Gáníswyrm (GOWN.ees.verm, GOWN.ees.werm)

Great Ice Wyrms of Ísje the Únðárín Queen

In the thousand-year lead up to The Godswar, the Únðár Queen Ísje crafted a number of creatures to aid her designs. None of these found nearly so much favor with the Ice Queen, however, as the Gáníswyrmen. So long-lived as to seem immortal, imbued with vast powers of ice and cold, hyperintelligent, unimaginably strong, and possessed of the ability to change skins from their (mostly) human form to that of a beast seemingly made from ice, resembling a colossal serpent or lizard with wings and four legs, these creatures were the most terrible of the Dark Queen's creations. The last of their kind was believed to have been slain in 85ATC by a hunting party led by the ancient Wylden hero Sjæfír the Wind-Tracker.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In their natural form, Gáníswyrmen were massive, standing thrice the height at the shoulder of a tall human male. Possessed of large wings lined with sharp, rigid scales arranged like a bird's feathers, they would fly to cover long distances, yet preferred to remain grounded in combat, unless overwhelmed by numbers. Their forelegs functioned equally well as arms, with highly dexterous, talon-clad claws, and their hind legs were thick and powerfully built. A long, sinuous tail, coated with the same jagged, crystal-like scales as the creature's body, could and frequently would be used in a whip-like fashion to lay open enemies at a touch.

Genetics and Reproduction

All Gáníswyrmen were inherently female. In order to reproduce, they would accumulate the life energy necessary from consuming fallen and slain foes and prey. Once possessed of enough of this vital essence, a mature Gáníswyrm would lay a single egg, which the goddess Ísje would then quicken using a small spark of Kjás the Unmaker's fiery essence. A new wyrmling would then emerge within two years.

Ecology and Habitats

Though immensely powerful and not actually limited to any specific habitat, Gáníswyrmen preferred ice and cold, and tended to form their lairs exclusively on Hrafnawyld's glaciers in ancient times.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They were originally found only in Hrafnawyld, typically on the island's glaciers, but are believed to be extinct by most people in the present day.

Average Intelligence

Gáníswyrmen were known as Ísje's deadliest creations not just because of their massive size and ferocity, but also because of their superlative intelligence. They were cunning and clever, as well as possessed of great power over their immediate surrounding environment, and were noted for their ability to quell and coordinate even the chaotic and contentious Fájunn.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

It is not known whence Gáníswyrmen derived their names, and only three names are known: Ælasjí, last of the creatures to plague Hrafnajökull, the great glacier of the Ravenfjords; Tásje, the wyrm that attempted to capture the Spear of Gáðæn from the Sisterhood of Binnigðúm, and was subsequently slain by Sjæfír the Wind-Tracker and her party in 85ATC; and Ræsje Esmaðír, who appeared mysteriously in the 31st century ATC, and disappeared just as mysteriously following her fateful encounter with Kiera the Aisling.

A rough, unfinished rendering of a mature Gáníswyrm, in its natural form:

by Grimbjorn Gregersson w/ LunaPic.com filter

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Believed extinct until the appearance of Ræsje Esmaðír in the 31st century

Average Height

15-20ft/4.5-6m at the shoulder in their natural form

Average Weight

Unknown

Average Length

60-80ft/15-18m from head to tail

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

In their natural form, Gáníswyrmen had hides of pure white, with clear, jagged scales that caught the light in rainbow hues. In human form, their appearance could vary greatly, but was typically characterised by very pale skin.

Related Ethnicities

• Wylden

The Last of Her Kind?

After being believed to be extinct for nearly three-thousand years, Ræsje Esmaðír appeared in the 31st century, and was thought (and fervently hoped) to be the only Gáníswyrm in existence.