WINDSWEPT

Worldbuilding and exploration for a webcomic project

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Some variations of New World desert dragons, aka Pteryo

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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?

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The rest of Zasha's herd. Details under the cut.

Granddam - The oldest member of the flock by far, as well as the calmest. She is Zasha's maternal grandmother, as flocks are largely matriarchal and typically only hold on to a single stallion long term (the lead mare's choice of mate). She's not referred to by name anymore, only by title. This is done as a sign of respect. She is hailed for weather predictions and is believed to possess clairvoyance to a degree. Her more refined features boast an uncommon lineage, which remains one of her many mysteries. Oslla - A long-term member of the family group who has seen her fair share of skirmishes, she acts as deputy to the lead stallion. In scuffles, she is the second line of defense. The scars she bears are the result of run-ins with various predators over the years. Oslla was taken in at a young age, after being presumably orphaned (an unfortunately common occurrence). Naturally pessimistic, she trusts all of Granddam's predictions without a shred of doubt. It makes her very anxious. Riki & Tavum - The pair of young lovers were welcomed into the flock after a particularly dry year and simply haven't left since. Winged horses mate for life and despite their near-constant bickering, the two are no different. They are never seen apart. Sire (Zasha's father) is beginning to grow tired of the constant uproar, but Granddam ultimately makes the call when it comes to kicking them out... and she seems to quietly enjoy the extra life they bring to the flock. Blacklarks - It's common for migratory birds to accompany nomadic flocks of winged horses. Several blacklarks accompany the family, acting as natural pest removal. The birds are not naturally long fliers and often light along the backs of horses in flight to catch some rest. Birds in winged horse flocks are often seen as a good omen. They're believed to bring good health and fortune when traveling. Generations of birds usually live with the same flock of winged horses, creating close bonds with members. In some cases, they can even act as messengers to relay information to other flocks.

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Despite the area's rather hostile environment, there's plenty of critters roaming around

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Some pegasus basics

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Sire, Dam, and Zasha

Sire - The flock's singluar lead stallion, Sire acts as the first line of defense against predators (winged horses tend to be pretty passive and therefore don't usually need to defend against other members of their species). He's a gentle and well-traveled individual, boasting a kind heart and flashy coat. He tends to be soft-spoken and is easily persuaded to take pity on those who need help. In combat, he uses his larger size to his advantage. The stallion is a brawler, using his experience to land heavy blows with his hooves, wings, or most commonly, both. Dam - Zasha's mother is acting lead mare of the flock. Having inherited the roll from her mother, Dam uses her experience and insight to lead the group. Similar to her mother, it's believed that she possesses clairvoyance to a degree. She is a careful leader and only takes chances when absolutely necessary. Dam is far more likely to wait it out than push ahead blindly, which has likely helped ensure minimal herd member losses over the years. Zasha - A bright little fledgling, Zasha is the first born from her parents. It will eventually become her role to lead, and she is already being prepped for this responsibility. She is a weanling, just old enough to begin eating forage. The migration her family has embarked on will be the biggest challenge of her young life; the only option she has is to survive the journey. Zasha has inherited her father's kind heart and her mother's fiery spirit. She seems to be able to (and dead-set on) making friends with absolutely everything. The blacklarks that live among the flock follow her around like ducklings to their mother. At times, it even seems as though she can speak the language of lesser creators. Granddam refers to the filly as being "Wind-Touched".

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These two had their start in Starborn Alignment, a horse-based ARPG that ran on Deviantart a while back that I LOVED participating in during my early art school years. Here's some old stuff from 2019.