Peryton

Sometimes sailors traveling through the air below the tree-line will find their ship accompanied by a herd of Peryton flying in the ships wake. These winged deer are considered good luck omens, and are believed to be an indicator that a space is (relatively) more safe.

The Origin of Peryton is unclear, although their relation to ground-bound deer is obvious. The largest difference between a Peryton and other cervidae is the large wings a Pertyon possess that allow them to fly. In most other respects, they look and act as standard deer do. The feathered wings of a Pertyon are typically brown in coloration, although greens and blues have been observed.

Skittish on the ground like other Deer, in the Air Pertyons are a bit more curious and investigative; especially around airships. This is believed to be attributable to the fact that Pertyons are not often hunted in the air or from an airship; the effort to do-so often outweighs the gains, and so Pertyons have never learned to fear Airships. Crews also will sometimes attempt to feed a herd of Perytons flying with their ship, and so encourages closer encounters.

Rendering of a Peryton observed in the wild.