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[[File:NightTransparent.png|center|633x633px|Art by Joy Ang]]
[[File:NightTransparent.png|center|633x633px|Art by Joy Ang]]  
'''[[NightWings]],''' are a tribe of [[Dragons|dragons]] that historically lived in the Night Kingdom (a location to the south of the [[Kingdom of Sand]], on the Talon Peninsula on [[Pyrrhia]]), before leaving to flee to the [[Night Kingdom|secret volcanic island]] off the northern coast of the [[Sky Kingdom]] because of [[Darkstalker]], and then finally, to the [[Rainforest Kingdom]] under the rule of [[Queen Glory]] of the [[RainWings]] because of the volcanic eruption that destroyed the island they had inhabited.
'''NightWings''', also known as '''night dragons''' to [[humans]], are a [[Pyrrhian]] [[dragons|dragon]] tribe who currently reside in the [[Rainforest Kingdom]], alongside the [[RainWings]], within the tropical rainforest in the lower southeast of Pyrrhia. They are currently ruled by [[Queen Glory]].


Many [https://wingsoffire.fandom.com/wiki/NightWings NightWings] didn't like the fact that they were being ordered around by RainWings, and most decided to be ruled over by King Darkstalker, the first known full-power dragon king before Kinkajou changed him into [[Peacemaker]] using pieces of his talisman that she took from [[Chameleon]]. After this, the NightWings were more content with Glory as their queen.
The NightWing tribe previously lived on the Talon Peninsula, also known as the [[lost city of night]] or the old Night Kingdom. After [[Darkstalker (L1)|Darkstalker]] murdered [[Arctic|Prince Arctic]], the NightWings feared that his ghost haunted the peninsula and fled to the [[NightWing island]] off the northern coast of the [[Sky Kingdom]] where they remained until the [[NightWing Exodus]]. They were secretly allied with [[Blister]] towards the end of the [[War of SandWing Succession]].


The queen of the NightWings before [https://wingsoffire.fandom.com/wiki/Glory Queen Glory] was [[Queen Battlewinner]], whose identity had been a secret to the world and to some NightWings (an IceWing had breathed frostbreath into her throat and the only way to remain alive was to submerge herself in lava to keep the ice in her throat from spreading and eventually freezing her organs together). The NightWings kept this fact a secret, in order to prevent being seen as weak in front of the other tribes, as well as vulnerable with a dying queen. To hide this, they used Queen Battlewinner's daughter, [[Princess Greatness]], to carry out the orders her mother gave to her.
A large portion of the tribe was briefly ruled by Darkstalker in the [[The Jade Mountain Prophecy|second arc]]. There were only fifty or so NightWings who stayed in the rainforest during this time.  


The volcanic island on which the NightWings lived was not shown on any known map of Pyrrhia because of the NightWings' secrecy and its distance from the mainland. They had created [[Animus-Touched Objects|magic]] [[NightWing Portals|tunnels]] leading to the Rainforest Kingdom, made by an animus dragon named [[Stonemover]] (Princess Sunny's father who lives in Jade Mountain and has a curse given to him by himself to turn his scales to stone instead of corrupting his soul), and the one in the Rainforest Kingdom lead to one that lead to the [[Kingdom of Sand]]. In addition, they were secretly allied with [[Princess Blister|Blister]], although this alliance was broken when they surrendered to the RainWings.
Twenty-seven NightWings separated from Queen Glory and currently live in an encampment in the lost city of night known as [[Renewal]].
 
Most NightWings and [[IceWings]] despise each other due to a previous war between these two tribes (caused by Foeslayer of the NightWings and Prince Arctic of the IceWings, the parents of Darkstalker. IceWings believed that Foeslayer had stolen Prince Arctic because of his animus power, but in reality they had eloped). An example of this hatred is of Morrowseer's expedition to rescue Starflight from Ex-Queen Scarlet's Arena, in which he chose to unnecessarily kill all the IceWing prisoners. (In ''Winter Turning, ''Hailstorm, an IceWing prisoner in Queen Scarlet's was found to be alive in Queen Scarlet's clutches after she got attacked with Glory’s venom and her daughter, Princess Ruby, claimed the throne.)
 
Darkstalker told [[Moonwatcher]] in ''[[Moon Rising]]'' that any NightWing hatched under one full moon could either gain the ability to read minds or to see the future, while a NightWing that hatched under two full moons will be granted both. He also said that it was once believed that if an egg hatches under three full moons, the [[dragonets|dragonet]] would be [[animus]], but animus powers were proven to be genetic (confirmed by [[Winter]]), and not moon-given. Instead, Darkstalker says that the dragonet would still have both powers, but they would be stronger. Moonwatcher believed that since the NightWing eggs hatched in dark caves on the volcanic island, hidden from the moons, they no longer had powers, which Darkstalker had confirmed. This was the case for Starflight, who would've gained great powers if he had been hatched under the full three moons of the brightest night instead of inside the cave.
 
The NightWing eggs were thought to be hidden from the moons because of Darkstalker, which was mentioned by Moonwatcher in Moon Rising and in the [[Darkstalker (Legends)]].
 
NightWing hybrids can have powers, as shown with Darkstalker and [[Whiteout]]. Since the NightWings live in the Rainforest Kingdom now, it is possible there will be more moonborns and NightWing/RainWing hybrids.          


