Adult Female
Name: unnamed
Species: Calidaes Reindeer
Birthday: Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Owner: CTucan
Element: Air
A fully grown calidaes reindeer is truly a sight to see. While both genders have the same captivating antlers, those of the males are larger and more powerful. These antlers are shed like those of normal reindeer, but grow back much more quickly. These antlers retain some of the magical heat calidaes reindeer create. If a bit is broken off, it is carefully collected and usually used in spells. If a boiling cauldron is needed, the piece of antler is used as part of the fire's tinder, and improves the potion greatly. Females almost never damage their antlers, as they don't fight among themselves. The reindeer with the largest antlers are leaders of their herds, and battle with others to defend their place. Young males and hatchlings perform this ancient tradition often, charging at one another and testing their strength. Once in a while inexperienced hatchlings will end up tangled in each other's antlers, and will have to be cut loose. It's lucky that young reindeer use up their pent energy on one another, else their magi would have a hard time tiring them. Eventually, these hatchlings will be old enough to travel with their herd, and will be gone most of the time. These herds can be anywhere from a few dozen reindeer to hundreds. The groups roam around the fields and forests around the castle, and wander quite far from home. If a magi has need of their calidaes reindeer companion, it's necessary to cast a quick spell to call them back. These reindeer can run extraordinarily fast, and will arrive back to the castle within a half hour. Because of this speed, these are one of the last winter companions to leave The Keep and migrate north. Within a few short days, calidaes reindeer have reached the Arkene, where they will spend the warmer months. Although they love to roam, calidaes reindeer prefer to remain closer to the natives, offering them heat and illumination whenever they require it.
If someone is purposely looking for a reindeer, it is unlikely that they will find one. Like their kirin brethren, these creatures can move silently if they wish to, leaving no tracks behind. How they accomplish this feat is quite different, though. Calidaes and frigaes reindeer are capable of walking above treetops, their hooves moving as if the air beneath them is solid. Wild reindeer take to the air whenever anyone is near to avoid being seen. This power does not extend to flight, though, despite the wishful stories of some village children. Levitating tires these companions out, and they cannot remain airborne indefinitely. Reindeer at the castle use this skill mostly to find more delectable leaves at the top of trees. For the most part, these companions are content with remaining on the ground, foraging for food like any other creature. However, if one does manage to glimpse a sight of a reindeer in the woods, it is impossible to mistake for a normal deer. Calidaes reindeer have brown coats and antlers, but between their antlers burns a constant flame. This fire burns hotter than any other, and will melt anything it touches, even forming glass from sand.
Sprite art: GlassWalker (adult) | Description: Damien