Dusk-Eryl

((colours may be to bright for some screens...?))


Eryl, species of Avasir, the Old World
(Common Tongue: featherdragon, feathered airsnake)

element: air
length: 1,50m-2,50m (depends on subspecies, no difference between genders)
habitat: temperate forests, scrubland
physical characteristics: four eyes; scaled face and belly; barbels; horns; long, snake-like and feathered body; two arms; no legs.

The Eryl are harmless, playful habitants of the most avasiran forests. Their lightweight but strong skeleton, a special system of air-filled organs and the colourful plumage enable them to fly with snaking movements. Their senses, especially their visual system and their sense of smell, are higly developed.
Despite their curious and friendly behaviour they cannot be held as pets – if they cannot move and fly freely, they refuse food and fade away very quickly. Some of the Creating Peoples like humans don't understand that and try to capture and sell them alive… or hunt them for their colourful plumage. Some Eryl are known to steal certain things from humans – and only from humans - like pieces of cloth, small jewellery, bread or pie.
Races that are close to nature like the Sivyar (an elf-like race) or the Vokuwa (the so-called "half-wolves") are sometimes accompanied by an Eryl.


Social behaviour and reproduction

Eryl are very sociable and peaceable. They gather in big groups to play, hunt or find mates, but don't stay together in consistent flocks. There are no hierarchic structures or differences between males and females, but younger Eryl always have respect for their elders.
Eryl will never fight against each other directly, instead of this they ignore and avoid disagreeable fellows or try to beat a rival in several contests.

Both sexes try to attract a possible partner with risky, breathtaking or simply stunning manoeuvres in flight or presents (like special insects that are very hard to catch). Their horns and the long, big feathers of their necks are also used to impress other Eryl, the latter are also used for communication. The wooed Eryl often takes a lot of time to decide whether to answer this "offer" or not – if they choose a mate, it's for the rest of their lives.
Eryl mate in the air and not only for reproduction, they also deepen their bond (and simply have fun together). Females are receptive for a few days every four to six months and lay one to three eggs after a successful impregnation. They normally choose tree cavities for their nest, which is build by both parents. They collect leaves, feathers and even fabric remnants they love to steal from humans – the more colourful, the better (although especially Night-Eryl prefer dark colours or deep black).
The eggs are incubated about 25-30 days before the hatchlings are born. After another 20 days they are ready to leave the nest for the first time and learn the secrets of flying from their parents. Young Eryl stay with their parents for six to eight months and sometimes even help to raise new hatchlings.


Diet

Eryl prey on various insects (and sometimes on human-made cakes and pastries).


Subspecies

There are four subspecies. Due to their colour-schemes and the time they are most active a day they are named:
Dawn-Eryl: predominantly yellow plumage, with hues of light blue, pink and red; scales of the face are light-coloured; backward-curving horns; eyes are very sharp, perceive ultraviolet light; are often seen together with their day-active cousins.
Day-Eryl: the biggest of the four subspecies, very playful and sociable, curious and charming; horns are curved in almost one full revolution; can have all colours of the rainbow; light-coloured scales in the face.
Dusk-Eryl: as friendly and playful as the other subspecies, with mainly violet and blue feathers with hues of pink, sometimes also a bit of black; dark face; nightvision.
Night-Eryl: the smallest and most graceful of the four subspecies; curled, corkscrew-like horns; black plumage with dark blue and violet hues; dark face; nightvision and the best sense of hearing of the subspecies; tends to be shy.

The four subspecies can be seen here.

//

A3 (11,7x16,5), coloured pencils
species, Avasir, Sivyar & Vokuwa (c) by me