Traits and Markings
Physical Traits
Horn Type
Riftclaw horns are properly ossicones—structures of bone covered entirely with flesh and scales. They are generally quite thick, thicker at the base, pointed at the end, and always point forward before twisting in any other direction. Riftclaws have 2-3 spines on the back of the neck, and 3-5 spines running from the base of the tail towards the tip.
- Regular (Common)
The horns curve forward at the base, extend forward, then curve up at the ends.
- Tall (Uncommon)
The horns curve forward slightly at the base, then sharply upwards.
- Blunt (Uncommon)
The horns resemble the regular type, but are shorter.
- Long (Uncommon)
The horns extend forward with a more gradual upward curve towards the tips.
Spines
Riftclaw spines are thick, fleshy growths, bulbous at the base and possessing a sharp, keratinous spike at the tip. They serve a similar function to camel humps, storing fat for lean periods, and regenerate if ever damaged or removed.
- Single (Common)
The default spine type, a single, sharp keratinous spike growing from the fleshy base.
- Thick (Uncommon)
The spikes are significantly thicker than average, and the spine may mimic the horns in shape.
- Blunt (Uncommon)
The spikes are still present, but have blunted tips rather than sharp ones.
- Hooked (Uncommon)
The spikes are hooked rather than straight.
- Doubled (Rare)
Two spikes are present at the end of the spine rather than one.
- Nubby (Rare)
The spikes are absent, with only the fleshy base remaining.
Scales
Riftclaws are naturally covered in spade-like, overlapping scales; the scales on most of the body are 3-5cm long and leaf-shaped, while the ventral scales have a wide, rounded rectangle shape. The head has more complex scale shielding.
- Regular (Common)
The most common, “default” scale type.
- Glimmer (Uncommon)
Scales glimmer in the light, giving the impression that the riftclaw has been sprinkled with glitter.
- Iridescent (Uncommon)
The scales have a rainbow sheen that shows strongly under bright lighting.
- Opalescent (Uncommon)
The scales have pearly appearance with a faint rainbow sheen under bright lighting.
- Metallic (Uncommon)
The scales have a gleaming, metallic lustre.
- Crystalline (Rare)
The scales are faceted and semi-translucent, either in patches or on the entire body.
- Feathered (Rare)
The scales are longer and wider than typical, and resemble the feather-like scales found on the wings of winged riftclaws.
- Scaleless (Rare)
The scales are completely absent, and only the velvet-like bare skin is present.
Wings
Extremely rarely, riftclaws with certain heritage may be born with wings. These wings are fully developed extra limbs, and appear feathered with thick, elongated scales. Winged riftclaws are too dense to fly without the use of magic, but inheriting wings is often a sign of a particularly magically-gifted individual.
- Wings (Mythic)
A pair of wings with thick, elongated, feather-like scales. These can be spread, flapped, and folded at will.
- Clawed Wings (Mythic)
A pair of wings with thick, elongated, feather-like scales and a prehensile thumb-claw. These can be spread, flapped, and folded at will, and the thumb-claw can be used to grip and carry lighter objects.
Colours and Patterns
The natural colour range for riftclaw skin colour include reds, oranges, browns, yellows, tans, greys and blacks, but a riftclaw can inherit any colour depending on their family tree. Hybridisation with other species, and the integration of Red-Sands riftclaws with custom genetic modifications has expanded the available palette to almost any colour under the rainbow. The eyes can be any colour.
There are a large number of common scale patterns, but individuals usually display variations on them. Unique scale patterns are not unusual, and can be a result of parents' patterns combining, or genetic customisation performed later in life.
Riftclaw scale patterns generally consist of a dominant base colour, a lighter marking colour that often acts as counter-shading, and a darker marking colour for other distinguishing marks. Rarely, a riftclaw may have a fourth marking colour that alters the base pattern in some way, such as the dark edging on barred markings that some individuals display.
Only albino and melanistic individuals show fewer than 3 colours in their scale patterns, although melanistic riftclaws may show "ghost" markings on the chest, belly, thighs and the underside of the tail, where the concentration of melanin is weaker.
For the time being, please see the Gallery over on toyhouse or visit the generator for example images of the various common patterns and their rare variants.