== Description ==
== Description ==
NightWings have forked, black tongues (like SandWings) and usually have black or purplish-black scales with silver, purple, dark green, or dark blue underscales like the night (mind readers have silver teardrop scales by the corners of their eyes like Moonwatcher). In [[The Dragonet Prophecy|''The Dragonet Prophecy'']], when [[Morrowseer]] dropped off [[Starflight]], it said that the sun picked up glints of purple and deep blue on his body. They have been described with black, blue, purple, or green eyes. The undersides of their wings are always black and speckled with silver scales that give them the appearance of a night sky filled with twinkling stars, allowing them to fly at night without detection. NightWings were once most active at night and tended to sleep during the day, but their nocturnal sleep schedule had been changed due to two thousand years of living on the [[Night Kingdom|volcano]], so they now sleep at night, like the other dragon tribes.
[[File:NightWing star scales GN.png|thumb|[[Starflight]]'s star scales on the underside of one of his wings from ''[[The Dark Secret (graphic novel)]]'', by [[Mike Holmes]]|168x168px]]
[[File:NightWing egg.jpg|thumb|A typical NightWing egg from ''[[The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel)]]'', by Mike Holmes]]
NightWings are based on monitor lizards.{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Rochester-Book-Fest-The-Aftermath-Tui-Answers-819674249}} They have been described to have forked, pitch-black tongues, as well as dark scales which are usually black{{Ref|MR|182}} or in shades of dark green, blue,{{Ref|WT|78}} purple,{{Ref|TDP|297}} or dull gray.{{Ref|TBN|30}} They also may have purple{{Ref|TDS|43}} or dark green{{Ref|L1p}} underbellies, and dapples of silver scales running along their necks. Their wings have silver scales scattered across them like the stars of a night sky, forming different patterns. These patterns are genetic.{{Ref|TDS|48}} NightWings have been described with black,{{Ref|TDS|204}} dark blue,{{Ref|AGttDW|87}} purple,{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Meeting-Tui-Questions-Answered-751819289}} or dark green eyes.{{Ref|L1p}} They have straight horns.{{Ref|TDS|16}}


Starflight's father, [[Mastermind]], has done studies about genetic wing patterns. Both Starflight and Mastermind have similar patterns, whereas Morrowseer's were different. Mastermind's theory appeared to be that the star spiral patterns are genetic.  
NightWings can melt into shadows and blend into the night sky due to their colors and wing patterns. Mind readers have silver teardrop scales by the corners of their eyes,{{Ref|L1|186}} and empaths such as [[Fatespeaker]] will also have these teardrop scales;{{Ref|TDS|43}} however, it is possible that NightWings with teardrop scales may not have this ability.{{Ref|AGttDW|92}} Seers have no physical indications of their power.


NightWings are also known to be able to hang "from crags and rocks and ceilings like bats," as described by Starflight in ''[[The Dark Secret]].''
== Diet ==
[[File:Morrowseer eating GN.png|thumb|[[Morrowseer]] eating the carrion of a giant albatross on the [[NightWing island]] from ''The Dark Secret (graphic novel)'', by Mike Holmes]]On the volcanic island, NightWings ate mostly carrion. They would bite their prey, poisoning it with bacteria from inside their mouths, and leave it to decease. After it was dead, they would return to eat it.{{Ref|TDS|32–33}} On the island, seafaring birds could be found. They would also hunt in the rainforest, for prey such as sloths, and may have gathered some fruit. While living on this island, most NightWings ate once per week, which contributed to their malnutrition.{{Ref|TDS|29}}


NightWing names are commonly made up of two words (for example, Mind-reader or Fate-speaker), although others are just made of one word (like [[Wisdom]], [[Listener]], or [[Princess Greatness|Greatness]]). Some of the names are about what that NightWing does (such as Queen Battlewinner or the assassin [[Deathbringer]]), and some are about how they look (such as [[Strongwings]], who is bulky with large wings). Other names are lies, as [[Winter]] says in [[Moon Rising]] (such as [[Mindreader]]).
After relocating to the rainforest, NightWings began to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet, though they continue to eat meat,{{Ref|WT|44}} with the exception of sloths.


==Abilities==
In the time of ''[[Darkstalker (Legends)|Darkstalker]]'', hunting was very similar to other tribes. They ate hawks,{{Ref|L1|51}} fish,{{Ref|L1|71}} bears,{{Ref|L1|235}} squirrels,{{Ref|L1|71}} rattlesnakes,{{Ref|L1|71}} and wolves.{{Ref|L1|233}} They cooked their food, including roasted nuts and baked bear, and had access to cheese.{{Ref|L1|235}} They would also purchase fruits from RainWing merchants.{{Ref|L1|235}}
NightWings are described to look like "the night sky coming down on you" when attacking. They move unseen through the shadows and blend into the night, which gives them a fearful reputation and makes them more deadly and excellent assassins.


In [[scrolls]], NightWings are said to possess legendary abilities. They are claimed to have the ability of mind-reading, as well as being able to tell prophecies by foreseeing the future; this was proven false by Stonemover, who said that no NightWing had either of these abilities in the last few centuries, which, unknown to the NightWings, was because the NightWing eggs had stopped being exposed to moonlight. However, a young dragon named Moonwatcher obtained the power to read minds and see the future because she hatched in the rainforest, proving these powers do still exist. Later in "Moon Rising", Moon says that other NightWings are having eggs in the rainforest, therefore under the moonlight, proving that these powers will come to thrive in the NightWing tribe and make the NightWings "all powerful" again. In addition, these dragons are also able to breathe fire at any time, like [[SkyWings]] and [[SandWings]]. NightWings also appear to be slightly fireproof, as shown with [[Vengeance]] and Starflight.
== Abilities ==
NightWings are a nocturnal{{Ref|W2q|68}} tribe that can blend into the night sky and shadows. They can also breathe fire, and most modern NightWings have harmful bacteria in their mouths which can poison animals with a single bite.{{Ref|TDS|32}} However, it is noted that after searching through the corpses of dead NightWings, there was no venom found in their teeth.{{Ref|TDS|33}} They have a strong sense of smell{{Ref|TDS|29}} and powerful night vision.{{Ref|L1|120}}{{Ref|W2q|60}}
NightWings hatched under one full [[moons|moon]] have the power of mind-reading or prophecy, and those hatched under two have both. Dragonets hatched under three full moons will have both of these powers, which have been made stronger by the third moon. NightWings once thought that the third full moon gave [[Animus magic|animus powers]], though this was later disconfirmed, as animus powers are passed on genetically.{{Ref|MR|156}} The power of the gifts varies, such as [[Clearsight]] having strong foresight.{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Meeting-Tui-Questions-Answered-751819289}} When the NightWings moved to the volcanic island, knowledge of these powers was forgotten, possibly on purpose.{{Ref|MR|157}} NightWing eggs touched by the moonlight of a full moon will turn an eerie polished silver color, while untouched eggs remain an ebony black.{{Ref|L1|11}}
[[File:Moon Reading Minds GN MR.png|thumb|Moon reading the minds of [[Jade Mountain Academy]] Students from ''[[Moon Rising (graphic novel)]]'', by Mike Holmes]]
Mind-reading NightWings can observe the thoughts of those around them. They cannot 'rummage around' in another dragon's head, but hear thoughts as the dragon thinks them, often only picking up on jumbled words, pictures, and emotions; thoughts are louder and stronger to the mind reader when they are touching the former.{{Ref|MR|218}} In the time of ''Darkstalker'', dragonets were taught ways to block out the minds of others, though this practice was lost over time without powers.{{Ref|MR|98}} Mind readers can project their thoughts to one another to have mental conversations, and powerful mind readers may be able to block the visions of prophets.{{Ref|MR|20–21}}{{Ref|MR|291}} Dragons with this power hatched under a blood moon can project their thoughts to any dragon, not just other mind readers.{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Wings-of-Fire-News-at-Boskone-2020-831252663}}


