Truumveltay ("Thunderbird"), a Varveleil subspecies
To read this page, you may first want to be familiar with the Varveleil species.
Truumveltay means "thunder bird." Its plural is "Truumveltayem."
-> The name is often shortened into "trumvel," "thunderbird," or "tb."
Truumveltay means "thunder bird." Its plural is "Truumveltayem."
-> The name is often shortened into "trumvel," "thunderbird," or "tb."
RULES
A Truumveltay is considered as a Varveleil in the masterlist. To make a Truumveltay, you need a Varveleil MYO. Once you own a Varveleil MYO, you can choose either to make a Varveleil, or to make a Truumveltay.
Truumveltayem are added in the masterlist in the same section as Varveleilem.
Truumveltayem generate Yevatokens when drawn or written about, exactly like Varveleilem.
A Truumveltay is considered as a Varveleil in the masterlist. To make a Truumveltay, you need a Varveleil MYO. Once you own a Varveleil MYO, you can choose either to make a Varveleil, or to make a Truumveltay.
Truumveltayem are added in the masterlist in the same section as Varveleilem.
Truumveltayem generate Yevatokens when drawn or written about, exactly like Varveleilem.
Anatomy
Thunderbirds are a rare Varveleil subspecies. If most of their traits are similar to their huge dragon cousins, the Thunderbirds are much smaller, and their wings are much longer in proportion.
They owe their name to the sound they produce in flight: they mastered the art of flying and, when descending on their preys like gannets on fishes, they can reach a speed as fast as to break the sound barrier for a few seconds, generating a sonic boom that can be heard on miles. They're also able to stop their incredible speed with a sudden flap of their wings; this flap also makes a very loud, thunder-like sound. They can only stay at the sound barrier for a few seconds before their body would shatter, so they'll often slow down after their sonic boom can be heard.
On the contrary to popular belief, they cannot produce any electricity, nor can they resist thunder; they only make thunder-like sounds. They also aren't birds, so we could say that they are badly named. It's due to Thunderbirds being so fast that, at first, Yevatem couldn't see what they true nature was. It took a long time for Yevatem before they could spot one sleeping (which is a hard task, since they're camouflaged when sleeping), and then understood that they were no birds, but small Varveleilem.
They owe their name to the sound they produce in flight: they mastered the art of flying and, when descending on their preys like gannets on fishes, they can reach a speed as fast as to break the sound barrier for a few seconds, generating a sonic boom that can be heard on miles. They're also able to stop their incredible speed with a sudden flap of their wings; this flap also makes a very loud, thunder-like sound. They can only stay at the sound barrier for a few seconds before their body would shatter, so they'll often slow down after their sonic boom can be heard.
On the contrary to popular belief, they cannot produce any electricity, nor can they resist thunder; they only make thunder-like sounds. They also aren't birds, so we could say that they are badly named. It's due to Thunderbirds being so fast that, at first, Yevatem couldn't see what they true nature was. It took a long time for Yevatem before they could spot one sleeping (which is a hard task, since they're camouflaged when sleeping), and then understood that they were no birds, but small Varveleilem.
General body
Thunderbirds are mostly different from Varveleilem in these points:
- They have a small body, but very long wings
- They always have fingers on wings (at least one, up to three), plus a small wing segment
- Their chest is flat (in comparison, Varveleilem have a large and voluminous chest)
- They always have a diamond shaped tail tip
- Their wings are connected to the tail instead of legs
- Their legs are almost useless (in comparison, Varveleilem can walk, and even attempt to run)
- They have no reproductive wings
- They have no nostrils (which would be a problem in high speed) and smell with their tongue, but it's not their primary sense so it's not well developped
- They can change the saturation and luminosity of their colors and patterns to adapt to different situations (see later details in this page)
And for the non-visible parts:
- Their bones are hollow and very flexible, allowing them to engage high speed without risks
- Their skull is tough and really sturdy
- They can rapidly analyze their environment, with an extremely rapid nervous system
- They can take super rapid turns, and do a 360° in a second
- They have an excellent eyesight, and can see twice to thrice as much as Varveleilem
Otherwise, their share common ancestors with their huge dragon cousins, such as the general face, silhouette or morphology, and the four toes on paws.
