Pegasi

**Pegasi** are one of the **Four Equines of Mystopia**, alongside unicorns, Starllions and Nightmares.

They are muscular, four-legged equines with large feathered wings, and are the most abundant creature found in Mystopia. Every pegasus in Mystopia will either be labeled as “Exotic” or “Dull”. In the wild, pegasi live in large herds to avoid humans and predators, led by a single Alpha Stallion. Pegasi *can* be comfortably ridden by humans, though many pegasi are completely opposed to the idea.

## Appearance

   All pegasi (with some exceptions, see the Immortal Pegasus) are built like common horses; they have four strong legs and a well-built body. Pegasi have large feathered wings, with short, tight feathers near the base, that grow to long ones near the edges. Pegasi wings can vary in size, depending on the pegasus itself, but most are long enough to touch the ground and wrap around the pegasus' chest and stomach.

#### Exotic Pegasi

If the coat, hair and/or feathers of a pegasus are brightly-colored, it is an exotic pegasus (see examples of Eclipse - Aqua - Chipflaze) Colours found on Exotic pegasi would never be found on a common horse. Even if a pegasus has the smallest touch of colour, it is considered exotic. Some dull foals develop exotic colouring as they grow older, though this is quite rare (see example of Typhoon). Certain areas/parts of an exotic pegasus' body may have the colours of a dull pegasus (with white, shades of brown, and black being the most common), but this does not change the fact that the pegasus is still exotic.

#### Dull Pegasi

If the coat, hair and/or feathers of a pegasus are in a colour found easily on a common horse, it is a dull Pegasus. These Pegasi have no other “exotic” or “unnatural” colors mixed into their hair, coat or feathers (see examples of Mirage). The chances of finding a wild dull pegasus in Mystopia are very low for the Sakardan Kingdom uses *only* these pegasi in their army, with the rare exception of Bloodstalker.

## Personality

Pegasi are skittish, alert and wary creatures who heavily rely on their powerful wings, preferring to fly instead of running. Wild pegasi live in large herds to avoid humans and predators, with the natural instinct to protect their fellow herdmates. Some wild herds completely oppose living under the rule of humans, while other herds are neutral to the idea. Most pegasi become fiercely loyal when bonded with a rider.

Pegasi herds that live 'illegally' in rural areas in the Kyanite kingdom grow up quick-witted and sly, always one step ahead of Kyanitian scouts. Majority of the pegasi living in the safe Moonglade Kingdom are rather mellow, calm and serene, and would choose 'flight' in a flight-or-fight situation. This is the opposite of the pegasi living under the rule of humans in the Sakardan Kingdom, who, like their riders, are unnaturally aggressive and bloodthirsty.

## Habitat

Wild pegasi herds roam almost everywhere, never settling in a single spot. They are usually found hidden in forests during autumn and winter, and grazing openly in grassy plains during summer and spring, the time foals are born. In emergencies, such as large human attacks, natural disasters or civil wars for Alpha leadership, pegasi often retreat to mountainous or snowy areas, where healthy pegasi can survive for a short period of time.

## Diet

Pegasi are strict vegetarians with a fairly wide diet. Grass and apples are the staple food of wild Pegasi, while tame Pegasi are usually fed hay or grains. In the Moonglade Kingdom, the diet of wild pegasi is the most diverse and abundant.

## Wild Pegasi Hierarchy

Pegasi herds have at least thirty members, with some herds reaching sixty members. All herds are ruled by a sole Alpha stallion. Below is the hierarchy and roles each pegasus plays in a herd, and by clicking on the titles of some of them, you will be taken to the official page for that role:

#### Alpha Stallion

The Alpha Stallion, or just Alpha, is on top of the hierarchy of a pegasus herd, and acts as the sole ruler. An Alpha stallion gets his title by being either the eldest son of the previous Alpha stallion or by defeating the current Alpha stallion in a one-vs-one battle to the death. The main job of an Alpha Stallion is to assign daily scouts, execute punishments, find proper territory and protect his herd.

