Solayi & Vetis

[Goanna]

Solayi

"Long ago, when Avelle's soil was newly laid and the sun was dawning on a new era, the land was grey throughout and devoid of life. Ash covered the ground and clouded the sky, creating a mist over the land so that it couldn't be seen on the horizon. Nothing could grow, however.

It was at the centre of the plain that a tumultuous event occurred. One day out of the ash clouds and obscurity, a gathering of dust built up. The dust swirled around and when it stilled, a large rock could be seen nestled on the ground. Many quiet years passed. The ash remained. Before too long, a tapping sound heralded the signal of life. From the rock burst forth a beak, a head and then a body of a chick.

Such a bird had never been seen in all the world. Her feathers, once dried, were sleek and glossy and radiated brilliant greens, blues and purples. Her cheeks were framed by shining golden feathers, as were her long trailing tail and headfeathers. Atop her head rested a circular golden disc of tightly drawn together feathers. The sun had laid its claim on her, and so she was called Solayi. The chick spent decades hopping around on the ground and growing until she had reached her adult size.

Once she had, Solayi's call could be heard throughout the whole of Avelle. She cried out to other creatures to avoid the fog and migrate to Avelle, and so animals who came from other countries came to populate the new country. The spirit bird was able to control her size at will, and so swept over the country with her fiery golden wings, whipping up the ash that blanketed the land and allowing green shoots to grow up.

For the ancient years she lived with the creatures, until called a council with Vetis and oversaw the development of the five intelligent species. She now appears as a guide to Avelle's creatures. Solayi is short of words, but is wise and brave. She can be very judgmental and harsh if dishonest animals seek her counsel. While she is beautiful, her feathered feet hide ravenous talons, which she will not hesitate to employ if need be. For the most part, the bird flies over Avelle, sometimes changing her form (though always avian) to keep an unseen watch over her company."

[Goanna]

Vetis

The Great Wars were not the first time the country descended into madness. Indeed, in the ancient times when Solayi roamed Avelle, there was an event of such horror that her counterpart came into being.

Vetis was born of an ancient race of nirions. These nirions of old were crueller creatures, horned and fierce, with a bloodlust great and strong. They ravaged the country and caused much grief, despite being herbivores. They stripped trees to the roots and tore shrubs and bushes. Food and shelter became scarce due to these creatures. Legend has it that it was this race of nirions who caused the desert to be.

The young Vetis, coloured a grim dark grey and black- colours not suited to one so young- was a feisty animal. He did not understand what crimes his family were committing against the land, but he participated just the same. As he grew into sturdy legs and sharp horns, he thought himself bulletproof. The others would follow him and he lead with relish, a glint in his eye for all those who would oppose him. At heart he was not an evil creature, and there were many times when he would be seen offering a shoulder to a weeping friend, or give words of comfort to those in need. His heart was filled with fire and courage, and it was for this reason he descended into the being he became.

One day there was a terrible fire across the dead, dry grass. It spread quickly and angrily, consuming everything in its path. Vetis had never seen anything so destructive or so horrible. As the others around him fled in fear, he stood on a hill and watched, stricken with terror and a sense of awe. From that moment on he was changed. Every mention of those who had died in the flames would have him snap in the face of who had spoken. He was filled with a fury of what had happened, and what could happen. Vetis became a fragile self, haunted by the vision of the flickering flames.

Those who knew and loved him were worried, but there was little they could do but watch the animal they loved so well descend into madness. When his closest friend dared to speak to him about what was going on, and to indicate it was time to step down from leadership, he struck, savagely killing his companion. He denied his actions to the herd, and began to make threats against his family.


It was time for intervention. Solayi had watched the scenes unfold and realised the power of the fire over Vetis. He who had shown so much promise, so much leadership. The only one who had stayed to watch the savage flames had been corrupted by them. She emerged before him out of the wind, the dust swirling and combining into the form of her magnificently winged self. Her eyes were ablaze with an intensity Vetis had seen in the pits of the fire, and he could not speak in her presence, so overcome with awe and sudden shame at what he had done. It was fire that had destroyed him, and the fire of Solayi’s spirit that brought him back to reality. The great bird glared at him, speechless, demanding. Vetis opened his mouth and began stammering, but she stopped his babble with another intense stare.

She spoke to him then, with a voice like thunder, accusing him of having defied his potential and committing crimes against his kind. He could not deny her words of fury, and simply stood with bowed head as she passed her judgement on him. Vetis left Avelle that day, following Solayi into the spirit realm where he would become anew. He who had become so obsessed with the thought of and destruction of the fire, would become the destroyer itself.
As the years passed, Vetis had to be there for the deaths of his parents and friends, and eventually, his entire race. They had been too disrespectful to the country, he now realised, and so they brought it upon themselves.

Vetis was given four extra eyes which remained closed at all times. He was made to watch over the destruction, without any permission to intervene, to save, to help. It is his job to bring death to those too reckless, or too old, or too unlucky. As a creature breathes their last breath, Vetis must be there to draw life from them. As he does so, he opens his four smaller eyes, which serve as windows into the soul of the dying creature. Gazing into his eyes lets the animal see their most enjoyable memories for the last time, so they die with a sense of peace and happiness.