Varveleil anatomy
Varveleil - this Yevat word can be decomposed into Var + Veleil. Var means "wild," and Veleil means "glider" (derived from the word "vel", the wing.)
Depending on the region of Bothea, and with the different dialects, they can bear different names:
- Velilkua (winged reptile)
- Varmatia (wild death)
- Kuanikoda (scaled conqueror)
- Varveleil (wild glider)
But for us English readers, they're also often simply referred as "dragons."
Varveleilem are Bothea's most feared sentient beasts. They come in two sub-types:
- Desert typed ones are typically taller, more impressive, and massive. They can fly for hours and sustain the suns' heat even in the hottest summer days. They rarely visit the jungles poles, for they're too big and clumsy to roam between the trees. They breath a hot and dangerous fire, and their scales naturally resist it.
- Jungle typed ones are typically smaller, more sneakish, and climb as much as they fly. They're at ease between the trees and sometimes even use caverns near the surface to settle their nests. They rarely visit the desert, for the heat is less sustainable to them, and they feel more vulnerable (they love to hide in Bothea's lush life.) They can breathe an acid cloud, or directly spit acid on their victims; to which they're naturally resistant.
- They also have a sub-species of smaller dragons called the "Thunderbirds," that can be made using a Varveleil MYO!
Depending on the region of Bothea, and with the different dialects, they can bear different names:
- Velilkua (winged reptile)
- Varmatia (wild death)
- Kuanikoda (scaled conqueror)
- Varveleil (wild glider)
But for us English readers, they're also often simply referred as "dragons."
Varveleilem are Bothea's most feared sentient beasts. They come in two sub-types:
- Desert typed ones are typically taller, more impressive, and massive. They can fly for hours and sustain the suns' heat even in the hottest summer days. They rarely visit the jungles poles, for they're too big and clumsy to roam between the trees. They breath a hot and dangerous fire, and their scales naturally resist it.
- Jungle typed ones are typically smaller, more sneakish, and climb as much as they fly. They're at ease between the trees and sometimes even use caverns near the surface to settle their nests. They rarely visit the desert, for the heat is less sustainable to them, and they feel more vulnerable (they love to hide in Bothea's lush life.) They can breathe an acid cloud, or directly spit acid on their victims; to which they're naturally resistant.
- They also have a sub-species of smaller dragons called the "Thunderbirds," that can be made using a Varveleil MYO!
General body
A Varveleil must have:
- A long, rather fat neck. Their fire or acid glands are stored inside.
- Breathing vents on torso. They breathe with these vents when they fly for long periods and in high altitudes.
- Four toes on paws (and no pawpads)
- Two large wings, and two eye-catching "reproductive wings." These reproductive wings are located at the base of the tail or wing, and will spread hormones during heat
- Pupils in the shape of a square
A Varveleil can have: (free and optional, see rest of the sheet for details)
- Protruding nose and chin tips
- Horns and spikes
- Any visible fangs or tusk
- Visible fire/acid glands on neck
Can vary:
- Their size and shape, amount of fat or muscles
- All the following details written in this sheet
- A long, rather fat neck. Their fire or acid glands are stored inside.
- Breathing vents on torso. They breathe with these vents when they fly for long periods and in high altitudes.
- Four toes on paws (and no pawpads)
- Two large wings, and two eye-catching "reproductive wings." These reproductive wings are located at the base of the tail or wing, and will spread hormones during heat
- Pupils in the shape of a square
A Varveleil can have: (free and optional, see rest of the sheet for details)
- Protruding nose and chin tips
- Horns and spikes
- Any visible fangs or tusk
- Visible fire/acid glands on neck
Can vary:
- Their size and shape, amount of fat or muscles
- All the following details written in this sheet
Sexual and regional dimorphism
A Varveleil's size, appearance, and abilities will vary depending on their sex, and on the region they are born into. While they all live at the surface of Bothea (the undergrounds are too tight for them to fly and squeeze into, their egg can hatch in the poles of the planet, covered with jungles, or closer to the equator, covered with deserts. If it's obviously hereditary, the ability to breath fire or acid has been closely linked to the inhabited territory for eras.