The NightWings who lived at the [[Night Kingdom|volcano]] seem to have a type of bacteria living in their saliva that does not affect them. They use it to incapacitate their prey, ensuring it can't go anywhere, then return later for it when its wound has become infected or it has died. However, other NightWings such as Starflight, [[Fatespeaker]] or [[Deathbringer]], who lived away from the volcano a long time, ate freshly killed prey, making their saliva unlike those of the NightWings who lived by the volcano on the island. 
[[File:Moonwatcher GN 8.png|right|thumb|upright=0.6|Moonwatcher delivering the [[The Jade Mountain Prophecy|Jade Mountain Prophecy]] from ''Moon Rising (graphic novel)'', by Mike Holmes]]
Prophetic NightWings can see flashes and visions of the future. On occasion, they will have a true prophecy, which will manifest as words rather than a vision in the dragon's head.{{Ref|MR|292}} In the time of ''Darkstalker'', prophets would sometimes take regular visions and translate them to sound like real prophecies. Very powerful prophets may be able to look into the future and follow individual timelines.{{Ref|L1|83}} Futures have been described as 'webs', as they overlap and are easily mixed up.{{Ref|L1|82}} Prophets hatched beneath a blood moon can see terrible events and natural disasters with particular clarity.{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Wings-of-Fire-News-at-Boskone-2020-831252663}} When NightWings deliver prophecies, their eyes glow and their voices become low and shivery.{{Ref|EP|137}}


NightWings have been shown to be more active at night, with Deathbringer and Fatespeaker as examples. They seem to have a very strong sense of smell. [[Sunny|Sunny's]] strong sense of smell and hearing came from her NightWing side and the SandWing side, respectively.
Click [[:Category:Empowered NightWings|here]] for a list of all empowered NightWings.


Darkstalker told Moonwatcher in ''Moon Rising'' that a NightWing hatched under one full moon can either read minds or see the future, while a NightWing that hatched under two full moons has both. He also said that if an egg hatches under three full moons the dragonet still has both powers but strengthened. He did not know if there would be any stronger ones, though there have been some arguments that there might be. It is unknown why [[Clearsight]] had a stronger version of foresight.
==== Animus magic ====
NightWings have animus dragons, with the earliest known powers tracing back to the NightWing-[[IceWing]] [[hybrid]] Darkstalker.{{Ref|MR|120}} All known animus NightWing dragons are descended from [[Whiteout]], as she carried animus genetics while Darkstalker did not have dragonets.{{Ref|ToP|39}} They may have had animus magic before Darkstalker, as they once believed that the third full moon gave animus magic.{{Ref|MR|156}} In modern times, they are likely expected or forced to use their powers for the good of their tribe.{{Ref|TBN|151}}


NightWings were shown to be very good at making up prophecies, and they attended special classes to learn how to make them sound real. They were also skilled at making it seem like they could read minds, due to the classes they took about lying mentioned in The Dark Secret.
== Society ==
=== Modern era ===
NightWing society is undergoing a great deal of change as they adjust to life in the rainforest. Many of them were bitter due to their [[queen]] being a RainWing,{{Ref|MR|11}} and although some have become more accepting of the idea,{{Ref|DoD|357}} Glory's queenship is quite controversial among them,{{Ref|W1q|3}} but they still contain a tribal aura of mystery{{Ref|EP|97}} and spookiness.{{Ref|EP|177}}


==History==
=== NightWing Island Era ===
Over 2,000 years after the Scorching, the Night Kingdom was located on a peninsula that is currently a part of the Sand Kingdom, which was described to have been riddled with valleys and mountains. After Darkstalker's abilities were shown, and he was believed to be a danger to the Tribe, the entire Kingdom fled the continent and migrated to a volcanic island a day's flight from the [[Sky Kingdom]]. More than a thousand years later, the long-dormant volcano erupted, destroying their home.
While living on the volcanic island, NightWings poured a great deal of effort into making their tribe seem mysterious and powerful to hide their real weakened state. They trained their dragonets to lie about their 'powers,' and kept them confined to the island until at least age ten to prevent any breaches of information.{{Ref|TDS|7}}{{Ref|TDS|10}}


