Wyvern
Basic Information
Anatomy
Wyverns are large reptilian creatures believed to be distantly related to true Dragons. Standing on 2 feet, these creatures are easily identifiable by its large, leathery wings and snakelike body, lacking the forelegs/arms of their cousins. Wyverns typically stand and move in an upright plantigrade stance, but they often walk on the "knuckles" of their wings while moving quickly over short distances.
A wyvern's wings are made up of a forearm connected at the shoulder and bending at the elbow, ending at a hand-like "wrist". From her, their wings extend along four finger-like appendages joined by a leathery membrane. A shorter non-opposable thumb topped with a claw makes the fifth digit, extending from the top of the wing. These wings can be spread out, or pressed against the side with ease, as well as used as forelegs for short overland travel.
Wyvern's possess large tails, typically ridged with spinal plates, ending in a spearlike point, although this differs by breed, such as the larger Rocher de Bourgogne, bred to carry out direct attacks with heavier plating and physical strength. This breed's tail ends in a heavy, club-like bone, used for smashing through obstacles at the expense of speed.
Wyvern snouts are more blunt and rounded than their counterparts, and their heads are typically adorned with horns, plates or spikes, with regional variation among sub-species. They typically possess webbed ears which can be flattened to the side of the head for greater aerodynamic mobility.
Genetics and Reproduction
Wyverns reproduce sexually, with females laying clutches of 3-5 eggs at a time. For their nests, they favour high, but sheltered places, such as mountainside overhangs and fissures. Females are notoriously picky, typically creating and subsequently abandoning several nests before settling on their final selection. Nesting typically occurs in early Winterrule, with eggs hatching as summer begins
Wyvern eggs have earthy-tones and can be mistaken for large rocks, preventing their destruction by predators. Upon hatching, the young are nurtured by the female for up to a year, with the male taking her place if she is killed or otherwise indisposed. Despite sophisticated parental nurturing, however, roughly a third of young wyverns perish before adolescence. Eggs and young wyverns are often eaten by drakes and other large predators, or stolen by thieves seeking to eat, sell or destroy the eggs.
Growth Rate & Stages
Wyvern hatchlings are roughly the size of small dogs, and despite possessing fully formed wings, are incapable of flight for the first several weeks of life. This small size and lack of mobility leaves them vulnerable to other predators if they stray too far from the nest or are left unprotected, such as Drakes, Stone Harpies and Ellén Trechend, which all threaten wyvern young.
Young Wyverns grow into adolescence over the course of a year, growing to the size of large horses and straying further and further from their home nests, before ultimately leaving to establish themselves elsewhere. Outside of this early period and mating, wild wyverns are typically solitary. Within 3 yearly cycles, wyverns reach their full size and are considered mature adults.
Ecology and Habitats
Wyverns are native to the snow-capped Meneziou-Gwenn, preferring high, cooler areas, and making their homes in mountain caves, overhangs and fissures. These commonly are open to large overlooks or wide canyons allowing for immediate flight and easy return by the air. Spending much of their time in the air, wyverns require several kilometers of dedicated space, but are less territorial than some other draconic species, and several wyverns can reside, separately, on the same mountain or large canyon.
The roosts of domesticated wyverns resemble honeycombed towers, with large openings to the sky and riddled with nooks, ledges and alcoves. Wyvern roosts are typically several stories tall, making them on par with many central keeps or windspires, the latter of which often devote some levels to wyvern stables. A constant and dedicated source of food is required for their upkeep.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Wyverns are carnivorous, but have a large range of options, preferring to catch and eat large game, such as deer, elk, wild boar and goats, as well as sheep and cattle. Wild wyverns have been known to attack and eat sapient species as well, such as Bediz and, more commonly Kriores and Gargoul, who share their mountainous habitat. Wyverns will also consume dead meat of any kind, without much reservation or hesitation, including bediz or other draconic corpses.
Wyverns typically eat approximately 15-20% of their body weight, devouring the equivalent of one or 2 sheep a day. Wyverns will take larger meals back to their nests to consumer over a larger period. Wyverns fly high above their prey before swooping down with great speed and snatching up their meal with their feet and carrying them off. The trauma of the claw attack will often incapacitate a creature, although many survive to reach the nest where they are either killed with a drop, a bite or a slash, allowing the wyvern to feed.
Domesticated wyverns are typically fed with sheep or fish, but larger estates maintain free-roaming herds that the wyverns can hunt.
Biological Cycle
Wyvern scales become slightly more vibrant during Wummerrule and paler during Winterrule, although they typically remain relatively dull and earthy when compared to other draconic species. Wild Wyverns are less active during the winter.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Largely solitary, wyverns establish a loose social hierarchy in their geographic areas, with the largest creatures typically given the greatest amount of leeway in their hunting ranges and priority of meals, a situation that becomes more apparent in domesticated populations.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Once properly trained, domesticated wyverns excel as heavy aerial cavalry, their high maneuverability, including hovering flight, makes them an important asset in combat, supporting and attacking Windships. Wyverns are fitted with riding harness, allowing wyvern riders to direct attacks against targets, engage in direct combat or deliver messages over longer distances.
Wyverns are common additions to military windships of (Cruiser) class and above, although smaller craft may, in rarer cases, also support at least one wyvern.
A typical Escadrille consists of 3-6 wyverns, serving as the most common group. Escadron consists of 10-12 wyverns, while and Escadre, the largest, but rarest formation, consists of around 20 wyverns.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Wyverns are the 3rd most common draconic species in Alvez, sitting comfortably between Drakes and True Dragons. Originally found in the Meneziou Gwenn, wyverns have spread across Kornôgel, and wild populations can be found from Albia to the Golden Sea. Domesticated individuals and even small wings can be found in Alkebulan, but no long-term wild population has yet settled south of the Mor Kreizdouar, preferring the colder climates of the North.
Wyverns thrive especially in mountainous terrain such as the Meneziou Gwenn and the Meneziou Pyrene, descending into the valleys of Akitainia, Tolosa, Navarre, the Golden Sea and the Shatterlands during dry months.
Average Intelligence
Wyverns are typically more intelligent than drakes, capable of extensive training and situational adaptability, but are far less intelligent than true dragons or wyrms.
Against other creatures, a domesticated wyvern can be effectively compared to a particularly clever horse or dog, and they can be learn to pick up on the social queues of their handlers. Wyverns can observe and adapt their hunting tactics, springing traps and carrying out elaborate feints against their prey or rival wyverns.
Like many animals, in extreme cases, a wyvern can become ascended through overexposure to the magic of the Faewylde, gaining the ability of speech and intelligence. These are typically equivalent to Bediz children, maintaining a simplistic outlook and behaviour.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Native to the high mountains of the Meneziou Gwenn, wyverns possess incredible sense of sight, capable of seeing great distances and tracking movement from afar, making them incredible hunters. Wyverns possess a heightened sense of smell as well, and are adept at detecting prey and carcasses for feeding. Their other senses are less acute in comparison and several domesticated breeds, with their thick, rocklike scales, are slow to respond to minor physical stimuli.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
70 - 100 years
Conservation Status
While initially feared and hunted during the dark ages following the Tear, wyvern populations have greatly increased since their initial appearance and have spread to a larger geographic coverage, through a combination of thriving wild colonies and careful husbandry and breeding programs carried out by both Bediz and Tuatha de Danaan.
As a result of their territorial and dietary needs, maintaining a wing of wyverns is an expensive endeavor, typically reserved for landed nobility. In some areas, such as Anjev and Gallia, this noble exclusivity is enforced by law, reserving the rights only for landowners whose holdings can support wyvern populations. Domesticated populations rarely exceed a dozen, with most maintaining groups of 5 or lower.
Wild populations are considered the property of whatever crown holds Sovereignty in a region, an effort to maintain wild populations for breeding stock and limit the spread of independent noble-owned aerial forces that might challenge a sovereign's primacy. Across most of Kornôgel, the privilege falls to the King of Gallia, with the Archperfect of the Faith in Tolasa and the Grand-Duc of Akitania being notable exceptions for their own regions. To this end, harming or trapping wild populations without permission is punishable by death and is akin to treason. This leads to complications among peasant populations threatened by aggressive wyverns. To address this concerns, some orders, such as the Silverblade Company and the Black Order operate under licenses to interfere with the permission of the Crown and Church, respectively. Members of the vigilante hunting organization, les Chasseurs de Sang Noir, are often outlawed as a result of unsanctioned wyvern extermination.
Average Height
2.5 meters
Average Weight
900 kg
Average Length
4.6 meters (Tail to Snout)
6 meters (Wingspan)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
A typical wyvern's scales are dull and earthy, dominated by muted browns, greys, greens and reds. Contrary to the smooth, snakeskin-like hides of True Dragons and Wyrm, the thick scales of the wyvern are rougher and more stonelike, and it is easy to mistake a sleeping wyvern for a pile of rocks.
Geographic Distribution
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