Types of Neheburs from the Magic of Dawn series by Leah Dougherty.
Bestial Neheburs, as the name implies, are Neheburs with more beast-like appearances.
Bold means they live for over three centuries on average.
Vayles: Horse-like creatures with legs made of twisted branches and roots. Tails and manes are bushes of flowers or poisons, and some grow large antlers made of more branches. They are distantly related to the now extinct unicorns.
Nermurs: The body shape of a wolf, the head of a cat, and wings of a hawk. They are a mixture of feathers and fur, and usually small.
Arachoa: A hybrid of an arachnid and humanoid, these creatures come in a variety of unique features. The only trait that remains consistent is the strong resemblance to arachnids. Most are naturally reclusive, seeking quiet darkness over light, but all have a curious nature.
Hyrax: Body of a rabbit with antlers poking out the top of its head, and feathery wings that can be used to fly. Hyraxes have a natural talent for White Magic, and are considered to be distantly related to the now extinct Lulls.
Netherling: Small salamander-like creatures with bodies made of translucent colors, and butterfly-shaped wings. They are flighty, energetic, and fast-paced creatures. Each is born with a single strong affinity for one type of magic and will be unable to utilize any other form of magic.
Unicorns: Horse-like creatures with a single horn protruding from their forehead. Despite being known as one of the most powerful mages, the unicorns were a naturally peaceful race who sought diplomacy over war. They were completely annihilated as the first attack from Elder Fryst, signaling the Dark War.
Waers: A fusion of something humanoid and beast, waers are an oddity that can consistently successfully mate with non-magical sentient creatures, such as humans. Their animal forms come in a wide variety, and truly powerful waers reach a fusion form of both animal and human.
Skavians: Skavians are powerful bird-like creatures that have an affinity for the weather. They come in a variety such as: thunderbirds, icebirds, girebirds, torrentbirds, and galebirds. Elder Maylanna was a hybrid of ice and gale.
Goomgas: Pudgy bipedal creatures that are coated in a smooth gelatinous goo. They have a pair of antennae that are long, thick, and drooping downward behind their head and curling upwards at end. They have a long, thick tail that is larger at the base than at the end. Because of their skin they require a constantly moist environment, with many preferring to live underwater (but some do well in swamps).
Griffins: Powerful fighters with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion. They have the head of an eagle, and are known to be extremely loyal. It is not unheard-of for a griffin to die of starvation after losing a mate, wanting desperately to remain by his/her side.
Hippogriffs: The front legs, wings, and head of a giant bird and the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse. It is a cousin of the griffins.
Chimaera: Typically a combination of a snake, goat, and lion. Some chimaera will have additional animals fused together into their body depending on their parents. They cannot have more than eight different animal parts, however.
S’orell: Body of a stingray with several tentacle-tails, and a dense orb of magic at the top that they use for psychokinesis. These Neheburs are born blind in a traditional sense, and instead use their “vision” to see magic. It is said if overcome with too much stress s’orells will become entirely blind and start to wilt away.
Dragons: Largely considered the most powerful living creatures, they are the embodiment of power, dominance, and magic. These creatures come in a wide variety of appearances, signifying their affinities. Little else is known about them, since most knowledge outside of Desoul was destroyed during the Dark War.
Tre'tals: Small, furry creatures that mostly resemble a ferret. Known for their knack of inventions, high intelligence, and pitifully weak magic, they were quick to form an alliance with the unicorns. Unfortunately because of this they joined the unicorns in extinction during the Dark War.
Howlers: Wolf-like creatures that constantly thirst for battle. Little else is known about these beings as they became extinct during the Warring Era.
Lulls: Gentle and beautiful dove-like creatures, related to phoenixes. It was said that their singing could calm storms, and relax even the angriest of dragons. Unfortunately, all lulls were killed during the Dark War.
Phoenixes: Considered as one of the most powerful living creatures, phoenixes are regarded with extreme respect and admiration. They have always refrained from allying themselves with any kingdom, choosing to remain as a neutral party and promote peace alongside the unicorns. During the Dark War, after the merciless slaughter of all unicorns, they fought against the dragons for a brief time. When they nearly became extinct they retreated and sought the protection of Elder Maylanna until the Dark War had ended. Phoenixes are unique in the sense that when they reach the end of their natural life cycle (one thousand years), they are reborn as a child. Some choose to retain memories, and others choose to start fresh. They are well-known for their powerful singing voices, which can soothe everything, and everyone.
