Creatures of Thedas: The Wyvern Creatures of Thedas: The Wyvern The wyvern (wih-vern) is a member of the dragon Despite all that, the most dangerous aspect of a wyvern family and especially important to Orlesian culture. is its venom. When provoked, wyverns spit poison out to a range of several yards. Left untreated, this poison Appearance & is fatal. Behavior The Wyvern in An adult wyvern is nearly the size of a dragon, but where a dragon is saurian and lithe, a wyvern has thicker muscu- Human Culture lature and a more sinewy bulk. A wyvern’s head is stout Wyvern defensiveness is legendary. Orlesian hunters and squarish with a split-mandible mouth and protruding tell tales and sing songs of female wyverns killing even fins. These are colorful creatures, garish and fierce. high dragons that wandered too close to their nests. As Although historically categorized as smaller cousins ferocious, territorial creatures, they are often compared of drakes and dragons, wyverns differ distinctly from to knights or depicted as wild warriors. From Orlais other dragon-kind in both physical form and demeanor. to Gwaren, wyvern symbols and devices mark the Wyverns lead solitary existences, stubbornly defending heraldry of knightly lords and ladies both low and lofty. their territory against trespass by other creatures, Bandits and brigands who draw on wyvern imagery including other wyverns. Bullish wyverns even defend for their strength do so to elevate their own station or their turf against dragons that might well be able to best to mock landed lords. Some realms even consider the them in battle. Wyvern territories sometimes overlap image of a wyvern to be so cherished and fearsome as with each other, as multiple wyverns may be drawn to make it a crime to bear a wyvern banner or standard to the same feeding grounds or water source, but not without proper authority. for long. Showy, noisy displays of dominance and foul- smelling wyvern spoor serve to settle most contests HE YVERN HASE between their kind, driving each wyvern to ferociously T W C defend whatever ground it can claim. The wyvern is so prized and celebrated by some, in fact, that it has been hunted nearly to extinction. Wild The wyvern’s natural habitat lies within only a few wyverns are feared and honored creatures, full of mountain ranges of Thedas—rocky lands, in some portentous meaning. To slay one is a kind of trial by places barren, in others verdant, where the wyvern combat. In parts of Thedas it is considered shamefully can dwell as an apex predator. Wyverns typically do presumptuous (or even illegal) to hunt a wyvern and not discern between intelligent and unintelligent prey. fail… but dashing and praiseworthy to succeed at it. To They are as likely to eat ranging cattle, feral wolves, think one’s self worthy of the wyvern hunt shows a bit family pets, and civilized folk, if given the need and of smirking arrogance. To succeed in the hunt shows the opportunity. Often, wyverns inflict their venom on that one is worthy. prey and then leave them to wander and die, perhaps as some base animal sense of sport or perhaps out of The rich gentry and nobility of Orlais are particularly simple ease. fond of the wyvern chase, a festive and competitive hunt for the rare creature. It is a drawn-out affair involving Wyvern wings are hardy but imprecise things. A feasting and pomp and sharp rivalries (some friendly wyvern does not truly fly, but glide. With a suitable and some not). Many participate in the chase with little perch and favorable winds, a wyvern can glide over hope of actually finding—much less besting—the beast. many miles, stalking prey and surveying its territory. Separating legend from lore is one part of the chal- With their strong claws they can grip and climb even lenge; keeping one’s wits when near wyvern territory vertical stone to achieve good perches and altitude. A is another part. wyvern can also leap many times its own body length, not unlike a dragon. They are quick, powerful skir- Often it is servants and hunting dogs that undertake mishers, seldom staying put during a contest of might. the true work and notorious risk of the chase, as they 2 The Wyvern attempt to flush out or track the famed creature. They They climbed until they came to a hanging valley with strike out into the countryside to rile or pursue the a small lake—still and clear, perfectly reflecting the powerful, poisonous beast while their noble masters sky—and there Beloved Andraste said they would rest. lead from the rear, sipping wine and accepting the She sat down on the lakeshore and