Species

Welkin gliders (gliders for short) are quadrupedal creatures made of ether who gain the ability to fly upon transformation into a winged birdlike state. With this blessing of flight that their bodies possess, gliders are able to explore land, sea, and sky to their heart’s content. This blessing also allows them to practice magic of high caliber, channeled through various means.

As social beings, they form strong bonds with each other and organize complex societies together. From their first flight to their final resting hours, a glider’s life is marked by various rites and traditions that signify their position in society and achievements of prestige. 

Gliders are first born from memories of the Daystar's ancient people, and these are believed to help shape their physical appearance and affect their temperament. Though born from recollections of those who once lived, they are free to forge their own path in and beyond the shores of Lysia.

Though there are many variations of body types and sizes a glider can be, they cannot be smaller than a domestic cat or larger than a mountain lion. Your average glider is bobcat sized.

KEY POINTS

• Feline bodily anatomy and snout.
• 5 digits on front paws and 4 on the back, similar to a squirrel. The thumbs on the front legs are opposable.
• Winglike filigree. Can be found anywhere on the body but position must be mirrored/symmetrical. The size can’t be any larger than the head.
• Fluffy feathers on elbow

✦ Filigree
Every glider is bestowed with one pair of small wing-like appendages, known as filigree, positioned anywhere on the body. These wings form a matching pair, and represent the wing type summoned during flight stance.

Some gliders believe that filigrees are a reflection of their ancient soul and certain enthusiasts believe that the appearance of a filigree and its position on the body reflects the temperament of a glider. Of course, such a thing is pseudoscience at best.

✦ Feathered Elbows
Long, fluffy feathers adorn the back of the elbow on their front arms. Feathers normally point upward but may also be downturned.

✦ Wings
Up to two pairs may be summoned at once. A thumb is present on the first pair of wings, albeit with impeded mobility. When in this stance, they primarily use their hind legs for grabbing or holding things, with their paws now having five toes each.

FLIGHT STANCE

Gliders can transform into their flight stance and soar into skies beyond. The design (patterns, colors, traits) must be identical to their land form  as it is only a form change where they gain their ability of flight.

✦ Feathered back
Presumably a way to stay warm in skies beyond. The texture of the feathered back is similar to the feathers on their elbows when not in flight stance.

✦ Longer tail
Tail becomes longer to act as a counterweight when roosting and to aid in steering during flight.

LIFECYCLE

After a stray etheric flame is captured, or a welcoming rite performed by couples who wish to raise their own young, a glider kit is born with closed eyes, furled ears, and a glowing pelt. Over time, their eyes will open and their glow will fade, revealing their initial fur patternings. 

Until they reach adolescence, kits can only summon a single pair of wings and have a limited distance they can cover in flight stance. They require a lot of care and sustenance from their guardians to survive until the next stages of life.

A glider is considered an adult once they grow into their colorful fully mature coat, and can summon their full flight stance with all four wings. At this stage, a glider may also choose to give up their flight stance to become a keeper and protect their community. Traditionally, an adult glider must make a living for themself by fulfilling their chosen role in society. However, outliers may seek out a dark path to fulfill their needs.

Healthy gliders are able to live for up to 100 cycles, eventually passing from old age once their etheric flames extinguish. When a glider's life comes to an end, a funeral rite is performed to aid the soul’s journey to the Daystar and eventual return to the living.

DIET
Gliders are omnivorous, eating many kinds of food cooked to their local tastes. As beings of etheric flame and memories of the past, they feed more on the ‘essence’ of things than physical nutrients. The more love and thought is put into how a food is prepared, the more delicious and nourishing it will be for them. As such, many of their traditional recipes are elaborate in ingredients and preparation.

MEMORY FORM

Memory forms are the official humanoid alternate universe form of your character. Your glider or keeper may now participate in prompts as a humanoid. These forms are treated as an alternate universe form and cannot be drawn or written in the same universe as the feral gliders. For more information on the unlocking and specifics of this form, please consult the memory form page.