Caladrius [Bestiary Entry]

Hey peeps!

Here is another entry in the Bestiary. It's almost ready (I have a meeting with the printer people tomorrow to discuss the specifics!) so I hope you're excited to see the end product!

Here is the Caladrius (if there are typos, have no fear, this is the unedited version).

Let me know what you think!

Shami

Caladrius

Description: A caladrius is a small bird with the physique of a parrot. They have white feathers, gold beaks, and blue eyes. Most of them are small, but they have crests of feathers that can reach high. All caladrius are gentle creatures that will run rather than fight in most situations.

Trial of Worth: In order to bond with a caladrius, one must pass the bird’s test of medicinal wisdom. The caladrius will ask questions, and only bond with someone who can answer them all correctly.

Tier: 2

Reproduction: Progeny—caladrius dwell in bell towers, schools, and other community gathering points. They keep themselves hidden, often blending in with normal birds, and typically only lay eggs when star moths are nearby.

Evocation: Happiness—caladrius and their arcanists evoke happy and positive feelings. Those in the nearby area of the evocation are affected by elation, and contentment.

Manipulation: Birds—caladrius and their arcanists can manipulate non-magical birds, controlling them fully.

Augmentation: Healing—when caladrius and their arcanists augment themselves, and others, they heal physical injuries, cure non-magical diseases, and purge poisons, mending people, animals, and magical creatures as long as they are still breathing.

Imbuing: Disease Immunity—caladrius magic often grants disease immunity to magical items created with its magic.

Aura: Vivacity—when a caladrius arcanist creates an aura, the nearby area becoming awash in a glowing golden hue, and everyone in the glow is healed of injuries and granted immunity to fear effects.

Innate Abilities: Caladrius and their arcanist can speak with birds, but only caladrius can sacrifice their own life to cure their arcanist of any disease or poison, even those born of magic or corruption.

True Form Type: Geas—the caladrius arcanist must risk their wellbeing to save the life of a sickly child in order for their eldrin to transform.

True Form Appearance: A true form caladrius has four wings, golden feathers, and silver glowing eyes.

True Form Ability: Death’s Bane—so long as the caladrius is alive, its arcanist cannot be killed. Should the arcanist’s body be destroyed, the arcanist will reform from the golden feathers that molt off the true form caladrius. The caladrius can die as normal, however.

In-World Lore: Caladrius arcanists have no rival when it comes to restorative magic. They are seen as epic healers, kind doctors, and gentle individuals. Because they are so useful, no one turns away a caladrius arcanist, and they are invited to live in all nations.

Real-World Inspiration: The caladrius is a bird in Roman mythology. The caladrius of Roman myth is a snow-white bird that lives in a king’s house and is kept to heal the king of any sickness. However, in order to do so, the caladrius takes the sickness into its own body and dies.