Zhafinel Butterflies (Zh-AH-fee-nell)

Named after their beloved founder, the Zhafinel butterfly is the national animal of the nation, Fyey-Ahkeer-Byssium, otherwise known as the Abyssium forest, or just Abyssium. This butterfly could be recognised anywhere on the MaiRycian continent solely because of its place on the Abysssium flag and in the hearts of the nations people.
The Zhafinel butterfly was chosen for five reasons;

1. It's a butterfly - Abyssium wanted a Butterfly due to its shared importance & symbology amongst its diverse people, e.g. life, death, rebirth, renewal, departed souls, transience, change, journeys
2. It's badass - this species is well-known for its unique taste for typically extremely poisonous flowers and their common presence in the aftermath of an electric storm, the worse the better
3. Its hardiness - they can survive in the harshest of conditions, from hot arid lands to miasmic plains
4. It's only found in Abyssium - the locality of the species makes it a perfect national symbol
5. The lightning-like patterns on its wings are reminiscent of the scarring on the Founder and butterflies were her personal symbol - to pay their respects

Due to its powerful image amongst Abyssium citizens and its strong connection to an infamous nation known for their violent and tumultuous origins, the Zhafinel Butterfly has come to be considered a symbol of great power, terror and death beyond the borders of Fyey-Ahkeer-Byssium. Within the borders it is considered a symbol of great personal power, leadership, community connection and healing.

Diet

The Zhafinel butterfly can eat most polliniferous flowers but they are known to be especially indulgent towards extremely poisonous flowers usually avoided by saner creatures. Zhafinels seem to take thrill in danger as another favoured meal are stormblooms, small flowers that bloom in the wake of lightning after receiving excess energy from the strike and fade shortly afterwards. They have also been noted for their scavenger tendencies and may be seen drinking the juice of discarded corpses, even those of humans. Sweet tree sap, plum juice and sugar water are their favoured desserts but should only be eaten as rare treats.

Habitat

These butterflies prefer a hot, dry environment and take well to arid lands and deserts. They also favour atmospheres energised by recent electric storms. The most popular theory for this unique preference is their taste for stormblooms, but no one really knows for certain. Their exact home preferences and living habits are unknown as sightings are too rare for accurate analysis.

Lifespan

24 months

Conservation Status

Maximum Protection
Due to its low population and status as a national treasure, the Zhafinel butterfly is protected under a national conservation scheme banning the killing and trafficking of the species as well as destruction of its natural habitat.

Average Length

20-30cm

Geographic Distribution

• Fyey-Ahkeer-Byssium (Country/Location)