Valyin

*image by kattingtonn

⋙ Ｉｎｈｅｒｉｔｏｒ ｏｆ Ａｒｋｅｎ

Beast Phenotype Temperament Height Wingspan Flight Style Communication

Gryphon Horned Owl, Nankeen Kestrel x Striped Lion Predatory, Aggressive 2.1 m (to shoulder) 12m High-lift None (during fugue) | Basic Understanding (after fugue)

Indeed dark forces intervene with Valyin's life and ultimately her bloodline. Many of these forces were necessary to uphold her ancestor's rule with the rebels of Arken and so have continued on through to the next generations. As one of the last of the Tredennik's -- the old world kings that once ruled of Arken with their guidance and strength -- she is also given a feral, bestial form. Legends state that as Frith blessed the first king for his devout worship and converting others, he had given the First King the Blood of the Noble King.

Valyin is also imbibed with the Blood of the Noble King, being a direct descendant and can also transform. While the form may be physically stronger and preferable to being a squishy human being, she still retains the the nature of any true wild gryphon. Valyin is blinded by her natural instincts as a Gryphon so she is careful when she transforms. She is trying to learn how to control the power, but without family members to give guidance or her basic instructions, she had to learn how to control the transformation by trial and error.

The process of transformation can be triggered at times of great duress (such as fighting, capture or hunting) and a lot of concentration is required for her to transform back to a human. She rarely bothers deliberately transforming into a gryphon, seeing it as a humiliating experience and one that often hinders her socially. Valyin's legs become huge pink-padded legs with short fur, similar to a lionesses with stripes covering the front and a powerful, long tail used for balance both in the air and on foot. Her front resembling a great horned owl's marking with the bright golden eyes she is so familiarly seen with.

Be aware that some quirks in her behavior are directly linked to this secret.

Strengths
Physical Transformation
Her entire body changes into a wild animal. She claims she never feels anything other than the feeling of falling asleep or passing out. The transformation only takes a few blinks of the eye and often the sound of bones cracking like thunder. Under slight stress or duress, she may have small features like a taloned hands, a slight fur, or her ears changing lion-like. Over a period of time she 'reawakens' from this state.
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Heightened Instincts and Senses
Even when human, a second, non-verbal internal thought stream of the wild gryphon exists within her mind at most times. This 'voice' is simply another alert system which gives her enhances vision and hearing. She may appear predatory even as a human and be quick to react, though smell and taste sensory are not effected.

Resistant to Fire and Light Powers
Based more on her religion, rather than transformation, Fire does not burn Valyin as effectively as others would. Her gryphon form can catch alight without any physical damage but only for a few moments. Light or Sun-god related magical attacks are usually less effective than other types.

Weaknesses:

Disassociation
During a full transformation it's likely that the first few days she will be in the "fugue state." Valyin is not responsive to anything other than her own primal drive: she's more beastly, primal and unpredictable. Her mind turns to basic needs and cannot be reasoned with, only pleased. These first few days are when she is the most 'feral' and aggressive. Over a period of a few days the fugue lifts as she 'reawakens' and she recollects most of her human thoughts. Generally she will not recall what she had done as a Gryphon.

Instinctual Loyalty
When Valyin believes their leader or friends has noble intentions in the long run they will follow their every command, which can lead others to exploit her ingrained behavior.

Weakness to Dark Powers
Being a devout Frithian, a sun god, she is affected heavily by magic resolving around darkness and shadows. This may seem like a great piece of irony to her nocturnal heritage.