Firelizard

Fire lizards are a native species of Pern, present before its colonization. Being very much like dragons, they share many of the same abilities.

Characteristics

Fire lizards are about the size of a large bird. They come in all the same colors as dragons, and the temperament of said colors correspond to their larger cousins. Unlike dragons, however, both green and gold Fire Lizards are fertile. The clutches of green Fire Lizards often do not survive to hatch, as green Fire Lizards will often leave the clutch or lay clutches in unsafe areas. They have three sets of eyelids, the innermost being a transparent membrane that allows the lizard to see where it is going while its eyes remain protected from harsh environments, such as space. Depending on how awake they are, all three can be open.

Unlike dragons, men and women can Impress any color of fire lizard, and they do not need to be a certain age to do so. Also, a person can Impress multiple fire lizards. Fire lizards lack the ability to communicate in words, but can have limited success telepathically communicating pictures and thoughts. They are, however, strongly affected by emotions and events around them, to the point of hysteria.

Fire lizards are very sociable creatures, who travel in fairs and love to sing. There seems to be a group consciousness, on a basic level, that allows all fire lizards to experience large events. For example, the new fire lizards of the Ninth Pass knew about the volcano eruption at Landing, even though they were not alive for it. There has also been speculation that fire lizards are immortal, or so long lived as to appear so, as they don't appear to age and no one has ever seen one to die of old age or disease.

The Fire Lizard Song

The little queen all golden Flew hissing at the sea Against each wave Her clutch to save She ventured bravely. As she attacked the sea in rage A holderman came nigh Along the sand Fishnet in hand And saw the queen midsky. He stared at her in wonder For often he'd been told That such as she Could never be Who hovered there, bright gold He saw her plight and quickly He looked up the cliff he faced And saw a cave Above the wave In which her eggs he placed. The little queen all golden Upon his shoulder stood Her eyes all blue Glowed of her true Undying gratitude.

The above verse is © by Anne McCaffrey, Dragonsong, 1976.