[[The Dragonet Prophecy (prophecy)|The Dragonet Prophecy]] was written by Queen Battlewinner and Morrowseer during the war, and they delivered Starflight's and Fatespeaker's [[Dragon Eggs|eggs]] to the [[Talons of Peace]] after a volcanic eruption on their island. The prophecy was their plan to invade and take over the Rainforest Kingdom, which was and still is inhabited by the RainWings.
They were exceptionally skilled at keeping secrets,{{Ref|W1q|6}}{{Ref|W1q|9}} and NightWing information was given to dragonets as they grow older.{{Ref|W1q|14}} They were not allowed to leave the island until the age of ten,{{Ref|W1q|17}} and most NightWings would try to counter sarcasm with more sarcasm, as though every conversation was a competition to see whose wit was more biting. Usually, no one stopped to acknowledge that someone else was funny.{{Ref|W1q|24}} In general, sentimental sincerity was not a NightWing trait.{{Ref|W1q|29}} Loyalty, secrecy, and obedience to NightWing elders were the most important lessons for dragonets within the tribe,{{Ref|W2q|41}} and young NightWings were kept away from other tribes, as older dragons did not trust them to keep NightWing secrets.{{Ref|W2q|45}} When [[Battlewinner]] disappeared from public view, enforcement of guard and patrol duties was considerably weakened,{{Ref|W2q|47}} and many citizens believed that guarding and patrolling an island that no one was able to locate was ultimately pointless.{{Ref|W2q|48}} Leaving the island and traveling to the mainland was every young dragonet's dream.{{Ref|W2q|50}} NightWings were not supposed to be seen within the mainland,{{Ref|W2q|56}} and [[Deathbringer]]'s main objective as an assassin was to ensure that the NightWing involvement in the War of SandWing Succession was kept under heavy secrecy.{{Ref|W2q|59}}


[[IceWings]] and NightWings have hated each other going all the way back to a war they once fought against each other. It was revealed in Darkstalker: Legends that this war was started because [[Prince Arctic]] fell in love and ran away with [[Foeslayer]]. Morrowseer ordered the death of all of the eight IceWing prisoners in the rescue of Starflight in Scarlet's arena, possibly because of the tribes' long-held grudge. This is also shown in the prophecy, which does not include an IceWing dragonet. Another possible effect of this hatred was Queen Battlewinner being blasted by an IceWing's breath in the mouth, forcing her to live submerged in lava.
A game involving bones and tiny skulls were played by a pair of two adult NightWings.{{Ref|W2q|48}}


The NightWings gradually captured seventeen RainWings for their experimentations on [[RainWings|RainWing]] venom, what Mastermind called "science". Their goal was to make venom-proof armor for an attack on the RainWings to take over their rainforest. However, all data was lost when the NightWings fled their home.
=== ''Darkstalker'' era ===
In the time of ''Darkstalker,'' NightWing mothers typically named their dragonets.{{Ref|L1|15}} The tribe also functioned nocturnally, usually waking after midday and sleeping at sunrise.{{Ref|L1|74}} NightWings of higher status lived in higher homes in the cliffs, while lower ones lived closer to the bottom, where less desirable homes were.{{Ref|L1|73}} They also appeared to value knowledge and reading, as they had an extensive library{{Ref|ToP|218}} and honored the first librarians of the kingdom.{{Ref|L1|182}} In Clearsight's time, the NightWings were famous for their intertribal relations, open trade partnerships, literature, and artwork, which had been sold across the continent. Dragons from all over Pyrrhia brought them new ideas, inventions, and discoveries.{{Ref|L1|257}} Most dragonets started school when they were one year old.{{Ref|L1|42}}


Additionally, they seem to have animus dragons, however, Stonemover and Darkstalker are the only known animus NightWings, but it's also shown that [[Ex-Queen Scarlet]] had an [[Scarlet's Companion|animus]] that had no actual powers, only limited and taken from Darkstalker's talisman. This animus was revealed to be [[Chameleon]] who used the scroll's power to turn into a NightWing.
NightWings had a centuries-old feud with the IceWings due to the legend of [[Foeslayer]] and Arctic, known as the [[NightWing-IceWing War]]. The feud is at least on pause as of ''[[Darkness of Dragons]].''{{Ref|DoD|318-320}}


In ''The Dark Secret'', it is shown that the NightWings were being threatened by the volcanic island they inhabited, which  slowly built up to an eruption and diminishing the main source of food. Although Princess Greatness claimed that scientific estimates had placed the eruption at least twenty years into the future, at the end of the book, the volcano had erupted. Shortly before this, the NightWings surrendered to the RainWings in exchange for a safe place to live and food to eat. Most of the NightWings escaped through the [[Rainforest Kingdom]] portal unharmed. However, Morrowseer was (most likely) killed by the eruption, with what is believed to be possbily his remains found in the NightWing tunnel in ''[[Winter Turning]]'', and Starflight was blinded. The event where the NightWings traveled from their kingdom to the Rainforest Kingdom is called the NightWing Exodus.
Ancient NightWing nests were depicted as bowls of carved stone that are lined with black fur, and eggs were typically hatched atop high mountain peaks.{{Ref|L1|13}}


==Society==
=== Pre-''Darkstalker'' era ===
NightWings form lifelong partnerships, similar to [[SeaWings]]. Their dragonets live in dormitories located in caves on the sides of the volcano. They are not allowed to go to the mainland until they are at least ten years old because they "can't keep NightWing secrets safe."
NightWings were the first tribe to develop a written [[languages#Dragon|Dragon]] language. They taught it to the other tribes and traveling NightWing teachers would fly across Pyrrhia to bring scrolls to the tribes.{{Ref|AGttDW|98}} They had scrolls from other tribes including architecture plans and records from NightWing scriptoriums. They also took medicine seriously and would discover healing techniques that they would share with the other tribes. They would use their powers to protect the other tribes.{{Ref|AGttDW|99}}


