Vas Pirion

From MassiveCraft Wiki
Revision as of 01:58, 3 December 2021 by HydraLana (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Info fauna |officialname = Vas Pirion |nicknames = Drow Bat |classification = Mammal |habitat = Drowda |domesticated = No |status = Uncommon |}} Vas Pirions are larg...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Vas Pirion
Noimg.png
Fauna
Official Name Vas Pirion
Common Nicknames Drow Bat
Classification Mammal
Habitat Drowda
Domesticated No
Current Status Uncommon

Vas Pirions are large bats native to Drowda known for their consumption of blood and meat as well as possessing different Mutations on their bodies, granting them a great deal of individual variety. The species is also known for its Titan Pirions, huge versions of their species that command those around them and often lead colonies. The precise origin of this species is uncertain, but their numbers have declined in recent years, which many would see as a positive given their aggressive nature.

History

The Vas Pirion has a very recent history in Aloria, and perhaps an unremarkable one. Its origins lie in Drowda, but whether it was before or after the Cataclysm is unknown. Reports exist of giant mutated flying beasts among those deployed by the dark armies of the Void in the final months before the Cataclysm following the Fifth Void Invasion, but it has never been confirmed if these were Vas Pirion. Most believe that the Vas Pirion was formed from the Essences leaking into Aloria through the disrupted Veil, and rapidly corrupted this form of wildlife. Early Sihndar records speak very little of this creature, but whether that is due to the Affliction’s generally limited spread of population in its early years, or an actual absence of the Vas Pirion is not known. But by 100 AC, the Vas Pirion was certainly part of Sihndar life, actively attacking Qilkar mounts and swooping in to brutally crush other wildlife into the ground where they could be devoured alive. These creatures soon gained a nasty reputation that, when paired with tales of Vampires, did nothing to assuage the existing discomfort around many bat species across Aloria. With time, the Banner Holds have worked together to hunt down and cull the creature’s colonies, while others report fewer and fewer adolescents of the species. Some believe this is due to Mutations among the Vas Pirion reducing the species’ fertility, despite the overall level of Essence in Drowda decreasing as the Sihndar slowly but effectively recoups the land. Others claim that the drop in the species is only temporary, and there are likely vast colonies lying in wait in the isolated lands of the Forsaken Continent, ready to take to the skies in bloodthirsty hordes.

Physical Appearance

Vas Pirions display a wide range of sizes and weights based on both their level of mutation and maturity, but some theorize that regional divisions play a role as well. The species can grow as large as four feet in length, fourteen feet in wingspan, and weigh as much as 200 pounds. They have broad heads with short snouts tipped by a wrinkled, unclosed semi-circular pad at the end of their nose. They have wide mouths filled with sharp teeth with a pair of narrowed, small eyes but broad ears, which curl to the sides and back somewhat. They are also unusually hairy, with tufts sticking out of these ears. The animal’s neck is short, with their wings possessing sharp black or white claws at the tips where the fingertips would sit, and bearing similarly dark-toned membranes. The animal’s body is coated in dense hair before a pair of large clawed legs serve to help them perch, tear into victims, and stand while a short tail ends their body’s broad wingspan. The creature is often covered in black fur and body hair.

Diversity

The Vas Pirion is unique as one of the few mutated creatures in Aloria to have, within a single species, different mutations from both the Void or Exist. These traits pass from parent to offspring but are also capable of emerging naturally due to their proximity to Essence leaks. As a result, while they are generally black of fur, portions of their body have been known to grow feathers, or develop scales, while their eyes, a natural ochre tint in those few who retain them, often end up, or have surrounding them, eyes indicating Essence mutation. However, it is rare for the two types of Mutations to exist on the same individual. There are few external indicators of gender, though females are often larger than males.

Life Span and Development

Vas Pirion are live-born as small, pink-skinned pups numbering anywhere from one to four. While their mother does tend to them for several weeks, and the colony provides both blood and meat, they are rapidly left to survive on their own. This is often easily accomplished given an astonishing size increase they undergo soon after this period, and many will continue to grow for future weeks, reaching their “adult” size after three months. Some still grow past this point though and are known as Titan Pirions, the largest of the species and often the most mutated and aggressive. They are the dominant force in any colony and have their pick of mating partners when members of the species reach full sexual maturity after six months. They have an unknown lifespan, as Sihndar records speak of decades-old Pirion Titans that remained even as the colony around them went through several generations. However, the average lifespan when discounting these unique creatures is around ten years.

Mental Overview

Vas Pirions have developed a fearsome reputation which is completely justified given their aggression and pack mentality. Groups of hunting Vas Pirions will use their echolocation to scan mountainsides, forests, and plains for possible prey before the group moves in for the kill. Their methods vary based on location and the species being targeted. Some larger beasts are mobbed by several Vas Pirions and brought down through collective action, or individuals snagging, lifting, and then dropping prey from high points. However, most Sihndar will say the worst hunting method is when they land and approach a target on “equal footing” as like a pack of Wolves, the Pirions will circle their prey, and often use screams of their echolocation to confuse and keep their prey off balance before assaulting them. Vas Pirions are territorial and competitive though even once their prey has been felled, nipping if not attacking each other should another invade their “eating space.” However, they are remarkably cowardly if their prey, often Sihndar, put up enough resistance and even kill one or two of their numbers, which will prompt the hunting pack to flee. This territorial nature extends to the colony, where Vas Pirion will claim a spot and not move from it unless driven off. Maternal areas of the colony, however, avoid this aggression, allowing pups to grow up relatively safely with females around them to serve as protection should a Pirion violate the colony organization.

Territory and Groupings

Vas Pirion colonies are much smaller than that of other bat species, with the largest noticeably numbering only 300 members. These colonies are often focused around caves, crags, or areas of the forest where the trees can support Vas Pirion weights. It is often said those colonies from the east have more Exist Mutations, while those from the north have more Void Mutations, other areas having an equal mix of both, though this is often seen as unreliable. Colony territory is exclusively the grounds they dominate, and while Pirions are not territorial in the traditional sense, most large animals which attract their notice know to keep away from the colony’s roosting grounds to keep from being a quick meal.

Trivia

  • The largest Titan Pirion ever was Ungmos the Ugly, a Vas Pirion which reached six feet in length with an enormous wingspan and was covered in several significant Exist Mutations. He was slain by the Sihndar warrior Ozo’daram in 221 AC, with his colony being destroyed by 230 AC.
  • Some wonder if Qilkar are hyper-mutated Vas Pirion given the reptilian beast’s chiropteran features.
  • There are supposedly Vampires who have taken up residence in Drowda who command small groups of Vas Pirion to serve them, but this is widely seen as a tall tale to further tie Vampires and bats together.

Accreditation
Writers HydraLana
Processors MantaRey, BillyTheScruffy, Azas, Acosmism
Last Editor HydraLana on 12/3/2021.

» Read more