#### Herd Mother

The Herd Mother is the mate of the Alpha Stallion and is often a respected mare in the eyes of the herd. The main role of the Herd Mother is to offer guidance to her herdmates, especially the new mothers, and be a backup leader. If her mate, the current Alpha, is alive, but not with the herd at the moment (lost, fatally injured, captured) a new Alpha Stallion can not take the leadership. The leadership goes to the Herd Mother instead.

#### Guards

Almost 1/4 of the members of a herd are given the job of guards or sentries, resulting in them obtaining the most power after the Alpha Stallion and Herd Mother. Because of their heavy, daily task, the word of a guard is one that no member of the herd can ignore. Guards have to watch out for predators, humans and occasionally, foreign herds. The job of being a guard is given to pegasi who are either the fastest, strongest or sharpest. These guards work around the clock, taking shifts so they can sleep, never leaving the herd unguarded.

#### Fighters

The only reason the fighters of the herd are placed below the guards is because the guards usually end up taking care of outside threats to the herd, so the fighters usually never end up flying into action. But in some uncommon cases, (such as large masses of humans/predators coming to the herd with the intent to attack or the Alpha Stallion of a foreign herd arriving to steal pegasi), the Alpha Stallion deploys his fighters to help protect the herd.

#### Scouts

To ensure safety, every time a herd has decided to move to a new location, the Alpha Stallion sends out his elite yet small team of scouts beforehand. These scouts have to search the new area completely, and many end up as the victim of Sakardan raiders or predators. If the land that the scouts find turns out to be suitable, the scouts are given a high level of honour.

#### Mares, Stallions, Elders and Foals

Making up almost 3/4 of the herd are the mares, stallions, foals and elders. These pegasi are not assigned a role to assist the herd, and shelter beneath the Alpha Stallion and guards for safety. The mares of the pegasus herd are valued more, for they are the ones who continue growing the herd. Foals are also valued, and many Alpha Stallions protect the lives of the foals of the herd more than anyone else. Despite being the majority of the herd, some Alpha stallions don't listen to the opinion of the common members of his herd, which often lead to unhappy pegasi and revolts.

## Uses

Pegasi are kept free in the Moonglade element, and are allowed to roam wherever they please. Only dull-coated Pegasi are used in Sakardan. Many pegasi herds are found in the outskirts of Primedale, far away from the wall. Pegasi are banned in the Kyanite Kingdom, though many wild herds live around the kingdom's border, staying close to Mystopia river.

## Taming

If an untamed/wild pegasus allows a human to easily ride/control them, the pair are temporarily bonded. This bond can grow to a loyal, understanding friendship over time, but not all wild pegasi allow humans to ride them. Once a pegasus and rider are truly bonded, they are usually tied to each other for life.

## Life Cycle

Pegasi are mammals, and are born in live births. Pegasi pairs can technically have one offspring each year, but since pegasi foals require lots of time and energy to guide, especially with flight practice and survival skills being taught by the parents, most pegasi pairs have one offspring every two-three years. The average amount of offspring that pegasi pairs have been found to have is three-four (in Sakardan, the rules are different; see *Sakardan Pegasi*) It takes almost one whole year for a foal to be born.

The average life expectancy of a pegasus is between forty to sixty years old. Below are the terms given to pegasi during different stages of their life

‘Foal’ from birth until one year old. (vocabulary is minimal, childish, sagging wings, wobbly legs)

‘Yearling’ from age 1-2, start flying at this age. Yearling flight in Sakardan starts from the transition from yearling to colt/filly.

‘Colt or Filly’ from 3-8 years old, muscles are still weak, but strengthen by the time they reach adulthood. Pegasi colts and fillies grow slower than horses.

‘Young Mares and Stallions’ doesn’t have an exact age, usually after age 9 or 10. A Pegasus with full-grown wings is considered a young adult

‘Elder Mare/Stallion’ from 40-60. Wobbly legs, slightly wrinkling coat, either broken or frayed wings. Anything older than 50 is rare.