The Crystal Isle

Masters of the crystals
Bringers of the future

Generations of interbreeding between allied packs have created an entirely new species, and the Skycaller raptor is exceptionally well-suited for its island home. Swift, agile, the Skycallers depend more on working together as a pack to take down larger prey, rather than brute force and single combat. These raptors are tool users; they are known to build traps, and have made homes for themselves within the same hidden crevasse that houses the mysterious crystals. Their name is likely born from their choice in home; the soft glow of the crystals on the lake, coupled with the steam, mimics the visual effect of the sky on a cloudy day.

Their physical characteristics are striking. Scales and feathers both coat the agile body. They possess the classic sickle-shaped talon of their ancestors, and their feet feature predominantly in their combat and hunting. The feathered forearms and tails can be used to help steer the raptor in a leap, but flight is impossible. Both males and females possess very animated crests of feathers on their skulls, and usually brightly hued feathers on their tails. The scales that cover them are densely populated by chromatophores, which allows a rudimentary camouflage. The Skycallers are able to shift subtly in color, and can differentiate between their main scales and those of the identifying marks which often take the form of stripes across their bodies.

There is noticeable sexual dimorphism in this new species. For the most part, the males are a little larger, and more powerful. The females focus on agility and chasing down prey, while the males will often lie in wait to make the killing stroke. Males are more traditionally assigned guardian and warrior roles, while females are most often caretakers or shamans. This does not always hold true, and members of both sexes have been seen performing outside of their expected roles.

Family units are ill-defined in the tribe. One's parents are most often known, but the entire tribe works to care for its members, from the time their eggs have been laid, to when the raptor in question is laid to rest. Somewhat unusually, this familial behavior often extends to members that were originally from other tribes. Skycallers have been known to adopt orphaned or kidnapped hatchlings, or to allow outsiders (or prisoners) to eventually join. These situations are rarely recorded, but have been known to occur in the past.

The strange crystals are largely featured in their rituals, and every member of the tribe carries at least one with them, no matter where they might go. The crystals' already impressive energies are imbued still further by the tribe's shamans, and are believed to be the fuel to the blatantly magical abilities which the Skycaller tribe is said to possess.

The Skycallers have created a veritable Renaissance among the island's inhabitants. Shamans have journeyed all across their primitive world, carrying signs of peace, and gifts of knowledge, to those that accept them. An unheard of era of cooperation has followed, and the Skycallers' most iconic magical ability-that of changing form-is spreading to the island's other inhabitants en masse. Many have begun to wonder why the tribe has become so generous, but few are willing to question the gift when it is offered.

Swift as spring
Awake with the dawn


Another tribe of raptors, these minute hunters have taken to the trees, rather than the subterranean homes of their cousins. The Sunchaser raptor is roughly half the size of a Skycaller, and unlike the larger breed, each Sunchaser is fully capable of flight in the form of highly controlled gliding. This likely explains why they build their homes in the treetops surrounding the crevasse; the highest point of the island save its barrier cliffs, a skilled Sunchaser can travel halfway across the island before needing to find another tree to leap from.

Powerful legs--just as winged as their forearms--also enable the smaller raptor to take to the air for brief flight. This is often used to escape larger predators, as well as aid them in climbing trees. They are almost completely coated in feathers. They still possess the classic sickle talon, but on a tiny scale, and they are better suited towards capturing insects, birds, and arboreal mammals.

The Sunchasers have been allied with the Skycallers for generations. The former give warning of invading tribes, while the latter will share their feasts and crystals. A Sunchaser will often accompany the Skycallers' scouting parties, and there are always one or two Skycallers stationed near their arboreal allies' homes in case of attack by larger predators.

Teeth that flash like lightning
A voice born of the storm

One of the most reclusive tribes, the Thundertooth tribe has grown more and more rare over the years. Ferocious hunters, the huge beasts are kin to what is commonly know as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. They are some of the largest predators that still survive on the Crystal Isle, and have yet to be contacted by the Skycallers, save for a few small fringe groups.

They favor lush valleys, populated by huge roaming herds and tribes of herbivores. Though led by what they view as warchiefs, most Thunderteeth exist in small family groups that hunt as they travel. Roving single males and females will sometimes fight the alpha of a family unit--these may be matriarchs or patriarchs, depending on the group--for the right to join. In some cases, they fight for full control, and such battles may end in the death of one or another. Somewhat unusually, the family groups may choose to attack either on behalf of their Alpha, or for the newcomer(s) that wish to join. The savagery of control fights is legendary, and has been known to cause the destruction of entire familial groups.

Primitive and headstrong, the Thunderteeth are fiercely proud of their independence, and the fact that they incontrovertibly rule whichever part of the valleys their family groups choose to settle in. When the warchiefs meet once each year, they settle disputes over territory and plan the next year's roaming. Some personal disputes between warchiefs may also be decided. In rare cases, groups viewed as being too weak, or too much of a threat, may be expelled from the Thundertooth tribe and left to fend for themselves outside of their beloved valleys. This is usually a death sentence, for the smaller predator tribes will rarely suffer a belligerent Thundertooth among them.

Despite their fierce independence, threats to the Thunderteeth from outside tribes are usually met by solidarity. Most tribes will avoid causing trouble with valley groups.