Wyverns are winged reptiles that are the less intelligent cousins to dragons. Their size and flight capabilities means they are one of the few predators who can threaten airships.[4] Despite their difficult temperament and predatory nature, several cultures have managed to tame wyverns to use as mounts.
Description[]
Wyverns are scaly creatures with two wings, two legs and a tail that carries a poisonous stinger.[1]
These creatures vary in length from 15 to 35 feet (4.6 to 11 meters), have a wingspan around 20 feet (6.1 meters), weigh around 2,000 pounds (910,000 grams), and are covered in dark brown or gray scales. They typically have either red or orange eyes[3] and their jaws are filled with long and sharp teeth.[3]
Behavior[]
Wyverns are aggressive and not greatly intelligent.[3] They are not averse to attacking anything less powerful than themselves. Their sleek, strong legs prove very useful for an attack.[3]
Languages[]
Despite their middling intelligence, wyverns are fluent speakers of Draconic.[3]
Combat[]
When fighting, these creatures dive down from above, grabbing prey with their hind leg claws, and then attempt to sting them to death. They are also known to slash at creatures with their claws mid-flight.[3]
Ecology[]
Wyverns can be both solitary and group animals. They do not have a strong odor, although their lairs often could be tracked by following the smell of their recent kills.[3]
Lands[]
Wyverns have been found across all four major continents of Eberron.
Many dragons from the Vast or the Light of Siberys in Argonnessen use wyverns as hunting animals, similar to how humans might have hunting dogs.[5] In the city of Io'lokar, wyverns are used as mounts by some of the city's defenders.[6]
On Khorvaire, wyvern nests have been seen in Darguun, particularly the Seven Caves of Pargon's Peak,[7] Droaam,[8][9] Thrane,[10] and Q'barra.[11]
On Sarlona, wyverns are a danger in the mountainous region of Adar.[12][13]
In Xen'drik wyverns can be found in the wild, as mounts for drow dwelling in Xen'drik's mountains, or in service to the dragon Xarkon near Stormreach.[14][15][16]
History[]
Thrane's wyvern cavalry in action in the Sky Battle of Daskaran.
The wyvern riders of Io'lokar played a major role in defending the city during the Battle of Arnaarlasha’s Fall four hundred years ago.[6]
During the Last War, wyverns were used as mounts for aerial cavalry by the armies of Thrane. Thrane's wyvern riders first saw battle in 909 YK in a skirmish against Aundair's dragonhawk-riding Sky Knights and were used in aerial raids and engagements throughout the war.[10] In 974 YK, wyvern riders from Thrane raided the town of Rekkenmark in Karrnath, and traces of the devastation can still be seen today.[17][18]
The city of Stormreach occasionally has been raided by wyverns believed to be working for the dragon Xarkon the Stormheart.[16]
Varieties[]
- Keith Baker's commentary.
Elder wyverns are a rare and powerful strain of wyvern, larger and more intelligent than their counterparts. They can grow to gargantuan size and are capable of speech.[19]
For millennia, the cliffs around Flamekeep in Thrane have been home to wyverns, ranging from typical wyverns to elder wyverns. Notably, elder wyverns aided Tira Miron in her battle against Bel Shalor. Following her sacrifice, the wyverns embraced the faith of the Silver Flame, seeing the defense of Flamekeep as their sacred duty.[19]
Since then, they have allied with Thrane, often serving as guardians of Flamekeep and are powerful assets in Thrane's arsenal. While they remain detached from the politics of the Five Nations, they faithfully serve the church. Known for their formidable presence, elder wyverns can carry crews into battle and employ innovative aerial tactics, including dropping massive rocks and divinely charged explosives. Some elder wyverns, through their faith, channel the power of the Silver Flame, using divine abilities to strike fear into their enemies.[19]
Symbology[]
The Wyvern is the namesake of several settlements and businesses in Eberron including:
- Wyvernskull, Darguun[20]
- The Noble Wyvern, a restaurant in Lyrandar Tower in Sharn.[21]
- The Wyvern's Tail, Ralzina Voraal's stable of fighters for the Red Ring in Stormreach.[22]
- The Brelish coat of arms features golden wyverns on either side of a roaring bear.[23]
Myths and Rumors[]
- The mages of Aundair are rumored to be working on creating wyverns that can shoot fire from their tails.[24]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Wyvern article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014). Monster Manual (5th Edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 303. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt (2008). Monster Manual (4th edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 268. ISBN 0-7869-4852-3.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual (3.5 edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 259. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 42, 46. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 122, 125. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 198. ISBN 0786966890.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 James Wyatt, Wolfgang Baur, Ari Marmell (2007). The Forge of War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 16, 19. ISBN 0-7869-4153-7.
- ↑ David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 145, 148. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
- ↑ David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 155. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 51. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
- ↑ James Wyatt, Wolfgang Baur, Ari Marmell (2007). The Forge of War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-4153-7.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 182. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Keith Baker (2020-11-19). Dragonmark: Flight in Eberron (Blog). Dragonmark. keith-baker.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved on 2025-01-17.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Darrin Drader (2004-11-18). Sharn: City of Towers: Lyrandar Tower (PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2013-05-31. Retrieved on 2022-04-11.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 101–102. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
- ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.
- ↑ Bill Slavicsek, David Noonan, and Christopher Perkins (2005). Five Nations. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 0-7869-3690-8.