Bittern Clan Hikeys are among the clearest examples of why the Guild’s obsession with dragons has become intellectually limiting.

They occupy reedbeds, marsh margins and other wetland habitats where concealment is less a defence than a way of life. Their colouring is exceptionally well suited to the fen, and most encounters suggest they observe an area for some time before allowing themselves to be noticed.

The acorn lanterns deserve particular attention. Current evidence suggests they are not decorative and are unlikely to be used for attraction. Their placement and use point instead towards navigation, warning and possibly territorial communication.

That alone raises more interesting questions than another regional variation in Snap Dragon pigmentation.

The Bittern Clan appear deliberate, socially aware and highly adapted to a very specific landscape. Whether they act as guides, wardens, or simply possess an unusually strong sense of ownership over their territory remains unresolved.

The Guild would benefit from spending considerably more time finding out.