Wyvern (species)
This article is about the species. For the slayer monster, see Skeletal Wyvern.
Wyverns are an extinct species of reptilian dragon-like creatures. Today, only their undead forms can still be found.
Biology
The wyvern was a relative of the dragon, although they also seem to be closely related to lizards. Like the dragon, wyverns were capable of flight, using the two wings mounted on their backs. Wyverns were considerably smaller than dragons, however, standing only slightly taller than the average human. Perhaps their most distinct contrast to the dragon was their lack of front legs. Instead, the wyvern possessed small claws on the ends of their wings.
Most wyvern remains can be found in the icy mountains of Asgarnia. This has led to speculation as to how the wyverns, unable to sustain their own body temperature, could survive in such cold climates. Two theories have been proposed; either that Asgarnia was much warmer entering the God Wars of the Third Age, or that the wyvern was able to produce fire internally much like a dragon. It is also possible that the Wyverns gained the properties of their cold mountain home and this is how they survived, as all their powers have to do with ice. This, however, may just be a species-related difference, and that they breathed ice anyway.
Although their diet remains largely unknown, it is likely they were carnivores and, like the dragon, ate livestock such as cattle and sheep. It is also possible that they fed on metal.
Wyverns were, unlike dragons, capable of internally creating ice, which they used as a powerful projectile weapon. Their body heat also remained unnaturally low, even after their death; bones found today remain slightly below room temperature. They also emit a very faint magical aura, suggesting the wyverns were at least slightly magically-imbued.
Habitat
Wyvern remains have been found only in Asgarnia, such as on White Wolf Mountain and Ice Mountain. Their animated corpses have also been found in the caves beneath Thurgo's Peninsula, suggesting the area was much warmer in years past.
Extinction
The cause of the wyvern's extinction is unknown. Some speculate they played an important role in the God Wars, and that their use as beasts of war may have reduced their numbers to near extinction. It is also possible that climate changes, perhaps brought on by the wars (but possibly completely unrelated) eventually reduced the wyverns' habitable areas to too small a size for such predatory animals.
Odd wear patterns have been found on the bones of the animals, patterns which could have only occurred following the creatures' death.
Trivia
- Some bones found in the Wilderness seem to resemble Wyverns.
- It's possible that their hides were white, and used for white dragonhide, and thus be the mythical "white dragons" used in Third Age armour.
- Postie Pete makes a reference to Wyverns when spoken to at the Castle Wars. After you say what's up to him, he responds; "Just doing a quick survey on famous people and their favourite colour. It's a special feature for 'West Wyverns Women's Weekly'." Then the player asks for a copy, and Postie asks if they speak Wyvern, which is obviously no, and he says he'll not speak it there and leaves. This may mean that Wyverns are not actually exctinct, but possibly living somewhere else.
See also
- Skeletal Wyvern - A slayer monster.
- God Wars - The possible cause of the wyverns' extinction.
- Varrock Museum - Contains information and displays concerning the species.