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Should I keep the wings?
14 years ago
General
For those that didn’t know Greenwing was actually a last minute change when I was making a sona and I didn’t give his design much thought. A forest dragon clearly wouldn’t use its wings and so eventually they would lose them. While he does look pretty bad ass with them in some pictures in reality they would be useless and probably even get in his way. He is also meant to represent myself and I HATE flying. You should see what I look like when I’m on a plane, it is priceless! While Greenwing is moving away from my personality slightly to become his own character (Another will be taking on my direct personality) this common fear sounds reasonable.
I’ve spoken to a few people about this and so far everyone has said that removing them would be a very good idea but last night a friend made a very valid point. Another option would be to give him useless vestigial wings to indicate that his species are still evolving from the more typical dragon to a specialised forest dweller. This kind of threw me because up until that point him losing his wings was pretty much set in stone. I’m still 75/25 in favour of the complete wing loss but this is still something to consider.
I doubt that if I do keep them in some form that they will look like actual wings but maybe little moveable spikes/spurs on his back like those that snakes have. However I quite like the look of the smoothed back Greenwing, check out this picture. Doesn’t that look great? That would probably be the new design for Greenwing, although he would be a little smaller and not with such a chunky neck or ass.
Also what about his name? Everyone says that he should still have the name ‘Greenwing’ but I don’t know. What are your thoughts?
Also thank you to
Vervadra for the alternative suggestion and for being the first person to understand the reference/joke I was making in my last picture. Seriously it is in the title, how can anyone miss it?! JP FTW!
I’ve spoken to a few people about this and so far everyone has said that removing them would be a very good idea but last night a friend made a very valid point. Another option would be to give him useless vestigial wings to indicate that his species are still evolving from the more typical dragon to a specialised forest dweller. This kind of threw me because up until that point him losing his wings was pretty much set in stone. I’m still 75/25 in favour of the complete wing loss but this is still something to consider.
I doubt that if I do keep them in some form that they will look like actual wings but maybe little moveable spikes/spurs on his back like those that snakes have. However I quite like the look of the smoothed back Greenwing, check out this picture. Doesn’t that look great? That would probably be the new design for Greenwing, although he would be a little smaller and not with such a chunky neck or ass.
Also what about his name? Everyone says that he should still have the name ‘Greenwing’ but I don’t know. What are your thoughts?
Also thank you to
Vervadra for the alternative suggestion and for being the first person to understand the reference/joke I was making in my last picture. Seriously it is in the title, how can anyone miss it?! JP FTW!
However even a forest dragon has uses for their wings:
-A forest can be large, and wings provide a quick way to travel from point A to B, for example a lair to a favourite lake
-Even if you don't use them for flight specifically you can use the for gliding, such as off a cliff
-Wings can be used for physical intimidation and display of dominance, spreading them wide makes you look larger and more threatening (Although dragons are arguably imposing enough)
=p
I think if a forest is sparse enough for a dragon to be able to move between the trees, it is probably also sparse enough to hunt from the air. True it may not be a primary means of getting places but I still think dragons with wings are best.
This would be true in a forest like the one on Avatar but in a real rainforest this would be almost impossible. I'll have a think about it but thank you for your opinion!
Yes, I understand this and I wouldn't have wanted that picture to turn out any other way! I'm pretty sure that the last picture that you did for me was the 'final nail in the coffin' in fact, he looks far too good in it as a horse-like lizard creature and not a true dragon so thank you for that.
Knowing that wings would be impractical and actually a hindrance was my main reason for wanting to get rid of them. A creature living in that kind of environment would be better suited to being able to sprint quickly with a high mobility in addition to climbing trees and stuff. And yeah, he would have to go out of his way to find a place to take off.
It seems that Greenwing will have to become his last name but I was trying to avoid that. I don't know if you noticed what my last name was when I commissioned you but they are very similar. I wouldn't want people to think that I adapted my own family name into his when in fact I stole his from a species of parrot. The fact that mine also refers to 'a path flanked on either side by green grass' doesn't help things.
So what would you say, spurs sound like a good idea or give him a smooth back? Lol, I'm in the middle of exams, I shouldn't be worrying about this! XD
Thank you for all of your input!
I dunno, I suppose just go with what you were most attached with and how you feel Greenwing should actually be like.
I know that when talking populations of dragons one can talk of "Flights" and "Wings", sorta like families/clans or breeds. So Greenwing could work by not necessarily meaning having wings, or maybe be kept as a "surname" signifying his heritage. Now this might be far fetched, but just adding possibilities ^w^
If one want to hide with a full set of wings one would need the "tent maneuver".
And yes, the fact that he would have increased mobility and be more practical made me consider losing them. Would you say completely smooth on his back or still have tiny spurs there?
And is your opinion influenced by your own ground dwelling drake? Should I also get him some jewellery and paint him blue? :P
Also what the heck and I going to make his first name?
Hehe, and I would undoubtedly say that I do have some biases for drakes versus dragons ;3 Buuuut to tell the truth I have been getting a little curious how Tal would look with a pair of wings, though I think I'd never want to add a pair as canon.
And the first name.... hmmm, now this is always that tricky area, something that's supposed to sound good, be easy to remember and something one wont get tired of. I don't envy you since I always have a hard time finding good names <:P
Hahaha, I thought so! :P And I think that he would look pretty cool with a pair of wings but I really like the fact that he is a ground dweller.
I know, I hate making new names up! I try to make them descriptive of the character or do the same but in a different language. I've made a few new characters and you will see them soon, then you can marvel at my lack of creativity! However a friend suggested Dorian as a first name and I quite like it. I'll likely make another journal another time asking for suggestions though, but after exams.
Really try to do the same whenever I make names, trying to find something catchy while still making sure it have a fitting meaning :P
But dragon without wings just looks too much like a big lizard with no purpose.
Maybe just have some wing pouch or similar to hide them when useless?
Also, wing-hugs and wing-blankets are good uses for them.
Also I WANT him to look like a big lizard, he is a ground dweller anyway so it won't really be much of a change. You'll just have to have the wings for both of us. :)