Synthien Wing Grafts

A second chance

Us winged folk... we don't do well, when we can't fly. I've seen people who have lost their wings for good, and they're always looking at the sky. Wishing for what they used to have, what they took for granted.

Prosthetics of wood and cloth designed to repair partially or fully damaged wings. They come in a variety of colors, but styles and shapes are limited, as function must be prioritized for them to work. They are modelled after membrane wings, like bats or dragons.

Materials-

Chimelic wood-

The main structure of the grafts is made out of Chimelic wood beams, sourced from native Synthien trees. Chimelic wood is lightweight and flexible enough to be a popular material for making speedy vehicles, but it isn't the strongest, and can bend out of shape or snap easily. Other materials have been tested for use in Synthien wing grafts, but Chimelic wood produces the most consistent results. 

Cloth-

Durable, waterproof cloth is stretched between the wooden beams of the graft to mimic the membrane of bat or draconic wings. The cloth can be dyed and painted in whatever color or pattern the recipient likes best- most choose the color of their original wings, but some like to shake it up.

Structure-

Synthien wing grafts are built to resemble the wings of a bat, with three finger-like spokes wrapped in cloth extending from a wooden arm. The reason for this is for ease of construction- though the most common customers of Synthien wing grafts are Talrathi, who have feathered wings, making artificial feathers would take far more time and materials to make. Attaching partial grafts to feathered wings can be difficult due to the different types of wing, but with more muscle to build off the structure can vary safely.

Rarity and Availability-

Synthien wing grafts are quite expensive, varying somewhat based on quality, waterproofing, and level of articulation. While many types of wing grafts exist, the standard Synthien wing graft follows a particular format, and is generally seen as the safest option, even if they are a tad more expensive. The price varies depending on who is buying, however- a Talrathi looking for a replacement for his lost wings is far more likely to get good-quality grafts at a cheap price than a rich Nevian looking for a luxury item to see what flying is like.
Wing grafts are sold in specialty shops around Synthis, as well as some major cities. Smaller cities or villages are unlikely to have them.

Variants-

Synthien wing grafts come in two variants- full and partial. Partial grafts tend to have the most success, as they build off already-existing muscles and serve as more of a patch than a replacement. They do not need to be taken off between flights, but semi-regular maintenance is recommended, like re-waterproofing or mending tears. Partial grafts are less expensive, and less complicated, but are made of the same materials as full grafts. They are usually dyed to match the owner’s wings. 
Full wing grafts are significantly more complicated, as they need to replace wings fully. Most have a standard two-part pulley system- pulling one set of ropes snaps the wings open and shut, and the other moves them up and down in a flapping motion. The wings attach to a wooden box harness, which is worn like a backpack, though a bit tighter. The wings must be removed before lying down or going through tight spaces, and it is recommended to take them off or fold them anytime they are not in flight, to minimize risk of breaking them. Full grafts are more expensive than partial grafts, as they introduce slightly more complicated mechanics and use more materials.

Flight-

Partial wing grafts are still quite fragile, and don't bend like a natural wing does, so care has to be taken not to break them. Moving the wing in non-flying motions- like gesturing or flaring in aggression- can upset the graft, as it was built more for specific flapping motions. In flight, though, they work very well, and restore a wing to near-perfect capabilities.
Full Synthien wing grafts do not allow for anything other than gliding on their own, due to their lack of power. They can, however, be paired with both magical and mundane devices to boost them through the air. Crystallized wind charms are the most popular method- light and easy to carry, each one providing a small burst of lift when triggered. A new one has to be used every few seconds, though, making them quite expensive for long trips. 
And hey, if you get your hands on some rockets, why not have some fun?

Creation-

Synthien wing grafts were originally designed as a leisure item, taking advantage of the calm breezes of Synthis to give flightless creatures a chance to experience flight. Though they still serve that purpose, they serve a new one now as well, repurposed to aid creatures who have lost the use of their wings.

Customers-

Wing grafts as a luxury item are marketed to anyone, but as a prosthetic they are meant for Talrathi and sometimes Wasplings, as they are the only two winged sentient species. The grafts are designed to fit Talrathi wings best, but they can attach to Wasplings as well, just with reduced effectiveness.