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| Wyvern | |
|---|---|
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| Fauna | |
| Official Name | Wyvern |
| Common Nicknames | Frost Wyvern, Snow Dragon, Isl-dragon |
| Classification | Magus |
| Habitat | Ellador |
| Domesticated | Yes |
| Current Status | Uncommon |
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.
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.
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. 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 Frost 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.
Diversity
The Frost 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Most feel this is an incorrect interpretation of the creature roaring and causing its hot breath to interact with falling snow.
- 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.
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