Magical Pets
from March’s Creatures Beyond the Walle
Although most magical creatures possess intelligence tantamount to humans and live north of the Walle, some magical creatures are closer to animals in intelligence (albeit clever ones) and live across Damensea. A few are even popular pets for the affluent, but keeping such pets is expensive because these magical creatures have massive appetites (much more than ordinary animals), probably to support the magical energy they generate. Wealthy witches will keep them as familiars due to that magical energy, although poorer ones will keep ordinary animals instead, and some argue those are a better choice because they generate almost as much energy but eat substantially less. The common magical pets are angelcats, draklizards, faebirds, and hellhounds, and all of these magical creatures live around a decade.
Angelcats
Extraordinarily cute and loving but still independent, angelcats are perfect for individuals seeking close companionship without much fuss, and little girls and ladies often adore them. Angelcats are somewhat larger than ordinary cats, almost knee-high for ladies. They have white, cream, or light gray fur, which is short for those bred for warm areas and long for those for arctic areas. Their eyes are blue or silver, although they are not deaf like ordinary cats possessing similar colorations. Despite their name, angelcats are not from heaven, although they prefer heights and are excellent climbers. Their name derives from their coloration, preference for heights, and ability to float (often appearing to walk on clouds.) Eating only meat, angelcats are supreme, stealthy hunters, much more than their adorable appearance leads people to believe. In the wild, angelcats live in intimate prides of four to ten.
Draklizards
Bursting with energy and highly territorial, draklizards are perfect for energetic individuals living in the country, and little boys and gentlemen often enjoy them. Around the size of doves, draklizards resemble a dragon’s drake form (hence the draklizard’s name.) When not using their powers, their scales are a mottled brown, green, or tan (white for arctic draklizards), and their eyes iridescent. However, draklizards can change their scales and eyes to match their surroundings. Gliding and swooping flyers, they prefer thermals and leaping from heights to enhance their flight. Excellent hunters and scavengers, they eat almost anything but consume at least double their weight every day. In the wild, draklizards live in blood-related lounges of three or four.
Faebirds
Tiny and jewel-like with bewitching songs, faebirds are perfect for individuals who love music and possess time to devote to tending their fragile pet, so ladies often favor them. Fitting in the palm of a lady’s hand, faebirds are always jewel-toned (ruby, carnelian, topaz, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, diamond, obsidian, silver, or gold) with long, flowing tail feathers (females twice their body length, males three-times.) They flit and hover, and they can fly immense distances. Consuming three times their body weight (four for breeding females), faebirds eat fruit, nectar, honey, and seeds, and especially love faeberries. In the wild, they live in inseparable flocks of twenty or so, and they only thrive as pets if living with at least one other faebird. To defend themselves and call mates, faebirds sing almost as sweetly as sirens—they either dazzle and distract predators or soothe them to slumber, and they enthrall their mates with their intricate melodies. Their mating flights are long and complex, often taking hours and involve ornate mating songs and lissome aerial dances. However, faebirds are fragile creatures and can succumb to illness like wraith flu or lung fever.
Hellhounds
A massive yet gentle scent hound, hellhounds are perfect for individuals who enjoy hunting and leading a close pack, so country or active gentlemen often like them. Reaching mid-thigh on gentlemen, hellhounds are often dark brown or black, although those bred for deserts are tan and those for arctic areas white. Their eyes are usually brown or gold, and they burst into flame when excited. Eating only meat, hellhounds are superlative, tireless hunters—their coloration helps them blend into their surroundings, and they can trace any scent, not stopping until they catch their prey, which their flaming eyes mesmerize once they do. In the wild, hellbounds live in affectionate packs of a dozen or so. Like angelcats, hellhounds are not from hell; their name derives from their coloration and flaming eyes.
So which type of magical pet should you have?