NightWing names are very literal, although sometimes ironic. These dragonets are usually named according to their talents; for example, Morrowseer got his name for "seeing" the "morrow." Morrow is short for tomorrow, meaning the future. Deathbringer's name refers to his occupation as an assassin. Queen Battlewinner presumably got hers for military strategy, or perhaps a future battle which was predicted to be won by her. Moonwatcher was named for as she hatched, her eyes reflected the moons. NightWings are occasionally named for physical traits, like [[Fierceteeth]], [[Mightyclaws]], [[Bigtail]], and Strongwings, or after character virtues, like Greatness or [[Vengeance]]. Exactly ''how ''they know what a dragon's talent will be when it hatches is unknown. It is plausible that they might wait and see for it to appear, or have another NightWing predict it, although this is unlikely because it was revealed NightWings have not had powers in several centuries. [[Queen Glory|Glory]] mentions in [[The Hidden Kingdom|''The Hidden Kingdom'']] that in scrolls, NightWings always had "mouthful names". This is probably because most of them have two-part names. Also, in ''[[Moon Rising]]'', [[Winter]] says to [[Moonwatcher]], "We know all your names are lies", stating that NightWing names may be what the parents hope their dragonets will be, rather than what they may actually be.
== Names ==
NightWing names may be descriptive of the dragon's personality (such as [[Thoughtful]], [[Greatness]], [[Wisdom]], and [[Listener]]), relate to an aptitude or job (such as [[Mastermind]], Deathbringer, or [[Quickstrike]]), describe or relate to their physical appearance (such as [[Bigtail]] and [[Strongwings]]), or be night-themed (such as [[Starflight]], [[Eclipse (DoD)|Eclipse]], and Moonwatcher).
Their names may also be inspired by the NightWing powers (names such as Fatespeaker, [[Mindreader]], and [[Morrowseer]].) Most NightWing names are meant to give a sense of strength or mightiness.


Complete loyalty seems to be an emphasized NightWing trait, as many of their actions (abducting [[RainWings]], false dragonet prophecy, murders,) point towards a "blind loyalty" to their tribe, the willingness to do anything for their tribe, even wiping out another tribe of dragons.
Click [[:Category:NightWings|here]] for a list of known NightWings.


Before the NightWings fled to the volcanic island, they were, as [[Clearsight]] told [[Darkstalker]], a tribe with a social culture, gaining from trades with the other tribes. Clearsight told [[Listener]] that every NightWing dragonet needs education, which shows that NightWings valued intelligence.
==== Animus dragons ====
* [[Darkstalker (L1)|Darkstalker]] (half IceWing)
* [[Stonemover]]
* [[Unnamed characters#Hybrids|Unnamed granddaughter and great-great-great-grandson of Whiteout]]


== Names ==
==== Students at Jade Mountain ====
NightWing names can be compound words that describe NightWing powers, such as Fatespeaker and Mindreader. The names can also describe the dragon's personality or ability, such as Mastermind and Quickdeath. Descriptive words, such as Thoughtful, Vengeance and Listener, are used as well, as are night-themed compound words such as Starflight and Moonwatcher.
* [[Bigtail]] (formerly; deceased)
 
==Known NightWings==
* [[Allknowing]]
* [[Queen Battlewinner]]
* [[Bigtail]]
* [[Commodore]] (also half SilkWing)
* [[Clearsight]]
* [[Clearsight’s Father]]
* [[Darkstalker]] (also half IceWing)
* [[Deadlyclaws]]
* [[Deathbringer]]
* [[Discretion]]
* [[Eclipse]]
* [[Eclipse (Darkstalker)|Eclipse]][[Eclipse (Darkstalker)| (Darkstalker)]]
* [[Farsight]]
* [[Fatespeaker]]
* [[Fearless]]
* [[Fearless]]
* [[Fierceteeth]]
* [[Mightyclaws]] (formerly; currently making new homes for the NightWings in the rainforest)
* [[Firefly]] (also half RainWing)
* [[Foeslayer]] (Hope)
* [[Foreseer]]
* [[Ex-Princess Greatness]]
* [[Jewel]] (also half SilkWing)
* [[Jewel-eyes]]
* [[Listener]]
* [[Mastermind]]
* [[Mightyclaws]]
* [[Mindreader]]
* [[Mindreader]]
* [[Moonwatcher]]
* [[Moonwatcher]]
* [[Morrowseer]]
* [[Morrowwatcher]]
* [[Obsidian]]
* [[Orange]] (also half SilkWing)
* [[Peacemaker]] (also half RainWing)
* [[Preyhunter]]
* [[Prudence]]
* [[Quickdeath]]
* [[Quickstrike]]
* [[Secretkeeper]]
* [[Shapeshifter]] (Chameleon's NightWing form)
* [[Slaughter]]
* [[Smokeseer]]
* [[Starclaws]]
* [[Starflight]]
* [[Stonemover]]
* [[Strongwings]]
* [[Princess Sunny|Sunny]] (also half SandWing)
* [[Swiftwings]]
* [[Thoughtful]]
* [[Tortoiseshell]] (also half SilkWing)
* [[Truthfinder]]
* [[Tunesmith]]
* [[Vengeance]]
* [[Queen Vigilance]]
* [[Vision]]
* [[Whiteout]] (also half IceWing)
* [[Wisdom]] 


