History

A feud as old as time has plagued the wyvern people, one that exists to this day between them and the Ontari Horse Tribes of Emanys. For hundreds of years they have fought over territory and Gods, a dispute momentarily put to rest after the arrival of Humans. It is said that on that day, the Wyvern and Ontari came together to fight as one, only unravelled by their defeat. When the land was carved up, and the territories split into three, Aramane, Emnays and Ryon, the fighting ceased for a time, only to burn anew once populations started to grow and territories were challenged once more.

Legends

Long ago, it was said that the Titan Mother, Karamea, birthed four glittering eggs, each jeweled with diamonds, colored in gold, and dusted with ash. They were nurtured at her side, given love and warmth until one day, a single egg cracked open and out, sprang a magnificent, wingless creature. Each and every day another egg would break open until the fourth day saw the fourth and final creature take its first breath. Struck by their fierce beauty, Karamea offered the beasts a place at her side so that they may never part from her company. However, the beasts were tested. They did not live like immortal beings and were starved offerings they truly needed to keep them sane. Karamea’s beasts turned on her children and began consuming the Gods for the esen they carried, seeking to sate the hunger that so desperately clawed at their bellies.

Horrified and heartbroken, Karamea cast the creatures from her side and cursed them into mortal flesh, thinking it would contain their ravenous hunger for esen. For a time, it did. Yet the hunger still remained… It wasn’t long before the craving was sated and the Wyvern took of mortal flesh, if only to taste the esen flowing within.

Appearance

The Wyvern are a race of dragons turned human, thus their outward appearance is reflective of the beast housed within them. They are a rather tall race, normally standing well over the heads of others, and are fairly easy to identify based on their distinct features. Every pureblooded Wyvern manifests horns when they begin puberty and allow them to grow until their mid twenties. Horns can come in every shape, size, color, and position on the Wyvern’s scalp, each its own unique feature unlike any others. Their eyes are another striking trait as they appear black where the whites would be with large irises of red, gold, orange, or blue hues of color. Even though they appear mortal, their flesh is softly imprinted with scales in certain areas (that commonly being on their shins, thighs, and forearms) and range in color from pale to golden bronze, or ebony black.

While jewelry is not necessarily a sign of status, the esen carried within it is. Wyvern imbue most items they carry with the ability to hold esen and use them as a means to feed and satisfy the hunger within them. Therefore, nearly every piece of jewelry decorating their bodies is packed with energy to some capacity. They wear it openly, on their skin, as this is the easiest way to syphon the esen. Wyvern prefer to dress themselves in leather and cotton outfits and light armor as to easily move and defend themselves. Based on the season, they’re inclined to wear fancy, decorative robes or dresses that leave little to the imagination.

Wyvern horns are exceptionally rare and power artifacts that many covet to have among their possessions. Thought to be the result of their constant diet of esen, the horns of these creatures begin to manifest sometime around puberty and appear in many shapes, colors, and patterns from the top of the scalp to the sides and back of the head. Once they’ve broken through flesh, the horns become items of desire for huntsmen and blackmarket traders alike, leading to the Wyvern’s staggering low population.

The reason for this is due to the nature of the horns and their ability to collect esen from the Wyvern whenever the creature feeds. It is important to note that, while energy may be collected into the horns, it cannot be used unless the horns are removed from the Wyvern. This process is both extremely painful (atkin to breaking bone in half) and quite degrading, should the Wyvern be alive when one or both of their horns are removed.

Horns represent authority among the Wyvern. They offer a place among the people and a stand between males when fighting for land, power, or a mate. Beauty and strength are represented by horns worn among their women. Therefore, a Wyvern whose horns have been taken— if even one, or a piece off of one— will be seen as inferior and/or weak among their people, regardless of the circumstances behind their missing horn(s). They will be offered little support in politics or trade and might struggle to find a mate to secure their line.

Esen held within the horns is based off of its size and age. Should a large chuck be separated into smaller pieces, the esen as a whole will be sectioned off within those pieces. Once the esen is completely drained from the horn, it cannot hold esen again and will serve only as a trophy.

OOC Note: Players who obtain Wyvern horn(s) in their story must notify either Spire or Rune so that the item can be awarded fairly. Please note these are rare and hard treasures to come by, even if there are several players writing as this race. You must earn them! Should it appear as though a player is abusing this race feature, moderator intervention will be made swiftly.