Wise Yevatem believed for a long time that a Varveleil's sex could be guessed with their nose and chin tips. Should they point in front of the beast, it would be a male, and should they point towards their face, it would be a female. While it's often true, it has proved not so accurate. Just like Yevatem, the dragons can have varied and mixed genitals, and unclear genders. The nose and chin tips are no longer accurate to define a dragon's gender.
A Varveleil's size will vary depending on the sex and type. Females generally are smaller than the males (although it's not always true either, as dominant females have already been witnessed,) as the males generally are territory defenders while the females protect eggs and the nest closely. The jungle type (in green) is also known to be smaller than the desert type (in red.)
A Varveleil's size will vary depending on the sex and type. Females generally are smaller than the males (although it's not always true either, as dominant females have already been witnessed,) as the males generally are territory defenders while the females protect eggs and the nest closely. The jungle type (in green) is also known to be smaller than the desert type (in red.)
Desert Varveleilem can breathe fire. The most powerful dragons can heat their flame up to 2000°C / 3600°F, able to melt down a lot of metals. They're resistant to fire (but not to their cousin's acid), but need oxygen to spread it, meaning that they're less effective in high altitudes.
Jungle Varveleilem breath acid. They're resistant to their own acid (but not to their counsin's fire.) The acid burns and melts organic matter almost immediately after contact. Depending on their mood, the dragons can modulate their glands to release an acid spit, or an acid smoke. The spit is very precise and can go really far. It harms a targeted zone, meaning that it can incapacitate without killing. The smoke can spread on meters and can remain undetectable, until the victim starts coughing and has its skin burning, then dies with most of their flesh intact (perfect to have a snack!) |
Then, the mixture is sent to tube-like orifices in the mouth, sprouting from the inner cheeks, to be turned into a weapon. This is where Jungle Varveleilem modulate the acid's shape, and this is where Fire ones ignite their oil. The adic or fire will then be pushed by the dragon's blows, which can be really powerful due to their huge lungs and rapid inspiration capacity.
If this full process of gland to mouth seems complex, it's in fact almost an immediate process. A few miliseconds can be enough for a Varveleil to see a prey and to attack it with this ability.
All Varveleilem can have a transparent skin above their glands, releaving them to the naked eye (free.) They can be any color, regardless of the type, and can be more or less visible (feel free to vary from the examples shown.) They're symmetrical, but can be visible asymmetrically. They emit a natural glow / light when the dragon is about to fire/acid. As they're not covered with scales in this case, they're more vulnerable than when internal. If injured, the glands will spill a harmless oil and will prevent the Varveleil to fire until it has healed.
If this full process of gland to mouth seems complex, it's in fact almost an immediate process. A few miliseconds can be enough for a Varveleil to see a prey and to attack it with this ability.
All Varveleilem can have a transparent skin above their glands, releaving them to the naked eye (free.) They can be any color, regardless of the type, and can be more or less visible (feel free to vary from the examples shown.) They're symmetrical, but can be visible asymmetrically. They emit a natural glow / light when the dragon is about to fire/acid. As they're not covered with scales in this case, they're more vulnerable than when internal. If injured, the glands will spill a harmless oil and will prevent the Varveleil to fire until it has healed.
Face details
A Varveleil's tongue can be pointy or forked, just like Yevatem. (It can also have frills in the sides like Yevatem, not shown here but it's free.)
Notice the orifices next to the cheeks in the mouth: it's where the acid or fire is spat from! It's a muscle and can be slightly moved by the dragon for more precision. Each or these orifices is linked to its own gland, meaning that if one is injured, the other can still work. It also means that Jungle typed Varveleilem can breathe both a spit and a smoke at the same time if they want to. Varveleilem can have any kind of teeth, including tusks and fangs. |
Their skull is incredibly steady, and their nose and chin tips and horns are part of it.
