Adult Male
Name: unnamed
Species: Death Screamer
Birthday: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Owner: ladylark
Element: Light
With bodies as long as an adult magi's hand, these large insects certainly stand out around the Keep. Unlike cute hatchlings, adult death screamers are less tolerated - often looked at with a spark of fear by non magi folk. Magi also have learned to treat adult screamers with respect. They are quite intelligent and also can develop quite a nasty sense of humour. It is not unknown for a death screamer to use its glowing light to trick a person into thinking they are following someone through the halls, only to leave them suddenly in the dark. Their shrieking cries can be quite unnerving and can make a person feel anxious or nervous when the soft drawn out cries wail in the dead of night. It is not unheard of for a death screamer to softly land on someone's back and give a loud scream causing the person to add their own cry of fear, only to flutter away with a hiss that sounds eerily like laughter.
Death screamers have gained their name for their unusual wing markings. During the day they are no more remarkable than any other moth. At night, however, a glowing shape forms on their large wings which eerily looks reminiscent of a screaming skull. The fact that they do make a shrill screaming sound when agitated also adds to this spooky reputation. Despite this they are in fact harmless in themselves having no teeth or claws. Their greatest danger comes from their ability to create a glowing ball of light that surrounds them as they fly along. Probably a defence against night vision predators it has the unfortunate appearance of someone holding a lantern in the dark. Unwary travellers who follow this light off the main road can be led further and further into the dark woods. The sudden fading of the light and a horrifying deathly scream their only clue that they have been following a ghost-light and are now hopelessly lost.
Sprite art: Mysfytt (adult) | Description: Mysfytt