- They have a small body, but very long wings
- They always have fingers on wings (at least one, up to three), plus a small wing segment
- Their chest is flat (in comparison, Varveleilem have a large and voluminous chest)
- They always have a diamond shaped tail tip
- Their wings are connected to the tail instead of legs
- Their legs are almost useless (in comparison, Varveleilem can walk, and even attempt to run)
- They have no reproductive wings
- They have no nostrils (which would be a problem in high speed) and smell with their tongue, but it's not their primary sense so it's not well developped
- They can change the saturation and luminosity of their colors and patterns to adapt to different situations (see later details in this page)
And for the non-visible parts:
- Their bones are hollow and very flexible, allowing them to engage high speed without risks
- Their skull is tough and really sturdy
- They can rapidly analyze their environment, with an extremely rapid nervous system
- They can take super rapid turns, and do a 360° in a second
- They have an excellent eyesight, and can see twice to thrice as much as Varveleilem
Otherwise, their share common ancestors with their huge dragon cousins, such as the general face, silhouette or morphology, and the four toes on paws.
Size difference
Truumveltayem are much, much smaller than regular Varveleilem (in the pictures above, they're shown in blue.) The biggest ones can be as tall as a Yevat (with their tail, wingspan excluded), while the smaller ones can stand on a Yevat's shoulder.
There is no sexual dimorphism (other that the inclinaison of the nose and chin tips just like for Varveleilem, which tends to vary and thus, isn't a true science.) Their size doesn't vary between sexes, only between individuals. In spite of this size difference, it appears that Truumveltayem can reproduce with Varveleilem, as traits of a species can be found in the other (giving a Truumvelay trait to a Varveleil requires a UT. However, hybridizations TB/Varv definitly are possible, as long as you have enough UTs available to add the traits you want!) Should you find a Thunderbird as big as a Varveleil (would require UT), it's not recommended to ride them: without any proper protection, a Yevat would probably not survive the sound barrier break. Thunderbirds' bones being hollow, they're very light, and can easily hang on a Yevat's arm if they want to. Or a Yevat can have one on each shoulder without problem! Yevatem can even craft themselves leather gloves to protect their arms, then they can have their Truumveltay friend dropping on their arm from the sky. That's another definition of "being cool"! |
Unique moves
Truumveltayem's strength is in the air. Light as a bird, they can easily catch the streams of warmer air, and rise in the air effortlessly. Then, their wing muscles are so developped that they can glide for days without being tired (they can even take naps while gliding during very long trips, resting their head between their shoulders!)
The most impressive behavior to witness is however when they dive... Often to catch a prey, sometimes just for fun, they will fold their wings straight back (like cape gannets), becoming a live missile launched at full speed. Able to reach and break the sound barrier when diving, they can kill (or knock out) any animal on the spot thanks to the shock caused by the violent and sudden impact with their body. Then, they just have to catch their dead prey with their feet or mouth, and to find a secure place to eat it.
They can change direction really fast, and when they fly at high speed (often when diving) they become too fast for most animals to simply see them in the sky. They're often heard breaking the sound barrier after you could see nothing but a blurry silhouette in the sky for a split second. They don't always fly as fast, however, and most of time they adopt a more relaxed flight when they feel safe.
The most impressive behavior to witness is however when they dive... Often to catch a prey, sometimes just for fun, they will fold their wings straight back (like cape gannets), becoming a live missile launched at full speed. Able to reach and break the sound barrier when diving, they can kill (or knock out) any animal on the spot thanks to the shock caused by the violent and sudden impact with their body. Then, they just have to catch their dead prey with their feet or mouth, and to find a secure place to eat it.
