Species: Kelpie
Rarity: Common
Size: 5-10 feet at the shoulder
Habitat: Deep Water
Life Span: 1000 Years
Appearance: Takes the appearance of a horse or dog. Usually darker in color, they lurk in murky water and always appear wet, even when on land. Their eyes are usually one solid color without a discernable pupil.
Diet: Carnivorous
Abilities: They do not need to breathe. They also have some trance-like abilities and are known to lure other creatures into the water and drown them as a hunting technique. They are extremely quick and agile in the water but normal on land. Impervious to Hypnotic dragons. Doesn't get pruny after being in water too long.
When Bonded? Their human gains their life span and abilities.
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Species: Unicorn
Rarity: Rare
Size: 6-11 feet at the shoulder
Habitat: Woodlands, Volcanic Areas, Prairie
Life Span: 1000 Years
Appearance: A horned horse. Colors may differentiate depending on habitat, though most common coats are metallic, black, or white. Males have protruding canines. Horns may be straight, curved, or twisted, but each unicorn will only have one. Tails may be varying shapes, sizes, and types.
Diet: Omnivorous
Abilities: Known for their healing abilities. Even death may be held back for a time, but this is to the detriment of the giver. High pain tolerance.
When Bonded? Their human gains their life span and abilities.
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Species: Pegasus
Rarity: Common
Size: 5-12 feet at the shoulder
Habitat: Desert, Sky, Foothills
Life Span: 1000 years
Appearance: Winged horses -- some will have bird characteristics (eyes, beaked muzzle, feathered body, etc). Wings are often twice the size of their body and may be feathered, leathery, or insect-like. Colors vary. Some have six legs.
Diet: Herbivorous
Abilities: Bird-types have incredible sight. All have enhanced hearing and agility. Flight. Able to withstand both hot and cold climates.
When Bonded? Humans become more agile, more aware, and have greater sight. Become more tolerant to extreme temperatures. They still can't fly. Inherit beast's longevity.
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Species: Hippocampus
Rarity: Extremely rare
Size: 5-8 feet at the shoulder, up to 13 feet long
Habitat: Solely Aquatic/Marine
Life Span: 1500 years
Appearance: Front end of a horse, back end some type of aquatic creature. Fins, flares, frills, and gills are quite common. Colors are all over the spectrum.
Diet: Omnivorous
Abilities: Can breathe underwater, enhanced speed and strength, some water control. Doesn't get pruny after being in water too long.
When Bonded? Abilities and longevity are acquired by human.
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Species: Dragon
Rarity: Rare
Size: 7-15 feet at the shoulder
Habitat: Universal
Classes: Poison, Fire, Water, Hypnotic
Extinct Classes: Light, Dark, Storm, Earth
Appearance: Depends on habitat. Anything within reason is completely acceptable.
Diet: Depends
Abilities: Dragons can either spit fire, water, or venom. Some fly, some burrow, some glide. Nearly impenetrable hide. Hypnotic dragons have chamelion abilities and can temporarily seize control of most other creatures.
When Bonded? Humans gain life span, tough skin, and body temperature of dragon. They cannot fly or spit fire/venom/water.
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Species: Hellhound
Rarity: Common
Size: 8-13 feet at the shoulder
Habitat: Dark Areas
Life Span: 900 years
Appearance: Massive dogs. Often dark colored with solid-colored eyes. May have multiple heads, though this is uncommon and is usually associated with some personality disorder.
Diet: Carnivorous
Abilities: Shadow walking (travel between shadows), increased stamina, incredible sense of smell, enhanced hearing
When Bonded? Human gains abilities and longevity. Shadow walking takes a heavy toll on a human without their hellhound.
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Species: Amphithere
Rarity: Extremely rare -- nearing extinction
Size: 5-8 feet at the shoulder, 15-45 feet long
Habitat: Woodlands, Jungles, Mountains, Sandstone Valleys, Ocean Cliffs
Life Span: 250-500 Years
Appearance: Amphitheres are essentially the child of a snake and bird, with the overall body of a snake and the wings. Their bodies are either completely scaly, covered in fur or feathers, or a combination of these. The beast's head is snake-like and can have a beak-tipped snout. Their beaks are hooked like those of birds of prey. Their colors are incredibly vibrant and can almost be anything under the sun. Their tails can hold a fan of feathers or have nothing at all. A similar fan, or headdress, of feathers can coat its head and/or its neck. These can either be upright or in a mane-like form.
Diet: Omnivorous
Abilities: This beast is known for its speed, being able to outfly even the fastest pegasus. Their agility is not only limited to the air, being able to travel quickly through dense brush with stunning agility. It has been said that some amphitheres have the ability to manipulate air currents, with the strongest being able to manipulate weak showers. All members of this species can mimic sounds they hear, almost to perfection. Though, when one comes close to the sound, it can become distorted or crackly, almost like a record player. That, or it begins to mix in with another sound that it calls its own.
When Bonded? Their human gains their life span, agility, and speed. They do not gain the ability to fly. It is unknown whether these humans gain the ability to manipulate air currents or sound mimicry.
== HUMANS ==
Kaa Tribe: They live near or in bodies of water, depending on whether or not they are bonded to a water beast. They often have lots of jewelry, piercings, and tribal tattoos. Their clothing is relatively short and easy to move in -- think pirate. They make their livings fishing, trading, and selling ornate jewelry.
Djali Tribe: They live in the desert regions and sometimes venture to volcanic areas. There are two main deserts in Ereil: the northern desert above the mountains, Sarava, and the southern desert touching the ocean, Pitar. Djali clothing is often flowy but covering to protect them from the sun. They are craftsmen of equipment: beast tack, hunting traps, weapons, utensils, etcetera.
Faolain Tribe: They are notoriously good hunters and healers, though many are also farmers and ranchers. Their garb is for cooler weather and they are rarely adorned with anything, as it could give them away while hunting. One or two piercings are not uncommon. They trade clothing, blankets, herbs, and wood.
Erren Tribe: The mountain dwellers are a rugged people and have literally carved their homes into the sides of the Eredor Mountains. They occasionally venture to volcanic areas. Their clothes are often made of animal skins, and tribal tattoos of varying colors are quite common. They make a living off trapping, stonemasonry, and trading mined gems and ore.
== BONDING CEREMONY ==
New bonds are formed between humans who are 16-20 years old and beasts who are 50-100 years old. The bonding ceremony occurs annually on the summer solstice and lasts about six hours. Bonds are relatively rare; since it seems that certain families have a stronger tendency to bond, it is widely suspected that these humans are the descendants of ancient races such as elves, naiads, and faeries.
All four Tribes gather together on the plains to welcome the beasts, who choose their companions. It is a bond made for life; if one dies, the other will not choose another bond. If it is the human that survives, their abilities will be dulled, but not revoked, after the death of their beast.
The chiefs and their beasts consecrate the bond by touching an ancient, clear, luminiscent stone to the foreheads of both human and beast. This stone is tucked away safely at all other times during the year; nobody but the chiefs know where it is. Some speculate that it is now missing, or -- even worse -- broken.
Spring 
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