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SilkWings are one of the three tribes living on Pantala. They currently live in the LeafSilk Kingdom alongside the LeafWings. The SilkWings do not have a queen, instead having a governing body of SilkWings known as the SilkWing Assembly leading them and making decisions for the tribe. Before and after the Tree Wars, their queen was Queen Wasp. The last SilkWing queen was Queen Monarch. They are descendants of BeetleWings. They are characterized by their butterfly-like wings and silk spinning abilities.
Appearance[edit | edit source]
SilkWings can be any color under the sun except black,[1] whilst their eyes can be any color. They are commonly patterned with splotches, freckles, and stripes.
SilkWings have long, plated, curved horns and iridescent plated scales like sliced gems.[2] They have long antennae and two sets of huge butterfly-like wings, two larger wings connected near to their shoulders, and two smaller wings connected to a segment near the larger wings. They grow these wings after going through Metamorphosis at the age of six.[1] Before Metamorphosis, they only have wingbuds.[3] Much like their scales being patterned, their wings can have spots and shapes.
They have slim bodies, much like RainWings, but are much longer, and more beautiful looking.[citation needed]
Abilities[edit | edit source]
All SilkWings are able to spin silk from glands in their wrists after their Metamorphosis. Some SilkWings have the ability to spin flamesilk, a power that allows them to spin fiery silk from their wrists. A single strand of flamesilk can last an entire moon cycle,[4] and was previously used in lamps as a source of light. According to Luna, there are five types of flamesilk:
- Gold Silk does not burn or glow, and is similar to the silvery silk that non-flamesilks can make, but has a golden color instead.[5]
- Firefly Silk gives off a small bit of light, like holding a firefly in your talons, but doesn't burn.[6]
- Glow Silk is warm and gives off a glow like fire, but can be held by anyone.[7]
- Blaze Silk is the flamesilk found in most lanterns, it burns like normal fire and gives off a glow like fire.[8]
- Sun Silk is a type of flamesilk that is as bright as lightning and is hot enough to burn through stone. The only way to put it out is to drown it.[9]
Additionally, SilkWings who are able to produce flamesilk cannot be burned by flamesilk,[10] however they can still be harmed by regular fire.
A dragonet with one flamesilk parent has a fifty percent chance of also being a flamesilk.[11]
SilkWings have precise internal clocks to keep them on schedule and tell them when a rainy season is coming.[12] They are able to sense vibrations using their antennae,[13] as well as weather.[citation needed]
Diet[edit | edit source]
SilkWings are vegetarian,[14][15][16] and they have been known to eat food such as yam, okra,[17] garbanzo beans,[18] fruit, and honey.[19] They also sometimes eat candy, such as honey drops,[20] nectar,[citation needed] and chocolate.[21]
Metamorphosis[edit | edit source]
At the age of six, SilkWings have a period of Metamorphosis. Just before Metamorphosis, a SilkWing's wingbuds begin to unfurl and their wrists have a slight glow.[22] SilkWings with flamesilk experience a stronger glow than those without.[23] Post-Tree Wars, this occurred in the Cocoon, a long oval dome, two levels tall, near the bottom of the Hive.[24][25] When entering Metamorphosis, SilkWings enter what is referred to as the Metamorphosis trance, where they enter a dreary state and begin weaving a cocoon of silk around themselves.[26]
After the five-day Metamorphosis, SilkWings emerge with their wings and silk.[27]
Culture[edit | edit source]
Pre-Tree Wars[edit | edit source]
SilkWings are described to be natural tree dwellers, and are said to have lived in the vast forests of Pantala before the Tree Wars.[14] Before the advent of the Tree Wars, the tribe had their own queen, Queen Monarch, before she abdicated her throne to Queen Wasp of the HiveWings and vanished soon after.[28] Successors to the SilkWing throne were always chosen by the SilkWing queen if they had many potential heirs.[29]
Soon after a SilkWing's Metamorphosis, it was common for them to take time off of school to explore the continent before they would decide on a job.[30]
Post-Tree Wars[edit | edit source]
After the SilkWings agreed to live under the rule of Queen Wasp, they lived in the Hives. Strict rules were imposed upon them and they were treated as second-class citizens to HiveWings.[31]
School Curriculum and Hive Professions[edit | edit source]
In the Hives, SilkWings received general education before their Metamorphosis.[32] The many key topics studied were The History of the Tree Wars, Literature and Writing, Math, Animal Studies, Physical Exercise, and Silk Studies; as well as about areas such as web structure, silk weaving, and following directions.[33] Many of these classes were taught by HiveWings, with one exception being Silk Studies, which was taught by SilkWings.[34][30] SilkWings also practiced emergency drills in school, in the case of a possible LeafWing attack on the Hive's webs.[35] They also took field trips to Misbehavior's Way twice a year.[36]
