Bestiary - under construction
In the world of Delianora, there are many different kinds of creatures and dragons that exist. We are just explorers and always discovering new species and variations. As any cryptologist, it is my duty and pleasure to log them. Within each species, there are variations that won't all be listed as they are too numerous to describe. Species specific features and biology of each will be described however. As new species are discovered, they will be added to this list. This is an ever evolving list and lore will continuously be updated as more information is discovered for them. Thank you for taking this journey with me.
Common Dragon
Climate: The common dragon is found in various biomes. Dragons vary in element and where each area has variations. For example, a tropical climate may have dragons with fauna growing from their limbs to allow them to adapt. A dragon in a desert region may be of sandy coloring and look more reptilian. Like all animals, dragons adapt and evolve depending on their climate.
Magical ability: Some dragons have the ability to control elements and others do not. It is not uniform for any single species.
Primary identifiers: Dragons will always have four legs and wings. The number of wings may vary. Generally scaled. Dragons come in all sorts of sizes, colors, and textures.
Sub species: There are several sub species. The following subspecies are found in most creature categories. The sub species will also get a general description after the categories. These include fae or 'fairy', butterfly/moth, flower, mushroom, arcane, insect, ethereal, umbrakin, and elemental. Some creatures may even be a mix of species. For example, an elemental umbrakin dragon. There are no limits to their various types. The subs species section will come after the creature category.
Eastern Dragon
Climate: The Eastern dragon lives in various types of biomes and are not restricted to any climate.
Magical ability: Some of these dragons have ability to control elements and others do not. It is not uniform for any single species.
Primary Identifiers: These dragons do not have wings. They have four legs and are generally long. They have hair or ridges on their spines and may or may not have whiskers. They often have antlers instead of regular horns but it is not a restriction.
Subspecies Restrictions: Eastern Dragons cannot be butterfly/moth, or any insect cross with wings. Any creature with wings will be categorized as a dragon.
Stryder
Climate: The stryder is related to the dragon and most people still just call it a 'dragon'. Similar to the common dragon, they live in almost any biome. They come in varying sizes, colors, and textures.
Magical ability: Some stryders have the ability to control elements and others do not. It is not uniform for any single species.
Primary Identifiers: Stryders do not have wings. They have four legs and most often have little fears or tiny flaps on their legs and they are the fastest of all land creatures. Many have pointed ridges on their backs. Most often, they can be confused with the Eastern Dragon. The difference here is they are not as snake-like. They appear similar to other reptiles and wolves.
Subspecies Restrictions: Due to the nature of these dragons, butterfly/moth stryders do not exist, nor any insect with wings as they will automatically be categorized as dragons.
Wyvern
Climate: The wyvern lives in various types of biomes and are not restricted to any climate.
Magical ability: Some of these creatures have ability to control elements and others do not. It is not uniform for any single species.
Primary Identifiers: These creatures have two back legs. Their front arms are also their wings. They are a rare breed in Delianora and are overshadowed by the dragons. They vary in color, texture, and design. They never have more than their two arm wings.
Subspecies Restrictions: none currently. They have one subspecies only found in this breed, the chiroptwyvern. (kai-rupt wyvern), closely related to the chiroptewyrm. This is a new creature and may soon have its own category as more information is learned about this creature.
Wyrm
Climate: Wyrms lives in various types of biomes and are not restricted to any climate.
Magical ability: Some of these creatures have ability to control elements and others do not. It is not uniform for any single species.
Primary Identifiers: These creatures do not have legs. Instead they have wings. They can have as little as two wings, but generally come with four. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures.
Subspecies Restrictions: These creatures do not have legs and any addition will push the animal into another category. That being said, they do not have subspecies restrictions to note. They have a new type called the chiroptewyrm that is closely related to the chiroptwyvern. They may soon have their own category as more information is learned about this creature.
Merling
Climate: Merlings are found on the coasts of oceans, seas, and lakes. They thrive in water and do not stray too far away from it though they can survive for a time outside of it. They do not do well in deserts or in extreme cold.
Magical ability: These creatures do not have magical abilities though their tears are coveted for the potential for healing stored within them.
Primary Identifiers: Originally classified as a subspecies of the stryders, the merling has since become its own breed. Like the styrder, they do not have wings, but they are not fast runners. They excel instead in the waters of their home and often seen as the 'mermaid' of the dragon race. Merlings are known for their fish like tails and back ridge. They have horns and fins around their heads and scales. Sometimes they have fins on their legs as well. Some have larger scales on their legs, but this is not exclusive.
