Lesser, Other Species, and Beyond

Whilst dragons are the dominant force on Cynderice, there are plenty of other creatures that exist as well. Each species has a unique characteristic(s) that allow them to stand out from dragons, whether they're a long derived sub-variant on the dragons themselves or something otherworldly,  their population is just as great as the great scaly lizards!
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Man/Human: One of the most vast and sentient species is mankind itself. Ranging in sizes between 4 to 9 feet tall, these creatures vary in skin tones from an eggshell white to an ebony black depending on where in the world they are from. They are numerous, surprisingly durable and are very crafty, with the smartest of their colonies approaching an Iron Age (Melee weapons, Crossbows, Catapults, Ballistas, etc. etc.) and at times can actually down multiple dragons. They are not as strong as dragons when it comes to magic given they can only live an upward of 130 years if they're lucky, however if applied properly Humans can be an astounding species in magic, skill, willpower, and smarts. Magic amongst Mankind isn't common as only 1/8th of the populace knows it, and only half of that being trained in it. There only exists a few large kingdoms, with much of Humanity keeping to tribes and sizeable forts, there is much spiritualism that is prevalent that allow these creatures to keep to their ancestral ways... However that could change one day.

Hægtesse'deor: The Hægtesse'deor, or otherwise, "Witching Beasts," are an ancient species that existed when Man and other animals came to being, when magic was raw and potent and the Gods had physical presence on Cynderice. These creatures are considered the first reports of "Lycanthropy" However that couldn't have been farther from the truth. Masters of Hexes, Curses, Jinxes, and Blood Magic, the Hægtesse'deor are an aberrant species that range in heights from 3 feet to even 90 feet, sizes varying on diet and how attuned to magic they are. Many of this species take a wolfish or some canine form however they are primarily bipedal, brandishing robes and the likes and a catalyst to release their powers. History surrounding the Hægtesse'deor is convoluted, however in truth they reigned supreme over all life as wise sages until the Inner Sanctum Wars which drastically reduced their population.  They are extraordinarily smart and cunning, were considered to first beings to invent written language, and are mostly pacifists unless provoked.

Manticore: The Manticore is a prevalent species where it's members have the body and head of a carnivorous feline, and the tail of a scorpion or a snake whilst possessing avian wings. They are predators that have existed since the dawn of Man, establishing the first real empire of Man on Cynderice and invented the aspect of Briar Magic; the creation or manipulation of thorny plantlife in a controlled vicinity.  A Manticores mane (if male), throat, forelimbs, and tail are lined with sharp spikes that they can use for defense or even go as far as to utilize these spines as projectiles. Manticores as said are a predator feasting on fauna that can even be twice their size, utilizing either a venom from fang or stinger that can quickly paralyze anything their size in a matter of minutes, while the vemon generally takes a half hour to a full hour depending on larger sized creatures. They can grow between 30 to 60ft in height, and their color pigmentation tend to vary depending on the feline it's based off. The Manticore is a slow flyer compared to dragons, only reaching  40mph in the air and typically don't stay flying for too long.

Pheonix: A dominant super avian, the Pheonix is a mythical bird of prey that can reach an upward of 20 feet in height, the ability to completely manipulate and even turn into an inferno is the stuff of legends. The Pheonix are considered the first of the elemental birds breathed into being from the Goddess of War and Fire, Maccond, as a personal favorite mirroring the beauty yet ferocity of the deity. They can travel up to 70mph and are normally more active in the late springs to late autumn, feeding off of mammals and dinosaurs and the likes. The Pheonix spend their times in the volcanic regions or forests, tending to keep to warmer climates these pyromantic avians tend the company of Fire Dragons, however in history most are born I to either the Fire Dragon or Night Dragon Tribes.