They can change direction really fast, and when they fly at high speed (often when diving) they become too fast for most animals to simply see them in the sky. They're often heard breaking the sound barrier after you could see nothing but a blurry silhouette in the sky for a split second. They don't always fly as fast, however, and most of time they adopt a more relaxed flight when they feel safe.
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A less impressive sight is to see them on the ground. Their legs are useless remnants from their gene pool, because it's been a long time since they've been used for something else than helping them to climb and to hang against surfaces. In other words, their bones are too light and too bendy for their legs to have enough strength to sustain their whole weight, and thus, to walk. Besides, their legs need to be light so most of a Thunderbird's weight is located on the front part of their body, so they can dive more efficiently.
Thus, a Truumveltay stuck on the ground is vulnerable, and has no other choice than to crawl, or to take flight. It cannot walk or run.
Thus, a Truumveltay stuck on the ground is vulnerable, and has no other choice than to crawl, or to take flight. It cannot walk or run.
Head and breathe
A Truumveltay's face is really similar to that of a Varveleil. Just like them, they have the same general shape, and they can grow any nose and chin tips, and horns. And just like Varveleilem, the horns can be solid, or crystal-like. They can also have a tongue with one or two tips. Their eyes also are the same, with a square-shaped pupil/iris.
The main difference with a Varveleil are:
- Thunderbirds have no nostrils (and thus, they have a reduced sense of smell)
- Instead of having two breathing glands, they have four of them, tips visible in the back of the mouth
Indeed, Thunderbirds can all breathe both acid and fire at the same time! They however are much less efficient at it than their dragon cousins, and can't do it very often. It's because the inside of their mouth is more fragile than those of a Varveleil, and they tend to burn themselves if using this ability too often or too intensely. Thus, they will only occasionally use these breathing abilities, when chasing small preys that they failed to kill with the sonic boom, or to try to scare a rival.
Truumveltayem's mouth if often more discreet that the one of a Varveleil, but it's no mandatory. In the end, both species can open it wide and take big bites when eating.
The main difference with a Varveleil are:
- Thunderbirds have no nostrils (and thus, they have a reduced sense of smell)
- Instead of having two breathing glands, they have four of them, tips visible in the back of the mouth
Indeed, Thunderbirds can all breathe both acid and fire at the same time! They however are much less efficient at it than their dragon cousins, and can't do it very often. It's because the inside of their mouth is more fragile than those of a Varveleil, and they tend to burn themselves if using this ability too often or too intensely. Thus, they will only occasionally use these breathing abilities, when chasing small preys that they failed to kill with the sonic boom, or to try to scare a rival.
Truumveltayem's mouth if often more discreet that the one of a Varveleil, but it's no mandatory. In the end, both species can open it wide and take big bites when eating.
Body options
Truumveltayem share the same body options as Varveleilem. Please, refer to the Varveleil sheet for reference images!
Here's a reminder/summary of the list:
- The breathing vents are always located on the chest (unless UT), above the ribs and lungs. There can be one or many, and can have any color. If they must remain somewhat linear, a little like gills, they can come in fancy shapes and swirls (free.) They cannot resemble anything unnatural, however, like something written or a circle, for example (unless UT.)
- The paws always have four symmetrical toes (unless UT.) They have no pawpads (unless UT.) The toes placement can vary (it mostly varies with the artist's style) and can leave different foot prints. Unlike Yevatem, the toes are never as long as fingers, and remain short (unless UT.) The claws length can vary greatly, but the claws aren't retractable.
- Horns, spikes, and large scales can grow anywhere on the darker zones in the reference picture. Horns and spikes can be found in every shape and size (as long as they look like horns or spikes.) They can have a crystal or glass texture (free.)
- Can have visible fire and acid glands on neck
- Any teeth
- Any chin and nose tip, any horns
Here's a reminder/summary of the list:
- The breathing vents are always located on the chest (unless UT), above the ribs and lungs. There can be one or many, and can have any color. If they must remain somewhat linear, a little like gills, they can come in fancy shapes and swirls (free.) They cannot resemble anything unnatural, however, like something written or a circle, for example (unless UT.)
