Glooming
Brief
Aging is a part of life. While humans gain wrinkles and grey hair, dragons however have something entirely different:Glooming . It has specific prefixes based on the dragon type. It is most commonly known as Scale Gloom. Glooming is something that occurs as a dragon grows old however this takes a very long time to show, with a dragon starting to exhibit minor signs at 200 years old.Types of Glooming
- Scale Gloom
- Fur Gloom
- Skin Gloom
- Feather Gloom
Each dragon has a specific type of Glooming they experience. For example, Earth dragons experience primarily Scale Gloom, and some Skin Gloom. Dark dragons would experience Fur Gloom instead.
Transmission & Vectors
Glooming cannot be transmitted. The condition is strictly tied to age and as a result, contact or interaction with a dragon that is Glooming means nothing. It also isn't contagious.
Causes
Glooming is caused through the growing, and shedding/molting/etc that a dragon goes through throughout their incredibly long lives. Eventually, the rich pigments of their body will begin to fade slightly until losing colour entirely.
Cultural Reception
Dragons with Glooming are viewed with awe. With the Knights of Valor making a comeback, and due to the past of Dragon Slaying, it wasn't common for dragons to live until they exhibited Glooming. With a relative era of peace dragons are aging far past 200, which is typically when Glooming starts to occur in healthy dragons.
Type
Genetic
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Chronic, Congenital
Rarity
Common
Affected Species
"Auntie Rhodie, why are your scales all spotty?" a young earth dragon tilted their head, watching as their aunt breathed fire underneath their dinner, starting to roast it. "We're all coloured like citrine, but you're all pale! Are you sick?" The bigger dragon chuffed, leaning over to gently tap her horns against theirs. "It's scale gloom. You'll get it when you're older too." her voice was gravelly and rough, like tumbling stones. "That's what happens when you get old." "Will I get as big as you?" Their eyes shone brightly. "Of course little one. If you eat well and listen to your elders." "Yes Auntie Rhodie!"
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