Dragon metamorphosis and regeneration (spoilers for Liveship and Rain Wilds books)

[maulkin]

There is a big difference between healing and regeneration. Healing can repair damage to a tissue but cannot recreate a complex structure such as a limb or eye. For most vertebrate animals, development of complex structures is restricted to certain points in their lives. For mammals, most major structures are formed before birth. A human born with a stunted limb will retain it for the rest of his life. For dragons, development of complex structures appears to occur at two times; in the egg and during metamorphosis in the cocoon. Tintaglia emerged from her cocoon fully formed, with no indication that further development, other than growth was required. The deformed state of the dragons described in Dragon Keeper was abnormal and could not have been rectified by normal growth or healing. So, either dragons possess the natural regenerative capabilities of salamanders or they can use a skill-like ability to regenerate. The ability of dragons to shape elderlings implies that the latter is likely. If dragons can cause the development of complex structures such as crests and wings in their elderling companions then it follows that they should be able to regenerate their own limbs.

This raises the question of whether a human could use the skill to regenerate lost body parts or to improve his own body (or those of others). The use of the skill to repair Fitz's brain damage and remove his scars suggests that this is likely since scar tissue and nerve damage are not repaired through normal healing processes.