Racial Ability

Wyvern are feared throughout the world for their ability to shift into formidable, wingless serpents. They become creatures of desire, mindless in their endeavor to capture or kill whatever their eye is fixed upon. Shifting into this state is sometimes done out of desperation and leaves the Wyvern vulnerable for a time before they become a killing machine. They may stay in this state for as long as a season before the elemental shift prevents them from transforming for another year.

There are four kinds of dragons, each paired with a season and representative of an elemental magic: Bloom becomes the season of Water where dragons aligned with this element may shift into their true form, Blaze becomes the season of Fire where dragons aligned with this element may shift, Harvest becomes that of Earth, and Frost, Wind. A Wyvern’s appearance normally takes after their dragon and the element they represent.

When it is not the season of their element, a Wyvern cannot fully shift into their dragon form. They may call upon certain features the creature possesses, such as claws, sharpened teeth, elongated jaws, arms, and legs, but a full transformation is impossible.

It is important to understand that a Wyvern may shift into this state of being with their conscious mind fully present, allowing them to follow logical thought rather than beastial habits. However, animal instincts are ever present in the Wyvern, made known even more when transformed into a dragon. With enough effort, one can maintain control of themselves, but the longer they remain shifted, the more their instincts will override their logical thoughts.

Because they are wingless, Dragons lack the ability to fly and instead, use their claws, hindlegs, and tail to move across the ground with inhuman speed. Powerful muscles ripple just beneath their scaly, thick flesh and a large muzzle hides deadly sharp teeth that can cut a man in half with one bite. Dragons grow no bigger than eleven meters (thirty-five feet) in length, from the tip of their tail to the point of their nose. Shifting into and out of this form is excruciatingly gruesome and painful for the Wyvern, and requires a short period of about ten minutes to complete. During this time, they are entirely vulnerable to attackers as their bodies become paralyzed with pain when they call upon the beast.

Gazing at their reflection is said to help a transformed Wyvern shift back into their mortal body. However, if their mind is too far gone, they lose all sense of self identity and regard themselves as a simple beast. They have many weaknesses, though the most common one being their soft underbelly.

Half-Breed Wyvern are normally much smaller than pure blooded members of their race, if they are able to shift at all. While being small, they are also much slower and weaker than pure bloods. Normally, half-breeds are only able to shift certain parts of their bodies, lacking the ability to shift completely into their beastial form. Still, they suffer from the same cravings and instincts as the other members of their race.

Philosophy

While the Wyvern face harsher racism than most, they do not lack a moral guide or cultural principles to keep them on a righteous path. Their history is one of conflict, born from their beast’s desire to feast on mortal energy or cultivate themselves into a functional, civilized race. They seek only to harness control over their inner struggle, a feat many never fully achieve, and take to whatever means necessary to develop this. Some seek solitude while others throw themselves in the pits of chaos. Like all mortal races, the Wyvern can represent the greatest good of their people and the darkest evil.

Though legend claims Karamea to be their creator, the Wyvern have chosen Rhum, God of War and Sacrifice, to be their ruling deity. Their philosophy is molded around his stories and the realms of influence he represents, namely sacrifice. It has become a large part of the Wyvern culture, so much so that they honor anything used to help them thrive, be it a small prayer over a meal or ritual within a newly constructed space. They understand sacrifices must be made in order to survive and respect the nature of balance when the consequences of those sacrifices come to pass.

Perception

Wyvern are not regarded with the highest opinion from others as most often, they are assumed cannibals and/or monsters by the majority of society. It is a stain upon their name that’s been carried for centuries since the birth of the first Wyvern, and one that will likely never disappear in the years to follow. While the Wyvern remain an apprehensive species, they are even more wary of outsiders due to this perception. They are a territorial, protective people— a race that defends and nurtures its blood before anything and anyone, therefore, it is not uncommon for unknowing adventurers to end up missing when traveling in the eastern region of the world.

Whether by fortunate or unfortunate means, all Wyvern will inevitably taste mortal blood on their tongue at some point in their lifetime. Hunting and killing mortals, while frowned upon, is considered a natural occurrence in their culture. It isn’t shameful to pay respects to life lost at their hands and, most often, Wyvern will find a way to honor the individual if it was an unjust kill. Some Wyvern have been known to pay their victim’s weight in gold to their families, others have sworn protection, land, or items of value to pay for the sacrifice. However, there are Wyvern who actively hunt mortals with no regard to justice or innocence. They succumb to their beastial instincts and terrorize whole villages until there is nothing left behind but the smell of smoke and blood. These Wyvern are problematic to the race when they become out of hand, which eventually comes to pass, and are later hunted by their own people and exterminated.

