The Mountains are are an astounding 35,000 feet high at the tallest point. Their snow-capped peaks are not even visible through the swirling mass of clouds. The air is cool at the warmest, and can reach sub zero temperatures unknown to humans. Heavy desiduous and coniferous forests cover the steep mountainside, only giving way at the very edges of the rocky climb. Caves carved into the very mountains themselves seem to be the dwellings of choice, or so you can see from the path. Each cave has a name posted outside in scrawling letters, telling who the occupant is. Arielle motions to the first cave sign.
"Feel free to explore." You knock on the hard rock of the first cave.
Wintera and Ibex
Two canine/goat-like creatures emerge from the dwelling, heads low to the ground, long legs extended. The feathers on their paws are thick and fluffy, obscuring their claws from view. Their tails whip in the fiesty wind as they regard you through wild eyes. The white one steps foward slightly.
"I am Wintera."
The tricoloured creature steps foward, holding his head higher and staring you straight in the eyes. It is then that you become aware of their muscular legs, and their fierce, glowing eyes.
"I am Ibex, mate of Wintera.
They do not speak any more to you, and turn on their powerful haunches and stalk into the cave, their movements the lithe ones of effiecient killers.
Their Cave
The lighting in the cave is dim, with glowing balls shedding their flickering light from niches in the cave wall. The back cave floor is covered in thick, grasses for their sleeping area. Bones are scattered across the cool dirt floor haphazardly, and the cave smells of . A small pool of water in the center of the cave is filled slowly by the dripping ceiling.
Stats
Names: Wintera and Ibex
Breed: Cian Conall Xaidas
Personalities: ruthless, cold, wild (both)
Colouration: Pure White with crimson eyes (Wintera), Tri-coloured patches and yellow eyes (Ibex)
Abilities: Keen sense of smell
Height: 5 feet
Weight: 100 pounds
Soria and Mydrias
Two unicorn-like creatures great you on the path to the next cave. You are startled by the brilliant whiteness of the first one, and the golden brightness of the second. They both approach you not in the least bit catiously, in fact, they are leaping and bounding. Skidding to a stop right in front of you, they trot in place while they regard you through dark, playful eyes. The palomino seems to be the male, so you are guessing he is Mydrias, and the snowy one must be Soria. Their glistening coats catch the sunlight just so, and their silky manes seem like the kind that never get tangled. Still trotting in place, they let out simitanious nickers of joy before galloping off towards their cave again.
Their Cave
The cave is brightly lit by two enchanted fires on either side of the small cave. Hanging from the far wall are two woven grass containers full of crystal water. Depressions in the ground indicate the two creatures' sleeping quarters.
Stats
Names: Soria and Mydrias
Breed: Cian Conall Unies
Personalities: playful, energetic, happy-go-lucky (both)
Colouration: Pure White (Soria), Palamino (Mydrias)
Abilities: Speed
Height: 3 feet
Weight: 65 pounds
Layla
The third cave's occupant takes a while to finally emerge. The creature pokes its delicate nose out of the cave opening, long, donkey-like ears twitching gently. Its large, doe-brown eyes blink at you sweetly as it catiously comes out farther into the open. You feel the need to stretch out your hand towards that velvet soft nose, and the creature les it gently before coming all the way out. Its thick, light chestnut fur ends in downy feathers covering sturdy hooves. It startles you by speaking in a quiet, melodic voice.
"Hello there. You must be a traveller to venture so far into these lands. I am called Layla. Would you like to see my humble home?"
Her Cave
The cave walls are lighter somehow, as if they are made of earth instead of stone. And the sound seems muffled for some reason. The entire floor is covered in bows from many coniferous trees, lending the air a sharp, piney smell. A nest of her own fur and brances woven together sits in the far corner, lit by an ongoing fire, presumably magical in nature. A small basket of water hangs from the cieling, collecting any drips.
Stats
Names: Layla
Breed: Clearwater Lunsy
Personalities: shy, intelligent, generous
Colouration: Soft chestnut brown and cream
Abilities: Healing
Height: 4 feet
Weight: 80 pounds
Kora
As you walk farther up the mountain path, you hear ling twigs beside you. Stopping, you hear a soft clucking, and finally, a bird emerges. Its vivid red colour seems out of place amongst the frost covered plants. Her slanted eyes give her a slightly sad expression as she regards you with her smooth-feathered head tilted. Fluffing up her plummage a bit, she clucks again, jerking her neck towards the cave entrance. She tries to speak in your tongue, but the words are too garbles to understand.
Her Cave
The cave is very small and every inch is covered in peeled twigs and leafy branches. A stone water collection basin is actually outside the cave walls. The cave smells musky and yet fresh at the same time, and it is very warm.
Stats
Names: Kora
Breed: Sanori Gobee
Personalities: curious, humourus, silly
Colouration: Soft Bright red and white
Abilities: none
Height: 2 feet
Weight: 15 pounds
Joanie'aerosh
The farther up the path you go, the colder it becomes. A bitter wind begins to stir, buffeting your skin until it becomes raw and red. It takes you a moment to realize that fat, twinkling snowflakes are falling gently from a seemingly cloudless sky. You stop a moment to catch your breath. The air is hard to breathe, it's chill stinging your lungs. Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you see a flash of blue. You hold your breath...another flash! Something compells you to look up. Sitting regally on a large boulder only two feet away from you is one of the most maginificant creatures you have ever seen. A majestic cat regards you through eyes the colour of liqufied sky. His snow-bright coat is thick and lustrous, and his dark spots stand out in brilliant contrast. His delicate wings extend in a rush of cold blue. He is the epitome of winter itself.
Stats
Name: Joanie'aerosh (Winter Dusk)
Breed: Winged Leopard
ID: w14
Gender: male
Parentage: wild
Pride: none
Muérdago
A shrill whinny pierces the air, scaring off the beautiful Leopard. You strain your eyes into the snow, looking for the source of the cry. You hear muffled hoofbeats drumming somewhere to your left, then silence. A sturdy-looking horned pony steps boldly into your view, snorting indignently. His coat belnds perfectly with the fresh snow surrounding you, except for the bright red and green markings. He reminds you very much of Christmas with his festive colouration and antler headress.
Stats
Name: Muérdago (Mistletoe)
Breed: Mountain Pony Unicorn
Gender: Male
Parents: Wild
Element: Holiday-Christmas wild
Notes: The holly leaves on his shoulder are tattoos, the red 'berries' are natural markings. His antlers are actually a a headdress, you can see part of it near the base of his horn. Descended from a long line of holiday elements, he comes from a northern tribe - thus the heavier coat and beard.