Desert Pseudodragon

Though pseudodragons are rarely seen across Divimeer, the one exception is the Desert Pseuodragon. After much research, it was determined by the arcane advisory of The J’warin Confederation that this creature was the most ideal way to address the ever-present terror known as the Black Sand.

Need for Detection

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At first, efforts were made to try and determine a way to eliminate the Black Sand. After countless failures, the advisory turned its attention to detection rather than elimination. These failures were not in vain however, as two important discoveries influenced the subsequent detection research. The first was the Black Sand’s attraction to magic and the second its distinct smell. With arcane means out of the question, other options began to be explored.
As other aspects of the harsh desert environment called for work animals, such as the camels for traversing the land and jackals as hunting companions, the advisory orchestrated trials to determine the most viable detection creature.

Traits Advantageous Against Black Sand

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The inherent traits of the pseudodragon proved to be most advantageous during these trials. For one, much like the other avian creatures tested, it was able to quickly search more of its surroundings due to its ability to fly. Similar to the other tested hunting creatures, its keen senses of sight, hearing, and smell proved to be perfect for spotting the unique coloration and odor of the Black Sand from a distance. Furthermore, while other creatures struggled during the nighttime trials due to the dark, they were still able to pass by tracking the small vibrations caused by movements of the sand, a unique trait of the desert variety. Additionally, due to their telepathic nature, they can alert of the Sand’s presence quietly and efficiently. They can also understand Common and Draconic, so further communication with the alerted party is possible after spotting if necessary.

Obtaining a Desert Pseudodragon

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Though this creature was determined to be the best option for detecting the Sand, acquiring one proves to be the greatest challenge. While practically every arcane caster on the continent has one as a familiar, for the remaining peoples of The Confederation acquiring one is neither straightforward nor cheap. Traversing into the wilderness to locate one often results in the seeker never returning, and the purchase of one through a breeder would financially ruin the average person. As a result, though governments have a number of them included as part of their guard, they are viewed as a work animal of the most established and wealthy elite individuals on the continent.