#dromes

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WILD TYPE MORPH

common in both wilderness/domestic populations

exact coloration has at least ten variants, both subtle and unsubtle (i.e. slight pattern changes on the breast/tail/wing/underbelly feathers, slight variation in stripe visibility/coloration)

"OMEN" (ALBINO) MORPH

incredibly rare, only observed in wild populations

both a blessing and a curse (culturally)

There's not too much to clarify about them, they're pretty much standard small-size dromaeosaurids like velociraptor or saurornitholestes with little extra evolutionary detail. They have whiskers though. I think that's really really important. Very big part of the 'cuteness' factor of it all. They're pretty intelligent, pretty naturally curious, but can still pack a punch. It's beautiful. My excuse to have a little bit of fun.

Dromes play a pretty big part in religion and folklore, with many tales centered around the exploits of Aphaeleon, the creator god, as the many-horned Drome (an impossibility in the wild, though there are larger theropod-like creatures that sport horns). Dromes are sacrificed in a great many rituals, particularly those of the Beginning/End of the year, and in rites dedicated specifically to Aphaeleon.

Dromes with the brightest or cloudiest coloring are selectively bred for these colors, as they reflect the appearance of Aphaeleon. However, many domesticated dromes that do not serve a sacrificial purpose retain their wild-type coloring. These dromes are typically trained to hunt, or serve as pets and/orpersonal guardians (though, their inquisitive nature does sometimes overweigh the urge to protect their owners).

The "omen" morph, on the other hand, is really tricky. Even acknowledging it is considered a sensitive subject for many, as one's appearance in the wild can signal good luck or incredible misfortune. According to Albian superstition, a white drome is a a good fortune so long as it is seen alive. If the drome is dead/one is to come across a white drome's corpse, a darkness is sure to follow. This superstition has roots from similar sentiments shared during the Age of Burning Moonlight, wherein the Sun did not set for ~1000 years. The color white (symbolically) had an extremely dire connotation at this point, reflecting the unending sun and the pain of the world, so the appearance of a rare, white-colored animal meant that the sun was no closer to setting. If anyone were to kill this animal, they would also be shunned, having 'taken on' the burden of extending the suffering of mankind.