A Kushala showing off her iron hard scales.
Family: Dragon
Type: Reptile
Habitat: High Altitudes, Snowy Mountains, Jungles, Deserts, Occasionally visiting towns, Anywhere she pleases (Only in the Reptile Kingdom)
Diet: Meat, Metallic Ores
Disposition: Prideful, Abrasive, Cold, Defensive, Reclusive, (Clingy towards husband.)
Counted among the fearsome, Elder Dragons, whose immense power can shift the balance of an entire ecosystem, the Kushala is known being nearly untouchable. Kushalas have the largest wing in comparison to body size of any true dragon. Their heads are adorned with dozens of horns and most uniquely, their scales most often have a distinct gun-metal gray color. Like any other dragons they are fully capable of taking on their primal form from before the age of the current demon lord.
Kushalas are rarely seen, partially due to the extreme rarity that they share with all elder dragons. However they are even more rarely seen than the more flamboyant of their elder dragon kin. This is due to the generally reclusive nature. Kushalas strongly prefer to keep well away from people, living in the furthest reaches of the wilderness deep in the Jungles, in hidden canyons of the desert region, and most preferably, in the highest, coldest peaks of the Snowy Mountains. Even then, Kushalas prefer to travel from one remote location to the next to make it harder for others to reliably find them.
As an elder dragon, Kushalas are among the most powerful creatures in the Reptile Kingdom, a cut above other dragons. Perhaps even so that they are even considered a legitimate diety in some circles. Kushalas are fully aware of this, and are extremely prideful because of it. Those who do come across a Kushala are treated with cold derision. Kushalas will freely demand the obedience of others as if it were hers by right and are known to grow very angry when they do not get their way. However their prideful and reclusive nature often makes them prefer doing things themselves over relying on what they view to be lesser creatures.
Their pride however is not without reason. Kushalas are immensely powerful. Their might so great in fact that the weather around them seems to bend to their emotions and whims. When calm and happy, the skies tend be clear and winds a gentle breeze. When lonely or depressed the wind often comes to a halt and land is plagued by unending rain. When angered furious storms may rage around them bringing torrential rains, lightening, hail, and gale force winds.
In battle Kushalas are beyond merely formidable foes, their defenses are almost impenetrable. A Kushalas scales are literally made of steel, preventing all but the fiercest of weapons from piercing them, however the true challenge is to even land a blow to begin with. In comparison to body size, Kushalas have the largest wings of any elder dragon. This enables them to fly with maneuverability and skill unheard of in most flying creatures and do so with little effort. Kushalas have been known to hover just off the ground and dance around her foes and hover just out of reach. On top of even this is the true power is their nearly complete dominance over the wind itself. It is both their sword and their shield. In battle cloak themselves in a maelstrom of wind blowing back any who come to close and even sending projectiles hurtling back at those that shot them. They utilize these same winds to strike down their foes as well, shooting cyclonic blasts, generating tornados, and breathing gale force winds at their foes. When angered they are known to charge their defensive winds witj Dragons Blight, causing the winds to become even more turbulent and able to block out magic and they will drastically reduce the temperature of their attacking wind, causing it to freeze their targets as well as batter them in the gale.
Despite their immense defensive abilities and their considerable destructive power, Kushalas are not without vulnerabilities. Their metallic scales are more conductive to heat and electricity, making them more vulnerable to these elemental attacks. Their wind powers are controlled via their horns and tail and thus should those parts of their bodies be damaged the strengtj of their wind will be severely reduced. The same happens when a Kushalas body is fighting off the effects of a sickness or poison.
Directly after shedding a Kushalas scales are said to be as white as freshly fallen snow and shine like polished chrome. While it is when the Kushala is at her weakest, it is also said to be when she is at her most beautiful. Something few are ever permitted to see.
Most damningly however is the fact that a Kushalas scales do not grow woth the rest of their bodies and will rust and corrode over time. These rusted and undersized scales are tight on the Kushalas skin and itch terribly leaving them in an irritable mood occasionally becoming so unpleasant so ass to drive a Kushala into rage if left alone for too long. Thus periodically a Kushala must shed her old scales, often by ramming herself into a large durable structure such as a mountain to knock loosen their scales. Once shed however the fresh scales underneath will be soft and vulnerable leaving the Kushala without her armor until they harden. During this time Kushalas often hide themselves. Also amongst Kushalas, when they must shed their scales, how often they shed, where they go to shed, and how long it takes for their scales to harden varies a great deal on the amount and quality of the metals available for them to eat and are all closely guarded secrets.
