Mirage dragons, or Mira, are a species of small, desert dwelling Wyverns. What sets them apart from most other creatures in Nophra is their ability to to completely vanish using magic that alters the way light hits their scales.

Mira are peaceful creatures, and aren’t capable of inflicting much damage to anything. They rely solely on their illusion magic to keep them safe. They do have very sharp teeth and claws, but their size and demeanor render them harmless.

Mira are known to be flawlessly beautiful, and are often described as living jewels. Healthy individuals will never allow for their scales to become dirty or dull.

They come in a wide variety of blues and teals, and sometimes (very rarely) with purple or green hues. Outside of their ceremonial markings, Mira can be born with subtle patterns and gradients on their hides. Any thin membranes (like wings and frills) are translucent and glass-like.

When under the sun, they reflect light in dazzling patterns. The illusion magic they wield naturally makes it look like light passes straight through them.

Outside of color, Mira are incredibly diverse. They adhere to a few basic anatomical rules but their appearance can vary a lot.

• They all have Wyvern anatomy, (back legs + wings, no forelegs)
• They tend to veer more towards dainty builds.
• They all have dexterous claws/fingers of some type on their wings and a long prehensile tail.
• Their scales can be small and glittery, or thick and plate-like.
• They can’t have hair or feathers, but individuals with uniquely layered frills and scales have been spotted that mimic the look of them.
• They stand around 2 to 4 feet tall at the shoulders.

Mira populations were once plentiful across the desert regions of Nophra, but they have been hunted near extinction. Only one clan remains, and they have become very secretive and skeptical of outsiders.

Mira are known to have a strong affinity for shiny and pretty things, which has gotten them into trouble with nearby Crystali settlements. They often can’t help their urges to hoard trinkets, and have gained a reputation for stealing random things left unattended at markets and sometimes balconies and other easily accessible places. This has unfortunately led to rumors of them being inherently evil and they were treated with cruelty as a result. A lot of things were made up about them and a lot of Crystali grew to hate them for a time. Sadly, they are fragile creatures so it’s easy to kill them off if taken by surprise.

Another reason for their decline is poaching. Their hides are among the most beautiful of materials, and they’re highly sought after by wealthy individuals. The garments produced by these look like glass, and flow like silk.

Unfortunately this has lead to their numbers dropping near extinction, and they are such a rare sight that most in present day think they are only a fable

Nobody has ever known the clan’s exact location, since Hoshi viciously keeps everyone away from it. Any hides in circulation have been well cared for and passed down through generations, making them even more valuable.

One of the most striking things about Mira are their bold red markings. These are painted on during ceremonial rituals and are very important to them. They are a symbol of love (romantic, platonic or familial) and the patterns hold emotional significance to individuals. These markings tend to take a beating from the windy and sandy desert, so they’re washed off and redone regularly and are an integral part of grooming and hygiene.

These markings are not affected by their illusion magic, so when they vanish, the red markings remain. The paint is made from a type of cactus that only blooms in the very heart of the desert. They consistently produce it in large quantities and the paint can be stored for a number of years.

The paint stains for the most part, but it can be washed out of fabric and fur using the sap from the same species.

Mira mostly eat plants, and will eat fish and insects if the opportunity presents. They love juicy cacti, palm leaves and any flowers they can get a hold of. While they don’t explicitly farm their own food by planting it directly, they do maintain cactus colonies to make sure they are not over-consumed.

More interestingly, it seems they can absorb a lot of energy from the sun. They can often be found in groups relaxing with their wings out like solar panels.

Mira are capable of complex communication, much like human language. They speak telepathically.

They are silent for the most part, but they can chirp, hiss and shriek.

[TBD]