Elytrians (Season 5)

The term “elytrian” refers to a wide range of creatures capable of sustained flight, though not all flying creatures fall into this category despite meeting the criteria such as dragonkin and moths which are their own species. Avians do not count as elytrians despite their similarities to the Aves elytrian, as they cannot reliably keep themself in the air.

Most Elytrians can be easily identified by their large wings (though not all have them) and excellent flight prowess.

## Overview

### Chordata

> *A large phylum of animals that includes the vertebrates together with the sea squirts and lancelets. They are distinguished by the possession of a notochord at some stage during their development.*
>
>

Found in the overworld, these elytrians fall into the Mammalia or Aves classes:

* Mammalia types are typically cave or tree dwelling. They can easily be identified by their membrane bound wings. Some may possess echolocation abilities.
* Aves elytrians have large feathered wings and taloned feet. They inhabit a wide range of areas but can typically be found roosting on cliffs, large trees, floating islands or mountains.

### Arthropods

> *An invertebrate animal of the large phylum* Arthropoda*, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean.*
>
>

Found exclusively in the End, these elytrians can rarely be seen swooping between islands on clear iridescent wings. Some have a singular pair that they store beneath an elytra while not in use, and some have two pairs that beat in tandem to grant them extra airborne agility.

Not much is known about Arthropod elytrians, though it has been stated that they were hunted by other End inhabitants for their wings.

## Types of Elytrians

### Mammalia

> *Mammals are a group of vertebrates constituting the class Mammalia, characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding their young, a neocortex, fur or hair, and three middle ear bones.*
>
>

Elytrians that fall into the Mammalia phyla have wings not to dissimilar to bats, suggesting that they may have shared a common ancestor or evolved under similar circumstances. Like bats, most Mammalia elytrians have excellent hearing though not all of them can echolocate. Frugivores, a noticeably larger type of mammalian elytrian, cannot but have much better eyesight and sense of smell.

Depending on the evolution line, Mammalia may have six limbs (two forearms and two wing arms) or four limbs (forearms are adapted into wing arms) and a tail connected to the membrane of their wings for extra control.

Mammalia types are more social and typically live together in large underground caverns. Though social, Mammalia elytrians are secretive and can be outwardly hostile to other origins. Once a colony is discovered they will quickly migrate to another location.

### Aves

> *Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class* Aves*, characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton.*
>
>

Aves elytrians are easily identified by their huge feathered wings and taloned feet which may or may not have webbing depending on the order they fall into. They are extremely lightweight and quite small compared to other origins due to their hollow bones. Almost all Aves elytrians have six limbs and a short tail covered with feathers for lift.

Possibly one of the most varied classes of elytrian, Aves come in all shapes and sizes. Some have wings adapted for long glides while others are adapted for short bursts of flight. They may have talons spaced evenly for climbing or muscular talons for grabbing prey.

Their societies are just as varied too. Some live in large flocks, some in pairs and some live a solitary life. However, one trait identified among all flocks, is their distaste for land-dwellers. So many Aves elytrians have fallen victim to hunters seeking their wings that there is an almost universal hatred for anything that lives on the surface.

### Arthropod

> *An invertebrate animal of the large phylum* Arthropoda*, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean.*
>
>

It is nearly impossible to classify Arthropod elytrians due to their location and severely dwindling numbers. Arthropod elytrians are truly unique. They share the hard, chitinous exoskeleton of most end inhabitants and have transparent wings made from a thinner chitin. These wings are segmented by veins which provide even more support to the hardened wings. Arthropod elytrians have four pairs of wings, fore and hind. Some forewings may be much harder than the hind wings and fold over them to provide extra protection whereas others have fully exposed wings (coleoptera). Some may only use their forewings for flight and use their hindwings for balance (dipterans).

Unlike all other elytrians, Arthropods always have six segmented limbs and then four dorsal appendages which function as wings. These wings do not count as limbs. Arthropod elytrians also have an extra sensory organ - antennae - though what they sense is unknown. Their bodies are typically split into three segments and they have mandibles rather than typical mouths.

Next to nothing is known about Arthropod elytrians outside of their extremely varied anatomy. The geography of the End is highly suited for flight meaning that, much like the Aves elytrians, Arthropod elytrains were hunted for their wings too, but on a much larger scale. Next to nothing remains of their history or societies, only their wings can be found, displayed in airships.

## Elytras

All usable elytras (the term for an elytrian’s wings) come from the end. Both Mammalia and Aves elytra are too weak or too complex to support origin flight. Aves bones break, the feathers become brittle without natural oil and the muscles rot. Mammalia rely on proper membrane control which cannot be accomplished without successfully grafting the wings (which is impossible to do).

Arthropod wings are made from chitin, an extremely sturdy but flexible substance that is difficult to rot. This chitin also allows enchantment runes to be inscribed into the wings, meaning that they can be made more hardy through unbreaking and can be repaired through mending. However, the users lack the flight muscles or anatomical configuration to fly properly, so they must instead glide - though this can easily be overcome through technology like fireworks which propel the user forward.

The different phyla of elytrians rarely crossover but, perhaps through tales or warnings, nearly all recognise the stolen wings of an Arthropod. Expect to be met with hostility or aggression should you meet an elytrian while wearing wings.