These vulnerabilities are why Kushalas are so abrasive and reclusive. As a creature who is normally untouchable, the idea of being hurt is an alien and frightening concept. To a Kushala, shedding, being sick, or the threat of fire, lightening, or poison are terrifying and leave them feeling dreadfully exposed. It is easier for them to keep their vulnerabilities from being exploited by keeping everyone as far away as possible and thus Kushalas distance themselves from others and chase away any who would approach them either violence or by simply making themselves unpleasant to be around. Should a great number of visitors begin appearing a Kushala is likely to simply leave the area.
Despite their desire to keep others away, Kushalas are still mamono and they have the instinctive desire to mate with human men. Because of this, the dream and goal of many Kushalas is to find a man with whom they can entrust their vulnerable to. Because of this, Kushalas will often watching men from a great distance, carefully evaluating their behavior. Often Kushalas will make special note of men who show great talent in battle or show a great deal of kindness and consideration for those around them when selecting a mate. A man who shows both are almost certain to be approached by the Kushala. Once a man is selected Kushalas often attempt to test the man, often utilizing their power over the winds and storms to test his endurance and character. Kushalas have even been known to test especially promising candidates in personal combat, some even going so far as to put a bounty out on themselves with the Hunters Guild.
Once a man has proven worthy the Kushala will await an opportunity to approach him alone and present him with a shed scale. This scale is a symbol, marking him as a potential mate and under her protection. Even wild beasts leave a man bearing a Kushalas scale be and only the most desperate of Jhos will attack him for fear of suffering the Elder Dragons wrath. From then on the Kushala will stealthily visit the man, often urging him to make the treck to her dwelling. Men who do make the treck are welcomed with open arms and often dragged deap into the Kushalas den so that they can maye in peace. Should the man prove to be unable or unwilling to come to her, then eventually the Kushala will grow frustrated and attempt to spirit him away to have her way with him, tearing apart anything that gets in her way.
Married Kushalas are quite clingy to their husbands, when the scales are intact they grow to quite protective and defensive of him. Anyone who even insults their husband will find that an angry Kushala has a razor sharp tongue as she verbally tears them apart piece by piece. Anyone foolish enough to actually harm a Kushalas husband will often that a Kushalas claws are even sharper than their tongue.
When it is time to shed, Kushalas grow clingy for a completely different reason, viewing their husband as form of safety blanket during her most vulnerable state, often not wanting to allow him to leave their home. It is said however that directly after sheding and the time it takes for her scales to harden, a Kushalas scale shine with an unimaginable luster and the Kushala is at her most beautiful. However it is sight that a Kushala will only ever allow her husband to see thus few are ever given the privilege of seeing this.
It should be noted that no one save a Kushalas husband should approach her when her scales are rusted. During this time they are irritable and have little patience for others and will often lash out at anyone who bothers her.
It should be noted that the Kushala is part of a trio of dragons known as the Sky Empress Trio. These three races of dragons have a bitter rivalry over claiming dominance of the sky. Each one of them specializing in a very different manner, one using immense power, the second using extreme speed and the Kushala with her incredible maneuverable.
[Alright I owed Purple Shocks this girl since before christmas. Behold the Iron Winds Kushala Daora! One of the original "base" Elder Dragons and the one who holds dominion of wind, storms and the cold. She took a while, mostly due to external circumstances, lots of stuff that needed done IRL. You guys know how it is. Now that I have my school schedule set, I hope to getting back in action as one of the sites Master Monster Makers. Information on the Reptile Kingdom and links to the other Reptile Kingdom mamono can be found here: (http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:The_Reptile_King/The_Reptile_Kingdom) You can also make suggestions there if you want, just follow the rules on that.
As per my norm, feedback and criticism is welcome and encouraged, so long as your criticisim is more than mindlessly insulting me, I want something useful out of it. So tell me what you think of her]