Peryton (peh-ree-tawn)

Peryton were winged deer with a wide distribution throughout Fabella and could be spotted flying over any continent. Mating season found stags engaged in heated bouts in the sky to impress does. Incapable of sustained flight, they were really just puddle jumpers who were able to soar high in the sky and use their wings to glide long distances for a landing.

Mating season for perytons was especially exciting for creatures on the ground. Male “stags” clashed in mid-air, engaging in epic battles to win the affection of female “does.” It was typically the larger male of the group who won these bouts to the death, but every so often an underdog stunned everyone. These battles drew a large crowd of people on the ground. It did not take long for some to start making bets on the outcome; acting as a precursor to the excitement associated with sports. Does gave live births to “calfs” who grew into “fawns” by the time they were ready to fly 4-8 weeks after birth.

Anatomy

Flight

Peryton wings were strong enough to carry them up into the air, but not strong enough to keep them there. They used the wings to glide to a safe landing on a hard surface before they could return to the sky. It didn’t matter how long they wait before bounding off the ground again, just that they had something hard enough to jump from.

Antlers

Stags grew antlers encased in a thin fuzzy layer of skin called “velvet.” Over time, the velvet got rubbed off revealing the bone underneath. Antlers frequently got busted as perytons glided into a tree too fast or get into a physical brawl.