Wyvern
Wyverns are magical beasts, considered draconids, that once soared the skies of Oarus and close relatives of the powerful beasts known as dragons. Like their larger more dangerous cousins the dragons, they once populated the entire world at one point before the other races came into being. Unfortunately, like the dragons, wyverns are an endangered race despite being more common. They are highly intelligent and extremely predatory, and all are capable of many magical feats. Though greatly similar to dragons, wyverns share a number of differences to their more powerful cousins. They are more snake-like in appearance and reproduce at a faster rate though they are smaller in size and weaker. However, they are no less dangerous and just as threatening to any who would seek to harm them. Wyverns also lived among the dragons in the massive city known as Angaligoth.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Wyverns are incredibly similar to their larger more advanced cousins the dragons. They are reptilian and capable of flight and magic. However, the similarities end there, wyverns are more snake-like with rounded heads and forked tongues and have scorpion like stingers on the end of their tails. Unlike dragons, wyverns do not grow their entire lives, all growing to certain set sizes depending on which breed. Wyverns also don't live as long as dragons, and live only for a few thousand years or so.
Genetics and Reproduction
Wyverns hatch from eggs like dragons do and many other reptilian species. Unlike dragons, whom usually only take on one mate for life, wyverns are known to take on multiple mates, in fact male wyverns take on entire harems of females. Male wyverns are often killed in contests for entire harems of females, they defend their territory jealously until females wander in. Certain wyverns who dwell in colder climates do not mate and lay eggs until summer as it is easier to hunt and feed themselves and their young.
Female wyverns guard their nests constantly while the males bring back kills to feed them. The hatchlings are guarded by all females in the harem regardless of whether or not they are from their clutch or not. Should an adult female be killed the hatchlings are divided between the other females and raised by them. On the chance that the male is killed, the females still continue to watch over the hatchlings, but then the females rotate on hunting trips to feed their own young while the rest remain to stand guard. Once the hatchlings have grown and are capable of defending and feeding themselves they leave the nests. Even the females leave the male that they have mated with, returning back into the wilds and then find another mate years later.
Growth Rate & Stages
Like dragons, wyverns begin as an egg and are no larger than a small cat or even dog. Depending how much they eat on a regular basis and depending on how healthy they are they grow faster and reach their adult size sooner. Regardless, wyverns grow at an incredibly fast rate like dragons and they reach their full size by the time a human is barely out of their toddler stage.
Ecology and Habitats
Unlike dragons, wyverns are very selective when it comes to choice of habitat. A majority of wyverns choose relatively warm and hot climates from mountain ranges, sea shores, and humid jungles. Only a select few wyverns can actually survive in cold climates.
Dietary Needs and Habits
All wyverns are carnivores and eat meat, while certain breeds are omnivores and eat fruits and vegetables as well the always eat meat.
Biological Cycle
During winters, such as those in Pretheria, certain breeds of wyvern hibernate for months during the harshest stages of winter. They hibernate in underground tunnels or massive thickets near hot-springs or other such channels to aid in keeping warm. As winter fades and spring arrives the wyverns awaken and begin to hunt and feed as usual.
In winter, wyverns become temporarily incapable of reproducing. The cold causes their reproductive organs to cease for time until winter is over. Once spring comes the wyverns ovulate and are able to mate and lay eggs.
Additional Information
Domestication
Though not as infamously known as their larger more aggressive cousins the dragons, wyverns have been used as battle mounts by kromnar warriors and have inflicted devastating blows in major battles. Wyverns have often been used to coat numerous bladed weapons with various types of venom. Several kromnar clans have been known to coat their swords, arrows, axes, and even daggers to cause fatal and irreparable harm and excruciating death.
Due to their more docile nature, wyverns are much more easy train compared to dragons and turned into mounts for battle. Other times wyverns are said to be used for patrols to signal warning of oncoming armies and attacks from hidden foes. Occasionally certain clans and peoples have even kept wyverns as pets as well as war mounts.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Like their cousins the dragons, wyverns have been hunted for thousands of years though to a lesser degree in a sense. Due to being more common and having a higher reproduction rate they technically hunted more often and yet their numbers have yet to decrease to an alarming number like the dragons.
The reasons have varied from one people to another. Some certain races revere and worship them, while others see them as monsters to be hunted and killed. Wyverns typically have been hunted for one of three reasons. The first is to do with religion, they are viewed as the signs of demons and dark evil forces. The second is for the resources they provide, the fact that they provide many alchemical materials from their tears, bones, scales and blood to manufacture things like medicine and cosmetics. The third and final reason if for reputation and pride, whether they are revered as magnificent beasts that are powerful, capable of magic, and capable of many abilities slaying them became a mark of honor in some many other cultures just like the dragons.
The fact that wyverns have a tendency to hunt in broods and cause immense damage to villages, towns, and cities alike does them no favors either. It is known that many broods have been known to be around the size of at least seven to as large as a several dozen or so depending on the breed. This has led to mass hunts and rewards for killing wyverns, sizable offers have made for those who bring back the head of more than one wyvern.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Wyverns are known generally for having excellent sight, however many breeds are said to have better sight than others. Few breeds are capable of seeing by heat, others rely more on the sense of smell to better navigate the forests, jungles, and shorelines better. As useful as this is, it enables hunters to hide themselves and trick the wyvern's senses.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Drakknir the Cosmic Dragon and his mate Wryknia are said to be the Father and Mother of the dragon race and all of their close and distant kin alike. It is said that the dragons came from nine eggs that fell from the stars and crash landed on Eldorahn in the far north on a small continent known as Pretheria. As wyverns are close cousins of the dragons, it is said that they share the same ancestry.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Wyverns strictly mate and pair with wyverns alone. On occasion certain breeds have been known to come in contact and mix, yet regardless they have always stayed with their own kind. No breed of wyvern has ever been seen to mix with other creatures like dragons or drakes. Wyverns have a certain respect towards other dragonkin but there have been conflicts in the past over food or territory like other wild beasts.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Draco Wyvernae
Lifespan
100- 500 years
Conservation Status
Nearly extinct, though far more common than dragons, wyverns are a dying race as they being hunted down for being considered as deadly threat.
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