- The paws always have four symmetrical toes (unless UT.) They have no pawpads (unless UT.) The toes placement can vary (it mostly varies with the artist's style) and can leave different foot prints. Unlike Yevatem, the toes are never as long as fingers, and remain short (unless UT.) The claws length can vary greatly, but the claws aren't retractable.
- Horns, spikes, and large scales can grow anywhere on the darker zones in the reference picture. Horns and spikes can be found in every shape and size (as long as they look like horns or spikes.) They can have a crystal or glass texture (free.)
- Can have visible fire and acid glands on neck
- Any teeth
- Any chin and nose tip, any horns
Wing details
The wings are very long and thin, elongated as much as possible for a super aerodynamic shape. A Truumveltay's wings have 1 to 3 fingers to help them climb and hang, and one small wing segment (never more or less, unless UT.) They are linked to the tail (and not to the legs, like Varveleilem.) There are no reproductive wings. The tail tip is always diamond-shaped, although the shape can slightly vary. |
Mating and sleeping behavior
To sleep, Thunderbirds often hang themselves against a surface like a rock or a tree, grabbing whatever they can with their claws. Their wing muscles are so powerful and filled with energy that they can completely fall asleep like this, and will spend almost no effort maintaining this position for hours, even while sound asleep.
But the most interesting behavior about the way they sleep is... How can their color change!
But the most interesting behavior about the way they sleep is... How can their color change!
Thunderbirds always keep the same colors and markings, but have the unique ability to increase or decrease the saturation and luminosity of their colors.
When mating, they will wear vibrant (and sometimes even unnatural, neon-like) colors, boosting the saturation and luminosity of their scales and skin to appear very colorful. (Left example in the image above.) In general, the more colorful and vibrant a Truumveltay is, the more chances it has to find a mate. The more complex the markings are also influences the mate's choices. When it's happy or playing intensely, the colors might become more vibrant as well. Their emotions and excitement greatly influence this.
When sleeping, or sneaking (basically, every time the Thunderbird has to be discreet), the colors heavily decrease in saturation and luminosity, becoming almost black. (Right example in the image above.) These dark and desaturated shades allow the Thunderbird to hide in its environment with excellence. Useful to hunt a prey, or to avoid being eaten by bigger ones!
The change in saturation can happen in a few seconds only.
Can vary at any moment, and in any artwork:
Saturation: (insensity of the colors, from super vibrant to almost gray) free
Unnatural colors: (super saturated) free! (this subspecies exceptionally dosn't require any UT to have super saturated and completely unnatural colors, even to reach the splatoon neon-like mess of colors)
Luminosity: (light to dark) free
Contrast: (contrast in saturation and luminosity of the colors between each other) free
Hue: (color change) requires UT!
Markings: (markings change) requires UT!
Are you having trouble to find neat markings for your TB? Check this tutorial!
When mating, they will wear vibrant (and sometimes even unnatural, neon-like) colors, boosting the saturation and luminosity of their scales and skin to appear very colorful. (Left example in the image above.) In general, the more colorful and vibrant a Truumveltay is, the more chances it has to find a mate. The more complex the markings are also influences the mate's choices. When it's happy or playing intensely, the colors might become more vibrant as well. Their emotions and excitement greatly influence this.
When sleeping, or sneaking (basically, every time the Thunderbird has to be discreet), the colors heavily decrease in saturation and luminosity, becoming almost black. (Right example in the image above.) These dark and desaturated shades allow the Thunderbird to hide in its environment with excellence. Useful to hunt a prey, or to avoid being eaten by bigger ones!
The change in saturation can happen in a few seconds only.
