Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding
The story of Wings in The Desert by Luna S. Winterheart takes place in the desert of Planet Zigrora, a planet with twin moons.
The central desert region is inhabited by the Argons, blue-scaled humanoids with the ability to transform into either lizard-like or dragon-like beings. Due to their physical condition and culture, which is less advanced compared to other races, the Argons often find themselves in conflicts with other races, especially humans.
However, due to the compassionate actions of an archaeologist who decided to help the wounded Argons, a group of cultured Argons emerged. They began to mimic human culture, forming a proto-parliament and establishing a city where Argons willing to learn human culture and live civilized lives could find shelter.
Argon Race
The Argon race has a human-like physical appearance, but their eyes are yellow, and their skin is blue with a scaly texture resembling that of snakes. When they transform, their bodies slightly enlarge, their scales harden, resembling dragon scales. Enormous wings emerge from their backs, and their feet transform into eagle-like talons.
Argons can see in the dark and have the ability to breathe fire when transformed. They can regenerate quickly and excel in the air.
The average lifespan of Argons is about 150 years. They reproduce similarly to humans.
Physical Traits of Argons
Height
180 - 190 cm (males) and 150 - 160 cm (females)
Eyes
Yellow with black pupils.
Teeth
Predominantly small fangs.
Skin
Blue, scaly like snakes, hardens when transformed or threatened, resistant to fire even though it darkens momentarily.
Feet
Transform into eagle-like talons when transformed.
Wings
Located beneath the skin on their backs, only emerging when transformed.
Hair
Most Argons have hair that is orange, dark blue, or brown. Their hair is fire-resistant.
Reproduction
Argons reproduce like humans. However, it is believed that the gender of the baby is influenced by the weather, with baby girls more likely to be born when the mother frequently seeks shade in dark places, and vice versa.
Weaknesses
- Argons are vulnerable to human diamond dust. Even a small amount of diamond dust in their bloodstream can prevent regeneration or heal minor wounds.
- Argons are susceptible to the venom of the Death Worm. Many Argons have been consumed alive by these giant worms in the desert.
- Witch races are rumored to have the ability to stop Argon regeneration or transformation and can easily kill them.
- Argons require space to transform; they cannot transform if their neck, body, or wrists are tightly bound.
Strengths
- Argons have the ability to regenerate quickly.
- They have tough skin, resistant to sharp weapons.
- Argons are known as the rulers of the desert sky due to their ability to transform and fly adeptly.
- Argons can see in the dark.
- Their physical strength is on par with that of humans.
Argon Tribes
In cultural development, Argons are divided into two tribes: the wild tribes and the cultured tribes.
Wild Argons
Wild Argons are those who have not adopted human culture. Because of their snake-like skin and shape-shifting abilities, they do not wear clothing.
Wild Argon Males
Wild Argon males live as nomads in groups. They can be found near water sources or at the border between the desert and human-inhabited areas.
Wild Argon males leave the caves where their mothers reside at the age of twelve. They search for other wild Argon males to join their group.
A group of wild Argon males can consist of up to 30 Argons, led by a chief Argon.
Wild Argon Females
Unlike males, wild Argon females who reach adulthood, around eighteen to twenty years old, usually search for caves as their dwellings. There, they choose temporary partners until they become pregnant.
Wild Argon females typically care for their children alone and only select new partners when their children are old enough to hunt independently.
Wild Argon Marriage
Wild Argons practice polyandry, where a wild Argon female can have one to five temporary partners. Relationships can last until one party decides to separate, often due to males feeling restless after staying in one place for too long or females losing interest in mating and choosing to raise their children instead.
The mating season for wild Argons usually coincides with the appearance of twin moons, occurring twice within 300 days.
Death
Wild Argons do not have death rituals because their bodies burn from the inside moments after they die, leaving behind dark blue ashes.
Religion/Beliefs
Wild Argons do not have a religion. They believe that they need nothing from anyone and choose to live and die independently without assistance from other Argons.
Culture
Wild Argons do not understand reading and writing because they have no need for it. They spend their time hunting in the wild or stealing livestock from the borders of neighboring nations.
Diet
While Argons are omnivorous, wild Argons are known for their carnivorous nature. They are accustomed to eating raw meat, including desert rabbits, desert wolves, camels, birds, and even human livestock.
Though rare, there have been reports of groups of wild Argons who enjoy consuming human flesh, leading to open conflicts with humans.
Transportation
Wild Argons typically use their wings for flying or travel on foot.
Civilized Argons
Civilized Argons are those who have adopted human culture. They wear clothing and wear locked leather necklaces as a symbol that they cannot transform at will. They reside in a constructed city called Mar'tack, which is governed by a proto-parliament consisting of several male Argons, with Ikh Da'af as their leader.
Civilized Argon Males
Unpaired civilized Argon males live in dormitories within the same building as Ikh Da'af. They each have individual rooms until they marry and settle in their partner's home.
Civilized Argon males wear a pair of loyalty earrings they receive when they reach adulthood. Their names are engraved on the loyalty earrings, and they will give one earring to their future partner as a sign of loyalty.
Civilized Argon Females
Civilized Argon females have their own homes. They wear a loyalty earring from their partner once they choose a permanent mate.
Civilized Argon females live with their partners and children until their offspring are old enough to move to dormitories or their own homes.
Civilized Argon females know how to spin thread, wear clothing, and simple head coverings. They spend time with their children and gather with other civilized Argon females much like humans.
Marriage among Civilized Argons
Civilized Argons practice monogamous marriages based on a matriarchal kinship system. When a female and male Argon decide to form a permanent relationship, the male Argon gives the female an engraved loyalty earring with his name on it. Civilized Argons do not have wedding ceremonies, and the exchange of earrings is typically not witnessed by anyone.
Death
Civilized Argons have simple death rituals. They gather and place the ashes of deceased Argons into small boxes before burial. The first death ritual performed by civilized Argons independently is the death of Cendrick, an archaeologist who cared for Argons until old age.
Religion/Beliefs
There are two legends about the origin of Argons. Civilized Argons believe they are creatures created by Witches, while another belief suggests they are celestial beings who descended to the world for a reason.
Culture
Civilized Argons can read, write, draw maps, and even interact with other races and learn foreign languages.
Civilized Argons living in the city of Mar'tack are familiar with barter systems and even use gold coins as a means of trade with other nations. They can farm, raise livestock, spin, and perform simple tasks much like humans.
Male Argons on guard duty are armed with kusarigama, a weapon consisting of a long chain with a sickle at the end.
Diet
Civilized Argons know how to cook. Their diet includes various foods such as cactus fruits, dates, milk, and meat. They are also skilled at preserving food for extended periods.
Transportation
Civilized Argons use camels or walk to reach their destinations.
Challenges for the Argon Race
Death Worm
One of the natural enemies of the Argons is the Death Worm, a creature resembling a giant snake that moves beneath the sand and suddenly emerges to devour its prey. The saliva of the Death Worm has paralyzing effects and can dissolve the tough scales of Argons. They swallow Argons whole before chewing their victims in their mouth, which is filled with hundreds of fangs.
Sandstorm
Despite their many advantages, Argons still need protection during sandstorms. While Argons rarely die from sandstorms, they may experience eye and throat irritation if they fail to seek shelter in time.
Dark Traders
Among the human races, there is a group known as the Dark Traders who target wild female Argons for sale in circuses. They use diamond dust on weapons and chains to weaken Argon scales and do not hesitate to kill Argons who resist.
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