There are those of other races that take pleasure in hunting Wyvern, thinking they are ridding the world of evil embodied. That’s why many people of this race take precautions when traveling away from their homelands.

Diet

There is only one thing Wyvern crave and that is Esen. However, that doesn’t mean their bodies aren’t fueled by other means. Wyvern are known for having a meat rich diet, being that they often consume red meat and very little fish; both having to be seasoned with herbs and spices enough to make someone’s lips pucker. They don’t enjoy overcooked meat and will request or cook it just enough that the outer layer is seared brown and blood remains in the center when they bite into it. Sometimes they opt to eat meat completely raw without regard for parasites or illness.

They enjoy a variety of vegetables in their diet, but their favorite snacks to consume are fruits. Wine is a product both heavily consumed and crafted by the Wyvern people, as their fascination for grapes in unrivaled.

Esen makes up the main part of a Wyvern’s diet and can be consumed through esen crystals, esen filled items and/or artifacts, or from other people. While the Wyvern can recharge certain items and crystals with their own esen, it leaves them craving for energy once it is gone. Therefore, most simply avoid this practice and seek out others not of their race to refuel the items. Their favorite form of energy to consume is Wild Esen, though it is too dangerous to approach or absorb in large quantities. That is why some starved Wyvern will seek out Ontari to cannibalize or enslave, as the taste of Wild Esen lingers in their blood.

When a Wyvern consumes esen, all they need is physical touch and concentration to pull the energy from the person or item. Depending on how much is consumed, the effect will give the Wyvern a euphoric, high symptom for a short period of time and leave the victim tired and drained. A Wyvern will never fill on esen (yet can be sated for a time) and if starved, will continue to consume it until their victim is dead or the Wyvern is stopped. Someone drained of esen will turn into a mummified husk and, after some hours, will crumble into dust. Draining someone of esen isn’t a quick process, however, it is dependent on how weak they already are and how much they still hold within them. Someone that is healthy and hasn’t cast spells might be drained to death within a few hours while someone already injured or weak from spell casting might be drained within minutes. This is assuming the Wyvern is still conscious of mind, otherwise, their instincts will see them consume their victim whole or in pieces and feast on their esen within its belly.

Wyvern may feed on the people of their own race, but they risk endangering others if one is starved of energy. As this is a natural ability, no amount or any kind of magic can prevent a Wyvern from consuming esen.

Wyrs

Securing territory is a must among this race, if not to showcase their strength and authority, to provide their families with a safe and prosperous environment to grow in. Wyvern are an aggressive, protective species whose nature extends beyond defending just themselves, but other people and things they hold claim over. This is true for their families as well, known as Wyrs.

Wyrs are normally small in numbers and isolated within prime locations for hunting and gathering. While most tend to shrink away from major trade routes or cities, some Wyvern have been known to settle close to these locations. However, most tend to reside just beyond the reaches of the main roads and take to building their lands and estate so that they become self sufficient.

Wyvern are frighteningly wary of those who enter into their lands. While most allow others to pass through with nothing more than a message of warning, there are some Wyrs that will kill any who set foot beyond certain points (usually made known by way of corpses). Dealing with merchants and travelers passing through is cause for tempered anger among the Wyvern, however, members of their own kind who encroach upon their lands uninvited, and lacking of cause, face harsher punishments than those of strangers. Wyvern are particular of other Wyvern, especially males not of their blood. It has been a cause for war among Wyrs, this instinct of theirs to protect their own. While most Wyvern strive to remember restraint, any of their kind found within their lands without good excuse are often killed on sight. Since most suffer this nature, Wyvern are taught from an early age the importance of knowing their surroundings so that this fate doesn’t befall them.

Wyrs are raised to be self sufficient and are sometimes viewed as small settlements. Normally, Wyverns will tend to their estate and kin themselves without the assistance of others. This would include hunting and gathering, tending to the crops, cooking, sewing, metalworking, and producing anything they might need. Some Wyvern might invite other trusted allies or relatives to live among them as well, but very rarely will strangers be permitted to remain on the lands for long, if at all, or live among the residences. It is common for Wyrs to own a number of slaves, if only for the sole purpose to feed off of them.

