The largest of the New-World dragons that call the desert home.
Study is extremely difficult, as scholars tend to go missing early into their careers. For this reason, very little is known about them.
They seem to be a highly-social creature, often seen in pairs or larger numbers when hunting. It's believed that they speak a unique language and participate in a variety of ritualistic behaviors.
Pteryos are associated with thunderstorms and sightings often signal coming rains. Some believe they summon lightning through their casque, the horn structure atop their heads, rather than breathing fire.
It's seen as very bad luck to hunt or kill a pteryo outside of self-defense. Unlike Old-World dragons, they appear to possess a degree of Reason and do not hold territories near settlements or popular routes.
Those who wander or travel through pteryo territories, however, can become a quick meal for the apex predators. Treasure hunters and adventuring parties are keenly cautious when traversing the High Desert.
Crowned Pteryo - Named after their excessive head feathering and large casque, Crowned Pteryo are the largest species recorded. They are never seen with their cousin species and are suspected to be the most territorial (and also the most capable of intelligence).
An explorer claimed to have befriended a member of the species many years ago, having learned basic pteryo dialect. Strangely, he disappeared shortly after claiming to be completely safe in the presence of the beasts.
Spade-Tailed Pteryo - The most numerous and second-largest species, spade-tails share the "beard" feature with their close crowned relatives. They are well-known predators of nomadic winged horses, due to overlapping migration patterns.
Whip-Tailed Pteryos
Calvit - A subspecies that is far more of a scavenger than a hunter, they sport featherless heads and necks, ensuring that viscera does not stick to their bodies after eating. They usually smell like rot anyways and are therefore easy to avoid.
Of all the pteryos, Calvit are the easiest to intimidate or otherwise scare off.
Resplendent - Very little is known about the smallest member of the pteryo family, as they have not been seen in many years. It's unclear if this is due to thin numbers, a change in migration patterns, or extinction.
The last reported sighting was of a pair near the Painted Rocks, far from the High Desert. Perhaps they crossed the sea?
