Morphology by flight (I know, it’s been done):
Earth: Earth dragons are generally the largest, with rough hides and strong stocky bodies. They often have oversized front limbs and claws to allow them to dig and build more easily, and may have smaller wings in order to squeeze into their tunnels. Getting into a fight with an Earth dragon is not a good idea: they’re physically very powerful and have incredible stamina. In some parts of Earth’s territory there are dragons who have spent so many generations underground that they’ve lost much of their vision and skin pigment, rendering them nearly albino. These dragons navigate by touch or by sensing vibrations.
Nature: Nature dragons rarely grow to any great size, as being too large in the jungle makes it difficult to hunt or flee. Despite their smaller stature Nature dragons are plenty dangerous, as many have developed poison glands and some even exude toxins directly from their skin. It’s very common to see Nature dragons born in camouflaged patterns and colors that allow them to blend into the forest, though many are born in bright warning colors. Most Nature dragons have well-developed claws suited for arboreal life as well as large eyes that function equally well at night. Very magically attuned dragons will sometimes grow plants directly from their mossy hides.
Ice: Ice dragons can be a little startling to those who have never seen them before. Their bodies are compact and bulky in order to conserve heat, and even non-tundras have been known to develop full or partial coats of fur. Like Nature dragons they have large talons to grip the ice and some have specialized horns on their heads designed to break through thin ice to reach air or water. Some are capable of developing thick layers of blubber underneath their scales, giving them a roly-poly appearance.
Light: Light dragons don’t have very many distinguishing features due to their rather undemanding environment, but they are known to have a more elegant appearance than other flights. Light dragons tend to have slightly longer necks and limbs and walk with a smoother gait, but have comparatively little stamina and don’t last very long in fights. Their wings and tendrils, if they have any, are very long and sensitive to temperature and pressure changes. It’s rare to see dark-colored Light dragons in any significant numbers. They tend to be slightly more intelligent than other flights, in a “book smart” sort of way.
Arcane: Arcane dragons are smallish in size and often spindly in appearance, mimicking their deity. They are not known for physically being very strong but compensate with deeper and more powerful magic reserves. Like Shadow dragons, they are frequently bioluminescent but have less control over it, and some Arcane dragons are downright glittery. Arcane dragons are by far the most likely to experience mutations and it’s very common to see dragons of this flight with extra limbs, wings, tails, and even heads. More monstrous mutations are present in clans located deeper in Arcane territory. Some barely look like dragons at all. All Arcane dragons have large, sharp-sighted eyes suitable for stargazing.
Wind: Wind dragons are known for being the best fliers and have smooth, streamlined bodies as well as powerful wings. Many have developed sails and fins to help them better navigate treacherous air currents, and their lungs are able to function at much higher altitudes than other flights. Some Wind dragons can fly for days or even weeks without landing, eating and sleeping on the wing and gathering moisture from clouds. Their wings display a much greater variety in shape than those of other dragons: broad wings for soaring, short wings for rapid takeoffs, curved wings for tight maneuvering. To assist with flying Wind dragons have large airsacs that make them lightweight, and coincidentally very buoyant. Most are sadly unable to dive without great effort.
Shadow: Long, low bodies are characteristic of Shadow dragons, giving some of them a weasel-like appearance. Shadow dragons are the most acrobatic and flexible of the flights to better survive in the brambles of their home and have tough, almost rubbery skin. They are very frequently bioluminescent and can even control the patterns they display, flashing glowing eyespots to frighten enemies or going completely dark in order to sneak up on prey. Some Shadow dragons possess chromatophores that allow them to change color completely, which they often use for pranks. Even the largest of Shadow dragons are able to move in near silence, and breeds with feathers have structures similar to owls that allow them to fly extremely quietly.
Water: Unsurprisingly, Water dragons are suited for aquatic life and many come ashore only rarely, if at all. Fins and flippers have replaced limbs in many Water dragon clans and wings have adapted to be more useful for swimming, sometimes taking on a manta ray-like appearance. Every Water dragon is born with gills as well as lungs, though some lose the ability to breathe air after several generations and require spells to survive on land. It’s quite common to see dragons with large fins on their tails, with some even losing their hind limbs entirely in a mermaid-like fashion. In the deepest trenches of the Sea of a Thousand Currents dragons have begun to resemble deep-sea fishes, complete with glowing lures and mouthfuls of jagged teeth.
Plague: Plague dragons are built for wasteland living and are very thin, sometimes appearing to be starving to outsiders. They have long limbs and broad vulture-like wings suited for soaring on the desert currents and have powerful jaws designed to crush bones. Despite their emaciated appearance Plague dragons are quite strong, and their bites deliver fatal amounts of bacteria to their unlucky prey. Some have even developed the ability to spray acid from glands in their mouths and throats. They are generally dull-colored to blend in with their environment but can boast streaks of bright colors. Plague dragons have a more feral and animalistic appearance than other flights and often have extra horns, spines, and rougher scales as well as exposed teeth.
Lightning: Lightning dragons are capable of storing electricity in their bodies and releasing it on command through a series of specialized muscles similar to those of electric eels. Their bodies are long and sleek with coats of jutting spines that allow them to gauge air pressure and nearby currents. Like Plague dragons they are adapted to a desert environment and can survive on little water and food for long periods of time. Curiously, they are much better able than other flights to handle prosthetic limbs and artificial implants and experiment freely with these sorts of additions.
Fire: Capable of withstanding far higher temperatures than other flights, some Fire dragons are even able to bathe in lava with no ill effects. Their skin is very thick and rough and impervious to most damage. Fire dragons are very brightly colored despite their sooty environment and tend to have compact, armored bodies.
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