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The fantasy genre is replete with many beasts, all of which captivate the imagination in one way or another. Dragons are practically synonymous with the genre and are considered one of its mascots. There is another kind of beast that, while not iconic as them, is also an integral part of the genre and that would be the fantasy wyvern.
Many people consider the wyvern to be a weaker version of the dragon. While its appearance across fictional worlds may change, there are some common denominators that make it recognizable no matter which world it appears in. Thus, it is imperative to know what they are should you wish to incorporate this creature in your own world and story.
In terms of the power scale, the dragon outshines the fantasy wyvern but that doesn’t mean the latter should be taken lightly. Quite the opposite. It is still a formidable monster that the protagonist must be careful when facing in battle since it employs several powerful abilities that can spell doom for him.
Where does such a vile beast live? Not in a place brimming with light; it prefers those filled with darkness. Inhospitable environments such as craggy lands are ideal for it to grow and flourish which means those who travel through them must pay extra close attention to their surroundings so that they’re not taken by surprise when one appears out of nowhere to attack them.
This is article number eleven of the series exploring the various kinds of fantasy creatures. For more, take a look at our ever-growing articles, all of which are on our blog page!
When people think of a wyvern, the first thing that comes to mind is the dragon. While it is true that it has plenty of things in common with it, it is its own species nevertheless. This distinction is key in crafting one that works well with the world. The last thing you want is for your audience to think the protagonist is facing a dragon when in fact he is facing a lesser version of it.
As for its physical appearance, there are several characteristics it has, regardless of the world it appears in. One of which is that it has two legs which are located on its lower body. This is a stark contrast to the dragon which has four legs. This two-legged beast uses its legs to lift itself off the ground and to attack from the air using its razor-sharp claws.
Secondly, the fantasy wyvern sports a tail. While its length varies by world, in one world it could be considerably short whereas in another it would be as long as its body, the tail acts as a support, enabling it to steady itself when on the ground. The wyvern uses this appendage to effortlessly swat away pesky foes who attempt to strike it from behind.
The third common denominator is that it sports wings. Most of the time, the fantasy wyvern uses just two wings but there have been cases where it can have four. The wings are one of its most important assets since it gives it the ability to not just fly but to do a bevy of things it can only do in midair which makes it a deadly beast to face in battle.
Much like its larger scaly cousin, the wyvern has a mean looking face. It has cold and menacing eyes and razor-sharp teeth and its hide is tougher than many beasts. However, its hide isn’t as tough as that of the dragon, meaning it is vulnerable to a wider variety of weapons compared to the dragon.
While it’s not as powerful as the dragon, the wyvern is a force to be reckoned with, whether on or off the battlefield. It is capable of punishing its opponent in ways that prove fatal. Thus, when facing one it’s imperative to understand what it is capable of doing and that could very well mean the difference between victory and defeat.
One ability the typical fantasy wyvern has is the power to breathe fire. While this doesn’t necessarily apply to every single one — some just don’t wield that power — it applies to the vast majority. The flames it spits isn’t as lethal as dragon-fire but it can still inflict a great deal of damage to the victim.
The wyvern is especially fond of using its claws in and out of battle. When not using it to tear apart the animals it intends on eating, it relies on them to deal with pesky nuisances, notably those who dare attack it. This beast employs claws when fighting its foe both on the ground and up in midair where it can hurt them from the safety of the skies.
Do not underestimate the power of the fantasy wyvern’s mouth. It is packed to the brim with razor-sharp teeth which are capable of piercing the skin of its foe like butter. Guarding well against it increases the odds of surviving an encounter with such a vicious beast.
Last and not least, the wyvern makes great use of its body to harm its enemy. It can slam into him, flap its wings to generate winds that make it tough for him to stand firmly on the ground, or swing its tail to knock him off balance. There is no shortage of the ways this creature can use its body to get the advantage in combat.
Though the wyvern might be a vicious monster, it still needs a place to call home. While it’s true that there are some that are nomads, meaning they wander around the world and appear in many spots across it, many prefer to remain in one place, at least for the time being. The only time it’ll seek out another locale is if there is nothing left for it to feast upon where it is currently residing.
As a minion of darkness, the fantasy wyvern abhors the light, preferring instead places where darkness reigns. In many stories it appears in, it nests in the vicinity of the dark power’s home where clouds are a constant and sunlight appears rarely, if at all. Living in close proximity to such a place seems to augment its formidable powers, making it more terrifying to face in battle.
Another place the wyvern likes is the mountains. There are plenty of dark spots in the mountains, all the better for it to move in and make it its home. Travelers and people who go through them need to pay attention to their surroundings lest they be caught by the sudden appearance of a winged beast intent on consuming them.
The fantasy wyvern also can be found in other rocky areas besides mountains. Mesas and crag lands are two such areas since they are not abundant in wildlife. When not hunting for prey, it sleeps in the coolness of these places to stay out of the heat. In some cases, it’ll go out in the nighttime, using the light of the moon to launch a strike on a sleeping animal or person.
There are as many creatures as there are worlds in the genre. Due to its abilities, the wyvern is a deadly monster which makes it a great asset to use for worldbuilding purposes. Besides serving as a minion of darkness, this beast is a fantastic creature your protagonist can cross paths with.
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