Phoenix (Fee-niks)

The phoenix is a solitary celestial creature that lives in the realm of Paradise. Despite its solitary nature, it has been the subject of many cultures' study and symbolism, especially those which venerate the sun or fire, as a symbol of healing, hope, transformation, wisdom, respect, nobility, benevolence, and power over the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Depending on culture and legend, the phoenix is described in slightly different ways, but always keeps a number of similar characteristics. The most common depiction of the phoenix is as a large bird - often with a long neck like a crane or heron - with brightly collored feathers ofen of red, gold, orange or copper with many more colors mixed in among the patterns of its tail feathers and wings. They boast an array of large tail feathers that would glide behind them when they fly and resemble something akin to a peacock's feathers, as well as a brilliant crest upon its head like that of a rooster or tropical bird. They glow with an inner light often associated with the sun or fire.

The Simurgh

The dawn elves call the phoenix the "simurgh" and depict it as an enormous bird, larger than rocs and strong enough to pick a whole elephant up in its talons with ease. The creature has the face of a wolf, or sometimes that of a humanoid. It is believed to be the greatest of servitors of their goddess Aurin Valo.

Genetics and Reproduction

The phoenix is a single creature with no mate. There are and will never be another phoenix in existence. However, there was a time when the phoenix would create children from it's shed feathers. These creatures were known as Surya or firebirds (not to be confused with the cinder rocs of Axiom), but because of their similarities, they were often confused for being true phoenixes themselves. These creatures were intelligent celestial creatures that shared many of the same traits as their mother and for a time would travel to the material plane. The phoenix has stopped creating the surya after they were hunted to extinction by the Eld'ri .

Growth Rate & Stages

The phoenix can live for hundreds or thousands of years, growing to enormous size. At the end of its life cycle it returns to the place of its birth, a tree upon one of the highest peaks of Mount Etheria, and makes a nest of twigs and incense before it burns, tree and all, returning to an egg to be hatched after a period of time.
It is a curious fact that such a creature which both resembles and rejects the natural cycle of life and death would have been accepted by Death when they reigned over that dominion, but either through exception or acceptance, the phoenix has existed for eons even during those times.

Ecology and Habitats

The phoenix roams the peaks, forests, and plains of Paradise. It calls the whole of the plane its home and habitat yet always ventures back to the same peak and the same tree to die and become reborn.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Highly Intelligent
Supreme Wisdom

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As one of the most ancient of celestial beings in Paradise, the phoenix boasts great sight for miles as well as truesight. It is also believed that the phoenix could "see" the soul of a person when they peered them and view their intentions.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

The phoenix goes my many names. The dawn elves call her "Khorshed", others call them "Sol", and yet more simply refer to them as "the Phoenix". It's not known whether it has accepted any of these names as its own or if it was named when it was created.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The phoenix despises serpents, and has a difficult history with dragons and the gods who represent them, but has coexist with those who reside in Paradise peacibly now. They also have a great dislike for the Lord of Hells as well as any kind of fiend, though if forced to choose between the two, they would side with devils in a heartbeat for reasons pertaining to the history of its children.

Genetic Descendants

• Surya

Origin/Ancestry

Celestial

Lifespan

500-5000 years

Average Height

40-80 ft. with 200+ wingspan

depiction of Khorshed by the dawn elves