D&D 5E (2024) Opinions on the Topaz Dragon Reverse Wings?

[EzekielRaiden]

I'll sketching something up when I get some time. Then maybe it will make more sense.

Perhaps a better way to phrase what I said above:

The secret to hummingbird flight is that they have a specially-adapted rotator cuff in their shoulders, allowing them to....rotate the wing in its socket. Meaning the wing is, functionally, bidirectional: it points forwards when it needs to point forwards, and backwards when it needs to point backwards.

If your concept makes a hummingbird dragon, the wings no longer point any specific direction between forward vs back. They point whichever direction the dragon wishes them to point. Hence, bi-directional.

 

[Older Beholder]

Like any dragon mini, the right pose can make it look pretty cool (to me)...

 

[Necropolitan]

It's funny, but a dragon not having wings would make it easier to suspend disbelief about them flying than having wings that look wrong.

You see an eastern dragon and think "Oh, that dragon slithers through the air."

You see that art of a topaz dragon and think "Wait, how do they fly when the wings are wrong?"

 

[Corinnguard]

You see that art of a topaz dragon and think "Wait, how do they fly when the wings are wrong?"

They're probably thinking the same thing. "How is it that I am flying with wings like these again?!?"