SCALES

Scales are not a new concept for dragons, but these scales are quite different. The closest earth creature with similar scales would be the Pangolin. These scales can be different shapes, and over lap each other. There is reptilian skin underneath the scales, as these scales came around due to a disease. This virus ravaged specifically dragons for centuries, long enough for the body to find a way to absorb the virus into the dragons DNA. This disease caused painful growths that looked like over lapping scales to appear all over the body. While many originally died from this epidemic, those that survived it either became immune, or became one of the many that had it ingrained into their DNA and adapted.

Scales now are held on by "teeth"— long, pointy bits that go into the skin. Some teeth go as deep as the first muscle layer, and are able to move the scale on command. The scales these days are not deadly. In fact, they help with defense by providing a layer of protection over the skin. They can also be used for communication, and there are a few different languages using scales and the sounds they make when hit together.