Tredecimosian Beastiary

Windborne

 Within the wind realm Ventif, and certain areas of Dinm, there exist creatures attuned to and, in some cases, made of wind. Dubbed "Windborne", these creatures vary in size, strength, physicality, intellect, etc. Below are details of each of the better known Windborne; those being Atmaiads, Babberwings, Flying Kettlefish, Griffins, Harpies, Pegasi, Quetzalcoatls, Rocs, Sky Whales, Storm Giants, Stratoshrimp, Tempestra, and Zawba'ahs.

Atmaiads, also known as Wind Nymphs, are a faelike creature which inhabits clouds. Appearing as a beautiful woman, with skin tones of powder blue or ivory, and wisps of clouds that surround her at all times. Like most nymphs, they are one with their territory; in this case able to meld with clouds and embody storms, if they so wish.

Babberwings are curious creatures, appearing as baboons with light blue glutes and ten foot black feathered wings. They are moderately intelligent, but often lack any semblance of internal leadership, instead becoming mercenaries or even servants, just to serve a purpose.

Flying Kettlefish are medium-sized fish with five foot wings made of the same scales as the exterior body. They are called kettlefish due to the high-pitched whine and steam they emit from their mouths when in distress, which is often, given how low they are on the food chain.

Griffins are large creatures which appear with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; and the head, wings and front feet of a giant eagle. They will often feed on Flying Kettlefish, snapping them directly from the sky and devouring them in one swift motion. They are proud creatures, and if one is to tame them, they must show due respect.

Harpies are semi-avian creatures, appearing as savage women with falcon claws on the feet and hands, as well as feathery wings in green, yellow and red. They can emit an ear splitting battlecry, instilling fear in men's hearts and migraines in their heads. They often use spears as weapons.

Pegasi are equestrian creatures with large, feathery wings, spanning 20 feet outstretched, and coming in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They can dash through the sky at high speeds and it is said their wings still work after death. This has led many a foolhardy adventurer to their doom at the hooves of a pegasus.

Quetzalcoatls are long, serpentine creatures with spindly feathered wings. Their bite is venomous, and they fly quite quickly, some even faster than griffins or rocs.

Rocs are gargantuan bird creatures, with the hatchlings being roughly 6 feet tall, 4 feet wide and carrying a wingspan of 20 feet outstretched. They are king of the skies, master predator, ferocious combatant and generally the fastest fliers. Truly, they are free as the wind.

Sky whales are giant whale creatures with huge, furry wings which have a wingspan of roughly 100 feet outstretched. These peaceful giants feed on stratoshrimp and are known to carry adventurers, refugees and occasionally even entire villages on their backs. These creatures fly high among the clouds, even by Ventif standards.

Storm Giants are huge, roughly 40 feet tall; with lightning blue skin. Despite their intense stature, they are rather light, having hollow bones which allow for gliding and constant residence atop the cloudstone islands; with a lessened risk of sinking. It is said when thunder sounds rapidly, it is Storm Giants fighting over territory or food in the skies.

Stratoshrimp are shrimplike creatures, light blue and goldenrod in coloration, with antennae that resemble a crown. Living in the clouds, these miniscule creatures are often fed upon by the Sky Whales, and produce and filter water naturally through a type of photosynthesis-esque process; keeping a constant supply of drinking water ready to fall from the clouds for the denizens below.

Tempestra are living tornado creatures with green glowing eyes. The Tempestra hunt by dissipating into a strong gale, which surrounds their prey, until the prey is consumed; often before they fully realize what happened.

Zawba'ahs are wind Djinns. Appearing as burly green men with a wispy wind tail for a lower body, they are known to grant wishes, but only on mountain summits at the height of a storm; unless one can trap it within a brass lamp, binding it to the will of the one who holds the lamp, for a period of three wishes; with a minimal amount of word-twisting funny business.