Slough Scale

Tears of a Dragon-kind

Written by Mlawt

Her scales would slither off her body, only where her armor had been breached, shedding from a festering rotting wound. Once she minded them, despairing over each as they slid down her slender frame; each one a reminder of her mortality.
One cannot dread eternity, it must be embraced. She no longer fears the sloughed scale. She no longer fears the acidic molt. Her eyes have turned eastward.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Slough scale is the colloquial term for green, almost metallic, bony plates that protect the body of a green dragon. More accurately, the term describes the unique fact that Dragons scales can be found in the The Brec'hwood. As a dragon's scale is as hard as plate, of similar weight, but often naturally enchanted, it is hardly believable that one would find them laying about; however, one does.
The scales are found laying about the wood, their face shining brilliantly and can be polished to mirrored reflection. The scales found in the wood, however, stem from an adult, nearly ancient, Green Dragon. As such, they are emerald in color, about 1/2" to 1" thick, with newer scales as big around as a standard shield. The newer a scale is the stronger, thicker, and richer the coloring. Scales formed centuries ago may have brighter coloring and feel lighter. Scales are not uniformly solid, but covered in dozens of tiny pits allowing breathing through the skin.
Upon discovering a scale, one must take care, as it often leaks acidic poison from where it was once attached to the greater beasts.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Slough scales found in the Faeriewood are feel slimy initially, however this is simply a quality of their organic nature. On a dragon, the scales can perform a variety of purposes such as regulating body temperature and, in particular for green dragons, are vascular to prevent acidosis. A singular scale are highly resistant to damage and after manufacturing can be smithed with the intention to be noninflammable or insulated. Originating from a magical beast also primes them for enchanment, thus interweaving arcane energy into the scale is a simple matter.

Origin & Source

Slough scales come from a Green Dragon that inhabits the Brec'hwood, however, few have ever seen the dragon, if any. None who have seen it have been outside The Unseelie Host of Brec'hwood. Though it does exist as the scales exist. They are often discovered near the narrow passage to the Clos Trench. It is theorized the scales are falling off due to the dragon's greater maturity, but they are only the coloration and size of an adult, whereas scales do not fall off until a dragon's twilight years.

History & Usage

Discovery

The first scales are believed to have been found by mischievous pixies who dared disturb a beast in its territory, thirsty with greed and with an opportunity for trouble. They were promptly eaten. The years would pass and more cautious minds, that of the Greater Fey, would discover pools of acid lingering throughout the wood, leaking energy from their home -- the Plane of Faerie, or Feywild. These elves would recover the scales and research them, attempting to discover a means by which to return home (so far unsuccessful). In the end, the scales proved valuable enchantments and components, so specialized scouts are sent to seek and harvest them wheresoever they roam.

Everyday use

Slough scales are common in Fey armor found on noble house guards or as jewelry of the lunar court. The Lady of the Lake is wreathed in a dress made of filament refined from slough scale and legend tell she grants her champions weapons and wondrous artifacts made of dragon's scale. In more prominent greater fey dwellings, one can find rare furnishings adorned or crafted from the material. Otherwise, it is uncommon to find them.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Dragon scales are a powerful component, rare and valuable in all their means. They can be utilized as expensive bartering chips, arcane focuses, materials for armor and finery, and research. The Greater Fey of the Brec'hwood place a large importance on the scales as a means to tie themselves back into the plane in which they originate. Each scale is a window into their home, acting as a magnifying glass in which life on the material plane may be intensified through the lens of the Fey. Where a scale is found the wood is more intensely attuned to the Feywild. As such, the Greater Fey use the scales to symbolically attune themselves, decorating themselves and their dwellings with the rare emerald focuses. It is believed by some fey that should they obtain enough scales, one would be capable of returning home. Whether or not the scales themselves function in this manner is difficult to say.
In a general sense outside the House of Meirwa, scales are granted to particularly loyal Unseelie (which is rare for the fickle faerie folk). Those who serve the House's goals admirably are gifted single scales. One may earn multiple scales for continual exceptionalism, but as those who decide what "exceptional" means are elves, this bar is often unattainable. However, there are those who have achieved such honors and seek to gain more from dutiful or brave service.
Although, such rarity and hoarding remains a delicious target for the even the least mischievous minded of faerie.

Refinement

The material is flexible and may be shaped into various forms as it comes naturally. However, it is often too thick to be used with any ease and so therefore must be thinned and reduced down to a manageable crafting material. Additionally, it must be harvested with awareness to its nature, as coming across an adult dragon in the wood would be most unfortunate for any living soul. With respect to using the material to create clothing or armor, special attention is giving towards preserving the inner vascularity for aesthetic and auxiliary purposes. A great enough craftsman may assemble refined armor or divine thin filaments from sheets of slough scale. An ignorant party may occasionally expose burn themselves from the scales innate acidic film that they are discovered in, but most fey are aware of this.

Distribution

Trade & Market

The Greater Fey would hardly trade any of the scales they find with any outsiders, even to the point of hoarding them from Sylvans. The Fey trade scales amongst themselves as gifts, and often offer beautiful artworks or strong tools made from them. Considering their rarity though, it is more often than not, made into protective clothing or arcane artifacts for the ruling House Meirwa.

Law & Regulation

In general, most Fey hate rules (at least rules in the way we humans think of them). So the least sense one can make out of their regulations is related to ownership and discovery of the scales. Often in Fey rulings, those who find something first is the rightful owner. In the case of scales though, pre-determined due to their magical origin and proximity to the Plane of Faerie, all scales are gifts from the Lady of the Lake-- who resides in the Brec'hwood, which is owned by House Meirwa, which is ruled by the Lunar Court, which is headed by Marwoleath who most Fey perceive to be the Lady of the Lake. Ergo, all scales are own by the Marwoleath, who rules the Lunar Court, that rules the House of Meirwa, that rules the Brec'hwood, that the Unseelie live in. Therefore, the scales are owned by the Greater Fey and the Unseelie are lucky to benefit from having such wisdom. If one were to argue that law is tautological, indeed, it is the Unseelie Host.

Type

Biomaterial

Value

Expensive, if one can even be bought ^{(for setting purposes)}.

Rarity

Rare

Color

Absinthe; can be polished to mirrored emerald appearance. Unrefined scales resemble crocodile skin.

Related Locations

• The Brec'hwood

Related Technologies

• Blood-Metal