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
* Including Legends and Winglets, there are five books with NightWing PoVs, making them the tribe with the most PoVs.
* NightWings appear to have excellent night vision but still cannot see in total darkness as well as [[SeaWings]] can.{{Ref|TDS|242}}
* NightWings developed a kind of bacteria in their mouths, which helped kill prey. They would bite the said prey, then leave it to die of infection and come back to take it later.
* It is mentioned by Hope that NightWings are trying to readjust to their natural (nocturnal) schedule in ''Darkness of Dragons''.{{Ref|DoD|359}}
* The majority of all NightWing names have three syllables, (Moonwatcher, Darkstalker, Deathbringer, Mightyclaws, Stonemover, Mindreader, Preyhunter, Mastermind, Fatespeaker, etc). One has one syllable (Hope). A few have two syllables, (Farsight, Clearsight). Even less have four syllables, (Secretkeeper).
* NightWings are shown to be very loyal to their tribe and have an arrogance similar to the IceWings. Morrowseer once explained to Starflight: "We assumed NightWing superiority was something all NightWings hatched with."{{Ref|TDS|33}}{{Ref|TDS|63}}
* NightWings appear to have excellent night vision, but still can't see in total darkness like SeaWings can.
* [[Tui]] considered the mention of the Darkest Night, a night where all three moons are new, to be present somewhere in the NightWings' stories.{{Ref|Event|https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J0koHS1dIq3zZBvdlYwKrFeWGjSAo3INqp8iRObO118/edit}}
* NightWings often have literal names that describe their profession or traits, such as Deathbringer, Mindreader, etc.
* In the audiobooks read by [[Shannon McManus]], all NightWings speak with a British accent, except for Starflight, Fatespeaker, and Moonwatcher, who were raised away from the NightWings and did not develop this accent. However, Tui does not consider audiobook accents canon.{{Ref|Event|https://www.deviantart.com/biohazardia/journal/Wings-of-Fire-News-at-Boskone-2020-831252663}}
* NightWing names are based on things in the night (Moonwatcher), their powers (Fatespeaker), their traits (Mastermind), or general descriptions of actions (Deathbringer) or appearances (Strongwings).
* NightWings are able to hang from the ceiling like bats.{{Ref|TDS|13}} This is depicted in the graphic novel.{{Ref|GN4|14}}
** Most NightWing names are compound words (made up of two real words). Examples: Mightyclaws (Mighty + Claws) and Moonwatcher (Moon + Watcher).
* In Darkstalker's era, all NightWing dragonets owned these scrolls: ''Geography of Pyrrhia, Myths of the Lost Continent, Ten Little Scavengers (Recipes included!),'' and ''Goodnight, Moons.''{{Ref|L1|139}}
* NightWings in ''Darkstalker (Legends)'' are portrayed as nocturnal before moving to the NightWing island.
* Humans described NightWings as the least dangerous type of dragon tribe, due to very few of them being seen.<ref>[[Dragon guides]]</ref>
* According to Foeslayer in ''Darkstalker (Legends)'', NightWing mothers are the ones that name their dragonets.
 
* NightWings are shown to have decent resistance to lava, as shown when Vengeance, who gets shoved in lava, tries to force his way out. This trait likely evolved on the volcano, so if they fall in lava, they might have been able to quickly pull themselves out.
== Gallery ==
* There are currently at least 400 NightWings.
<gallery>
*NightWings are shown to be very loyal to their tribe and have an arrogance similar to the IceWings. Morrowseer once explained to Starflight, "We assumed NightWing superiority was something all NightWings hatched with."
File:Typical NightWing by Sassy the Beagle.jpg|A typical NightWing (colored), by [[Joy Ang]]
File:NightTransparent.png|A typical NightWing (lineart), by Joy Ang
File:JA NightRef.webp|A typical NightWing (transparent), by Joy Ang
File:NightWing DE.png|A typical NightWing from the German publication, by [[Max Meinzold]]
</gallery>


==Gallery==
== References ==
Click [[NightWings/Gallery|here]] to see the gallery.
{{References}}
{{EventReferences}}


{{NightWing Navbox}}
{{NightWing Navbox}}  


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Latest revision as of 18:51, 3 November 2025

Art by Joy Ang
Art by Joy Ang

NightWings, also known as night dragons to humans, are a Pyrrhian dragon tribe who currently reside in the Rainforest Kingdom, alongside the RainWings, within the tropical rainforest in the lower southeast of Pyrrhia. They are currently ruled by Queen Glory.

The NightWing tribe previously lived on the Talon Peninsula, also known as the lost city of night or the old Night Kingdom. After Darkstalker murdered Prince Arctic, the NightWings feared that his ghost haunted the peninsula and fled to the NightWing island off the northern coast of the Sky Kingdom where they remained until the NightWing Exodus. They were secretly allied with Blister towards the end of the War of SandWing Succession.

A large portion of the tribe was briefly ruled by Darkstalker in the second arc. There were only fifty or so NightWings who stayed in the rainforest during this time.

Twenty-seven NightWings separated from Queen Glory and currently live in an encampment in the lost city of night known as Renewal.

Description

Starflight's star scales on the underside of one of his wings from The Dark Secret (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes
A typical NightWing egg from The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

NightWings are based on monitor lizards.[event 1] They have been described to have forked, pitch-black tongues, as well as dark scales which are usually black[1] or in shades of dark green, blue,[2] purple,[3] or dull gray.[4] They also may have purple[5] or dark green[6] underbellies, and dapples of silver scales running along their necks. Their wings have silver scales scattered across them like the stars of a night sky, forming different patterns. These patterns are genetic.[7] NightWings have been described with black,[8] dark blue,[9] purple,[event 2] or dark green eyes.[6] They have straight horns.[10]

NightWings can melt into shadows and blend into the night sky due to their colors and wing patterns. Mind readers have silver teardrop scales by the corners of their eyes,[11] and empaths such as Fatespeaker will also have these teardrop scales;[5] however, it is possible that NightWings with teardrop scales may not have this ability.[12] Seers have no physical indications of their power.

Diet

Morrowseer eating the carrion of a giant albatross on the NightWing island from The Dark Secret (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

On the volcanic island, NightWings ate mostly carrion. They would bite their prey, poisoning it with bacteria from inside their mouths, and leave it to decease. After it was dead, they would return to eat it.[13] On the island, seafaring birds could be found. They would also hunt in the rainforest, for prey such as sloths, and may have gathered some fruit. While living on this island, most NightWings ate once per week, which contributed to their malnutrition.[14]

After relocating to the rainforest, NightWings began to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet, though they continue to eat meat,[15] with the exception of sloths.

