant powers. Once a shrape has gone through a Shantel, he or she is considered to be an adult Bishel Dragon.
The tradition of the Shantel ceremony was kept, but with the changes wrought by the forces of Duskwood, most members of the Duskwood clans' powers awaken on their own as they become shrapes.
Some even show hints of their abilities from the time they are hatchlings. Now, the Shantel is more an acknowledgement of a Shrape's training and abilities. On rare occasions,
a magical object is still given out. Sometimes it is out of necessity for a young shrape whose abilities have not awakened, other times it's given to those whose abilites would
benefit from having their abilities amplified or focused. The Shantel is held every year after the Duskwood gathering and is sometimes shared with other races who have similar traditions.
Sub Clans
Spirit Glade Clan - The sub clan living in the spirit glade consists of terrans, arboreals or a mixture of the two. Over the ages, most of the marines born moved to the Cattail Marsh so they rarely
if ever hatch from bloodlines coming from the Spirit Glade. The dragons from this clan tend to come in very dark colors. The most common colors are dark blue, dark green, and grey of all shades. Other
colorations are rare, but not unknown. The rarest color is pure white (also known as ghost). Bonding is rare among the members of this clan.
Dark Blue - The blues are curious with a fondness for exploring and learning new things. Like their ancestors, they are swift and can be nearly silent.
With their innate ability to sense danger, they are a valued adition to any traveling party. They are often scouts and map makers. Most of this color have some bioluminescence on their bodies as a result of many generations eating the glowing blue plants in the area.
They are loyal to their family and friends, but don't enjoy being in large groups.
Dark Green - The greens love the forest and will often be found nuturing certain types of plants. They are in charge of the plant based food supply in their area. Many greens have
developed the ability to make things grow or heal people. This coloration rarely leaves Duskwood as there is too much conflict in the outside world.
Grey - The greys can be so dark that they are almost black, others can be a light silver with many shades of grey in between the two. Most of this coloration has a mistlike form of some sort. Some have mist wings,
others have mist trailing from their feet or tails, some even have a mane of mist running down their backs instead of scales or spines. Most of the abilities of this
color have something to do with mist. Some arboreals can appear to be a cloud, whereas other types can fade into a thin fog hanging just above the ground. Mist breath and claw
abilities are common with this color. Greys pay a great deal of attention to detail and are often historians. Many of the winged members will become map makers, flying high over the
land and memorizing every last detail to be recorded on paper when they return. Most of the time, they do not interact with races far from Duskwood as they have no idea how outsiders will
react to them and do not wish to fight if they have a choice. They will, however, often visit friendly towns and cities closer to home and bring back presents for family and friends.
Pure White / Ghost - The whites are very rare. There is not a hint of any coloration on them at all, everything is white, even their eyes. They are most often seers, being able to
pick up on future or far off events. Some are able to communicate with spirits of those who have passed on. This coloration is considered strange at best, insane at worst, and is overall eerie.
No member of this kind has ever been known to die like any other creature, they simply fade away and are never seen again.
Borderland Clan - This clan is the most like their ancestors. The only visible difference is that they are still born with
legs, wings, or both as the case may be. Being on the edge of Duskwood, members of this clan are most likely to need a magical object to awaken their abilities.
They come in all colors that their ancestors did (see the Bishen Realm for more info).
Flit Clan -