92575_RAA_BeastsBotanical-Vol2_R1_PROOF

volume two • vilden of the grasslands

Standing between 2 and 3 feet tall, the Vilden bear a striking resem blance to large sparrows, adorned with plumage ranging from stormy gray to warm brown hues. Their wide, inquisitive eyes hold a depth of wisdom beyond their size, hinting at the ancient knowledge that called their ancestors to the sea of grass. These small bird-like creatures possess wings that feature a three clawed hand, tipped with dark talons set upon the center wing joint. These small hands, surprisingly nimble, allow the Vilden to manipulate various tools and magical items with ease, showcasing their dexterity and resourcefulness. Draped in vibrant scarves and necklaces woven from the hair of the Great Shaggy Beasts of the Grasslands, the Vilden carry themselves with a graceful elegance, and while they seem friendly to all, they are ready at a moment’s notice to protect the secrets of their homes and those whom they consider friends. UNASSUMING OBSERVER Due to their small stature and the general habit of sentient crea tures to dismiss non-threatening-looking bird life, Vilden tend to be ignored in crowded environments or assumed to be harmless unless they openly prove the opposite to be true. GUARDIAN OF SECRETS The Vilden value family and the sacred bond of shared secrets above all else. Vilden would allow themselves to be cast from the mortal coil before betraying a secret to another, and they actively hunt down those who sell such secrets or trade in them for their own gain. VILDEN NAMES Most Vilden have two names during their lifetime. The first is the name given to them upon hatching by their family group. This is known as their Nest Name and can be shared by multiple Vilden, typically serving as a means to identify nestmates who may have traveled far and wide or who may share a family line. The second name, the Vilden gives themselves the day they hear the first whisper of the God Beneath the Blades. This name is either what the strange

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