SilkWings

File:Silkwing, colored.png

SilkWings are a tribe of dragons that live on Pantala. The other two tribes are HiveWings and LeafWings. SilkWings have colorful wings, like butterflies and can produce silk from glands on their wrists. Some SilkWings have a special power called flamesilk, allowing them to create a type of silk valuable to the hives, especially for making glass and providing light. The last SilkWing queen was Queen Monarch, and the tribe is currently ruled by Queen Wasp of the HiveWings. They are descended from BeetleWings.

Description

SilkWings have two pairs of wings, one pair smaller than the other, with membranes that have rounded edges. While Pyrrhian dragons have bat-like wings, SilkWings have butterfly-like wings, which can be compared to butterfly or moth wings in shape, as well as appearing to be translucent. Their wings also can have spots and other patterns. The bigger pair of wings appears to have four or five digits that the membrane is stretched between. Their smaller pair of wings are attached slightly below the larger pair and have two or three digits. According to Tui on the Wings of Fire Forums, SilkWings' wings are just as strong as any dragon's wings rather than weak like an insect's. SilkWings appear to have gem-like scales and have small spines running down their back to the tip of their tails. Their scales appear to be somewhat iridescent, similar to NightWing scales. They have long and slim bodies, similar to RainWings. Their horns are curved, almost RainWing-like in shape, but much longer and thinner. There is also a set of antennae on the brow, just above the eyes. The ridge above their eyes runs over their horns, giving SilkWings a plated appearance.

SilkWings can be any color except black, such as olive green, aquamarine, lavender, indigo, amber, orange, dark purple, grey, and red. They Sometimes have darker accent colors on their scales. Most SilkWings seem to have iridescent scales. The wing membranes appear to be different colors too, as well as certain segments between the digits being a different color than the rest of the wing. Tui has said that the SilkWings could be named after different species of butterflies, and this has since been confirmed. SilkWings also seem to have differently-shaped wings, usually similar to their namesake's wings.

Diets

SilkWings are vegetarians. Their diet includes yams, okra, kale, kumquats, and persimmons. They enjoy honey drops, a sweet candy, as a treat.

Abilities

File:Flamesilk demonstration.jpg

Flamesilk lanterns on the cover of The Hive Queen

SilkWings can use their antennae to sense vibrations in the air, and are able to predict the weather. At six years old, SilkWings undergo a Metamorphosis. They go into a cocoon, emerging with two pairs of wings and silk glands in their wrists. Metamorphosis is preceded by aching wing buds, experiencing a nervous and fuzzy feeling, and itchy silk glands. Swordtail notes that SilkWings are great climbers.

Some SilkWings have the ability to produce flamesilk. Flamesilk is used by the HiveWings to create glass and illuminate inside of the hives, though different types can be made for different purposes, including a type that emits heat and does not burn the holder. Flamesilk dragons cannot be burned by flamesilk, but they are not immune to regular fire. This ability is genetic, and if one parent is a flamesilk, their offspring have a fifty percent chance of being flamesilk as well. Cricket notes that flamesilk is expensive, and that a single strand can last a whole moon cycle.

Click here for a list of all flamesilks.

Society

SilkWings have been separated by the HiveWings ever since Queen Wasp took over their tribe. They do not have a voice in the Hives' government system. Under Wasp's rule, SilkWings are second class citizens and servants who have almost no rights compared to HiveWings. Examples of a regular SilkWing's occupation would include: construction workers, like Swordtail, hive drones (servants) like Silverspot, web workers, like Burnet, and other low-ranked jobs, like stall owners or weavers. It's been mentioned that the most disobedient SilkWings are typically assigned construction work given that it is considered to be very unpleasant. LeafWings are taught that SilkWings are not allowed to go to school, though this is not the case. SilkWings attend school much like HiveWings do.

SilkWings are not allowed to divorce. SilkWings are assigned partners by Wasp and her sisters, rather than choosing their own.

Names

SilkWings are usually named after different species of butterfly or moth, like Admiral and Fritillary, although a few have been named after species of dragonfly, such as Clubtail.

Click here for a list of known SilkWings.

Trivia

• SilkWings are the only dragons native to Pantala that can produce "fire" (in the form of flamesilk).
• According to the Pantalan Dragon Guide, SilkWings are stereotyped as being beautiful, passive, and gentle.
• SilkWings were the first tribe out of the three Pantalan tribes to be confirmed to live there.

Gallery

• 
  A typical SilkWing (colored), by Joy Ang
• 
  A typical SilkWing (lineart), by Joy Ang

References

fr:Ailes de Soie ru:Шёлковые драконы