A subterranean species residing within the Crystal Caverns. Their vast home, secluded from others, has allowed Geode Wyverns to grow large and advance separately from other species and advance they have. Most often, Geodites, as they have been nicknamed, can be found within large city-like kingdoms though once in a while they may turn to a more nomadic lifestyle or just live on the outskirts especially in the case of harvesters.
While specifics may vary due to lifestyle differences, all Geode Wyverns have at least one pair of horns, a pair of wings with three-fingered hands and a thumb at the end, and a pair of legs all balanced with one tail. They are almost always completely feathered though may uncommonly be born with no feathers on their underbelly, in which case it shows their leathery hide underneath. Their feet are anisodactyl with very tough padding on the bottom and their toes end in sharp, curved claws just like their hands. On the back of their legs are pseudowings which are not very useful in active flight but come in handy when gliding throughout the Caverns.
Due to the distance between kingdoms, each one has a certain climate as well as certain gems that are found there. The feather density or amount on a Geode Wyvernβs body usually relies on the temperature while the coloring and patterns depends on their diet up to the juvenile stage along with their genetics. It is possible for Geodite parents to purposefully try to give their child certain gems in order to influence their looks. This has caused quite apparent differences between wealth classes as usually, hatchlings from a more wealthy family will have a large array of bright colors and hatchlings from a less so one will look bleaker and may end up with only one or two. The differences in colors can even be so drastic that ones who end up as melanistic are viewed as the most cared for individuals while albino ones may even be shunned completely since they were not cared for at all. Even if these mutations occur due to genetics, their societal structure is too strong for most to care.
Geode Wyverns are ruled over by a Queen, with a different one in each kingdom. Though the Queens sometimes work together, each one still has her separate rules and traditions. While this is the case, the only consistent factor is the set-up of living areas. The closer to the central castle that Geode Wyverns live, usually the more important or wealthy they are with some living spaces being specifically reserved for certain ranks. Council members or similar will live closest followed by Archtemps, Temps, and Contresses with the rest falling in line from richest to poorest. As is obvious, the homes closer to the castle are much nicer with fancier shops or eateries nearby and homes further away have the opposite.
For more detailed information on each kingdom, read the below page:
The Queen and her Council members are by far the most significant but that doesnβt mean one should skip over the importance of the other roles. Simply put, each are rulers of smaller areas of control with Contresses overlooking only a few hundred Geodites and Archtemps seeing to hundreds of thousands of them.
Geodite kingdoms operate on a series of checks and balances through the hierarchy. With the Queen at the top, making the overruling decision, and the Contresses at the bottom. A Contress makes a decision to implement a law, building, or other based on their community which is then checked by the Temp, Archtemp, and finally the Council. It is rare that a decision heads all the way up to the Queen, despite her technically having the final say on things, as it is the Council who makes decisions on her behalf.
Those who live outside of the kingdoms may or may not choose to follow certain traditions or laws though each must be registered as a citizen lest they want to be looked at as an outsider. Whether as citizen or as outsider, Geodites are expected to follow the laws of whichever kingdomβs territory they are within should they find themselves in one but outsiders specifically are required to live inside the unclaimed land while citizens are allowed housing within their citizenshipβs territory. Both have their upsides and their downsides which weigh more or less to each individual. On one hand, as a citizen, you keep the protection of the kingdomβs guards but you must still pay the taxes set as well as listen to the Queen. On the other hand, as an outsider, you do not have those rules but those who commit any acts against you are not liable except in very specific cases. In either case, both risk being attacked by wild animals unless they live on or near a harvest range.
Previously mentioned are harvest ranges and harvesters, both related to farming and to each other. A harvester is a general job for anyone who cares for livestock, crops, or does a similar job to sell or to trade goods. Geodites will usually have specific names for who does what such as Brassisaur harvester or Flaunt flower harvester for example. A harvest range refers to the land set out by the Queen or otherwise ruler status Geodite to be used for harvesters. Harvesters may request certain areas through a request letter to their Contress but most of the time, the land is chosen ahead of time and given to a pursuing harvester to use for what they see fit or what the Contress rules is best.