Physical Description

Short Description
Resembling a skeletal horse with huge bat wings, the Grimglider is often viewed as an ill omen and a harbinger of death. However, these dragons are skittish, preferring to camouflage themselves and hide from perceived threats. They are also highly empathetic and seem to be able to sense when someone has suffered a great loss. Though they will show themselves to anyone they deem to not be a threat, they are more likely to show themselves to those who have been truly touched by death, which has given them the reputation of being an ill omen or bad luck.

---

Physical Features

• Gaunt bodies
• Smooth, scaleless skin
• White eyes
• Bird-like beak
• Thin, bat-like wings
• Coarse-haired mane and tail
• Hoof-like feet and claws

---

Colors

• Shades of black and dark gray
• Very dark blue or purple

---

Physical Description

• EGG
  At first glance, Grimglider eggs appear to be completely smooth, black eggs. However, the eggshell is a soft, transparent membrane that grows with the baby Grimglider until they are ready to hatch. The baby dragon can be seen within the egg, curled up on itself with its wings wrapped around it, and its spine leaving bumps in the membrane. Because the egg is so fragile, the Grimglider herd must protect the eggs together. While the Grimglider is usually a gentle creature, they are highly protective of their hatching grounds and will become hostile to any intruder.
• HATCHLING TO ADULT
  Grimgliders are best described as skeletal horse-like dragons with large bat-like wings. They have very little flesh or muscle, causing almost every bone to be visible under their smooth hide. Their faces are expressionless, with milky white eyes and a curved beak - like a hawk or a falcon. They have two bony horns on their head where the ears would typically be on a horse. They stand on four long legs that end with stubby, hoof-like feet with short claws. Their wings protrude from behind the shoulder and have four long, slender "fingers" with a hooked "thumb" and a thin membrane. Grimgliders can have either no hair whatsoever with a bony prehensile tail or a long, coarse-haired mane and tail.

Abilities & Weaknesses

Abilities

• Camouflage
  Much like Changewings, Grimgliders have the ability to camouflage themselves with their surroundings, becoming practically invisible when they need to be. Baby Grimgliders also have this ability, but they have not yet mastered the technique and must rely on the adults to protect them.
• Sulfur Breath
  These dragons exhale sulfur dioxide, a heavy, colorless, poisonous gas that irritates the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
• Blue Fire
  Grimgliders can produce a bright blue flame, thought to be created by their fire mixing with their sulfur breath.
• Speed, Agility, Endurance
  While these dragons are average speed in the air and fly at about the same speed as other medium-sized dragons, Grimgliders excel on land. Though not nearly as fast as the Speed Stinger, these dragons are one of the fastest dragons on land. They are agile, and can easily maneuver around obstacles on land, and can fly and run for long periods of time.

---

Weaknesses

• Scaleless Body
  Grimgliders do not have scales on their bodies to act as armor, leaving them vulnerable to damage. While they can typically withstand the heat of fire, they cannot withstand intense heat like lava. Their hides are also more susceptible to being scratched, cut, or pierced by arrows, claws, teeth, etc.
• Thin Wings
  The membrane of a Grimgliders wing is very thin and unprotected by scales, so they can easily be damaged and/or torn. They can sustain some damage, but if a wing is too severely torn, they can no longer fly.
• Large Dragons
  Grimgliders do not have much in terms of protection from other dragons. Their horns and claws are not very long or sharp, so they must rely on their camouflage or speed to escape larger dragons. If it comes down to a fight, they must rely on their firepower and support from the rest of the herd.
• Starvation
  Grimgliders are carnivorous and most can live off of small forest animals, however, Grimgliders are not equipped to hunt large animals such as boars or deer. Larger herds may have problems keeping all members of the herd fed.

Behavior & Training

Personality
Grimgliders are a social species, living in herds within the forests they call home. Herds are led by a dominant drakaina (female) and protected by a drakone (male), who typically holds sole mating rights with the drakaina of the herd and will fight rival drakone. They are a skittish species, typically preferring to run or camouflage themselves from perceived threats, though the drakone will fight predators that threaten his harem. That being said, all adult Grimgliders are extremely protective of their young and will become highly aggressive if they feel their drakmoro (babies) are in danger.

These dragons are carnivorous and will typically eat rabbits, squirrels, rodents, birds, or any other small creatures they can get their beaks on. While not equipped to hunt larger game themselves, such as boars, deer, or moose, they are not above scavenging the prey of other dragon species or humans. Some herds may even devour a dying or dead dragon. If they are desperate enough, they will even eat carrion.

Despite their eerie appearance, Grimgliders are kind and gentle creatures that are highly empathetic. They seem to be able to sense when someone is in pain or has suffered great loss, and seem to be drawn to those grieving. No Viking funeral is complete without a visit from these spooky dragons, who will "mourn" from the safety of the trees. Their presence at funerals and their general association with death has given them the (undeserved) reputation of being a bad omen and a harbinger of death.

If a Viking gets the opportunity to befriend a Grimglider, it will become apparent that these dragons are loving companions. They form strong, lifelong bonds with humans. Grimgliders also have a playful side; they like to run and prance around, and the drakmoro often chase and play-fight with each other.

---

Training
Grimgliders are pretty hard to get close to due to their skittish nature. The herd will more than likely run away or camouflage themselves before a Viking can even get close enough to spot them. However, the herd can be drawn to a Viking that they sense are grieving or have suffered great loss. Individual Grimgliders may get curious enough to inspect a Viking, and repeated exposure to people can make them more likely to form a bond with humans. If a Viking is lucky enough to get close to a Grimglider, using a gentle tone and slow movements will show them that he/she/they are not a threat. They can also be "bribed" with food, and enjoy a gentle caress.

Grimgliders respond best to positive interactions based on mutual trust and familiarity. It takes time for the Grimglider to recognize humans as companions, but if their rider puts in the time, the Grimglider can eventually view the human as part of the herd. Consistency and fairness are vital in establishing a strong relationship with these dragons. Because Grimgliders are skittish creatures, they can be fearful of new things, which can be overcome with consistent training.

Additional Information

Because these dragons have no natural armor, their rider may opt to have full armor created to protect them.