TLoS Elemental Class Earth

Earth; willful, implacable, unyielding... the steadfast foundation for unrelenting might. Among the more hard hitting of the elemental ability classes in TLoS, Earth offered a robust and entertaining alternative to Ice, allowing for a more direct attack strategy at close quarters. The Earth elemental ability class was perhaps the most revised of all the breath weapons, and the concept seen here served as a guide only. Our first attempts to create 'Earth breath' were certainly very literal, with Spyro breathing smouldering igneous fragments of dark magma (summoned from deep within the earth), only the presence of the magma confused the design and dilluted the distinction between 'Earth' and 'Fire'. By way of remedy, that glowing magma was removed 'til only the lumps of stone remained, but this proved to be no better, for watching our Spyro cough lumps of what could only be described as 'chunks of dry cow pat' made for some nervous moments...  a more 'energy based' solution was implemented and this pleased us (and our publishers) infinitely more!

In TLoS lore, Earth is a form founded on the precepts of strength over adversity, willful resolve and obstinate determination. The bedrock of the world teems with energy, alive with ancient magics and fields of mana... a trained Earth dragon at the height of its' abilities can draw strength from these, delving deep into vast reserves to express its' power. Embracing a strong connection with nature, an Earth dragon's power suffuses its' body, persisting at all times, but is at its' peak when the dragon is firmly grounded. For this reason ground fighting is prefered over aerial attack, whereby full use of this ability class can be made. Calling forth the essence of stone and living nature, power is expressed as an energy based protection, but literal stone and earth can be shaped and brought to bear in the service of a determined mind.

It wouldn't be unheard of for a dragon alligned with this ability to perhaps augment their natural defences with elementally extracted stone, fusing armoured plates and blunt protrusions to form a highly resistant armour. We see some evidence of this in Terrador's design, yet it's plausible that other individuals of the earthly persuasion took this feat to whole new levels...