Delyar's Species Information

This page contains information about the major species created by Delyar. Hopefully this will end up being useful for others as well as myself.

Esling Gryphon
Homeworld	Enzan Shi
Appearance	The Esling gryphon has a bird-like front section with a distinctly curved carnivorous beak and a feline hind section. It has four legs, the forelegs end in talons while the hindlegs are feline in appearance, and one pair of feathered wings originating from the front set of shoulders. Depending on its specific origin, some gryphons have feline tails or tail feathers or both. Males are typically larger than females, with more elabourate crests and brighter colouring. They are bulkier and flashier, while the females have more mottled colouring and no noticeable crest. The males measure about 7' at the shoulder, whereas females are about 5.5' to 6'.
Reproduction	The Esling gryphons mate for life, a process that most of them take extremely seriously. As such, few are likely to mate before they reach at least 15 years of age and have been courting their chosen mate for 5 years. The life mating process is similar to the bonding process, involving the use of magic as the two gryphons consumate their choice. While it does not allow the life mates to sense each others' thoughts and feelings, they are constantly aware of the physical state and health of their chosen. Female gryphons carry up to five kits per litter for a duration of ten months. When they are born, they are deaf and blind but magically able, and about the size of a house cat. The male gryphon brings food to his mate throughout the latter part of the pregnancy and during the growth of the kits.
Abilities	Esling gryphons are imbued with the powerful magic of their homeland. Their element of choice is often hereditary, though it is not understood if this is due to genetics or simply being taught by their parents. Unlike typical mages, they can use all elements with proper training, yet they are often strongest in one or two elements. The gryphons can also speak telepathically, as well as vocally, though the latter requires consistent use and practice or it may be lost.
Bonding Ritual	Esling gryphons do not bond until they are weaned from their mother at about two months of age. At this point, the mother must still accept the kit's choice before allowing it to bond. Once the choice has been accepted, the kit makes a blood pact with its bond of choice, requiring both parties to share their blood while the kit uses its magic to make the bond. The bond is the first spell that the kit will learn.
((Image))

Talardan
Homeworld	Based on a lizard native to Enzan Shi Do not exist in nature, are genetically modified
Appearance	The talardan are raptor-like creatures similar to a native species of lizard. They have four limbs, two powerful hindlegs and two short forelegs. They have long rigid tails to counterbalance their large chests and help them run fast without falling forward. They are all about 7' at the shoulder, with another 2' or so to the top of their heads. Talardan come in various colours, each of which indicates their magical strength. There is no sexual dimorphism between them.
Reproduction	Information based on Generation 1 of Talardan. Talardan appear to mate for life along strict guidelines of element compatibility. No Black-Gold or Red-Blue pairings have been observed, despite obvious compatibility in terms of personality (ex: Dejnichyio and Cinjediohy). The gestation period is only four months, at which point the eggs are lain in the mother's home (not a public area like dragons). She spends the next month guarding her eggs. Her mate is then tasked with interviewing mages to bond their children. (More on this process under Bonding Ritual.)
Abilities	Every talardan has extremely powerful magic. They were designed to have powerful defensive abilities as well as sharp teeth and claws to help in close quarters. While their magic is not quite element based, their strengths lie within certain themes: Black: Shadows, Moon, Night White: Air, Illusion Gold: Light, Sun, Day Bronze: Metal, Enhancements Silver: Ice, Weather Brown: Earth, Minerals, Gems, Enhancements Purple: Disease, Poison Red: Fire, Heat Cream: Blood, Leeching Blue: Water Green: Plant, Growth Talardan can speak telepathically to their bonds and have their own language amongst themselves. They cannot speak telepathically to those they are not bonded to.
Bonding Ritual	Talardan must interact with their bond of choice while still in the egg. The mage must make tactile contact with the egg and then interact with it using their magic. This influences the talardan's magical alignment and seals it to the mage that touched it first.
((Image))

Hyedhostar
Homeworld
Appearance	Hyedhostar fall under the category of "Asian dragon". They have abnormally long bodies with four short legs. Their heads are vaguely dog-like in the muzzle, with back-facing ears and whiskers that can stretch to their shoulders. They have long necks leading to slender shoulders and a relatively small and slender ribcage connected to small digitigrade forelegs with a distinct thumb. Their torso is also long and slender, leading to an understated pelvis with small digitigrade legs. Their tail is as long as their neck-butt length and is tipped with long fur. They are all pristine white in colour, with differences in mane and tail tip fur colour, which are based on element.
Reproduction	Hyedhostar also mate for life - and their lives can be very long indeed. They usually mate within their chosen element due to the pack-like social structure of Generation 0. However, Generation 2 has shown no such limitations, leading to a high amount of crossbreeds. Generation 2 has accelerated the reproductive process. Instead of mating once every 300-400 years like Generation 0, Generation 2 has a much more reasonable cycle of 5-10 years. They then carry up to 4 kits instead of Generation 0's 1 for 12 months. At birth, the kit is momentarily blind and deaf, though this fades within an hour. The mother keeps the kit with her until that evening, when it is introduced to the other Hyedhostar.
Abilities	Hyedhostar have extremely powerful element-based magic. Unlike Esling gryphons, they have no abilities with the weaker elements and must rely upon their specific alignment. However, they have a greater range of influence than Talardan, who often have unique abilities within their alignments. Their element is assigned at birth and is genetic. They are also telepathic and can fly without wings. It is possible that this wingless flight is due to something analogous to Avengaean functional magic. Note: Generation 1 hyedhostar could also shapeshift to a fully human form. This has been lost in Generation 2 due to genetic manipulation to increase growth rates.
Bonding Ritual	This information is based on Hyedhostar Generation 2. Hyedhostar form bonds on the evening of their birth, when they are usually introduced to others of their tribe. They tend to grativate towards individuals of strong magic, often of the same element. The bond is sealed with the kit placing its paw in the bond's hand and using its magic on the joined hand (usually seen as spitting fire). This bond is fairly loose in terms of the Nexus, creating more of a sense of kinship than a strong extension-of-self.
((Image))