Those that have the courage and opportunity to live among Wyvern understand there are rules and hierarchy that must be followed or else they risk death in the swiftest manner. Within each Wyr, there is always an alpha male and female that dominates its functionality. While these pair work in tandem with one another, the male Wyvern normally has the final say on all matters unless challenged by his partner. This challenge is the only one he will consider without intent to maim or kill as any other person, be it Wyvern or Human, kin or friend, will appear as a threat to his dominion.

Challenges are a commonality between Wyverns, especially if one alpha wishes to claim territory that another occupies. While they adhere to some formalities, they are often bloody, brutal, and deadly. Unfortunately, challenges cannot be negated once made, no matter how low the odds of surviving the fight might be. Wyvern who run away from challenges are cowardice in the eyes of their people and risk retaliation from their Wyr. Some have even been stripped of their horns so that all may know of their weakness.

Wyvern very rarely form alliances with other Wyrs, or any group of people for that matter, but remain in quiet truce with most. That’s not to say they can’t be persuaded after ample time of discussion, but even that takes a vast amount of investment that most don’t care to follow through with.

Names

Unlike most races, Wyvern are given one name at birth by their mother, as it is said to represent her aspirations for her child. When the child comes of age, around twenty years, they may choose to keep their given name or claim another till the end of their life. There are no last names among the Wyvern race. Instead, they are represented by titles and accomplishments— both of which must be recognized by their people first before they may claim themselves as such.

Language

The language most Wyvern are taught from birth is Valesion, otherwise known as the Beasts’ Tongue. Difficult for outsiders to learn, Valesion is a dialect that focuses word ununciation on the tongue, roof of the mouth, and back of the throat. To most listening to fluent speakers, the language sounds as soft as a snake’s hiss, and very rarely uses guttural tones and sharp or steep intonation when speaking. Those unafraid of the Wyvern find the language somewhat soothing, while the rest associate it to the rattle of a snake’s tail just before it attacks.

Education

In the world of Noar, higher education seems to be found only in established cities with roaring population. The Wyvern race as a whole are few in numbers and prefer to stay within their territory rather than risk death by wandering away to distant lands. That being said, parents of Wyvern children are tasked with educating their kin from the time they are born to the time they are able to venture off on their own. Even if a family finds themselves settled in a city that offers public education, the safety of their children or themselves would be concern enough to stay away from schools and universities.

That’s not to say that Wyvern can’t pursue higher education. In their younger years, they might find many obstacles in their way to do so, however, once they are recognized as an adult, they may risk the danger to educate themselves within the populace.

Within their homelands, Wyvern might gather in the city of Ryon— situated at the center of most Wyvern territory lines— for trade, education, and job opportunities.

Craft

If there’s one thing the mortals of the realm appreciate about the Wyvern people, it is their unrelenting fascination for fruits and expertise with alcoholic beverages, namely wines and brandies. While beastial and driven by instinct, these people love fruit like no other and delve into vinting, distillation, and oenology. One reason behind their skill for vinting is their powerful sense of scent and their craving for lusciously sweet and tarty things. Some speculate the reason for their love of wine stems from their craving of esen and the flavors they craft from a mixture of fruits and herbs are similar to the esen they consume. While this has never been proven true, it is a well known rumor that many love to pass around at parties.

Traditions

To be written.

Birth

Unlike the other races, Wyvern have a very low birth rate and this is in part due to the mother’s physical nature both before and after she is with child. It is harder to become pregnant when the Wyvern is starved for esen and nearly impossible to carry life as the hunger within will feast on the child to quench its thirst for energy. Therefore, a pregnant Wyvern must always have a supply of Esen with her if she is to carry a child successfully to term. Pregnancy isn’t easy for this race and more often than not, the mother miscarries several times throughout her life. Female Wyvern become hungrier for esen when pregnant and when they don’t have an efficient amount to satisfy both mother and child, they turn hateful and vicious, relying on their instincts instead to see them fed. Transforming while pregnant is another risk factor, though only for the sole purpose of painting the mother as a target for enemies in her surroundings. If a Wyvern pregnancy is successful, it will take ten months before her baby is introduced to the world.

