Xarxes
These frightening greyish-black hawk-like bird Mystimon do not exist on Terr'ahna at all. Rather they live in the Nightmare Realm, part of the Dream Lands. According to those who have been able to observe these creatures, they appear to act as scouts for Sorn, the Lord of Nightmares. At first glance, one might think them to be some form of airship, because they do not fly in the same way that birds do. Instead, their wings appear to be fixed, and do not appear to flap at all. How they are able to fly at all is a mystery in and of itself. In fact they seem to more so glide than fly, as it does not appear they even emit any sort of sound one would associate with propulsion. In truth it is unknown how these creatures operate. They have only crossed over into the material plane a few times.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Xarxes have two 1.5 to 1.8 meter wings on either side of its gunmetal coloured body. Their heads are triangular shaped, and seem to fix in place with their body while in flight. While on land, they stand upon two bird-like legs and their neck extends out allowing them to turn their head.
Biological Traits
They seem to emit no sound at all while in flight and appear to glide through the air almost effortlessly.
Colour
Darkness
Ecology and Habitats
They are only native to the Dream Lands, and rarely appear in the material plane, however it has happened.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They appear to be raptors and prey on small Mystimon in the Dream Lands, but this has never been confirmed.
Behaviour
They are able to stay aloft for hours upon hours without rest, and act as scouts for Sorn.
Discovery
From the notes of Doctor Ivan Sanderson.
"The very idea of these creatures seems to go against everything I have been taught to know about how any sort of birds fly. Or even how flight is even achieved. Might it be possible for us to emulate how these creatures operate to achieve the miracle of flight ourselves? Could that be possible? How much then could we stand to learn from the Mystimon kingdom? It seems such a simple thing, flight. And yet the only ones capable of achieving it are birds. The Gola not withstanding, of course. But if they could accomplish it, why not, in turn, us? I believe that we stand to learn much from the Mystimon kingdom and there is in fact a great deal that they could teach us. We think ourselves superior to these wondrous creatures. And yet they are capable of wonders beyond our wildest imaginations.
But how do Xarxes accomplish what they do? Is it something special about the Dream Lands that allows this? Or is there something else? Dream and Nightmare Mystimon continue to both perplex and amaze me at every turn."
1.2 to 1.5 meters
136 kg
3 to 3.7 meters wingspan, 2.1 meters from head to tail.
Dark gunmetal body and wings.
Comments