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|image = noimg.png  
|image = noimg.png  
|officialname = Wyvern
|officialname = Wyvern
|nicknames = Frost Wyvern, Snow Dragon, Isl-dragon
|nicknames = Snow Dragon, Dragonling, Lesser Drake
|classification = [[Magus]]
|classification = [[Magus]]
|habitat = [[Ellador]]
|habitat = Various
|domesticated = Yes
|domesticated = Yes
|status = Uncommon
|status = Rare
|}}
|}}
The Wyvern is a mysterious creature endemic to [[Ellador]] that serves as the primary mount of the [[Isldar]] [[Race]]. These winged animals were rendered extinct before the [[Cataclysm]] but were miraculously revived in 150 AC through some unknown means. The creatures have proven dangerous in combat against wild animals and other sentient Races who have tangled with the Isldar. Given the recent conflict in Ellador, some Velheim nations fear the day that great snowstorms will come bearing these creatures hiding inside them for more than just a scouting visit.
The Wyvern is a mysterious creature once thought endemic to [[Ellador]] alone, but has been shown to be present in both [[Jadeheart]] and [[Westafar]]. These winged animals, ridden by the [[Isldar]], [[Sihai]] and [[Maquixtl]], have proven dangerous in combat against wild animals and other sentient peoples who have tangled with the Isldar, while the Sihai once made use of them for support in defense of the Jade Wall. Their uses beyond an elite mount among the Maquixtl is unknown. Given the recent conflict in Ellador, some [[Velheim]] nations fear the day that great snowstorms will come bearing these creatures hiding inside them for more than just a scouting visit, while others worry of a time when the might of the distant Maquixtl turns toward [[Aloria]].


==History==
==History==
Wyverns have a presumably ancient history as some of the most easily identifiable creations of the [[Violet Night Dragons]] due to their close association with the Isldar and the proto-Isldar, the [[Cult of Drogon]]. Where or when the creatures exactly first appeared is unknown, but by 150 BC Wyverns were a force that actively protected the future Isldar and the Violet Night Dragons who had created their draconic form. But later into the string of conflicts now known as the [[Dragon Wars]], the Wyverns were in dire straits. The Dwarves aggressively targeted them, and to the horror of the Isldar desecrated the remains of their victims in an attempt to create new flying machines to expand their military power. Ultimately, by 95 BC all of the creatures were dead, and for over 200 years would only be imagined as being still alive or being spoken of in myth. However, a curious event took place which most non-Isldar today are baffled by; this being the Wyverns return. Through unknown means, though largely accepted to be some result of [[Magic]], Wyverns began to emerge in the ancient, long-abandoned roosts kept in each Glacial Palace of the Isldar people. By 250 AC, they were an established tool of Isldar life, and have appeared sporadically to the outside world ever since. In the past few years especially though, the Isldar have grown more active, and with them, the Wyverns have emerged clearer than ever before. During the Battle of Adelaar Cliffs which preceded the [[Bone Horror Crisis]], a contingent of Wyvern riders attempted to prevent King [[Gulbrand I]] from summoning the statue thought to be [[Estel]], only to be shot out of the sky. Much more recently, Wyverns helped the Isldar in their efforts to control all of Ellador. Only time will tell if other regions of [[The North Belt]], or perhaps even the [[Far North]], will see these creatures in force like they are on Ellador today. Surprisingly, all Isldar that have left Ellador over the past centuries are close-lipped in regards to information on the mysterious flying beasts. Such silence is likely born from the creature’s death and then rebirth, a process the Isldar doubtlessly would hate to see happen again.
The conventional history of the Wyvern has been rewritten in recent years as greater contact with the fringes of the world has produced new evidence of a far greater reach, and history, than previously known. Conventional wisdom held that Wyverns were creations of the [[Dragon]]s, who endlessly meshed animals together in their sites of creation scattered throughout the lands of the [[Allorn Empire]] and elsewhere in ancient days. The Elves who worshiped and protected the Dragons had Wyverns at their side, and ultimately rode the creatures in the defense of their gods when the Allorn, and after an exodus to Ellador, the [[Dwarves]], sought their extinction. The Dragon Wars of Ellador saw many Wyverns fall with the Dwarves actively targeting them due to the threat they posed, until they were few in number. However, the total defeat of the Dwarves in the last fight of the Dragon Wars saved the Wyverns of Ellador, enabling them to persist as they do now among the Isldar. Elsewhere, in Jadeheart and Westafar, the Wyvern had a much less rocky existence. Sihai myth states they were animals born by the will of the [[Dragon]]s once so key to the lands of Jadeheart (311 AC saw a significant disruption to this system of belief), while the Maquixtl are silent on the origins of their own affinity for Wyverns, though some rumors suggest the animals were part of the natural wildlife of the continent when the Maquixtl arrived. Regardless of its point of origin, the Wyvern is a formidable draconic creature that will likely endure for many years.