Tending to a Wyvern newborn and child is slightly easier for a mother, as the child takes of its mother’s esen from her breast, as well as milk, then from her flesh when they are held and never consume enough to leave anyone dangerously weak. Children of the race are taught how to consume esen alongside walking and talking. It’s not until puberty when their horns begin to grow and they require more than simple instances of esen to satisfy their hunger.

Twins are a rarity among the people of this race and are often discouraged if it is made known that a mother is carrying more than one. Only the rich and bloodthirsty can afford to feed twins, otherwise the mother normally starves and consumes her children’s esen, miscarrying them.

Male Wyvern are highly territorial and protective of their mates, even more so when they fall pregnant. It is the male’s duty to ensure his mate and child survive, something that is highly respected and honored in their society given the low amount of successful pregnancies and high mortality rates. Therefore it is unwise to approach or touch a pregnant Wyvern female as often times, her mate may be nearby, ready to defend what he’s claimed as his.

If a woman not of the Wyvern race falls pregnant with a half-breed Wyvern child, the child will begin to consume her esen in the early stages of her pregnancy. Like Wyvern women, she must absorb energy if she hopes to survive. Otherwise, the child will kill her.

Marriage

One of their most enhanced senses is that of smell, able to scent blood and even esen from large distances away. That’s why it isn’t shocking that their marriage rituals center around the exchange of blood between mates. There isn’t any need for an officiator, priest, or witness to bind two people together. Instead words are spoken, a spell enacted by the cutting of flesh within palms before the two are clapped together in a chaining blood oath, one that may only be broken in death. Though the Wyvern may wish to exchange vows, the true ceremony lies in the magic of the spell to bind them together. Anything less than a blood oath is not recognized as unity within the Wyvern culture.

The people of this race are territorial creatures and will strike down anything encroaching on its land and/or people. That being said, Wyvern will often have one mate in their lifetime, a title only bestowed once the blood oath is formed. This oath provides the couple with certain protections and privileges within the Wyvern world, one of them being the scent of their mate. Once blood is exchanged to seal the spell, its scent remains on the Wyvern (or mortal companion) for the rest of their life. This scent, while not unpleasant, negates other Wyvern away from the mated pair. Just like scent, touch also plays a role within the blood oath spell, one that deters others from touching the mated pair and vice versa. Regardless of race, any individual who lays a hand upon a mated Wyvern will feel the unconscious need to pull away. It is not painful, only a persistent instinct that wants to be followed. This is not to say that the mated pair can’t touch or be touched by others, only that torturing, causing infliction or pleasure on a Wyvern who has found a mate is much harder than one who hasn’t.

When a mate dies, the blood oath is broken and the runic seal on their palm disappears for both partners.

Blood Oath:
Blood of my blood, bone of my bone.
I give you my body, so we two may become one.
I give you my spirit, until our lives shall be done.
By this Oath of mine, our pact has begun.

Faith

Rhum is the deity most Wyvern choose to follow as he represents aspects that they feel best reflect their history and ideology as a whole. In Ryon, there are temples and services dedicated to his worship, where many can go to offer prayer and sacrifice for guidance or blessings. While most Wyvern practice religion in their day to day lives, they don’t outwardly express it like most mortals. They honor their god by their actions and influence followers to his side by their character.

While most claim Rhum as their deity, some opt to walk their own path without religious ties and while this is frowned upon, it does not make a Wyvern any less of an individual among their race.

Death

Death among the Wyvern people is a mournful event, whether its cause is sickness, old age, politics, or war. While the Wyvern are a race of creature embodied humans, losing one of their own impacts their already small numbers in a large way. When a Wyvern dies in their beastial form, it crumbles away into dust and leaves their human form buried in the ashes. Their horns snap easily from their head, a sign of true death, and remain a prized possession for their killer or family members as the horns can be used as powerful esen containers.

Most Wyvern deaths are honored by ritual, one conducted by the family or close friends to acknowledge the deeds of the dead and return them to their elemental bed of rest. Based on their beastial element, the deceased is either burned to ash and spread into the wind, buried within the earth, offered to the rivers or sea, or burned atop a pyre. Participants of the ritual offer memorial sacrifices, so that the dead might remember them in the afterlife, before the ceremony is concluded. Strangers may also present things to offer the dead, be it food, clothes, or items. Once the ritual is complete, the possession and land owned by the fallen Wyvern is offered up to the people, though how much of it is determined by any remaining family members.