Pomola: A sister race to the Phoenix, the Pomola are an elementary ice bird that are found in the arctics and tundras of Cynderice. When the Phoenix was born of the War God Macconds embers from her hammered anvil, the Goddess of Stars and Sky Hisa had taken one of these creatures and reversed it's power in answer of their worshipers prayers. The Pomola was born into the world as an entity of winter, reaching to 15 feet in height, this beast is said to have acted as a guardian to the Human tribes in the colder regions, utilizing ice powers to bring about frost and snow. The Pomola take the forms of hawks or kestrels. They can travel up to 60mph, and being birds of prey typically pick off large mammals and other creatures except for Humans. Pomola are mostly solitary, however do become social during the winter months or were introduced into a social climate when raised.

Lakota: The Lakota, or the Thunderbirds, are the largest of the elemental birds, reaching up anywhere between 25 and 40 feet in height. In the days of the Inner Sanctum War when the Gods of the Inner Circle were utilizing Phoenix's and the once enslaved Pomola against Mankind's Central Circle Gods, the divine Archeron, God of Power and Magic, had created the Lakota as the counter for both beasts. Unlike the Pomola or Phoenix, the Lakota embodies the power of storms, weather and lightning, taking the forms of large birds such as eagles. They are found in regions that have mountains or thick forests and jungles, and prey upon large mammals, reptiles, and even other birds like it. Lakota are proud of their species and heritage, and look down upon the Pomola and Phoenix as an inferior race... A trait their creator bestowed upon them unfortunately. Lakota can travel an upward of 80mph.

Roc: Roc's are unique given they were created after the Inner Sanctum War, massive vulture and falcon-like avians reaching from 25 to 40 feet in height, they are usually found in the deserts or rocky mountains huddled into small communities. These birds of prey utilize both stone and sand magic, their feathers are as hard as actual rock and beaks as sharp as flint, originally the Roc were meant to act as a counter offensive to invading forces such as Pheonix and Pomola. The Roc flies at a 45mph, however their dive speeds can reach a greater 90mph to ambush prey or strike an unsuspecting foe, they are proud companions to dragons but as a whole aren't above serving as mercenaries and merchants.

Glaux: Famous or infamous, the Glaux were once seafaring folk that traversed all the known oceans of Cynderice, they were the face of wisdom and death and were the favored species of Sare; the God of Death and Ruler of the Dead. These large owls can reach up to 20 feet in height, taking on any variety of their smaller, real life own counterparts depending on the region in which they were raised, the Glaux are as fast as 65mph and have a silent flight. Harnessing illusionary magic and spiritual powers, the Glaux have been known to be attracted to those who will die given they can sense when one's life force is fading or when a disaster will happen. The Glaux, after the Inner Sanctum War, have become sort of doctors and spiritual guides in life and for the dead, able to communicate with anything from the afterlife, the Glaux can directly communicate with the Gods albeit for a short time. What more, the Glaux have powerful night vision that can rival the Night Dragons, and can pick up even the faintest of sounds.

Griffin: Commonly found in the Mediterranean regions of Cynderice, Griffons are a large beast of a chimera that typically consist of the body, tails and back legs of a feline, the head, wings and front legs of a bird; normally an eagle. Their color patterns and sizes vary on the region in which they hail from, reaching between 20 to 35 feet in height, they can travel at speeds upward of 40mph. While many Griffins have wings some simply don't, but what wingless Griffins lack in flight they can make up for it by naturally being stronger and more durable, they also possess the keen eyesight of a hawk which enables them to spot potential prey and enemies from afar. While incapable of utilizing elementary powers as a whole these chimera can enhance their strength, speed, and durability twofold to compensate for the lack of elements and to overwhelm a foe.

Hippogriff: A direct sibling race to the Griffin, the more agile and faster Hippogriff is considered the bastard child of the two. What makes this elegant creature different is while it has the head, wings, and front legs of a smaller bird typically a raven or kestrel, with the body of an equine such as a horse, donkey, or even bovid which consists of bulls, oxen, and other forms of cattle. Reaching between 10 to 25 feet, the Hippogriff can travel up to 55 mph. They share similar feats to the Griffin, in which these creatures have razor sharp talons for ripping and slicing flesh and having the keen eye of a hawk, however what allows the Hippogriff an "advantage" is their unique ability to release a microburst of wind at prey and for to temporarily disorient them. They can be found in the Northern regions where the Sky Dragons thrive or otherwise along coasts and small islands.