Can vary at any moment, and in any artwork:
Saturation: (insensity of the colors, from super vibrant to almost gray) free
Unnatural colors: (super saturated) free! (this subspecies exceptionally dosn't require any UT to have super saturated and completely unnatural colors, even to reach the splatoon neon-like mess of colors)
Luminosity: (light to dark) free
Contrast: (contrast in saturation and luminosity of the colors between each other) free
Hue: (color change) requires UT!
Markings: (markings change) requires UT!
Are you having trouble to find neat markings for your TB? Check this tutorial!
General behavior
Truumveltayem can be found almost anywhere on Bothea, including the undergrounds, but they will generally prefer biomes with high cliffs. The regions with column-like mountains are their favorite! They build their nests high enough to avoid most predators, and they can dive on a passing prey at any moment.
They need to eat enormous portions of food to maintain a level of energy able to fly like this and thus, they developped an omnivorous diet. Even if they'll always prefer food rich in protein and iron, they'll also frenquently be seen eating plants, fruits, and even dirt. But their meal of choice, composing most of their diet, are smaller birds and other flying creatures. At times, they'd eat a Lyf or even bugs, if that's all they can catch.
They're preyed upon by birds bigger than them (including the Setsuatru), and even by some unscrupulous Varveleilem - but they're often fast enough to escape their hunter, and rarely die eaten. Their vulnerability however makes them naturally shy regarding other living beings; that's maybe the reason why none have been seen clearly enough to be studied before.
Truumveltayem's lifespan is much shorter than the dragons, as they live for about 40 cycles (200 years old) in the wild, up to 70 cycles (350 years old) if "adopted" by a YVVO companion to be helped in its old age. Indeed, as they get old, their wings often get weaker and "snap" due to their rapid flight, and break forever, condeming a lot of them to be stuck to the ground and to die of starvation - when it's not directly their neck that's snapping in accident. When having companions helping them getting old, the Thunderbirds will be more reasonable and will avoid dangerous flights, on top of being cared for, which allows them to live much longer.
They are more active during the night, as they flee bigger predators in the sky - but it's not rare to see them being active in the day either, to catch more preys. They rarely spend entire days sleeping; they rather frequently take short naps.
Socially, Thunderbirds are NOT territorial like the Varveleilem. On the contrary, they often live in families of several sharing the same nest. (Just like for Varveleilem, a group of Truumveltayem is called a "family," even if they're not blood related.) When meeting a stranger, they're often curious before being aggressive, even if they're often shy too.
They act the same with other species, and it has already been witnessed that a Varveleil adopted a small family of Thunderbirds to watch over her eggs during the night, or to have some harmless company. For a Yevat or Velilyevat, having a Truumveltay friend could be excellent to intimidate ennemies, to help while hunting, or simply to have a "miniature Varveleil" alongside.
Thunderbirds are however so rare, and so hard to see (due to their speed and camouflage abilities) that it's extremely rare for someone to have one as a friend; some people even doubt about their existence!
However, it's said that once befriended, Truumveltayem can prove very cuddly, enjoying very much scratches everywhere ~
Just like Varveleilem, Thunderbirds are sentient creatures. They also communicate through telepathy, using mostly images and feelings, and being able to hear other living beings' thoughts. If they don't necessarily understand words, they definitely can sense ideas and concepts, and share and receive emotions. They can be felt probing someone's mind when they're bored. Even if they widely act like animals, it would be a mistake to consider them as such; if trained, they can understand the most complex concepts, learn languages, and even start playing with mathematics. If born in such environment, they could follow Velilyevatem's political talks, and even suggest solutions to problems!
They need to eat enormous portions of food to maintain a level of energy able to fly like this and thus, they developped an omnivorous diet. Even if they'll always prefer food rich in protein and iron, they'll also frenquently be seen eating plants, fruits, and even dirt. But their meal of choice, composing most of their diet, are smaller birds and other flying creatures. At times, they'd eat a Lyf or even bugs, if that's all they can catch.