said to her dear praise of a successful kill. companions, “Wait with me, my friends. And whatever While it is rare for people or hounds to be killed during happens, have no fear.” Then she began to sing. a wyvern chase—wounded hunters are often left to die As she sang, the mountains bent to listen. Stars came by the wyvern but not by fellow hunters—casualties of down from the heavens to be near her. Birds and beasts the hunt are not so shocking as to break the tradition. of every variety came forth and knelt at Andraste’s feet. Brewing draughts of antidote to the wyvern’s venom is Justinia and Maferath witnessed this and were afraid. part of the festive tradition, too. Then from the sheer cliffs a great wyvern appeared, baring its fangs and drowning out the Prophet’s song Venom and Its Uses with its roars. The beast descended from the cliffs like a Its venom makes the wyvern widely sought by potion- thunderbolt from the sky. Maferath drew his sword and makers, alchemists, and crafters of potent liquor called struck at the wyvern, slicing off part of its hood. aquae lucidius. A miniscule quantity of wyvern venom But the Prophet put her hand on Maferath’s sword arm remaining in the aquae after distillation results in a and stopped him. And the wyvern came to Andraste’s unique hallucinatory effect. Just how effective wyvern feet and knelt, and when it rose, it left blood on the venom is at enhancing potions and alchemical recipes is ground, dripping from the wound Maferath had given either a closely guarded secret or a continuing mystery; it. And Maferath was ashamed that he had given in opinions differ. to fear despite Andraste’s words. He drew his hand along the blade of his sword, spilling his own blood OLKLORE and adding it to the wyvern’s. At this, the beast nodded F once in acknowledgement and then vanished as swiftly Wyverns, proud and fearsome as they are, have made as it had appeared. their way into folklore and legend throughout Thedas. Perhaps no wyvern tale is so well known as this one, however, concerning the beasts and the beloved Andraste. Andraste and the Wyvern The armies of Andraste and Maferath gathered in the West. And the Prophet went alone into the mountains to sing to the Maker. She would take no one but Justinia and Maferath with her. 3 The Wyvern WYVERN DRAGON-KIN The Wyvern ABILITIES (FOCUSES) In Play –1 COMMUNICATION Wyverns are dangerous foes. Though characters 7 CONSTITUTION (STAMINA) of various levels might be able to locate and bring –2 CUNNING down a wyvern with luck and planning, only char- 5 DEXTERITY (BITE, INITIATIVE) acters reliably capable of withstanding the effects of wyvern venom (or of crafting the antidote) are 0 MAGIC likely to bask in their success. Wyverns make poor 4 PERCEPTION (SMELLING) on-the-fly encounters, therefore—they’re well suited 7 STRENGTH (CLAW, JUMPING) to larger adventures that involve their lore, their 3 WILLPOWER (COURAGE) venom, and the antidote. COMBAT RATINGS Try staging a wyvern counter as the climax to an adven- SPEED HEALTH DEFENSE ARMOR RATING ture that involves locating one. Or, alternately, have a wyvern glide into a scene as a surprise introduction 18 95 14 5 to the peril of a local wyvern territory struggle. Just ATTACKS remember that characters may be in serious danger WEAPON ATTACK ROLL DAMAGE from a wyvern’s venom if they are unprepared. These BITE +7 2D6+7 are lethal creatures. CLAWS +9 2D6+7 Participating in a wyvern hunt might be the best way to earn favor with an Orlesian noble, as in the “Mark TAIL LASH +7 1D6+7 of the Assassin” content for Dragon Age II. Just partici- POWERS pating with bold and capable skill earns characters a FAVORED STUNTS: Skirmish (1+ SP), Tail Lash (1+ SP), +1 modifier to Communication tests during the hunt’s Rake (2 SP), and Inject Venom (3 SP) celebratory feast or banquet. Actually locating or INJECT VENOM: As a 3 SP stunt, a wyvern that succeeds battling a wyvern earns a +2 modifier and slaying one on a bite attack can inject its venom in a target, starting earns a +3 modifier, all of which last for the whole of the the clock on a slow death. Afflicted targets suffer a –4 feast or until the characters do something to dishonor to Dexterity for the rest of the encounter and drop to 0 themselves. Health after a number of hours equal to 1d6 + Constitu- A less ceremonial hunt could involve locating and tion (minimum 1 hour). slaying a wyvern that has put a local settlement in QUICK SKIRMISHER: A wyvern automatically generates 1 SP danger by devouring cattle, poisoning townsfolk, or each turn to put toward the skirmish stunt.