Starlings

**Starlings** are a species of humanoid beings who inhabit the planet of Starland, being the dominant species and providing energy to power their civilization.

## Physical Description

Starlings are largely indistinguishable from humans, or Wishlings, possessing a range of skin tones from pale to darker skin, body types, as well as various eye and hair colors. The main differences in appearance between the two is that Starlings have hair and eye colors (ex, magenta, purple, orange) that are considered unnatural on Earth/Wishworld. They all have a natural sparkle to their skin which increases in brightness as they age. Upon death, they transform into pure light and are stated to ‘join the constellation of ancestors above their world’, implying they may not be completely material beings. Their tears also resemble liquid glitter. Their cheeks become tinted with the color of their hair and eyes when blushing.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Wish Energy Manipulation**: All Starlings are capable of harnessing the energy granted from wishes around them to perform a variety of feats. Some are naturally inclined towards this while others learn from much practice. The most common use of wish energy is telekinesis, which is taught at Starling Academy. In the series, this power is shown to have offensive, defensive, as well as supportive capabilities. Most Starlings channel Positive Wish Energy that usually has beneficial properties and is derived from good wishes. Some Starlings, like Lady Rancora, prefer to use Negative Wish Energy generated from bad wish orbs.
	+ **Life/Power Draining:** Lady Rancora in The Power of Twelve uses this on Vega, greatly weakening her to the point of being unable to be healed by Adora.
	+ **Energy Blasts:** As displayed in The Power of Twelve, wish energy can be used to fire streams, bursts, orbs, and waves of offensive power against opponents.
	+ **Force Fields:** Again displayed in the above special, shields can be manifested as defense.
	+ **Healing:** In The Power of Twelve, Adora attempts to heal Vega after being attacked by Rancora.
	+ **Teleportion:** Cassie utilizes wish energy to achieve this effect and confuse Rancora while attacking her in The Power of Twelve
	+ **Super Speed:** Astra is able to channel wish energy to achieve high speeds.

* **Extended Lifespan:** In Scarlet Discovers True Strength, it’s confirmed that Starlings can live for thousands of years, as Mira’s grandmother is over thousands of years old. Before that, in Leona's Unlucky Mission it was hinted that a few decades wasn’t too long in comparison to Starling lifespans. However, they do not have eternal youth, as Professor Elara Ursa is stated to be among one of the oldest wish granters and has clearly aged in a similar manner to a wishling elder.
* **Disease Immunity:** In Scarlet Discovers True Strength, it states that the wish energy surrounding Starlings keeps them from contracting illnesses.
* **Superhuman Knowledge:** In Leona's Unlucky Mission, Starlings are shown to be nigh-perfect at mathematics from birth. Astra's Mixed-Up Mission also implies that Starlings are the same way towards towards literature and similar subjects such as language and grammar.
* **Mind Control:** Young starlings have this ability when they head to Wishworld but it only works on adult wishlings.
* **Memory Alteration/Removal:** In Sage and the Journey to Wishworld, once Sage granted her Wisher's wish, she hugged the Wisher, and their memories of meeting Sage were altered, likely to remove Sage's involvement in the wish granting. It is unknown if this ability is unique to the Star Darlings, or if it is an ability that all Starlings share.
* **Wish Mission Signature Powers:** The Star Darlings each gain a power that is meant to assist with carrying out their wish missions. It is unknown if this is exclusive to them, or if they only work on Wishworld, as Adora uses hers to heal Vega in the The Power of Twelve.

## Culture

In the first book, Sage and the Journey to Wishworld, it is shown that the Starling equivalent of crossing one’s fingers for luck is to knock one’s elbows together. Astra's Mixed-Up Mission implies that a thumbs up on Wishworld is considered very profane on Starland, perhaps equivalent to giving someone the middle finger. Starlings also have numerous holidays, such as Light Giving Day, Starshine Day, Wish Giving, and Festival of Illumination. It is unknown whether the planet of Starland solely has cities or is divided into countries, despite it being stated that it has oceans and continents as well. Starlings are also notable for using their advanced technology to perform basic tasks such as chores manually.

### Cuisine

*Main Article: Starlicious Treats*

Starlings are all vegetarian, meaning they do not consume meat at all, however it is unknown whether or not they consume eggs or have beans. Most dishes make heavy use of vegetables and fruits.

## Trivia

* It is currently unknown whether or not the physical attributes of Starlings- long lifespans, superhuman knowledge of subjects to name a few- hinges on there being wish energy within them.