In-Depth Information;

Appearance All Evylonian deer are cervine, cloven-hoofed mammals with traditionally long ears, large eyes, and sexual dimorphism in most animals where males - called bucks - grow antlers. Rarely, a female - called a doe - may grow antlers as well, though these never attain the mass or complexity of their male counterparts. These antlers may be permanent or temporary depending on the individual in question. Otherwise, common builds are separated by their variant, and colors, markings, and mutations range all across the board.

Mel'ama; Myavii: Often called the 'original' Evylonian deer; these animals live primarily in Evylon, and are small to medium in size. They are often delicate in build and are very swift with little in the way of bulk. Mel'ama myavii are beautiful and well built, often adorning themselves with dyes, ornaments, and jewels that they either craft themselves through magic or accept as gifts from the elves. Their colors are often bright and vibrant, as are their eyes.

Their builds often resemble animals such as the mule deer, chital, fallow deer, roe deer, and muntjac.

Mel'ama; Vuthum: Cousins to the myavii, the vuthum of the mel'ama variant are large and physically strong, imposing to all they come across. They have thick muscle and rely on physical strength over speed, often gifted with crushing hooves and massive antlers. While their eyes are often very vibrant, their other colors are muted and more natural, though markings are usually quite bright. They do not adorn themselves in jewels, but do not turn away armor and gifts of wearable weaponry - thus earning themselves the nicknames 'knights of the forest'.

Their builds often resemble elk, moose, and caribou. As such, these are often called by these names instead of 'deer', because of their resemblance to these animals' non-sapient counterparts.

Roenu; Myavii: Though these deer share much in common with their mel'ama brethren, roenu myavii - or roenu deer - are taller and stronger, often with sharper features and more distinct mutations than their Evylonian counterparts. Most individuals - both bucks and does - grow antlers, and many do not shed them for the majority of their lives. Their colors are muted, and their eyes are often dark.

Roenu; Vuthum: Largest of the variants, the roenu vuthum may sometimes reach up to nine feet tall at the shoulder, and often have massive antlers they never shed. They are almost always dark in color with bright markings and eyes that may be any shade. Mutations are incredibly common, and more than one has been mistaken for a double-horned kirin upon first glance due to their tendency to grow scales and spikes.

Culture Evylonian deer are often considered social creatures. While some variants may be less herd-minded than others, most have herds led by a matriarchal female leading groups of primarily-female herds. Smaller groups of immature males are common, though most adult bucks will branch out on their own, rarely joining a herd as either mates to does within it or protectors who are commanded by the reigning matriarch.

Mel'ama; Myavii: The mel'ama myavii often dwell in medium-sized herds primarily consisting of does and their offspring, numbering no more than thirty at any given time. The matriarch is often the oldest, wisest doe regardless of magical potential or physical strength. She is protected by a taken mate and their firstborn son, or strongest daughter if they have yet to render male offspring. These herds are considered great friends and allies to the elves, and often may be found living within great proximity to their elven neighbors.

Mel'ama; Vuthum: Mel'ama vuthum travel in mid-sized herds found away from civilization; each of these herds may be found to have anywhere from fifteen to twenty individuals. Any vuthum herd will have a mixed number of does and bucks, with the males trained to defend their fellows from the time they gain their first antlers on. Each of these herds is led by a mateless matriarch, often middle-aged and very strong - unlike their smaller cousins, these does are often battle-minded, and are renowned for their ability to keep their herds protected in harsher environments no matter where in Evylon they wander to.

Roenu; Myavii: Unlike the mel'ama variants, roenu myavii rarely form herds or groups numbering over five. Does and bucks come together to breed and raise their fawns, then travel together as family groups; most do not bring other outsiders into their herds, though these family units are friendly with others and will often trade both with their own kind and other species they come in contact with. Young roenu myavii may leave their herd to find a mate whenever they wish after reaching maturity, and territory is rarely disputed, often shared by several families.

Roenu; Vuthum: Roenu vuthum are seldom seen in great numbers, and are commonly spotted on their own or in mated pairs. However, in the spring and summer months, they gather into large herds led by a single matriarch to rear young and protect their fawns. At these gatherings, the matriarch will settle differences in contests of strength and skill, pitting opposing vuthum against one another in matches overseen by her and the eldest of her children.

Abilities Most Evylonian deer are gifted in magic. Nearly all have some reiatsu control, and a great many have an affinity for earth and nature-related aspects. Each variant has its own special tendencies, both physically and magically.

Mel'ama; Myavii: Mel'ama myavii live up to their name; they are delicately built and designed for speed and swiftness, often employing hit-and-away tactics in a physical fight. Older, antlered males are stronger than younger males and does, due to the strength they build sparring and the simple exercise of carrying large, heavy antlers over the course of their lives. In magic, mel'ama myavii are generally gifted in growing and creation magic, as well as healing and enchanting. Thus, their herds are very self-sufficient, able to grow what they need to eat and restore the forested areas where they tread.

Mel'ama; Vuthum: Physically strong and large, though somewhat slow and lumbering. Mel'ama vuthum are imposing guardians of their lands equipped with crushing hooves and - primarily found among males - large, sharp antlers. Muscular builds lend to pursuits of a more violent nature than myavii often do, and many wear armor that grants them even more protection. Magically, their abilities favor offense over healing and growth; fire and lightning are not uncommon, though they may often allow fauns or myavii to accompany their herds to repair any damage they might accidentally cause.