Subspecies Restrictions: though none have been seen with wings, a hybrid might be possible with a fae dragon. They do not have an insect/butterfly/moth subspecies. They are most often crossed with ocean spirits and are closely related.
::Sub-Species::
Sub-species can combine to make variations. These are just general descriptors. Most can be applied to all higher categories except the Ocean Spirits which are a breed of their own with their own sub species. They will be described next.
Fae
Fae creatures generally are bright colors or soft pastels with various shimmering affects on their scales and wings. They are cute and whimsical and generally on the small scale. Most often they have frilly features. They are often confused with the butterfly dragons, which they often breed with. Fae however, do not take patterns and colors from specific butterflies or insects. They commonly covet sparkly things and will done various jewels on their bodies. They can be quite the sparkly thieves and have mastered the 'puppy' dog look to keep it if ever found out.
Butterfly/moth
Butterfly creatures come in various sizes, though generally small. They have large wings in a couple of different styles. Wither they have a pair of large butterfly wings, or a set of three on each side. They always have the patterning of common butterflies and moths. Most often, they breed with flower and fae creatures and combinations and hybrids are quite abundant. They are extremely colorful and often come with shimmery scales and wings. Most moths have furry/textured wings.
Flower/mushroom
Flower creatures are extremely varied and no two are the same, even if they are the same breed. They tend to live among the flowers they take after and many are venomous. They can be any flower imaginable. Generally, flower petals will bloom around their heads and tails and can blend into the flower patch because of it. Others have wings in the form of petals instead. Some of the stryders sport petals on their legs and back ridges. Though various species occur, they are most often dragons or styrders. Some even use the flowers to lure prey to them and often prey on other insects and birds. The important thing to note is that the flower is a part of them and not just a bloom sitting upon their backs. Many wish to harvest certain flowers for their medicine, poison, or magical properties. Unless the oil from the petals is given by the creature, forcefully taking it can kill it or cause the blooms to die.
Mushrooms, similarly, have various mushrooms growing from their bodies and a part of them. They generally hide in forests and do not make their presence known. They are the most elusive. Again, mushroom can be picked from these creatures but they are often poisonous and these dragons will attack if a threat is perceived.
Umbrakin
Umbrakin are nocturnal, and venomous, and dangerous. Most often, they are the most aggressive of their species. They can be any and every combination of creature, but their 'shadow' counterparts. These creatures are always black, without exception, with certain elements of a pale color. These pale elements glow at night and are used to both ward off predators, and attract insects and prey. They have a tendency to attack first and ponder later. They are mostly solitary, though a few rare cases of shown that their species determines the likelihood of this. They are the hardest to tame and make the night a dangerous place to venture.
Insect
Most of dragons, these creature are hybrids between their main category, and an insect species. Like the other creatures, their temperament, nature, and climate is determined by the type of insect is in their DNA. Some are more aggressive than others. Many of them also live in hordes, colonies, or hives. They are larger than most insects and you would not want to be caught on their bad side. They will assist each other if they are part of a group. They are a relatively new species and it will be interesting to see what will be discovered.
Ethereal
The ethereal creatures are spirits of the dead. As such, they can be any creature. They can be summoned, though they do not take kindly to this. Most seen in Delianora are guardians or specter that have remained because of an attachment. Either they could not bear to leave someone they loved, or had a deep sense of duty to protect a place. Most are not harmful. Wisps, or little ghosts are often playful and help guide children home, or play pranks and games. They are all white with blue accents. These accents can often be seen glowing at night and may be confused with the umbrakin in the wrong light. They thrive in moonlight.
Elemental
Elemental creatures are just that, elemental. They represent an element and are generally an accompanying color and have traits that would indicate their element. They are abundant in the world and are capable of manipulating their element to their whim. Some have found themselves as witch familiars. Plant and water based creatures are the most common
Arcane
Arcane creatures are a special breed. They are rare and usually found where there are lei lines or heavy magical influences. Most cases, this is deep in the earth or mountains. The magic is so powerful here, that the magic creates crystals. This is where most can be harvest. These crystals then have a tendency to grow on the creatures that live here. It gives each of them magical properties which are extremely potent. These creatures are few however and considered endangered. Poachers are heavily fined. Taming is not a common practice. Anyone who does tame these creatures for their potions or spells are considered criminal.