The first Scraggy were not born of sunlight and rain, but of solidified sorrow. Legend speaks of the Obsidian Mire, a place perpetually shrouded in twilight, where the remnants of forgotten battles and broken dreams coalesce. It is said that the mire itself remembers, and when the memories become too dense, they crystallize, forming the first Scraggy – creatures born of regret and nascent resilience.
Their coloration, a mottled grey and sickly green, isn’t merely pigment. It’s a reflection of the emotional residue they absorb, a constant reminder of the pain that birthed them. Some scholars, notably the eccentric Professor Silas Blackwood, theorize that the mire’s magnetic field plays a crucial role in this process, acting as a conduit for these lingering emotions.
“The mire does not *create* the Scraggy, it *manifests* them. It’s a geological echo, a physical embodiment of unresolved trauma.” - Professor Silas Blackwood, 1887
Perhaps the most peculiar characteristic of Scraggy is their scales. They aren't smooth and uniform, but covered in minuscule, almost imperceptible ridges. These ridges vibrate in response to emotional fluctuations, both within the Scraggy itself and in its immediate environment. This creates a subtle, almost subsonic hum – a "whispering" that some claim can be felt more than heard.
The intensity of the whisper is believed to correlate with the Scraggy's level of fear or determination. A frightened Scraggy will emit a frantic, high-pitched rumble, while a bravely facing one will produce a deeper, more resonant tone. It's been suggested that this ability is not merely a byproduct of their scales, but a form of communication – a way for Scraggy to assess danger and coordinate defense.
Furthermore, prolonged exposure to a Scraggy's whispering scales has been known to induce vivid dreams in those nearby, often filled with fragmented memories and unsettling premonitions. This has led to both fascination and apprehension.
Scraggy are solitary creatures, rarely found in groups. They are primarily nocturnal, spending their days concealed within the shadows of the Obsidian Mire, emerging only when the light fades. Their diet consists mainly of phosphorescent fungi and small, subterranean insects.
Despite their initially timid nature, Scraggy possess a surprising degree of tenacity. When threatened, they will lash out with their claws and tail, utilizing their whispering scales to disorient their attackers.
Key Behavioral Traits: