The Wonders of Pixie Wyverns

Pixie wyverns, more commonly known by their abbreviated name xieverns, are a crucial part of Rellander Roost, Linearia, and arguably fundamental to Calderon as a whole. Domesticated xieverns are intelligent and friendly creatures, often forming a strong bond with their owners. William Rellander, the founder of Rellander Roost, was quoted in a speech saying, "They are more dependable messengers than doves, more versatile mounts than horses, and more loyal companions than women." two days before his untimely demise, falling off of his xievern after fleeing his infuriated wife.

Like all wyverns, the creature possesses two hind legs and two wings in place of frontal appendages. Unlike most wyverns however, Pixie wyverns are considerably smaller, the adults weighing no more than one hundred and fifty pounds (68 kilograms). Although less physically impressive than their gargantuan relatives, these creatures make up for their small size with their intelligence. Smart enough to recognize, learn, obey, and sometimes, deliberately disobey commands, these animals make great, if sometimes mischievous pets. Due to the fact that these are social animals, pixie wyverns will often form strong bonds with owners, and can go to great lengths to protect them.

While useful for carrying messages and small packages, these wyverns weren't able to take flight under the weight of humans until the discovery of sky stones and feather gems, magical stones that would decrease the weight of the rider if worn, often as a bracelet or necklace. (See Feather gems and Sky Stones)

Since the groundbreaking discovery, xieverns have flown man across oceans, over mountains, and even into battle. The most promoted use of the reptilian mount has been their potential in large scale obstacle races, the size and fanfare of which make horse races pale in comparison. Many bets are placed, and many rewards are earned. The most successful xieverns can be neigh worth their weight in gold and are bred with other successful victors to produce the fastest and most athletic offspring.

Rellander Roost is a hectically built tower, complete with balconies, ramps, and perches for the flying creatures that live there. Seated atop the thin but dizzyingly high Cloud Peak Mountain, it is, without a doubt, the most renowned facility for housing, breeding, and training pixie wyverns. The people of the tower and the town below flourish as they gain wealth from delivering messages, fighting in battles, and hosting lucrative races in which whole crowds shout, cheer, and praise at the sight of the creature responsible for entertainment, communication, military strength, transportation, and companionship; the pixie wyvern.