Feral Strix (Art by Raph Lomotan)
Strix, or Striges in plural terms, otherwise known as Wereowls, were a species of therianthropes listed among the wereavian category that assumed the form of anthropomorphic owls. They are believed to be extinct.
Description[]
Like most other werebeasts that display control over their transformation, Strixes can assume several variations of their beastial form. When transforming, they grow feathers from their skin, which slowly turn into large wings (allowing them to be proficient in aerial combat). In this process, the arms would move downwards to accommodate the wings, whilst the mouth transformed into a beak.
Striex are also able to assume the form of several species of owls that are noticeably far larger than an actual owl. Owls in human form cannot be fully distinguished from other humans, but some subtle signs can be spotted by one with keen perception. Among of which are their necks being capable of rotating at a 180 degree angle involuntarily. Another is their remarkable eyesight, which is so strong they resort to wearing shades or glasses during the day since the sunlight hurts their vision.
Overview[]
Strixes are one of the oldest known wereavians that roamed the Earth. Their origins are not fully clear but it is said that they came to be when humans were visited by the Pallas Owl, the beloved companion of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. According to legend, the Pallas Owl would stare into the eyes of its chosen beholder where it makes contact with their very soul which culminates into their transformation as a Strix. Strixes were said to have been created to serve as Athena's own emissaries as she did not exactly display any faith or trust in the lycans of ancient Greece. Nonetheless, they would pass wisdom and even assign werecoyotes to mentor a lone werebeast that questions its purpose in the world with its new life.
Much like how their rivals, the Corvaxes, possess a unique symbiotic bond with werewolves, the Strixes possessed a similar relationship to another extinct species of therianthrope whom were also considered rivals to werewolves but also discriminated as their lesser; the Nuwisha or werecoyotes. Since the Strixes embodied wisdom and the Nuwisha were considered eccentric teachers, they had a relatively positive relationship; although some Strixes would displayed outward annoyance towards the werecoyotes for their tendency to pull pranks. They also had a similarly stable relationship with some species of werecats, most notable of which were Tēcuani. Their relationship is tied into the functionalities of a Psychopomp, meaning that werejaguars and wereowls work together in terms of dealing with the forces of the dead without disrupting the natural order.
Tragically, the Strixes met their demise during the War of Beasts. They were known to have warred against the Corvaxes in a mighty aerial battle, but due to their solitary nature were overwhelmed by the advantages the Corvaxes had in sheer numbers. Nonetheless, they filled the role of spies and messengers for werebeasts who stood against the tyranny of Azog and his bid to bring lycanthrope kind to the top of the food chain. After the floodwaters sent by Zeus receded, the Strixse were purported to be extinct alongside their companions the Nuwisha. However, their descendants somewhat lingered in the form of not only witches who assumed the form of these great wereavians, but also the fabled Owlman who aided Witchers in the extermination of the wererats. Alternatively, their legacy was tarnished but not to a major extent as owls became associated with ill-omens, malicious witches, and Lilith herself.
Capabilities[]
TBA
