I'm going to apologize for the information dump, but I've been poking at this for a few days now.  :-)<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Gwyntaan - pre-evolution version</div><div class="spoiler_body"><br/>Gwyntaan is a variety of dragon known as a snowdrake.  He is warm-blooded (as are all dragons), and his 'scales' are actually a fine coat of feathers, providing extra insulation in colder climates.  Structurally, his wings are more bird-like than bat-like, and rise from a second set of 'shoulders' behind the ones that join his foreliegs to his body.  While his body size is about the same as a standard quarter horse, his legs are more compact - about as long, but folding to give him a 'resting height' of about two feet at the shoulder.  When walking on land, this can be as high as three feet although the fully extended legs would put him at a bit over four feet.  When he 'sits' on his haunches, his front feet are highly dexterous.  His tail, which tapers uniformly to the tip, is long enough to lap over his front feet when he lies down, and his neck is long enough to bring his nose to the base of his tail when he sleeps.  <br/><br/>In coloration, Gwyn is predominantly white, although the feather structure causes shimmers of pale blue and lavender on his skin and wings, like snow-shadows.  His eyes are a clear blue, like an Arctic sky.<br/><br/><strong>Diet:</strong> Gwyntaan is primarily a carnivore.  When he was first brought on board, his captors had fed him mostly discards from the crew's rations, although he supplemented that himself with the rats that lived in the ship's hold.  Later, they devised a cage they could lower into the ocean for him to eat fish - a process that Gwyntaan found particularly uncomfortable, as he is not very fond of swimming.  (In the wild, snowdrakes will perform a 'strike from above' attack like eagles or other raptors, and this is his preferred method of catching food.)  Typical food-animals include small mammals, birds, and fish that swim too near the surface.  He does have a weakness for fresh fruit, and has been known to go to great lengths to procure it.<br/><br/><strong>Strength:</strong>  He is capable of sustained flight carrying an average human, or the equivalent weight.  He can manage short flights with up to twice that encumberance.  Any more than twice a human's weight, and he can only hope to glide from a height (call it a controlled fall - no possible gaining of altitude.)<br/><br/><strong>Intelligence and use of language:</strong>  Gwyntaan's vocal structure is not capable of producing human speech, although he has developed a keen understanding of English (and 'colorful metaphors') through exposure.  He can 'broadcast' emotions to just about anyone nearby, and uses this to convey general needs.  To date, this is the most communication he has exhibited.  He is quite clever overall, particularly when he sets his sights on a particular goal (like the barrel of apples in Cargo Hold #3).<br/><br/><strong>Wisdom:</strong>  He is somewhat impetuous, which may have assisted in his initial capture.  He has grown beyond his youthful naivete, no longer quite as quick to trust, but can still be tricked by a fast-talker.<br/><br/><strong>Dexterity:</strong>  His foreclaws (three 'fingers' with an opposable 'thumb') are capable of doing anything a human's can do.  The claws can make initial attempts at 'human actions' clumsy.  His tail can be used to 'poke' at things, and also makes an effective whip - his original captors learned to stay out of its range.<br/><br/><strong>Combat (if necessary):</strong>  Has very sharp claws on all four feet.  Will bite if he has to, but thinks humans taste weird.  Will also strike with wings or tail if attacked from the side or rear.  In aerial encounters, prefers to swoop from above, striking with his fore-claws.  If he's not hunting, the 'snatch and drop' is a favored tactic.  He does not have a breath weapon (unless he has been eating fish recently.  *Phew*!)<br/><br/><strong>Other traits:</strong>  Can be quite stubborn and willful.  Fastidious, but not to a fault.  Enjoys baths when he can get them, but dislikes water that is more than four feet deep.  Will sometimes curl up behind the boiler for a heat-soak, but avoids it when the furnace door is open.  (Small flames are fine, something the size of a campfire is tolerated, but the large fire in the furnace terrifies him.)  If the door is opened while he is behind the boiler, he will retreat to the furthest corner and hiss, fluffing his feathers like a startled cat.  (This produces a very amusing appearance, but he may sulk if laughed at.)  'Croons' when in a good mood.</div></div>