Volignisithe

Jump to your doom
Dragon believer,
In molten womb,
Be blessing receiver.
Rock that flies,
Fire that surges,
All heed the skies,
If the kobold emerges.

-Rogdul, Rogdul's Compedium of Fights and Faeries

Meaning "flying fire rock", the volignisithe is a mythical creature said to be born from the lavas of Crystal King. Next to nothing finite is known about these creatures since all information we have comes from the fanatic kobolds or the stories of genasi. According to the myth of Burning Born, the kobolds who litter the back of the August Elemental believe that their draconic ancestry will protect a worthy kobold should he jump into the lava of Crystal King. After a kobold is Burning Born, a volignisithe will emerge from the elemental to lead the kobolds to prosperity. What that prosperity looks like, the kobolds fail to mention.
The genasi who live on the Crystal King have the most recent accounts of volignisithe sightings, but even those are nearly 500 years old. There have been so few volignisithe that most have become legends unto themselves. The stories the genasi tell their children talk of extremely clever towering molten statues able to command fire and earth as if it was part of themselves. It has become a fairy tale, something to keep the children from disrespecting the diminutive kobolds who share the small plot of land on the elemental's back. Despite their doubtful existence, kobolds still can be seen jumping into lava tubes in an attempt to live the legend.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Burning Born stories would have us believe that no two volignisithe are the same, but they share general characteristics. Most are roughly 10 feet tall, bipedal, and shaped much like kobolds would be if they'd grown up. All have massive wings, with a total wingspan twice as long as the volignisithe is tall (roughly 20 feet). All have a crown or helm of rock or crystal that's grown from their skin. Their wings are similarly crested in the same rock or crystal, although some may have wings feathered or webbed in fire, rock, crystal or not at all. All have armor grown from their skin, though the style and utility of this armor differs from creature to creature.
A disturbingly unanimous claim rises from the kobold babble and genasi legends. Volignisithe eyes burn hot enough to ignite the air around them. Trails of fire follow the path of their eyes as they fly through the sky. No matter what story is told, the eyes are always mentioned. Staring, Burning.

Genetics and Reproduction

A volignisithe can only be created after a kobold attempts to be Burning Born (for information on the kobold beliefs, please read the Burning Born myth). After a kobold survives jumping into a lake of lava, a volignisithe will emerge from the fire and rock. Nothing is known about time frames or how many kobolds survive the transformation.

Ecology and Habitats

The legends surrounding specific volignisithe do not help the credibility of their existence. Where they go after they are born is a mystery since none are around to observe. It's generally believed by the kobolds that volignisithe adventure to find ancient dragons to unite forces. This is, however, likely a kobold absurdity given dragons' haughty sense of self; they would never work with someone but force the volignisithe to work for them

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Volignisithe legends would indicate a normal amount of intelligence but an extreme level of wisdom. Legends are rife with their knowledge of what to do and innate ability to see their wishes done.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

All volignisithe have terrifying control over fire and earth. It is said that not even the Crystal King can overturn a volignisithe command given to those elements. How these creatures use their abilities depends on the specific volignisithe. Some prefer to wield them much as a spellcaster, lobbing fire and rock safely from the sky. Others prefer more marshal tactics, imbuing their claws, fangs, and wings with elemental devastation. Although all volignisithe can fly, some use their abilities more than others.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Volignisithe don't use their kobold names after they're born and don't appear to name themselves. The legends the kobolds tell of the volgnisithe refer to the mythical creatures by their attributes instead. Kobolds ingenuity for traps and engineering seems to flag when it comes to naming their heroes. Fire Horn, Thunder Fire, and Razor Wing are all legendary volignisithe with tragically kobold names.

Average Height

10 feet

Average Weight

600 - 800 lbs

Average Length

20 feet wingspan

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Differs between volignisithe, no two are exactly the same

Geographic Distribution

• Crystal King