Many of these topics taught to SilkWings were described as to purposefully make the tribe feel inferior, afraid of leaving the Hives, and to only have related to their possible future assigned careers and occupations. SilkWings were constantly told that HiveWings learn everything they do, but at a much younger age, and were also taught about dangerous animals outside, intended to scare them away from leaving the Hives.[30][34]
When a SilkWing finished their schooling, they completed on-the-job-training,[32] and began work as soon as they went through Metamorphosis and grew wings.[37][38] SilkWings never had choice or preference over their assigned work or job, because they were described by HiveWings as "overly sensitive" and "prone to fits of fancy." If a SilkWing was particularly skilled or proficient in their work, they were often assigned a job that was harder for them, and "troublemakers" were typically assigned the hardest jobs.[30] Some possible jobs that a SilkWing could have been assigned include:
- Construction workers were assigned in breaking down and reshaping old treestuff for use in further repair or construction at other areas of a Hive. Having been described as hard, back-breaking work, this job was more difficult and more dangerous when compared with other professions and jobs. It was common for SilkWings who caused the most trouble in school to be assigned this job.[39]
- Web workers were assigned to spin and repair the webs that serve as the bridges going between the Hives and as the home for all SilkWings.
- Spinners were assigned in creating artistic tapestries, with the work of the best spinners having been highly sought after among wealthy HiveWings.
- Weavers and dyers were assigned in making many different kinds of threads and cloths serving a multitude of practical or decorative purposes, such as garments, window coverings, and cleaning cloths.
- Servants worked in the establishments or residences of HiveWings, assigned in completing many different jobs by their employers, such as food preparation, dragonet care, and cleaning.
- Performers were assigned in putting on plays and concerts across many different Hives. These performances were put on for HiveWings, but some less restrictive Hives also allowed for SilkWings to watch as well. This job was seen as a dream job for some SilkWings, as it afforded them the ability to travel between many different Hives and to see more of the continent, which was generally restricted among SilkWings outside of this profession.[40]
Identification[edit | edit source]
SilkWings had identification markings inscribed on their right palms at hatching. It consists of three letters in a triangle: one is the first letter of the SilkWing's name, the others are the first letters of their parents' names.[41] SilkWings also wore metal wrist cuffs on their left arms indicating which security checkpoints they are permitted to pass through. For students, the name of their school was inscribed in the metal.[42] After schooling, SilkWings would have to get a new wrist cuff.[43] Some wristbands contained a toxin that could be remotely triggered to be injected into the wearer.[44]
These identifiers were used at security checkpoints, like the entrances and exits of hives, to ensure only SilkWings authorized to enter certain areas were allowed to pass through.
Living spaces[edit | edit source]
Unlike HiveWings, SilkWings slept on the exterior of the hives on the webs.[45] Each family had a web, spanning many layers to catch falling dragonets.[46] They had dew collectors to keep water for washing.[47]
Relationships[edit | edit source]
Relationships between SilkWings and HiveWings were illegal and punishable by death.[48] Friendships between HiveWings and SilkWings were considered strange.[49] SilkWings were assigned partners. SilkWings could apply to be assigned to a partner of their choice, but this had no guarantee of being accepted.[50]
Trade[edit | edit source]
SilkWings could purchase items from HiveWing shops within the hives. Purchases were made using a currency called scales.[51]
Religion[edit | edit source]
SilkWings regarded Clearsight as a deity and would pray to her spirit.[52]
History[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Guide to the Dragons of Pantala, Books 10-15
- ↑ The Hive Queen, Prologue, paragraph 4. "A dragon with four wings instead of two; a dragon with long furling antennae and scales like sliced gems and the ability to spin silk that burned."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 21–22.
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 8, paragraph 85. "'You're right,' she said, leaping to her feet. 'Let's think. Flamesilk orders go out all the time, because each thread only burns for about one cycle of the smallest moon before it fades. [...]'"
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 10, paragraph 4. "The simplest one she called gold silk, which was much like the silvery silk most of her tribe could make, except that hers shimmered with a golden color."