==Physical Appearance==
==Physical Appearance==
Wyverns appear, at first glance, to be average-sized [[Dragons]]. They stand ten feet in height with a body ranging from twelve to fifteen feet in length, though the physical proportions that matter are similar in size and stance to a horse. Their heads are regular-sized, with a foot-long muzzle containing a tight-sealing mouth, two solid blue eyes (which some report to actively glow), small nostrils, and white curving horns with a prominent ridge that point back to the rest of their body. These horns are also joined by a short frill of white bones or spines at the back of the dragon’s head. The head is connected by a long neck up to three feet long to the rest of their bodies which is a slim build standing on a pair of powerful rear legs which each possess white-clawed feet made for walking on snow, rocky terrain as well as snatching up prey. Where there would be front legs on the creature, there are instead thin membraned wings that reach a wingspan of twenty feet that aid the creature in gliding on high altitude winds. They do not use these wings as feet, instead of balancing on their two feet using their tails. The tail of a Wyvern extends out behind their body to a pointed tip with light bone protrusions along the spine of this tail that end at the body. Their entire body is covered in white scales with various shades of blue highlighting their face, back, and wing membranes.
Wyverns appear, at first glance, to be small-sized Dragons. They stand ten feet in height with a body ranging from twelve to fifteen feet in length. Their heads are regular-sized, with a foot-long muzzle containing a tight-sealing mouth, two solid toned eyes, small nostrils, and curving horns with a prominent ridge that point back to the rest of their body. These horns are also joined by a short frill of bones or spines at the back of the drake’s head. The head is connected by a long neck up to three feet long to the rest of their bodies which is a slim build standing on a pair of powerful rear legs which each possess clawed feet made for walking on rocky terrain as well as snatching up prey. Where there would be front legs on the creature, there are instead thin membranous wings that reach a wingspan of twenty feet that aid the creature in gliding on high altitude winds. They do not use these wings as feet, instead balancing on their two hind feet using their tails. These tails both originate from the same place, a short space after the back spines end, but immediately forks, and narrows into pointed tips that are almost like a lash. Their entire body is covered in smooth scales of various shades described more below, with a secondary color often highlighting their face, back, and wing membranes.
===Diversity===
===Diversity===
The Wyvern population has no distinct gender dimorphism, assuming the species even has genders. The only differences between individual Wyverns are size, horn growth, and the patches of blue that decorate their bodies.
Wyverns lack gender dimorphism, and there is some confusion if Wyverns even have conventional genders as mating practices are extraordinarily private. They are still often assigned genders through pet names by their riders though, and while Wyverns are intelligent creatures, they are not intelligent enough to understand the true meaning of such names. The real differences between Wyverns comes into play when examining their colorations. While once only assumed to be the variety seen among the Isldar and across Ellador, other sorts have come into the picture, and are described below. However, it is important to note that all of these traits are general, as rare or uncommon colorations appearing on a Wyvern is not unknown, and there also appears to be some scant migrations between these creatures, further adding to some level of variety.
*'''Frost Wyvern''': Also called the Northern Wyvern, the Frost Wyvern has a color scheme of whites, blues, pale purples, and grays, suitable for blending into the cold-weather climate that dominates Ellador. Their horns and other protrusions are often the sharpest and well kept of any subspecies, due to the extensive integration into Isldar society. Very few are wild, and almost all Frost Wyverns will heed the needs of the Isldar.
*'''Sky Wyvern''': The Sky Wyvern, sometimes also called the Sky Serpent or Sihai Wyvern, is the subspecies native to distant Jadeheart. Its color scheme is very broad, featuring whites, blacks, yellows, reds and pale blues. While it is revered by the Sihai as a servant of the Dragons, its domesticated population is far smaller, with many bemoaning that most Wyvern riders were on Sheng before their mysterious modern isolation.
*'''Western Wyvern''': Also called the Zancipac among the Maquixtl, the Western Wyvern is the most enigmatic. Their color schemes are dark reds, greens, and browns, though some are known to have a reflective sheen on their scales to the point of appearing like bronze or copper. Few if any have been seen outside of Guldar, as Maquixtl Wyvern riders are extremely loyal to their homeland.
 
