The Elven Kingdom of Ven'Tul
Skaaven
The Skaaven are an intelligent race of flying lizards found only on the island of Ven'tul. They were discovered accidently when the island was first being explored by the Shel'tuath. Their race was dying from a disease that had been introduced by a landing party some 40 years earlier, the party had died and the Skaaven being natural scavengers had devoured the bodies. The disease had spready rapidly through them killing off the very old and the very young.. they were a dying race.
When the Elves first settled Ven'Tul and discovered the dying Skaaven they agreed to search for a cure. After several years the cure was found by the Apprentice Wizard Alberect, and the Skaaven race now reduced to some 20 females and 10 males was saved. The Skaaven primarily inhabit the mountainous ranges of Ven'tul, dweling in huge Rylium caverns there. They breed only once every 10 years, and even then only half their females lay a clutch of viable eggs. Each clutch of eggs usually consists of 20 eggs, and only half of them actually produce a Skaaven. The Skaaven and the elves began forming tight bonds each dependant on the other for survival from some of the fiercer aspects of the island..the Skaaven numbers had always remained small due to a lack of food. The Elves began seeding the forests with more game.. and seeding the lower valleys with herds of sheep, cows, pigs and other animals. The Skaaven were delighted, they only required to eat 2 times a week.. a full grown adult would usually consume about 8 sheep or 6 cows at the maximum. The Elves discovered that by being present at the hatchings of Skaaven, they would telepathically and mentally bond with one if it chose them becoming one with their mount. So... the Elves and Skaaven of Ven'tul now exist symbiotically, it is considered the highest honor of all honors if a Skaaven chooses someone to bond with. Every 10 years at the great hatchings, hundreds of candidates line the huge sand fields deep in the heart of Mount Surak and pray to be chosen. For some the dream comes true...for most it does not.
Skaaven are usually between 60-90 feet long from the tip of their 3 barbed tail to their nose with its razor sharp horn. Their wing span is usually 50-100 feet wide and they come in a variety of colors.. Blue, Green, Red, Black, Brown, Purple and White. Legends are spoken of a Silver Skaaven born once every Thousand years...but none has ever seen it. Skaaven are covered with tough scales, their wings are thick leather hides stretched over thier bones.. tiny scales covering the back. They have 5 toes on each foot, one an opposable thumb on each appendage. Skaaven are extremely quick and flexible in the air when flying at full speed, they're capable of reaching top speeds of 110 miles an hour. They posess a natural immunity to magic and the ability to use sound as a weapon. They're capable of reaching extremely high pitches in tone and sound, capable of causing permanent deafness and shattering objects.
When a Skaaven bonds with its rider its for life... the Skaaven will kill itself if its rider is dead. Nothing can be done to prevent this tragedy... and the Skaaven usually flies itself out to sea and dives into the ocean.
