Vivin

  The Vivin, is a small, arboreal reptile species known for its unique gliding abilities and striking camouflage. The Vivin's scales mimic the deep red bark of Asio's grand forests, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Its body is elongated, with a prehensile tail that aids in climbing and maneuvering through the dense forest canopy. One of the Vivin's most distinctive feature is its gliding membranes, which extend from its sides and allow it to glide between trees in search of prey or to escape predators. The Vivin possesses specialized cavities near its jaws, known as "toxin pits," which house colonies of a glowing symbiotic fungus known as Luminis Mycelium, or simply, Luminis.  

Range and Habitat

The Vivin is endemic to the dense forests of Asio, particularly favoring areas with a high concentration of redwood trees. It is typically found in the midstory and canopy where prey is most abundant. Its range has significantly reduced in recent years due to habitat loss and the decline of the Luminis Mycelium.  

Life History and Reproduction

All Vivin are female and capable of asexual reproduction under specific environmental conditions. During the breeding season, females lay a single egg in a carefully chosen crevice or hollow in a tree. The egg is then inoculated with spores of the Luminis Mycelium, which forms a protective and nourishing layer around the egg. This fungal layer not only provides the developing Vivin with its initial supply of neurotoxin but also deters potential predators with its own potent poison.  

Diet and Hunting Behavior

Vivin are ambush predators, primarily feeding on small birds and insects. They utilize their bark-like camouflage to blend into their surroundings, lying in wait for unsuspecting prey. Once the prey is within reach, the Vivin strikes swiftly, delivering a bite that injects a potent neurotoxin produced by the Luminis Mycelium colonies within their toxin pits. This toxin immobilizes the prey, allowing the Vivin to consume it without resistance.   Vivin are typically pack hunters, hunting within family groups. A Vivin pack may spread itself out in a loose cluster amid the same branches, increasing the chance that prey will fly near at least one member. Pack members share their kills among family members. As social creatures, they are typically highly intelligent and fiercely protective of their own.  

Conservation Status

The Vivin is currently classified as endangered. The primary threat to its survival is the decline of the Luminis Mycelium, a symbiotic fungus crucial to the Vivin's reproduction and survival. The fungus has been severely affected by habitat loss and changes in environmental conditions, leading to a significant decrease in its population. This decline has had a direct impact on the Vivin, leading to reduced reproductive success and a decrease in their toxin supply. At the time of Exodus twenty years ago, conservation efforts were focused on preserving the remaining habitats of both the Vivin and the Luminis Mycelium and studying ways to cultivate the fungus in controlled conditions to aid in the Vivin's recovery. However, it is unknown whether Vivin have become extinct in Asio since then.