From the notes of Anthony Wales, keeper of Smithereen's Landing archives

In the founding days of the Landing, there was once a remarkable family, so large that within a few generations the original family line was lost and now nearly every modern day Landingite can trace its roots back to some part of it. The original bloodline can no longer be traced; therefore no one knows the family’s original name. What is known about it is that for unknown reasons, this line contains dragon’s blood.

The presence of such a bizarre genetic trait within the Landing population has resulted in some astounding characteristics and abilities in a few individuals. Normally, it manifests as a talent: unusual athletic ability, brilliant artistic skill, even aptitude for particularly difficult tasks. As a physical trait it manifests as above-average strength, superior eyesight, better hearing, or a higher tolerance to environmental extremes, characteristics common of most nomads. Overall, the dragon’s blood gene will usually benefit both the individual and those around them.

However, in what most consider to be thankfully and extremely rare instances, the gene manifests itself in its extremity. Rather than develop a talent or characteristic, the Landingite literally becomes part dragon. Officially labeled hybrids by the intellectual community, the creatures are known as “miniments” to the rest of the Landing, due to their similarity to Unmentionables.

A hybrid will most often either be an Annoyance or a Nuisance, most often male. The single documented case of a hybrid Pain detailed the utter destruction he created on a rampage throughout the Landing before meeting his end in the Crag. Hybrids tend towards dragon breed colours and temperaments, with vivid, unusually patterned hair. Their physical features are actually quite similar to an Unmentionable’s: the eyes are yellow or red with vertical pupils, they may have spined ears, more than one set of long and sharp fangs, razor-like claws on both the hands and feet, horns and spikes on the arms, shoulders, legs, back or tail. Occasionally a hybrid may have wings, but they are vestigial at best.

As stated before, hybrids not only resemble dragons, but also have their personalities. In all instances, they have been vicious, highly aggressive and extremely antisocial. In the rare instances that two hybrids do meet each other, a fight always breaks out. They will also have a dragon’s intelligence and strength, making them ten times smarter, faster and stronger than all but the very best Landing fighters. Even Unmentionables have difficulty handling them: one “miniment” Annoyance can keep two Unments very, very busy. Currently there are only a handful of hybrids living in the Landing, almost all of the located in the Pesker Range. They are almost as elusive as Lumineyes and impossible for Tribals to track.

Ripper

Full name: Theo Ripley Jorardis
Gender: Male
Height: 2 ft 10
Stomach Colour: Deep red
Body Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Purple with green streaks
Tribe (if applicable): Hazard (never tattooed)

No one knows where exactly Ripper came from or who his family was. He received the nickname “Ripper” from some terrified Hazard ranchers and was thought to have been a beast running rampant across the Range from the Crag. He is actually an uninitiated Hazard and thought to be part of the original dragon blood family line and his actual name was only discovered through Miles’ careful research. Ripper is vicious and cunning, a prime example of the hybrid personality. After staying with the Du Pesquies he’s learning to become much more sociable, and has been a great help in learning more about “miniments”. He’s taken a liking to Kage, who was the Annoyance to first track him down.