Saltcrest Dragon

"Have you ever seen one o' them saltcrack thingies?"
"The saltcrest dragons? Can't say I have, but plenty of folk say they look like them other dragons."
"Ehh. I think they look more like fi- HOLY HELLS WHAT IS THAT?!"

— Two fishermen talking about saltcrest dragons and then being surprised by one

The Salt in the Surf

Gracefully gliding through the tumultuous waves across the Eight Lands, the long body of a saltcrest dragon is a sight to behold, glimmering beneath the water where one might mistake them as the sun reflecting off the surface. Their limbs propel them forward at a rapid pace and maneuver much faster than most other marine creatures, despite their size.
Their eyes are piercing, perfectly adapted to the darkness and pressures of the depths they call home. The long spined fin stretching from the crown of their head down to the tip of their tail provides them great balance within the churning seas, keeping them in the direction they want to go. They are masters of their underwater domain, capable of diving to incredible depths and surfacing only when the need arises. Their diet mainly consists of large marine animals, at times even smaller saltcrest dragons, and they are known to be quite territorial, fiercely guarding their hunting grounds.

The Depth to the Deep

Despite their territorial nature, saltcrest dragons are not inherently aggressive. They hold a curious nature, often observed investigating ships and other sea vessels with a cautious yet inquisitive eye, almost as if they recognize that the ships are not massive beasts to fight for their home. Sailors tell tales of these magnificent beasts, describing encounters where the dragons would glide alongside ships, almost as if escorting them through the waters.
Legends speak of a fearsome serpent protecting the treasures of the depths, and while there is no proof that saltcrest dragons are those mythical serpents, they have long since been assumed to be one and the same.
As every person who travels the waters of the Eight Lands knows, amidst the crashing waves and the endless expanse of the sea, the saltcrest dragons reign supreme.

by Theiket (via Midjourney)