Avistus
The avistus (plural: avistuses) is an avian creature whose habitat spans the entire surface of Castrella. They have been domesticated for what appears to be centuries, and are now one of the most commonly bonded creature to people. The term "guardian" is used for people who train, breed, or own an avistus.
Origins
While it is unknown where the avistus originated from, the earliest record of domestication comes from the territory of Vyper. They were originally domesticated as riding mounts to cross the harsh deserts and cut travel time. Nowadays, the avistus can be found anywhere on Castrella, and depending on the climate, will have a physical appearance difference.
Biology
Primarily a mix of avian and reptile, the avistus takes on the majority appearance of an avian. It's a bipedal creature with wings that typically remain folded at its sides. It has strong legs, a long reptilian tail, a long, sharp beak, directional vision, a flat back evolved to carry saddles, and reptile-like claws at the bend of their wings. They are covered in extravagant plumage from head to tail. Their legs are less feathery and more leathery.
Avistuses have aether glands adjacent to their brain. These creatures are known for inheriting the aspect of the climate their eggs were incubated in. This means that breeders can control the aspect of an avistus chick prior to hatching as long as they envelop the egg in a proper, healthy, aether-heavy area.
Using their aspect, avistuses can manifest magic using their breath and beak. While typically dangerous in the wild, domesticated avistuses' breath magic can be wildly useful to their owners or companions when trained properly.
Life Stages
Avistuses are hatched from eggs. Upon hatching, they are considered chicks and remain dependent on a guardian figure (avistus or breeder) for about three years. Once they hit the adolescent stage, or fledgling stage at three years, they can begin thinking for themselves and exploring environments with careful guidance. This is also the age where they will be able to use their aspect. The fledgling stage lasts until seven years of age.
Adults aged seven and above are fully ready to train into the common man's helper. They do require exercise, enrichment, and discipline in order to become workers—whether they be mounts, wagon drawers, or companions—and will heavily rely on its guardian to provide assistance for specialization.
An avistus's life expectancy is around 50 years.
Size and Measurement
- An avistus egg measures up to about 12" / 30cm in height and 8lb / 3.6kg in weight.
- An avistus chick starts at about 10" / 25cm in height and 5lb / 2.25kg in weight.
- An avistus fledgling can measure up to about 48" / 121cm in height and 100lb / 45kg in weight.
- An avistus adult can measure up to about 72" / 182cm in height and 300lb / 136kg in weight.
These measurements are very rough estimates taken from the average recorded numbers. Yes, the avistuses grow very quickly in the fledgling stage.
Colors and Markings
Avistuses have different plumage patterns and colors depending on their aspect. They seem to be split into primary and secondary colorings, following a pattern:
- Fire = primarily dark red, secondarily black, orange, yellow, or blue
- Water = primarily deep blue, secondarily black, purple, pink, or yellow
- Wind = primarily moss green, secondarily white, yellow, brown, or orange
- Earth = primarily dusty gold, secondarily black, green, red, or yellow
- Ice = primarily sky blue, secondarily white, indigo, grey, and green
There are very few recorded dark and light avistuses that are not naturally occurring, only specially licensed and monitored breeders have been able to force harmonic aspects onto an avistus. The practice is dying out.
Movement
An avistus's movement highly depends on their aspect. Their aspect assists them in acclimating to the terrain where its most natural.
- Fire avistuses have more stamina and are catered to long distance traveling. Acclimated to higher temperatures.
- Water avistuses are strong swimmers but slower on ground terrain. They are considered the most consistent, all-around carrier.
- Wind avistuses are very fast and nimble. They have lower endurance and can use wind magic to boost their speed.
- Earth avistuses are the strongest physically and can climb vertically. They are mostly trained to be carriage steeds.
- Ice avistuses are rare but they are hard to tame and are tempered to resist harsh climates, such as sandstorms, thunderstorms, or snowstorms.
Dark and light avistus aptitudes highly depend on their guardians to train them to specific climates.
Behavior
Avistuses are very mischievous creatures by nature. A good guardian can always train an avistus to a specific occupation, but the creature will always have a curious heart and unpredictable behavior. Their wing-hands are evolved for grabbing, and grab they will. If left near open food, they will likely attempt to eat it. Their appetites are hearty, and they have very extravagant personalities.
Avistuses in the wild form packs with several leaders. They never stay within the same spot for too long and are natural nomads, but will keep to their acclimated territory according to their aspect. Fire avistuses will roam around the entirety of Vyper due to its desert nature, but will never cross into a border to a forest unless desperate for food. They are good pest control for invasive species, and are omnivores.
Domestication
The domestication of the avistus began in Vyper, but the year is unknown. It is estimated the avistus has been domesticated long before the start of the current calendar. The wild avistus was naturally fast and nimble, and in averagely smaller sizes with higher pack population. Now, domestic avistuses are known for their muscular builds and strength and power to carry people, goods, carriages, and carts.
There is an unproven speculation that avistuses attract to guardians with an aspect that is opposite of theirs. While aspects don't have true "opposites," a fire avistus will likely have higher compatibility with an ice or water aspected guardian. This is not always the case, however! An ice avistus may get along just as well with an ice-aspected guardian.
As a Companion
Avistuses are a little too big to be a house pet, however, if you have the yard space for it, an avistus can be a very, very bonded companion. Once bound to a guardian, they typically do not wish to follow the orders of others (unless raised by the guardian's family, as well). Avistus-riding is a common hobby for those who have the space to bond with an avistus, and they can compete in races or shows of strength.
As a Helper
Thanks to their muscular builds, the avistus has evolved into a very reliable mount and helper. It is the most popular creature that the Eversun City government has recruited to draw carriages, wagons, and carts across the big city. There are even stables across certain points of the Hearth Campus that hold avistuses so people can get from one side to another without walking an hour or more.