===Life Span and Development===
===Life Span and Development===
Many assume that Wyvern are born from eggs and raised into adulthood with their parents and the Isldar. However, their [[Voltalar]] keepers are famously silent on the truth of this, and the other Isldar branches do not seem to know much, perhaps on purpose, about the process. Wyverns possess an unknown growth cycle, but it is known to live for at least 50 years due to three sightings of a single Wyvern dubbed “Jään-Kuolema" by Dwarves that occurred between 183 AC and 233 AC.
Many assume that Wyverns are born from eggs and raised into adulthood with their parents and caretakers from Aloria’s many peoples. However, this is unknown as mating rituals, and nesting practices, are kept extremely private, Wyverns possess an unknown growth cycle, but they are known to live for at least 50 years due to three sightings of a single Wyvern dubbed "Jään-Kuolema" by Dwarves that occurred between 183 AC and 233 AC.


==Mental Overview==
==Mental Overview==
The Frost Wyvern is an overtly hostile animal that is rarely calmed by outside forces. They have only been tamed successfully by the Isldar thus far, who mount them into battle and for travel across the frosty sky. To these Isldar, especially the Voltalar who are their keepers, the reptilian creature is a mount that demands respect but protects their rider when in danger from enemies. It has been noted by some astute observers that the Isldar form a very emotional and strong bond with these beasts. To all other Races, they respond with hostility and attack first when encountered, unless restrained or kept at bay by their keepers.  
The mentality of the Wyvern is best described as temperamental, but intelligent. While most would claim they are only savage beasts, beholden to the overwhelming will of Dragons and their riders, alongside primitive instincts, this is not how the Sihai, Isldar and Maquixtl know them. They are not so enamored with these draconic creatures to ignore their ferocious, savage side, but find it to be tempered by a caring and tactical mind that knows when to strike, to hold back, and not impart undue suffering. Ultimately, they are a mount that demands respect, but will protect those they are attached to, be that family or rider. The intellect of a Wyvern often comes out in their engagements with their rider, but also the maneuvers they are capable of performing in the air even when not domesticated. Graceful and able to understand weather patterns and geography, it is said the Frost Wyverns have perfected the art of hiding upwind from any large predator or Urlan, while those of Jadeheart are said to be precise in their sense of approaching thunderstorms, going to ground for the worst of them and those of Westafar can perfectly mask themselves in the toxic clouds native to the land of Guldar. The only Race that Wyverns have a negative reaction to are the [[Teledden]], perhaps some shard of old enmity imparted from their Dragon creators.
===Territory and Groupings===
===Territory and Groupings===
Due to the secretive and mysterious nature of the Isldar, little to no information is available as to the territory and groupings of the Wyverns. While it is certain that the Wyverns live in roosts built and maintained by the Isldar, how many per roost and if they exist elsewhere is a mystery.
Wyverns are found in groups called packs that number from six to sixteen in the wild, though these are more common in the far east and west. Domesticated groups of Wyverns are most common to Ellador meanwhile, where the Isldar have their main power base, and fly them in coordinated military operations. When domesticated, Wyverns roost in structures unique to each group that tends to them.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Jään-Kuolema was identified by the prominent gash caused by a Dwarven weapon cutting into his face and neck. The wound left a large, silver-colored scar that led to ease of identification, even from a distance.
*Jään-Kuolema was identified by the prominent gash caused by a Dwarven weapon cutting into his face and neck. The wound left a large, silver-colored scar that led to ease of identification, even from a distance.
*Some say that the Frost Wyvern has the ability to breathe out an icy snow breath to aid the Isldar in forming their enshrouding snowstorms. Most feel this is an incorrect interpretation of the creature roaring and causing its hot breath to interact with falling snow.
*Some say that the Frost Wyvern has the ability to breathe out an icy snow breath to aid the Isldar in forming their enshrouding snowstorms, while the Sky Wyvern can shoot lightning and the Western Wyvern can jet poisonous gasses. These are all just fanciful beliefs in the end though.
*How the Voltalar came to possess draconic physical traits just from tending the Wyverns is another mystery about the creatures that perhaps has not even been solved by the Isldar.
{{fauna}}
{{fauna}}
{{Accreditation
{{Accreditation
|Writers = HydraLana
|Writers = HydraLana
|Processors = TheBioverse, FireFan96
|Processors = LumosJared, BillyTheScruffy
}}
}}
[[category:Fauna]][[category:Magus]]
[[category:Fauna]] [[category:Magus]] [[category:Ellador Fauna]] [[category:Jadeheart Fauna]] [[category:Westafar Fauna]]

