Names
GustWings names are based on mountains, storms, high altitudes, birds, wind currents, and, less commonly, phenonmena that occur in cold temperatures. Here are some examples:
- Lammergeier
- Ossifrage
- Magpie
- Falcon
- Peregrine
- Talon
- Peak
- Foehn
- Cliff
- Plateau
- Snowcap
- Lammergeier
- Ossifrage
- Magpie
- Falcon
- Peregrine
- Talon
- Peak
- Foehn
- Cliff
- Plateau
- Snowcap
Romance
GustWings have a similar practice to MudWings, where the tribe will gather yearly in order to seek out a mate to reproduce. This is entirely an unromantic approach; GustWings still have romantic relationships, but the creation of dragonets is entirely seperate from it. GustWings seek out the strongest, most fit mate to create the healthiest dragonets possible.
Burial Practices
GustWing bodies are left on lowland peaks and exposed to the elements for weeks. Once there is nothing left but bones, they are transported back to a family Tomb; a large, elaborate structure where all the bodies of GustWings are lain to rest in decorative clay or metal urns.
Architecture
GustWings live in elaborate cities perched on the edge of mountains or hanging off the side of a steep cliff. Many cities are built out of ancient SilverWing ruins, with the most important dragons living in the old, but still remarkably sturdy, structures. GustWing commoners, however, live in ramshackle 'nests' made of wood harvested from the lowland regions. These are seen as somewhat unsafe and extremely undesirable to live in.
Royal GustWings use LOTS of gold in their homes.
Royal GustWings use LOTS of gold in their homes.
Art
In visual arts; realism is highly prized, with more stylized approaches to art seen as 'lesser' by the vast majority of GustWings. Music is loved by all, and while they do use instruments, singing is incredibly common, as GustWings are able to get a wide range of sounds and tones in their voices. Dancing is also a common practice.
Theater, on the other talon, is an interesting thing. The Royal family fund large-scale productions across the Island, often presenting very skewed versions of history to paint a positive image of the Tempest.
Theater, on the other talon, is an interesting thing. The Royal family fund large-scale productions across the Island, often presenting very skewed versions of history to paint a positive image of the Tempest.
Food
The majority of the GustWing diet is made up of meat; no meal is complete without it. Birds, however, are not on the menu, as it is seen as extremely taboo to eat them (for two reasons; they are so similar to GustWings, and they are believed to be reincarnated dragons). Food is rarely cooked, and meals are shared between the entire family.
Fashion
GustWings like to wear apparel that remind them of past hunts and battles; carved antlers, bear-tooth necklaces, or even snow leopard pelts draped over their shoulders. Anything that says 'I'm tough watch out.' Some go so far as to string dragon scales into elaborate suits of armour; these items are highly prized and passed down throughout generations, with the oldest of them being owned by the Royal family.
The keeping of large, dangerous animals (or even scavengers) is also common, and a sign of power should someone be able to successfully keep and care for the creature.
The keeping of large, dangerous animals (or even scavengers) is also common, and a sign of power should someone be able to successfully keep and care for the creature.
Religion
GustWings worship the natural world; trees that have grown massive or have large knots are liable to earning a shrine, and strange animals are seen as spirits from the other side. Birds especially are seen as sacred; they are viewed as dead dragons returned to life, and feeding/caring for them is believed to bring good luck.
The Tempest is a part of this religion; they are seen as the embodiment of the natural order and as, essentially, a living goddess. Criticizing her is seen as defying nature itself, and frowned upon, though that doesn't keep dragons from doing it in public.
The Tempest is a part of this religion; they are seen as the embodiment of the natural order and as, essentially, a living goddess. Criticizing her is seen as defying nature itself, and frowned upon, though that doesn't keep dragons from doing it in public.
Celebrations and Festivals
There are two major holidays that GustWings partake in:
- Every year the GustWings celebrate the hatchday of their Tempest with wild parties and aggressive shows of might. There's a few tournaments held where it's very possible for contestants to get very, very seriously injured.
- A week-long period of mourning every winter, supposedly commemorating the time they were driven out of pantala
- Every year the GustWings celebrate the hatchday of their Tempest with wild parties and aggressive shows of might. There's a few tournaments held where it's very possible for contestants to get very, very seriously injured.
- A week-long period of mourning every winter, supposedly commemorating the time they were driven out of pantala
Class System
Strong, wealthy upper class made up of the Royal family and nobility; no middle class, and a very poor lower class that makes up 80% of the population. The lower classes are fanatically devoted to their leader, the Tempest.
Education
No formal education system exists on Glass Island; GustWings go to private schools if they can afford it, and are taught by their parents otherwise. All GustWings, however, are required to learn how to fight, though it's not a rule enforced often.
Occupations
Some common GustWing occupations include:
- hunters
- soldiers
- dancers
- singers
- aristocrats
- guides (for those seeking to venture to remote areas)
- falconers (keeping birds of prey is common)
- hunters
- soldiers
- dancers
- singers
- aristocrats
- guides (for those seeking to venture to remote areas)
- falconers (keeping birds of prey is common)