In the time of Darkstalker, hunting was very similar to other tribes. They ate hawks,[16] fish,[17] bears,[18] squirrels,[17] rattlesnakes,[17] and wolves.[19] They cooked their food, including roasted nuts and baked bear, and had access to cheese.[18] They would also purchase fruits from RainWing merchants.[18]

Abilities

NightWings are a nocturnal[20] tribe that can blend into the night sky and shadows. They can also breathe fire, and most modern NightWings have harmful bacteria in their mouths which can poison animals with a single bite.[21] However, it is noted that after searching through the corpses of dead NightWings, there was no venom found in their teeth.[22] They have a strong sense of smell[14] and powerful night vision.[23][24] NightWings hatched under one full moon have the power of mind-reading or prophecy, and those hatched under two have both. Dragonets hatched under three full moons will have both of these powers, which have been made stronger by the third moon. NightWings once thought that the third full moon gave animus powers, though this was later disconfirmed, as animus powers are passed on genetically.[25] The power of the gifts varies, such as Clearsight having strong foresight.[event 3] When the NightWings moved to the volcanic island, knowledge of these powers was forgotten, possibly on purpose.[26] NightWing eggs touched by the moonlight of a full moon will turn an eerie polished silver color, while untouched eggs remain an ebony black.[27]

Moon reading the minds of Jade Mountain Academy Students from Moon Rising (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

Mind-reading NightWings can observe the thoughts of those around them. They cannot 'rummage around' in another dragon's head, but hear thoughts as the dragon thinks them, often only picking up on jumbled words, pictures, and emotions; thoughts are louder and stronger to the mind reader when they are touching the former.[28] In the time of Darkstalker, dragonets were taught ways to block out the minds of others, though this practice was lost over time without powers.[29] Mind readers can project their thoughts to one another to have mental conversations, and powerful mind readers may be able to block the visions of prophets.[30][31] Dragons with this power hatched under a blood moon can project their thoughts to any dragon, not just other mind readers.[event 4]

Moonwatcher delivering the Jade Mountain Prophecy from Moon Rising (graphic novel), by Mike Holmes

Prophetic NightWings can see flashes and visions of the future. On occasion, they will have a true prophecy, which will manifest as words rather than a vision in the dragon's head.[32] In the time of Darkstalker, prophets would sometimes take regular visions and translate them to sound like real prophecies. Very powerful prophets may be able to look into the future and follow individual timelines.[33] Futures have been described as 'webs', as they overlap and are easily mixed up.[34] Prophets hatched beneath a blood moon can see terrible events and natural disasters with particular clarity.[event 5] When NightWings deliver prophecies, their eyes glow and their voices become low and shivery.[35]

Click here for a list of all empowered NightWings.

Animus magic

NightWings have animus dragons, with the earliest known powers tracing back to the NightWing-IceWing hybrid Darkstalker.[36] All known animus NightWing dragons are descended from Whiteout, as she carried animus genetics while Darkstalker did not have dragonets.[37] They may have had animus magic before Darkstalker, as they once believed that the third full moon gave animus magic.[25] In modern times, they are likely expected or forced to use their powers for the good of their tribe.[38]

Society

Modern era

NightWing society is undergoing a great deal of change as they adjust to life in the rainforest. Many of them were bitter due to their queen being a RainWing,[39] and although some have become more accepting of the idea,[40] Glory's queenship is quite controversial among them,[41] but they still contain a tribal aura of mystery[42] and spookiness.[43]

NightWing Island Era

While living on the volcanic island, NightWings poured a great deal of effort into making their tribe seem mysterious and powerful to hide their real weakened state. They trained their dragonets to lie about their 'powers,' and kept them confined to the island until at least age ten to prevent any breaches of information.[44][45]

They were exceptionally skilled at keeping secrets,[46][47] and NightWing information was given to dragonets as they grow older.[48] They were not allowed to leave the island until the age of ten,[49] and most NightWings would try to counter sarcasm with more sarcasm, as though every conversation was a competition to see whose wit was more biting. Usually, no one stopped to acknowledge that someone else was funny.[50] In general, sentimental sincerity was not a NightWing trait.[51] Loyalty, secrecy, and obedience to NightWing elders were the most important lessons for dragonets within the tribe,[52] and young NightWings were kept away from other tribes, as older dragons did not trust them to keep NightWing secrets.[53] When Battlewinner disappeared from public view, enforcement of guard and patrol duties was considerably weakened,[54] and many citizens believed that guarding and patrolling an island that no one was able to locate was ultimately pointless.[55] Leaving the island and traveling to the mainland was every young dragonet's dream.[56] NightWings were not supposed to be seen within the mainland,[57] and Deathbringer's main objective as an assassin was to ensure that the NightWing involvement in the War of SandWing Succession was kept under heavy secrecy.[58]

A game involving bones and tiny skulls were played by a pair of two adult NightWings.[55]

Darkstalker era

In the time of Darkstalker, NightWing mothers typically named their dragonets.[59] The tribe also functioned nocturnally, usually waking after midday and sleeping at sunrise.[60] NightWings of higher status lived in higher homes in the cliffs, while lower ones lived closer to the bottom, where less desirable homes were.[61] They also appeared to value knowledge and reading, as they had an extensive library[62] and honored the first librarians of the kingdom.[63] In Clearsight's time, the NightWings were famous for their intertribal relations, open trade partnerships, literature, and artwork, which had been sold across the continent. Dragons from all over Pyrrhia brought them new ideas, inventions, and discoveries.[64] Most dragonets started school when they were one year old.[65]

NightWings had a centuries-old feud with the IceWings due to the legend of Foeslayer and Arctic, known as the NightWing-IceWing War. The feud is at least on pause as of Darkness of Dragons.[66]

Ancient NightWing nests were depicted as bowls of carved stone that are lined with black fur, and eggs were typically hatched atop high mountain peaks.[67]

Pre-Darkstalker era

NightWings were the first tribe to develop a written Dragon language. They taught it to the other tribes and traveling NightWing teachers would fly across Pyrrhia to bring scrolls to the tribes.[68] They had scrolls from other tribes including architecture plans and records from NightWing scriptoriums. They also took medicine seriously and would discover healing techniques that they would share with the other tribes. They would use their powers to protect the other tribes.[69]

Names

NightWing names may be descriptive of the dragon's personality (such as Thoughtful, Greatness, Wisdom, and Listener), relate to an aptitude or job (such as Mastermind, Deathbringer, or Quickstrike), describe or relate to their physical appearance (such as Bigtail and Strongwings), or be night-themed (such as Starflight, Eclipse, and Moonwatcher). Their names may also be inspired by the NightWing powers (names such as Fatespeaker, Mindreader, and Morrowseer.) Most NightWing names are meant to give a sense of strength or mightiness.