They have a nictitating membrane (any color or transparent) that they use to protect their eyes from a foe's fire or acid - or their own if it's too intense. Their pupils/irises naturally are in the shape of a square, but it can slightly vary and inflate or shrink depending on the ambient light or darkness - or with emotions. |
The horns and the nose and chin tips (all optional) can come in any shape and size. It can be really varied and can give unique shapes to a dragon's face! For instance, all of the examples shown here are free to make. The horns are especially known to frequently look like they're made with glass or crystal (with some transparency.) Wise Yevatem used to believe that this glass or crystal texture was the only option, but more and more Varveleilem have been witnessed with more regular horns with a bone texture. (Both are free to make.) The shape of a dragon's mouth can also vary freely, and let protrude fangs or tusks. The tips of the nose and chin can point towards perfectly different directions, and can be carved into without pain to decorate them. |
Body options
The breathing vents are always located on the Varveleil's 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 are probably the weakest part of a Varveleil, and can sometimes break when landing or during fights.
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 (see image for reference.) It's unlinked to the dragon's type. 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
See image for reference: Horns, spikes, and large scales can grow anywhere on the darker zones in the reference picture. Horns and spikes in the clear zones require a UT (but a thin and small scale texture can still be applied.) Horns, scales, or spikes, may not cover or hide a Varveleil's approval trait (breathing vents, eyes, paws, wings.) (Horns and scales used to be limited to 1/4 of the body, but this rule no longer is applied; scales are now unlimited for the dragons.) Horns and spikes can be found in every shape and size (as long as they look like horns or spikes) in the darker parts. They can have a crystal or glass texture (free.) They can cover the tail or even form a tail tip (free.) Fur or feathers always are considered as a UT on the dragons. |
Wing details
Varveleil's wings are wide and akin to those of a pterosaur. They have no extra segments like your usual dragon, and are made with powerful muscles and a thick skin covered with a complex pattern of really small scales. Their wingspan can reach up to 15-20m / 50-65ft for the biggest dragons, making them the largest flying creatures on Bothea.
The reproductive "wings" aren't used to fly; their purpose is to spread hormones when flapped, providing important information about one's reproductive status, age/maturity, and general health status - but these scents are also used to mark one's territory. These "wings" (or "reproductive tails," or "secondary tails") are attached next to the base of the tail, where they find inner hormone-producing glands (closely linked to the genitals area.) They can alternatively be linked to the wings, and will in this case find their base higher (free.) Both versions can naturally happen, regardless of the dragon's sex or type.
The reproductive wings can be any size. The longer they are, the farthest they can spread their hormones, but the more fragile they are. They're composed with thin musles and a few fragile bones at the base, and can easily get injured. Varveleilem usually keep them along their tail to avoid having them harmed, especially when resting or fighting.
The regular wings can sometimes have thumbs (free.)
The reproductive "wings" aren't used to fly; their purpose is to spread hormones when flapped, providing important information about one's reproductive status, age/maturity, and general health status - but these scents are also used to mark one's territory. These "wings" (or "reproductive tails," or "secondary tails") are attached next to the base of the tail, where they find inner hormone-producing glands (closely linked to the genitals area.) They can alternatively be linked to the wings, and will in this case find their base higher (free.) Both versions can naturally happen, regardless of the dragon's sex or type.
The reproductive wings can be any size. The longer they are, the farthest they can spread their hormones, but the more fragile they are. They're composed with thin musles and a few fragile bones at the base, and can easily get injured. Varveleilem usually keep them along their tail to avoid having them harmed, especially when resting or fighting.
The regular wings can sometimes have thumbs (free.)
Repro. wings' appendices can have any shape, but only one tip (unless UT.)