Latest revision as of 20:29, 7 September 2024

Wyvern
Fauna
Official NameWyvern
Common NicknamesSnow Dragon, Dragonling, Lesser Drake
ClassificationMagus
HabitatVarious
DomesticatedYes
Current StatusRare

The Wyvern is a mysterious creature once thought endemic to Ellador alone, but has been shown to be present in both Jadeheart and Westafar. These winged animals, ridden by the Isldar, Sihai and Maquixtl, have proven dangerous in combat against wild animals and other sentient peoples who have tangled with the Isldar, while the Sihai once made use of them for support in defense of the Jade Wall. Their uses beyond an elite mount among the Maquixtl is unknown. Given the recent conflict in Ellador, some Velheim nations fear the day that great snowstorms will come bearing these creatures hiding inside them for more than just a scouting visit, while others worry of a time when the might of the distant Maquixtl turns toward Aloria.

History

The conventional history of the Wyvern has been rewritten in recent years as greater contact with the fringes of the world has produced new evidence of a far greater reach, and history, than previously known. Conventional wisdom held that Wyverns were creations of the Dragons, who endlessly meshed animals together in their sites of creation scattered throughout the lands of the Allorn Empire and elsewhere in ancient days. The Elves who worshiped and protected the Dragons had Wyverns at their side, and ultimately rode the creatures in the defense of their gods when the Allorn, and after an exodus to Ellador, the Dwarves, sought their extinction. The Dragon Wars of Ellador saw many Wyverns fall with the Dwarves actively targeting them due to the threat they posed, until they were few in number. However, the total defeat of the Dwarves in the last fight of the Dragon Wars saved the Wyverns of Ellador, enabling them to persist as they do now among the Isldar. Elsewhere, in Jadeheart and Westafar, the Wyvern had a much less rocky existence. Sihai myth states they were animals born by the will of the Dragons once so key to the lands of Jadeheart (311 AC saw a significant disruption to this system of belief), while the Maquixtl are silent on the origins of their own affinity for Wyverns, though some rumors suggest the animals were part of the natural wildlife of the continent when the Maquixtl arrived. Regardless of its point of origin, the Wyvern is a formidable draconic creature that will likely endure for many years.

Physical Appearance

Wyverns appear, at first glance, to be small-sized Dragons. They stand ten feet in height with a body ranging from twelve to fifteen feet in length. Their heads are regular-sized, with a foot-long muzzle containing a tight-sealing mouth, two solid toned eyes, small nostrils, and curving horns with a prominent ridge that point back to the rest of their body. These horns are also joined by a short frill of bones or spines at the back of the drake’s head. The head is connected by a long neck up to three feet long to the rest of their bodies which is a slim build standing on a pair of powerful rear legs which each possess clawed feet made for walking on rocky terrain as well as snatching up prey. Where there would be front legs on the creature, there are instead thin membranous wings that reach a wingspan of twenty feet that aid the creature in gliding on high altitude winds. They do not use these wings as feet, instead balancing on their two hind feet using their tails. These tails both originate from the same place, a short space after the back spines end, but immediately forks, and narrows into pointed tips that are almost like a lash. Their entire body is covered in smooth scales of various shades described more below, with a secondary color often highlighting their face, back, and wing membranes.