Click here for a list of known NightWings.

Animus dragons

Students at Jade Mountain

Trivia

  • NightWings appear to have excellent night vision but still cannot see in total darkness as well as SeaWings can.[70]
  • It is mentioned by Hope that NightWings are trying to readjust to their natural (nocturnal) schedule in Darkness of Dragons.[71]
  • NightWings are shown to be very loyal to their tribe and have an arrogance similar to the IceWings. Morrowseer once explained to Starflight: "We assumed NightWing superiority was something all NightWings hatched with."[22][72]
  • Tui considered the mention of the Darkest Night, a night where all three moons are new, to be present somewhere in the NightWings' stories.[event 6]
  • In the audiobooks read by Shannon McManus, all NightWings speak with a British accent, except for Starflight, Fatespeaker, and Moonwatcher, who were raised away from the NightWings and did not develop this accent. However, Tui does not consider audiobook accents canon.[event 7]
  • NightWings are able to hang from the ceiling like bats.[73] This is depicted in the graphic novel.[74]
  • In Darkstalker's era, all NightWing dragonets owned these scrolls: Geography of Pyrrhia, Myths of the Lost Continent, Ten Little Scavengers (Recipes included!), and Goodnight, Moons.[75]
  • Humans described NightWings as the least dangerous type of dragon tribe, due to very few of them being seen.[76]

References

  1. Moon Rising, page 182
  2. Winter Turning, page 78
  3. The Dragonet Prophecy, page 297
  4. The Brightest Night, page 30
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Dark Secret, page 43
  6. 6.0 6.1 Darkstalker, prologue
  7. The Dark Secret, page 48
  8. The Dark Secret, page 204
  9. A Guide to the Dragon World, page 87
  10. The Dark Secret, page 16
  11. Darkstalker, page 186
  12. A Guide to the Dragon World, page 92
  13. The Dark Secret, page 32–33
  14. 14.0 14.1 The Dark Secret, page 29
  15. Winter Turning, page 44
  16. Darkstalker, page 51
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Darkstalker, page 71
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Darkstalker, page 235
  19. Darkstalker, page 233
  20. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 68
  21. The Dark Secret, page 32
  22. 22.0 22.1 The Dark Secret, page 33
  23. Darkstalker, page 120
  24. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 60
  25. 25.0 25.1 Moon Rising, page 156
  26. Moon Rising, page 157
  27. Darkstalker, page 11
  28. Moon Rising, page 218
  29. Moon Rising, page 98
  30. Moon Rising, page 20–21
  31. Moon Rising, page 291
  32. Moon Rising, page 292
  33. Darkstalker, page 83
  34. Darkstalker, page 82
  35. Escaping Peril, page 137
  36. Moon Rising, page 120
  37. Talons of Power, page 39
  38. The Brightest Night, page 151
  39. Moon Rising, page 11
  40. Darkness of Dragons, page 357
  41. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 3
  42. Escaping Peril, page 97
  43. Escaping Peril, page 177
  44. The Dark Secret, page 7
  45. The Dark Secret, page 10
  46. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 6
  47. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 9
  48. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 14
  49. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 17
  50. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 24
  51. The Winglets Quartet: Prisoners, page 29
  52. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 41
  53. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 45
  54. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 47
  55. 55.0 55.1 The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 48
  56. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 50
  57. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 56
  58. The Winglets Quartet: Assassin, page 59
  59. Darkstalker, page 15
  60. Darkstalker, page 74
  61. Darkstalker, page 73
  62. Talons of Power, page 218
  63. Darkstalker, page 182
  64. Darkstalker, page 257
  65. Darkstalker, page 42
  66. Darkness of Dragons, page 318-320
  67. Darkstalker, page 13
  68. A Guide to the Dragon World, page 98
  69. A Guide to the Dragon World, page 99
  70. The Dark Secret, page 242
  71. Darkness of Dragons, page 359
  72. The Dark Secret, page 63
  73. The Dark Secret, page 13
  74. The Dark Secret (graphic novel), page 14
  75. Darkstalker, page 139
  76. Dragon guides
  1. Stated by Tuisource 
  2. Stated by Tuisource 
  3. Stated by Tuisource 
  4. Stated by Tuisource 
  5. Stated by Tuisource 
  6. Stated by Tuisource 
  7. Stated by Tuisource 


NightWings
Queens

Present: BattlewinnerDarkstalkerGlory
Historical: Vigilance

Royalty

Greatness

Jade Mountain

BigtailFatespeakerFearlessMightyclawsMindreaderMoonwatcherStarflight

Other Dragons
(Present)

BonecruncherDeadlyclawsDeathbringerEclipseFarsightFierceteethMastermindMorrowseerObsidianPreyhunterQuickstrikeSecretkeeperShapeshifterSlaughterSmokeseerStonemoverStrongwingsVengeanceWisdom

Other Dragons
(Historical)

AllknowingClearsightDiscretionFoeslayerForeseerJewel-eyesListenerMorrowwatcherPrudenceQuickdeathStarclawsSwiftwingsThoughtfulTruthfinderTunesmithVision

Hybrids

DarkstalkerWhiteoutEclipseFierceclawsPeacemakerShadowhunterSunnyFireflyCommodoreJewelOrangeTortoiseshellTortoiseshell

Folklore

CometMindhealerThe Prophetess

Kingdom

NightWing island: NightWing tunnels
Lost city of night: Renewal
Rainforest Kingdom: NightWing village

Kingdom
(Historical)

Lost city of night: Borderland MountainClearsight's homeDarkstalker's homeGreat DiamondMuseumNightWing libraryNightWing palaceNightWing schoolNorth Beach

Society

NightWing Exodus


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