They're preyed upon by birds bigger than them (including the Setsuatru), and even by some unscrupulous Varveleilem - but they're often fast enough to escape their hunter, and rarely die eaten. Their vulnerability however makes them naturally shy regarding other living beings; that's maybe the reason why none have been seen clearly enough to be studied before.
Truumveltayem's lifespan is much shorter than the dragons, as they live for about 40 cycles (200 years old) in the wild, up to 70 cycles (350 years old) if "adopted" by a YVVO companion to be helped in its old age. Indeed, as they get old, their wings often get weaker and "snap" due to their rapid flight, and break forever, condeming a lot of them to be stuck to the ground and to die of starvation - when it's not directly their neck that's snapping in accident. When having companions helping them getting old, the Thunderbirds will be more reasonable and will avoid dangerous flights, on top of being cared for, which allows them to live much longer.
They are more active during the night, as they flee bigger predators in the sky - but it's not rare to see them being active in the day either, to catch more preys. They rarely spend entire days sleeping; they rather frequently take short naps.
Socially, Thunderbirds are NOT territorial like the Varveleilem. On the contrary, they often live in families of several sharing the same nest. (Just like for Varveleilem, a group of Truumveltayem is called a "family," even if they're not blood related.) When meeting a stranger, they're often curious before being aggressive, even if they're often shy too.
They act the same with other species, and it has already been witnessed that a Varveleil adopted a small family of Thunderbirds to watch over her eggs during the night, or to have some harmless company. For a Yevat or Velilyevat, having a Truumveltay friend could be excellent to intimidate ennemies, to help while hunting, or simply to have a "miniature Varveleil" alongside.
Thunderbirds are however so rare, and so hard to see (due to their speed and camouflage abilities) that it's extremely rare for someone to have one as a friend; some people even doubt about their existence!
However, it's said that once befriended, Truumveltayem can prove very cuddly, enjoying very much scratches everywhere ~
Just like Varveleilem, Thunderbirds are sentient creatures. They also communicate through telepathy, using mostly images and feelings, and being able to hear other living beings' thoughts. If they don't necessarily understand words, they definitely can sense ideas and concepts, and share and receive emotions. They can be felt probing someone's mind when they're bored. Even if they widely act like animals, it would be a mistake to consider them as such; if trained, they can understand the most complex concepts, learn languages, and even start playing with mathematics. If born in such environment, they could follow Velilyevatem's political talks, and even suggest solutions to problems!
How to have your TB approved
A Thunderbird MUST have:
- Breathing vents on torso
- Pupils in the shape of a square
- Fingers on wings (1 to 3), plus 1 wing segment
- A diamond shaped tail tip
- A flat chest
- 4 toes on paws (and no pawpads)
- No nostrils
A TB can have: (free and optional, see rest of the sheet for details)
- Protruding nose and chin tips
- Horns and spikes (1/4 of the body)
- Any visible fangs or tusk
- Visible fire/acid glands on neck
- Unnatural colors (free)
Can vary:
- Their size and shape, amount of fat or muscles
- Saturation and luminosity of their colors
- All the details written in this sheet
- Breathing vents on torso
- Pupils in the shape of a square
- Fingers on wings (1 to 3), plus 1 wing segment
- A diamond shaped tail tip
- A flat chest
- 4 toes on paws (and no pawpads)
- No nostrils
A TB can have: (free and optional, see rest of the sheet for details)
- Protruding nose and chin tips
- Horns and spikes (1/4 of the body)
- Any visible fangs or tusk
- Visible fire/acid glands on neck
- Unnatural colors (free)
Can vary:
- Their size and shape, amount of fat or muscles
- Saturation and luminosity of their colors
- All the details written in this sheet
Resources
FREE TB BASES! You can read more about Varveleilem (and thus, about Truumveltayem) here: Powers and abilities (TBs share the same powers) Bothea's timeline Bothean societies Varveleil's language Cool resources and inspiration for the beasts! Varveleil's pinterest board Pterausaur anatomy (many visuals) Visualize the head shape A lizard's head, step by step A wyvern's musculature |