The biology of the Species is dependent on its region as each variant lives in dramatically different climates and conditions but still resemble each other to a noticeable degree. Regardless they all share qualities that would catalog them as “Phoenixes” 

The most trait amongst Phoenixs are their size. The Phoenix is a large omnivorous bird that usually hunts large game, other predatory animals and sometimes but rarely people. But when no game is available they will usually travel elsewhere to find prey and usually return after a couple of days until prey does show up.

Due to the size and activity of these birds, they require an intense amount of food and energy to maintain their lifestyle, so when a Phoenix eats vegetation, you can usually tell that you are close to a Phoenix Nest if the land looks picked clean.

Phoenixes also tend to have uncanny eye sight, most likely as an evolutionary trait in order to avoid being detected by other living beings by seeing them and avoiding them before anyone can see them.

The Phoenix has many ways to attack and defend itself. By utilizing its talons and beak, they can usually pick off prey and cause foes to bleed making it easier for the Phoenix to hunt by utilizing its eyesight to track its prey. Phoenixes also have magical abilities depending on the Variant. Phoenix’s hunting patterns shows that it prefers to use long ranged combat in open areas while within more enclosed spaces, the Phoenix uses more its Talons and Beak, it is believed that it stops using magic to prevent harm to themselves during their battles.

The Phoenix and its many variants are well documented and well widespread creatures in many country mythos. Many revolve around the Eastern Flame Phoenix.

The earliest recordings of these magical avians come from ancient tribal drawings and stone tablet translations that talk of ‘golden winged birds of gold that produced fire from within’.

However one of the more well known historical records of these birds is that of the Caedian Sand Phoenix, which was a sacred bird in Caedian Mythology.

Documented Migration Patterns

The migratory pattern of the Eastern Flame Phoenix is surprisingly well documented. 

Many studies since the beginning of the First Sun era have been undertaken to understand the system that these beautiful birds seem to follow.

The first big researcher in the field being Takahashi Kyojuro who made one of the first migratory maps for the Eastern Flame Phoenix in 792

Of the four known species in Gaeia the Eastern Flame Phoenix has the longest route taken of any of the same familiae. Flying from the continent of Shinya to Selyria along the circulatory wind currents that occur in the sea of dragons in the transitions of spring and autumn.

During spring and summer the Eastern Flame Phoenix will leave their nests in Shinya and make the long winded journey to Porthos before the cooler weather sets in.

Once they arrive in Porthos they will seek out active volcanoes to nest near, usually choosing to nest slightly above the vents of the volcanoes.

The Eastern Flame Phoenix will usually migrate to the desolate Atresian island of Agios Hermocrates. A volcanic island north of Agios Balakros and south of the Porthosian Capital of Orealis but has been known to stop at other volcanoes further north or even past Agios Hermocrates. Such as Agios Vulcanius on the cliffs of the shield volcano Mount Vulcanius.

Once they settle down and have finished building their nests they will proceed to breed and raise their young over the course of autumn and winter.

Then when spring begins to dawn the flock begin the long journey back to Shinya where the weakest of the newborns is weeded out and the cycle begins all over again.

There are multiple variants when it comes to the species of Phoenix. From what we had gathered, the Phoenix’s have changed and adapted to fit their conditions even if it seems unlikely they could have changed under such harsh conditions. These are the four known Phoenix Species that we have received from either local folk tales or actual sightings from those who survived the encounter.

However, we at the SUV have managed to use reports of the fantastical creatures in order to classify and categorize them into four distinct geni and to even go so far as to identify species. These geni are as follows:

• The Eastern Flame Phoenix

• The Northern Frost Phoenix

• The Caedian Sand Phoenix

• The Duskalian Blood Phoenix

Species

Phoeignis luteus / The Greater Eastern Flame Phoenix

The Greater Eastern Flame Phoenix is a large Orange, Red and Yellow feathered bird with bright Orange eyes that seem to contrast the blue skies with long feathered back train tails. With a height of 120 - 150 inches and a wingspan ranging from 100 - 120 inches it easily towers over most of its prey

It is a creature well documented for mating for life with other Eastern Flame Phoenixes and being known for its beautiful calls. This species prefers to nest in hot climates. For example they perch and nest near Volcanic Vents, Only leaving their nests to feed themselves and their young while their mate defends the nest. 

What's interesting about the creature's body is their innate ability to become resistant to fire, seemingly able to fully cover every feather of its being in a form of natural oil to keep the fire burning on their feathers rather than their main body.

When hunting it utilizes its Pyromancy to quickly disable prey. While using a more physical method of finishing off their prey such as using its beak to puncture their body, causing them to bleed out or using their talons to do the same thing.

