Great Phoenix

The Ignited Great Beast

The Great Phoenix is a legendary creature assumed to be from the Age of Creations. It is one of the Four Great Beasts referenced throughout Azimuth's history. The Great Phoenix is a force of nature and is often calamitous, destructive, and incredibly dangerous. Its nature, origin, and motivations are unknown.
The Great Phoenix is considered a demigod or lesser idol, and there are some cultures that worship the Great Phoenix as a deity, such as the Aarakocra of Mount Huma. Additionally, the kagyu of the Hobgoblin Khanate see the Great Phoenix as an omen or portent of war.

Description

Appearance

The Great Phoenix is described as a flaming, fiery bird of colossal size and scale. Its body is engulfed in red and orange flame, and smoke constantly emits from its wide wingspan. It wears a crest of fire and has a long, winding tail that is ablaze. Its body is hot enough to quickly set fire to its surroundings.

Abilities

The Great Phoenix can be aggressive, but it is often seen flying high in the sky above on the heat columns its body generates. It is believed that the Great Phoenix can remain airborne forever. It has not been seen eating or fueling itself in any way, and this raises the question of why the Great Phoenix lands at all. When it lands, some accounts depict the Great Phoenix preening, leaving behind massive, fiery feathers that continue to burn long after the bird has departed.
Wherever it lands is often quickly and dramatically turned to ash and cinder from the fires that spawn from the Phoenix. Survivors of infernos caused by it have relayed fire continually sprouts from the creature as it moves, and it is unclear if this is intentional or not. There does not seem to be any observable pattern of action or goal from the Phoenix.
Its size gives the Great Phoenix massive strength and physical ability. Despite appearing to be a phyical creature, it does not seem to require rest or food. It is able to both manifest and control fire elemental energies, and it has been seen creating giant infernos and gouts of flame with little effort. It is unknown if this elemental energy is what fuels the Great Phoenix or if some other force powers it.
While it doesn't appear to have a limited roving region, it has been seen most commonly in the southern skies of Azimuth, including over the regions of Tarteria and Haradren Gaer Arnad.
Like all the Four Great Beasts, it is unclear if the Great Phoenix is a natural, phyiscal entity and can be found somewhere in the world at any time, or if it is a manifestation of some other force and exists in Azimuth only rarely.

Legacy

• The shanty, The Four Great Beasts, seems to describe the potential origin of the Great Leviathan and the other Great Beasts.

• The Unsigned Paintings of the Great Beasts are a set of four rare, masterwork paintings that depict each of the Great Beasts. The artist of these paintings is unknown.

• Chaka painted a masterwork depiction of the Great Phoenix, which was put on display at the Watermill Gallery.

History

The First Age: The Age of Creations

The origin of the Great Phoenix is unknown. However, the oldest stories of the Great Beasts claim they were created by old and forgotten gods from the Age of Creations and made to do battle with the Primordial Elementals.

So the gods made protectors, four powerful beasts
And unleashed them to Azimuth, on elements (to) feast

They made them with thunder, and fire, and swell
The oceans rose up, and the mountains fell

- The Four Great Beasts Shanty

Scripture found in The Decayed Tomes from before the Third Age states, "Great Beasts forged to quell the elements shall now be the guardians of the Severance." These writings claim the Great Beasts became the holders of the Severance Keys.

The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia

In Veldrinus, it is said the area of the Baruun Forest that burned in a massive forest fire was caused by the Great Phoenix. This fire and its aftermath set off the chain of events leading to the Battle of Charcoal.

The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings

At some point between 5A 010 and 5A 060, and unknown artist painted "The Great Phoenix, the Blaster of Infernos". This depiction of the Great Phoenix is part of the Unsigned Paintings of the Great Beasts.

Divine Classification

Demigod / Lesser Idol

Current Status

Unknown

Member of
Four Great Beasts