Numinen

Numinen is, arguably, the most powerful creature that resides in Talonn. Yet, few have seen Numinen, as it is legendarily reclusive and its innate magic makes it difficult to lay eyes on against its will. Thus, much of what we know of the creature is myth, passed down through the ages. 
They say that Numinen is a landwyrm or some other kind of proto-dragonkin, and lives deep in the rolling hills of the Beré Wood in an ancient network of tunnels. The Wood itself is legendary for travellers losing their way in its perpetual fog, and so locals strongly discourage anyone from leaving the main road. Finding the Lair of Numinen is near-impossible for the average person-- but the definition of "average" in terms of Numinen's power is obscure. Kings and heroes have sought it and failed, while farm boys and milkmaids have stumbled upon it; scholars can search their whole lives and never even catch a glimpse of the white limestone cave mouth marking the entrance. 
According to a Crystal-age account written by the scholar Hyundin vas Evard (considered one of the few reliable sources on Numinen and its lair), the Lair's entrance is built into the side of a hill-mound and marked with large white masonry. Vas Evard supposedly spoke to Numinen, who she described as a large, dragon-like wyrm with white scales and insectoid features.

The creature Numinen was as breathtaking as the grandest of mountains or the vast oceans beyond the northern continent. A being of ancient magic, its head was like that of a dragon or snake, with flowing tendrils along the side of its face and neck that seem to move in wind, although there was no wind. Its long body disappeared into the tunnel out of my sight, but it perched before me on many gryphon-like legs, its body covered in pearl-chitin and white fur. Its mane furled down its spine like the fin of a fish, the color of the Sea of Anaïs in the daylight. It did not speak aloud, but its voice created impressions of sound and color in ones' mind. Its eyes were large and flecked with many colors, like an opal, swirling in a hypnotic pattern. During the scarce moments I had with it, it never looked at me, as though it were not seeing with its strange eyes but some other sense through time. Altogether, it was an ancient, wise being that leaves my quill adolescent and vague. The air of Numinen is not for mortals to capture, or indeed even the immortal gods themselves, although it is no god and assured me it was not.                              The Account of Numinen, Hyundin vas Evard, 1632 Crystal

Vas Evard's account was groundbreaking, and extremely popular; to this day it is one of the most-reprinted books in all of Talonn. The people's fascination with Numinen stems from its one duty: as a farsight seer, its ability to see all of history unfold made Istus task it with naming each age.
Every age, while it unfolds, is referred to as the "Dawning" age, but on the last day of its 2999th year, Numinen emerges from its lair to speak its name. This is the only time the creature fully emerges from its tunnels, and on that one day it can be seen flying high in the hair above the Wood. Accounts describe it as a "silver ribbon", flashing in the dying sunlight. The creature's power is thus that its telepathy carries knowledge of the age's name across Talonn. It is an unparalleled honor to be alive during this event, and a bragging point for many, who tell the story of where they were when the age was named for years to come.

Variations & Mutation

There are many rumors about Numinen, including:

• Its flesh can cure any ailment, including curses, death, undeath, and terminal illnesses. Much like a unicorn, the idea of sacrificing legendary beasts to gain power is popular among the unsavory.
• That there was once a child whose mother brought to Numinen to be named, and who grew to become a legendary hero. Which legendary hero is widely debated, with stories ranging from The Godbreaker to Drakon.
• That there is more than one Numinen, and it is in fact many generations of the creatures.
• That its lair actually located in the Feywild, and the tunnels in Beré Wood are just portal entrances.
• That Numinen came into being from a tear that the goddess Istus shed during the age of Silence out of loneliness. The creature is still sometimes referred to as Istus's offspring in literature.

In Literature

In Continentie's legendary Transformations of Glory, the story of the Godbreaker is told from the perspective of Numinen. Since the work is fragmented and primary source material is rare, scholars often argue over this, but it is assumed that the legendary bard was somehow related to Numinen given the frequency of its appearance in their work.

In Art

Numinen is often depicted as a dragon or landwyrm, which by vas Evard's account is incorrect.