Bahija Hawk-Moth

Kaithur

First Ability Rithaldis' Charge Thanks to Rithaldis' Charge, solar moths can absorb and store up radiant energy inside their bodies without limit and cannot be harmed by radiant energy (sunlight, radiation, solar plasma). They can convert this into magic energy, use it to strengthen their muscles or re-release it like an Aura at will. However, unlike most other manifestations, they cannot produce their own radiant energy--they are reliant on a source. Second Ability Mpertem's Aura Bahija moths inherit Mpertem's Aura are capable of generating emotions or states related to Mpertem. This can be used on a specific target or they can generate an area in which all occupants are affected! Emotions related to Mpertem include joy, pride, bliss, mania, happiness, motivation, satisfaction or general euphoria. Bahija use this ability to motivate each other on their long migrations and to counteract effects of predators with dark magic in the Chain, their destination.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor	Lifespan
Deilephila elpenor Elephant Hawk Moth	1 Year

Wingspan	Body Length	Speed
2-3 in 60-76 cm	3 in 76	5 m/s 11 mph

Coloration
Mainly golden olive alongside bright pink. In their magic form, these olive patterns turn stark white, glowing with solar light and glowing brither the more solar energy they have stored away!

Diet

Herbivore Nectarivore Folivore Adults eat nectar from honeysuckle and other tube flowers in the Tenebrous Chain and will absorb radiant energy from the Shamsi Desert. Caerpillars eat leaves of the willowherb, bedstraw, fuschia, nightshade, dahlia and lavender.

Habitat

Temperate Forest Desert Shrubland Shrubland Grassland Rural Bahija Solar Moth can be spotted in the Tenebrous Chain, Eluzian Valley, Sesli Plato, Flumen Pontem and the Shamsi Desert, visiting wildflowers in the night in heathlands, grasslands, sand dunes (erg), hedgerows, woodland, farmland and urban gardens.

Adaptions

Vision Flight Smell Bahija shamsi moths are capable of hovering like hummingbirds, a costly but useful adaption for feeding on nectar. As a nocturnal polinator, Bahija have excellent night vision for identifying flowers, one of very few animals which can see color in the dark without magic! Blues, greens and ultraviolet are colors they see best but they can also find food by smell. Finally, Bahija have false eyes both as caterpillars and on their wings, used to frighten predators. Catapillars can puff up their body to look like a snake while adults spread their wings when they feel threatened!

Life Cycle

Oviparous Polygynous Precocial One generation is born per year, larvae pupating underground over the winter in the leaf litter of the Tenebrous Chain. Adults fly to Shamsi Desert in June, absorbing radiant energy and breeding in warmer climates before using their collected energy to return to the Chain in September. They will only live long enough to lay their green eggs on the underside of food plants, hatching after 10 days. Caterpillars eat 11-30 g in plant matter before pupating. This species of Shamsi Moth heavily carries the metaphor and mythos of Lithmor sending her love to Zalikar and him accepting and fostering that love as he safeguards the pupa over winter--they are viewed as messengers for these two entities! The arrival of Bahija moths are an event locals in the Chain look forward to, their brilliant and colorful appearance bringing light and joy every year!