Roenu; Myavii: Both stronger and faster than their mel'ami myavii cousins. Roenu myavii are the swiftest of the variants, and are often likened to the gusting winds of an oncoming storm. They often have air and water abilities, as well as strong reiatsu capabilities, and may often be approached to bring rain to drought-parched lands.

Roenu; Vuthum: The strongest both physically and magically of the variants, largest, and most dangerous. Most roenu vuthum rely on their strength of body to beat back most problems - those elder males with antlers are rumored to be able to charge through nearly anything - but are often gifted in various elemental magics as well. Seers are also common, as are Realmfire users, though true reiatsu capability is more uncommon than the other types.

Subspecies;

Skydeer
Classification: large, flying deer. Location: populate sky continents, such as those found in Noctis and Stroen'na.

A peculiar offshoot of the Evylonian deer that holds the ability to fly. They are said to have been affected by the energies that give sky continents their effortlessly floating state, and fly much like eastern dragons, without the advent of wings. They are commonly found with light fur colors, though any shade is theoretically possible. Like the Evylonian deer from which they evolved from, they can be found with any body type across the four cervine variants.

Skydeer are a primarily solitary race, except for small family units composed of adult individuals with fawns or yearlings. Very rarely, skydeer may congregate into disorganized herds in good grazing areas for mutual protection and benefit, though these never hold together long. These gatherings allow for limited mingling with other skydeer, as well as the sharing of news and stories between individuals who would otherwise never meet.

Like other deer, this subspecies is a creature of fear. They are the most flighty and wary of their kind, and being animals driven by prey instinct is a strong belief taught from parent to fawn regardless of location or variant. Skydeer who do not adhere to this are ostracized, ousted and become unwelcome in any gathering of their kind.

Newborn and fledgling fawns are considered precious, for their tendency to fall while trying to fly and crash to their deaths far, far below. Thus, family groups with new fawns tend to stay near the middle of a sky continent until the youngest is able to fly capably.

False Kirin
Classification: Demonic deer. Location: Specifically Kurai.

The false kirin is a subspecies of deer, not kirin, who have come to dwell in Kurai. They are dark pelted with very bright, warning markings, and their eyes are often oddly colored and mismatched. Unlike true kirin, they do not have Kingdom-affiliated appearances. The most unique feature, however, is their antlers - two that, over time, twist upwards and around each other, forming a single antler that does not shed.

Both does and bucks have antlers, though males will grow larger and more impressive racks than females. These antlers become relatively heavy as the false kirin ages, and stops growing when it reaches a length of up to half of the individual's overall length. Those with heavy antlers have well-developed neck and back muscles, and may wield this twined horn as a deadly weapon. If lost, antlers do not regrow.

Most false kirin get along well with their namesake cousins, and hybrids between the two are not uncommon. While most tend to be more solitary, older individuals and those with new fawns dwell in herds of up to ten individuals for protection, centered around areas with good grazing and little danger. Because of the inherent danger existing in Kurai, twins or triplets are very common, as fawns have a very low survival rate. Unlike other deer, they will stand and fight far more readily and do not freeze, though if the option to flee is available they will escape in all haste. They are standoffish to non-cervine races, and disdain the worship of the Kuraian Four.

False kirin also have mildly poisonous blood, able to sicken and even kill lesser demons who dine on their flesh. Demons of higher classes, however, are known to be immune. They have the same ability to speak and to ask nature to help them hide from would-be hunters, as their venison is highly sought after in Kurai by those that may withstand their toxins. They can drink bloodwater, withstand acid rain, and eat the dangerous flora of Kurai without any problems. Other abilities, such as control over the elements, is possible though rare.

Peryton
Classification: carnivorous, avian deer. Location: abroad.

First thought to be a hybrid or mutant of skydeer, due to their ability to fly, though this has since been disproven. Perytons are large, carnivorous deer with feathered wings and tails, as well as the hind legs of a bird of prey. A peryton may be found in any color, with a great variety of markings, as well as often brightly marked and boldly colored wings. All perytons have sharp teeth and feathered wings; males have antlers and females do not. Some may be born without forelegs, appearing more birdlike than deerlike, and others may be born with talons on the forelegs, or both, but this is rarely found. Feathers can be found anywhere across the entire body, and completely-feathered perytons are uncommon, but not rare.

An individual peryton is generally very territorial, and will challenge any - herbivore or carnivore - who stray into their borders. However, they are much more docile if accepted into a small group, and are brave companions to any who can gain their trust. Perytons are proud and intelligent, both on their own and among others of their kind. Groups of perytons are called 'packs', and usually involve no more than four or five members. These packs operate much like wolves - they are led by a single leader or a mated pair, and the rest of the pack helps to hunt, raise fawns, and defend territory.

Individuals are often extremely standoffish to all other races, and do not intermingle with other deer species often, though hybrids are very rarely reported. Most share a disdain of their prey cousins, and may hunt other deer - sapient or not - for sport, though they never partake in cervine meat. They are very capable fighters, and contests of strength are not uncommon, especially among territorial males.

Most perytons do not have magic, though they are much physically stronger than their cousin races, and have well-developed muscles in their jaws that give them a startling bite force.