Verdant Deer

The Verdant Deer of the Spring Court are a breathtaking sight, wandering in small herds across the sun-dappled meadows. Their soft, green coats shimmer in the light, ranging from gentle sage to deep emerald, as if woven from the very essence of spring itself. Majestic and peaceful, these creatures embody the harmony of the season. While most roam freely, a select few have been domesticated and trained as mounts for the Spring Court, their graceful presence a symbol of the court’s deep connection to nature.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Shimmering green coats ranging from sage to emerald.
Antlers adorned with delicate flowering vines in the mating season.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Rutting Season for the Verdant Deer occurs once per year, during the height of Spring when the meadows are lush with new growth. During this time, males engage in fierce but ritualistic battles, locking their flowering antlers in displays of strength and dominance. Fey of the Spring Court know well to avoid the meadows during this time—unless they wish to risk being caught in the frenzied contests.

Once a dominant male has won the right to mate, he will guard his chosen does until the season ends. After mating, the gestation period lasts approximately 10 months, with fawns typically born in early spring, ensuring they arrive when food is plentiful.

Verdant Deer fawns are born with soft, moss-like fur that helps them blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Their coats darken into rich shades of sage and emerald as they mature, fully developing their luminous sheen by their first year.

Growth Rate & Stages

Verdant Deer fawns are born in early spring, their coats soft and mossy, helping them blend into the meadows. During their first year, they grow rapidly, their fur deepening in color from pale green to rich hues of sage and emerald. By their second year, they reach full size, with males beginning to develop their distinctive flowering antlers, while females remain sleek and hornless.

Only males grow antlers, which are unique among deer species in that they resemble twisting vines adorned with small bioluminescent buds. These antlers grow throughout the year, reaching full size by late autumn. As winter approaches, the buds bloom into luminous golden flowers before the antlers shed completely, marking the transition into the next cycle of life.

The shedding process occurs in deep groves or sacred glades, where the fallen antlers decompose into the earth, enriching the soil with powerful magical properties. However, a rare few do not decay, instead hardening into crystalline structures imbued with lingering Fey magic. These preserved antlers are highly prized by the Spring Court, used to craft ritual staffs, wands, and ceremonial regalia for druids, healers, and courtiers alike. It is believed that these antlers hold the very essence of spring’s renewal, granting their wielders enhanced magical abilities tied to growth, healing, and fertility.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Verdant Deer of the Spring Court are herbivorous, thriving on the lush and magical flora of their enchanted meadows. Their diet consists of:

Starpetal Clover – A bioluminescent plant that enhances their natural glow and grants them increased stamina.
Dewgrass – A type of shimmering grass that holds morning dew, providing hydration and essential nutrients.
Spring Blossom Bark – The tender inner bark of certain enchanted trees, rich in energy-sustaining magic.
Moonvine Leaves – A rare, silver-veined plant that allows them to stay hidden from predators when consumed.
Feywild Mushrooms – Found in the shaded groves, these fungi enhance their vitality and aid in minor wound healing.

During the colder months, when fresh vegetation is scarce, they rely on stored root bulbs and dormant meadow flowers, which retain magic even in winter. Their ability to digest and metabolize enchanted plants makes them highly attuned to the Spring Court’s magic, further deepening their connection to the land.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Camouflage & Blending – Their shimmering green coats allow them to blend effortlessly into the meadows and forests of the Spring Court, making them nearly invisible to predators.
Fey-Touched Vitality – Being creatures of the Spring Court, Verdant Deer radiate a natural healing aura. Plants flourish where they rest, and their presence is said to quicken the growth of flowers and grasses.
Whisperbond – Some domesticated Verdant Deer form a deep connection with their riders, able to understand emotions and respond without the need for spoken commands.