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 10, paragraph 5. "The next kind she called firefly silk: it gave off a little bit of light, like holding a firefly in your talons, but it didn't burn."
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 10, paragraph 6. "Then there was glow silk, the kind she'd given to Dusky. It felt a little warm and it glowed brighter, closer to a normal fire, but anyone could hold it."
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 10, paragraph 20. "'I call this one blaze silk — I think it's what you'll find in most lanterns.' She made a little curl of the thread that burned and glowed like a normal fire, […]."
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 10, paragraph 22-23. "The thread that came from her wrist was so bright that everyone near her shielded their eyes. It looked like a bolt of lightning sizzling in her palm. 'I call it sun silk,' she said. 'I can only make a little bit at a time.'
She shook her head as Hemlock produced another stone jar. 'It can burn through that, too. I have to drown it.'" - ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 24, paragraph 25. "'Flamesilk dragons can't be burned by flamesilk,' he [Admiral] said. 'That would be absurd.'"
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 8, paragraph 67. "[...]A dragonet with one flamesilk parent has a fifty percent chance of being a flamesilk, too.[…]"
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 4, paragraph 23. "All HiveWings and SilkWings had a precise internal clock that always kept their days on schedule and warned them when the rainy season was coming."
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 8, paragraph 20. "His antennae unfurled softly, feeling the vibrations in the air."
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 181
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 15, paragraph 70. "'That's all right,' Blue said with a smile. 'I can wait for something in the vegetable family.'"
- ↑ The Lost Continent, Epilogue, paragraph 30–32.
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 2. "And everyone followed the rules and the Hives were beautiful and spotless and there were always enough yams and okra, so wasn't that the kind of world everyone wanted to live in?"
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 19, paragraph 62. "I don't have any bananas, you little barbarian. It's yams or garbanzo beans again, I'm afraid.'"
- ↑ The Lost Continent, Epilogue, paragraph 30. "Luna wrinkled her snout. 'Um,' she said 'that's all right. Do you have any fruit? Or honey?' She added hopefully."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 40–41. "'So where do we start?' he [Blue] asked. 'No, wait, let me guess. Honey drops.'"
- ↑ The Flames of Hope, chapter 21, paragraph 66. "She'd [Luna] only had chocolate twice before, and it was almost as wonderful as honey drops."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 22. "Luna’s wingbuds were starting to unfurl, so he could see whorls of cobalt and gold inside the pale green exterior. There were also signs of her silk coming in; already her palms and wrists were glowing a little, as though tiny fireflies were waking up under her scales."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 4, paragraph 17. "“I remember a little bit of light where my silk came in, but not this bright,” Swordtail said, completely trampling over Blue’s efforts to calm Luna down. “I’m not — I’m not sure this is normal. Io, have you seen anything like this before?” He turned to his sister as she came up to join them. Directly behind her was Blue’s mother, Burnet, who stepped around the others to give Blue and Luna quick hugs."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 3, paragraph 28. "The Cocoon wasn’t on quite the lowest, ground-floor level of the Hive, but it was close to it. Here the streets were dimmer and emptier, the lamps fewer and farther between. A few lower-class HiveWings lived down here, in the small cells near the outer spiral. There was one hulking building that Blue thought might be a training center for guards. The courtyard around it was open for a few levels up to give them space to fly their exercises. Blue glanced up as they went by, watching the dragons moving around the streets above them. Occasionally a flutter of black and red wings broke the quiet as a HiveWing flew from one side of the Hive to the other to save walking time."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 3, paragraph 29. "But the main thing on this level was the Cocoon: a long oval dome, two levels tall, which was swathed in so many beautiful weavings it almost seemed to be made out of silk itself. Every SilkWing in Cicada Hive came here for his or her Metamorphosis, and according to tradition, afterward each one made a silk weaving for the dome as an offering of thanks."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 4, paragraph 39. "One SilkWing, a starved-looking turquoise dragonet from their class at school, had already entered her Metamorphosis trance. Two long seamless strands of moon-colored silk spiraled out of her wrists. Her eyes were closed and her talons moved automatically, weaving the silk into a cocoon around her."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 16, paragraph 44. "Swordtail was shaking his head. “That’s another day wasted,” he said. “Luna’s only going to be in her cocoon five days. We have to find her before she comes out. And before Blue starts his own Metamorphosis.”"
- ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 188
- ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 190
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 184
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 101. "“My lady,” said Chafer. “I quite insist. We do not serve second-class dragons before royalty in this establishment.”"
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 199
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 9, paragraph 6. "'[…] Our lessons are things like the history of the LeafWing War, silk weaving, reading, web structure, and following directions. Lots of following directions.'"
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 A Guide to the Dragon World, page 183
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 6, paragraph 31–32.
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 10, paragraph 26. "“You’ve never — haven’t you at least walked along it?” he asked. He was flummoxed when she shook her head. “But — really? It’s only a couple levels up from here. My school has two field trips there every year.”"
- ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 182
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 10. "Once she had wings, Luna would be assigned to a work order. Soon she’d be paired up with whichever partner the queen chose for her and given another cell to live in. She might even be moved to another Hive."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 49. "It was hard, back-breaking work, usually given to the SilkWings who caused the most trouble in school."
- ↑ A Guide to the Dragon World, page 185
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 30. "“Blue,” he said, holding out his right arm. The soldier studied the letters that had been carved into Blue’s palm when he was a newly hatched dragonet: B for his name, forming a triangle with a smaller B and A for his parents’ names. Luna always said she was glad the marking happened while they were too young to remember, but Blue was pretty sure he did have memories of that day … a bright light, a searing pain, and, most clearly, a sense of betrayal."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 31. "Hawker grunted and moved on to examining the wrist cuff on Blue’s other arm. It was a dull bronze color and annoyingly heavy, although Blue was mostly used to it by now. It indicated that he was a student at one of the schools in the Hive, so he was permitted to go in and out through this checkpoint. The name of the school was inscribed in the metal: Silkworm Hall."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 37. "“You’ll have a new one of these next time you come through here,” Hawker said, tapping Luna’s wrist cuff, which matched Blue’s."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 7, paragraph 46. "“Shhh,” she said, helping him lie down on his back. “Don’t be scared, but there might be a toxin in your wristband. I read a study about the idea once, but I didn’t think they’d implemented it yet. Did you feel anything? Like a needle poking you, kind of? I bet they rigged it to inject you if they ever couldn’t find you.”"
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 13. "He was already awake when Luna bounded across the web and started shaking him, shortly before dawn. He wasn’t sure he’d slept at all. For a while he’d been watching the glow of tiny lights moving far below them in Cicada Hive, imagining himself as one of those early-rising dragons on their way to work, awake before the sun. In the distance he could see Hornet Hive in one direction and Mantis Hive in the other, although the webs that connected them were mostly invisible in the dark."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 17. "“Hey, watch it,” he teased, nudging her away. “Some of us won’t have wings for another six days.” There were layers and layers of other strong webs crisscrossing below his family’s web, ready to catch any falling dragonets … but even so, it was hard to forget how far down the ground was. He always felt safer in the Hives than he did out on the webs, which he worried was not a very normal SilkWing attitude."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 42. "He dipped his snout into their dew collector, washing his antennae and the dry scales under his eyes, as Luna darted across the web to her mother. Silverspot sat up and wrapped her wings around Luna — quickly enough that Blue wondered whether she had been awake all night, too."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 46. "Luna laughed and started telling a story about something funny Swordtail had said the night before. Blue padded beside her, glad to be off the topic of SilkWing-HiveWing relationships. Forbidden was putting it mildly. Whatever the strongest word for illegal was, that was the right word. Prohibited? Outlawed? Punishable by death? All of those times a million."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 7, paragraph 16. "Blue thought there was. He’d never met another HiveWing like her — first of all, willing to talk to a SilkWing as though they could be friends. Second of all, looking at him as if he was a real dragon, not a wingless curiosity or nuisance to be stepped over."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 1, paragraph 38. "“Don’t be,” Luna said. “Once I have my wings, Swordtail and I can be partnered, and then I’ll see quite enough of him.” She grinned, as though applying for the partnership actually meant they’d get it, which Blue thought was far from certain. He didn’t know any adult SilkWings who’d been given the partner of their choice. His mother and Luna’s mother hadn’t even known their father, who had been whisked away to another Hive once there were eggs. Blue knew his name — Admiral — and nothing else."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 110. "Blue took the box, but Luna stopped to pull a pair of scales out of her pouch. She dropped them on the counter and darted toward the door."
- ↑ The Lost Continent, chapter 2, paragraph 135. "Spirit of Clearsight, if you’re listening: Please take care of my sister. Please let her Metamorphosis be normal."