There can be only one patch per repro. wing, and it's always in the shape of a circle, oval, or bean (unless UT.) Their patches of color can be any vivid color, and must show either some kind of iridescence (rainbow reflections) or some kind of reflection visible. (Depending on the artist's style, it can be complex, or it can be a single white trait covering it.) |
Behavior and society
Rumors say that Varveleilem used to have a society and to be more organized than what they are nowadays, but if it's true, it's unknown what caused their demise (answer in the main storyline.) They nowadays act more like animals, even if sentient and intelligent, and own their own territory inside of which they hunt. Even if hard to understand from a Yevat's point of view, territory wars are entirely part of the dragon's culture. They are one, or two, per territory. When they are two (sometimes more), they are a couple or a family (rare.) Couples don't have to be a female plus a male, but just two (or more) loving partners. In general, a couple will stay together until they lay one or several eggs (but it's not always true.) They'll protect the egg(s) together and the male will hunt to feed its female, then the baby(ies). When their child(ren) learn how to fly, the couple will often leave their territory to find a new one, and offer the previous one to their offsping(s). The couple may stay together, or separate at this moment. Sometimes, when the parents are unable to find a new territory, they stay with their child(ren) in their previous territory, taking the risk to lack food at some point. They'll then form a family.
They are sentient, meaning that they can think the same way a Yevat does. They communicate via telepathy, as their mouth don't allow them to pronounce clear words, and you can read more about that in their language and communication page!
Varveleilem have a strictly carnivorous diet - but jungle ones will tend to eat their meat raw, and desert ones will tend to eat it cooked. Jungles ones also have been spotted eating grass and leaves that they'd throw up after (like dogs) to "clean" their stomachs; and Desert ones sometimes do it with sand. They can eat almost any animal (or Yevat) living on Bothea, but they'll tend to avoid anything that produces poison. Poison is often not enough to kill them, but enough to give them terrible stomach aches. They'll prefer bigger prey than small ones for obvious reasons, but will eat small preys when they have nothing else.
They can be considered as reptiles, as they're cold-blooded and crave for sunslight. They also shed, but not like a snake; they rather get itchy scales once per cycle (often before the first spring) which they will scratch to make them fall and renew them. Dragons with Yevat friends especially love to be brushed and scratched during this period.
They are sentient, meaning that they can think the same way a Yevat does. They communicate via telepathy, as their mouth don't allow them to pronounce clear words, and you can read more about that in their language and communication page!
Varveleilem have a strictly carnivorous diet - but jungle ones will tend to eat their meat raw, and desert ones will tend to eat it cooked. Jungles ones also have been spotted eating grass and leaves that they'd throw up after (like dogs) to "clean" their stomachs; and Desert ones sometimes do it with sand. They can eat almost any animal (or Yevat) living on Bothea, but they'll tend to avoid anything that produces poison. Poison is often not enough to kill them, but enough to give them terrible stomach aches. They'll prefer bigger prey than small ones for obvious reasons, but will eat small preys when they have nothing else.
They can be considered as reptiles, as they're cold-blooded and crave for sunslight. They also shed, but not like a snake; they rather get itchy scales once per cycle (often before the first spring) which they will scratch to make them fall and renew them. Dragons with Yevat friends especially love to be brushed and scratched during this period.
They're very solitary creatures - save for the couples or eventually small families - and avoid contact with Yevatem.
However, it already happened in rare cases that a Varveleil and a Yevat (or Velilyevat) become friends. May the Yevat find an abandonned egg, or heals a hurt Varveleil, a deep bond can be created between the two. It will then be possible for the Yevat, if they're brave enough, to try and ride the dragon while it flies. But dragon riders are extremely rare, and such a sight is always either respected, or feared. The region of the Arch is especially known to host more dragon riders than anywhere else, and is a shelter and haven for dragons who'd seek Yevat friends. |
You can read more about Varveleilem here: Powers and abilities Bothea's timeline Bothean societies Lifespan and life events 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 |