Salamander: A far distant cousin to the draconic land dragon, the Drake, the Salamander are a large reptile that thrives either in the Dead Marsh swamplands, the Ashlands, or found deep in the underground chasms of Cynderice. Instead of possessing scales, the Salamander have tough skin that's as hard as stone, the skin itself can secrete a toxin that will burn like molten stone as a defense mechanism. These creatures can breath toxic fumes similar to that of mustard gas, it can be used to blind and choke foes in combat or as a quick escape, Salamanders can also breath fire for a short duration however this breath attack isn't as strong as a dragons. Salamanders can grow as big as 40 feet in length and come in a variation of different colors depending on the mineral they eat. It is known that these creatures helped Humanity establish the first Kingdom of Man, Apylloc, and had taught them how to create coin and weapons of metal.

Axolotl: A direct mutation from the Salamander from eons ago, the Axolotl are a strange yet simple people that have developed various colorations and variants depending on the mineral they're born in and of course what region they hail from. They live deep below the surface of Cynderice in caverns hidden from most ground dwellers, these caverns are filled with ancient cities and ruins that the Axolotl utilize as homes, littered with small and massive crystals that glow bright enough to not render these passive people blind. They spend their times in pools of water and secrete a toxin that poisons and paralyzes in time when in danger, but unlike the Salamander, the Axolotl breaths an icy cold breath of magic that crystalizes anything it touches. Despite being the masters and geniuses of magic in it's most complex forms... Axolotl are slow to age, their brains slow to develope and thus are considered idiotic geniuses. Axolotl can grow up to 35 feet in length, the common breed of these creatures are colored a pale white with pink accents, they normally have six "horns" or extra appendages on their heads which are external gills however also possess lungs that shut down when underwater without harming the beast. These gills also dampen magic around them in a 150 foot radius, while also absorbing residual energies in the area.

Sea Orc: Considered a bastard subrace of the Sea Dragons, Sea Orcs are the odd creatures that span all seas. They are the direct descendants of the legendary god-like Leviathans, growing anywhere between 40 to 200 feet in length. They have very tough scales that allow them to withstand natural predators and dragons, and can swim between 45 to 65mph depending on the size, the heavier, the slower. These creatures do not have the same abilities as the Dragons do with what elemental breaths and thereof, instead the Sea Orc have the unique ability to send out electric pulses that can paralyze prey or disorient foes, as well as expelling powerful sonic bursts that can do likewise but are otherwise more lethal. The Sea Orc can take any aquatic form, being easily mistaken for many myths and legends amongst the seafaring pilgrims and pirates as serpents or massive sea monsters, typically these beasts take on the amalgamation of shark, whale, and orca. This species is nomadic, and while not as smart as the common dragon, are vicious and deadly, but the more interesting aspect is that they are very communal toward their own kind.

Basilisk: When the legendary creature known as "Zys" had died, it had spread a spore like seed into the air with a magnificent explosion. From these spores came various creatures that impregnated various flora and fauna. From the Night Dragons came the Basilisk, an odd but ferocious species that is considered the lowest of dragons. Venomous, these creatures are considered an hyper predator as well with a kill ratio far above that of a dragons, they are labeled as a non negotiable for the most part, these creatures sport quills over their scales that harden based on emotional response, their teeth are much like swords with three rows of a hundred both top ajd bottom. Typically the Basilisk's natural colors depend on the parents, their legs vary from four to eight, and normally have glowing eyes. While unable to utilize breath attacks and similar abilities to dragons, they have a powerful resistance against elementary powers, they can submerge under water for an hour, and have powerful night vision.