Diversity

Wyverns lack gender dimorphism, and there is some confusion if Wyverns even have conventional genders as mating practices are extraordinarily private. They are still often assigned genders through pet names by their riders though, and while Wyverns are intelligent creatures, they are not intelligent enough to understand the true meaning of such names. The real differences between Wyverns comes into play when examining their colorations. While once only assumed to be the variety seen among the Isldar and across Ellador, other sorts have come into the picture, and are described below. However, it is important to note that all of these traits are general, as rare or uncommon colorations appearing on a Wyvern is not unknown, and there also appears to be some scant migrations between these creatures, further adding to some level of variety.

  • Frost Wyvern: Also called the Northern Wyvern, the Frost Wyvern has a color scheme of whites, blues, pale purples, and grays, suitable for blending into the cold-weather climate that dominates Ellador. Their horns and other protrusions are often the sharpest and well kept of any subspecies, due to the extensive integration into Isldar society. Very few are wild, and almost all Frost Wyverns will heed the needs of the Isldar.
  • Sky Wyvern: The Sky Wyvern, sometimes also called the Sky Serpent or Sihai Wyvern, is the subspecies native to distant Jadeheart. Its color scheme is very broad, featuring whites, blacks, yellows, reds and pale blues. While it is revered by the Sihai as a servant of the Dragons, its domesticated population is far smaller, with many bemoaning that most Wyvern riders were on Sheng before their mysterious modern isolation.
  • Western Wyvern: Also called the Zancipac among the Maquixtl, the Western Wyvern is the most enigmatic. Their color schemes are dark reds, greens, and browns, though some are known to have a reflective sheen on their scales to the point of appearing like bronze or copper. Few if any have been seen outside of Guldar, as Maquixtl Wyvern riders are extremely loyal to their homeland.

Life Span and Development

Many assume that Wyverns are born from eggs and raised into adulthood with their parents and caretakers from Aloria’s many peoples. However, this is unknown as mating rituals, and nesting practices, are kept extremely private, Wyverns possess an unknown growth cycle, but they are known to live for at least 50 years due to three sightings of a single Wyvern dubbed "Jään-Kuolema" by Dwarves that occurred between 183 AC and 233 AC.

Mental Overview

The mentality of the Wyvern is best described as temperamental, but intelligent. While most would claim they are only savage beasts, beholden to the overwhelming will of Dragons and their riders, alongside primitive instincts, this is not how the Sihai, Isldar and Maquixtl know them. They are not so enamored with these draconic creatures to ignore their ferocious, savage side, but find it to be tempered by a caring and tactical mind that knows when to strike, to hold back, and not impart undue suffering. Ultimately, they are a mount that demands respect, but will protect those they are attached to, be that family or rider. The intellect of a Wyvern often comes out in their engagements with their rider, but also the maneuvers they are capable of performing in the air even when not domesticated. Graceful and able to understand weather patterns and geography, it is said the Frost Wyverns have perfected the art of hiding upwind from any large predator or Urlan, while those of Jadeheart are said to be precise in their sense of approaching thunderstorms, going to ground for the worst of them and those of Westafar can perfectly mask themselves in the toxic clouds native to the land of Guldar. The only Race that Wyverns have a negative reaction to are the Teledden, perhaps some shard of old enmity imparted from their Dragon creators.

Territory and Groupings

Wyverns are found in groups called packs that number from six to sixteen in the wild, though these are more common in the far east and west. Domesticated groups of Wyverns are most common to Ellador meanwhile, where the Isldar have their main power base, and fly them in coordinated military operations. When domesticated, Wyverns roost in structures unique to each group that tends to them.

Trivia

  • Jään-Kuolema was identified by the prominent gash caused by a Dwarven weapon cutting into his face and neck. The wound left a large, silver-colored scar that led to ease of identification, even from a distance.
  • Some say that the Frost Wyvern has the ability to breathe out an icy snow breath to aid the Isldar in forming their enshrouding snowstorms, while the Sky Wyvern can shoot lightning and the Western Wyvern can jet poisonous gasses. These are all just fanciful beliefs in the end though.

Accreditation
WritersHydraLana
ProcessorsLumosJared, BillyTheScruffy
Last EditorHydraLana on 09/7/2024.

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