Phoeignis caeruleum / The Azure Flame Phoenix

The Azure Flame Phoenix differs from its other Flame Phoenix counterpart in a few distinct ways. 

The most obvious is the color of the feathers of the species, instead of Vibrant oranges, yellows and reds. The Azure Flame Phoenix has a more Serene Blue color scheme. 

This variant is not very different compared to the Phoeignis luteus, The only difference between them is how they were born. There is a chance percentage for this Species to be born from regular Eastern Phoenixes. This species has a deeper connection to Mana compared to regular Eastern Phoenixes. This allows them to tap into more Powerful Fire which is why their Fire they utilize is a bright blue. But this equally means that these birds are more picky about their mates, so they don't usually mate with Greater Eastern Phoenixes and only other Azure Flame Phoenixes, If none are born within their lifetime, then they shall live a life of solitude.

Species

Phoecoryza frigus / The Northern Frost Phoenix

The Great Northern Frost Phoenix is a large light blue and white feathered bird with beady black eyes with black streaks across its body. With a height of 70 - 90 inches and a wingspan ranging from 140 - 160 inches it easily towers over most of its prey. With a mist seemingly following this bird everywhere it flies.

It is well documented for its calculating behavior and intense aggression. It is a very territorial creature that will attack anything within its territory and flock, including that encroaches upon an area that they mark as their own. This species prefers to live on the highest of mountains to nest, only leaving to hunt prey within the local vicinity and to defend its territory. 

What's interesting is the creature's bizarre trait to prefer colder temperatures rather than trying to stay warm. We at the SUV have speculated that it may have something to do with its ability to use Cyromancy and using the colder temperatures to increase its lethality. 

When hunting it uses its Cryomancy to slowly kill off their foes within a blizzard, where it then proceeds to freeze their targets to death and feed off their hard carcass.

Species

The Greater Caedian Sand Phoenix is a large tan feathered bird with dull white eyes. With a height of 60 - 80 inches and a wingspan ranging from 85 - 90 inches it easily towers over most of its prey.

It is a solitary creature well documented for its erratic nature and its hyper aggression. It is a very hostile creature that will attack anything that is within its sandstorms that it creates. These creatures are constantly moving about, only resting at their nests that usually stand in the middle of their sandstorms. 

An interesting ability from this Phoenix is its unique use of Harmimianacy that Geomancers actually took inspiration from this bird's usage of its magic. 

It utilizes a spell similar in Harmimianancy, The bird utilizes the sandstorm that it creates in order to sense and see its surroundings by noting where the sand is and isn't. It is believed that this bird is one of the more intelligent ones compared to other Phoenixes. 

By using the Sands around them, Caedian Sand Phoenixes will use the sands to lead prey astray from wherever they are going and have them wander in circles until they eventually collapse with exhaustion, where the Phoenix will finish off their prey. With their more direct approach being just grabbing any prey and dropping them from as high as possible.

Phoesabulo Minor / The Lesser Caedian Sand Phoenix

The Lesser Caedian Sand Phoenix differs from its larger counterpart in a few distinct ways. 

The most obvious of these differences is the size of the species, often ranging within 25 to 32 inches in height and a wingspan of 55 - 62 inches. 

Another difference is their behavior. This variant is a social bird, often found perching in trees with flocks ranging from 4 to 6 individuals. In addition to this, they prefer to wait and stalk their prey rather than actively hunt similar to their larger counterparts. The only difference to their hunting tactics, they utilize a different spell from Harmimiancy. By gradually using their magic to stick sand into their fur, clothing, baggage and other belongings they weigh down their prey and wait for them to collapse, where they begin to pick apart their prey.

Species

Phoesanguis superior / The Greater Duskalian Blood Phoenix

The Greater Duskalian Blood Phoenix is a large black feathered bird with bright red eyes that seem to glow under the night sky. With a height of 45 - 50 inches and a wingspan ranging from 65 - 70 inches it easily towers over most of its prey

It is a solitary creature well documented for its cannibalistic tendencies and intense aggression. It is a very territorial creature that will attack anything, including its own species, that encroaches upon an area that it marks as its own. Fortunately, it prefers small caves on the highest of mountains to nest, only leaving at night through small openings to hunt prey within the local vicinity. 

What's interesting is the creature's bizarre ability to twist and contort its body, seemingly able to fully control every fiber of its being to squeeze through the smallest of crevices. We at the SUV have speculated that it may have the ability to use Carnomancy, however it has yet to be proven. 

When hunting it uses its uncanny sense of smell to track down targets in the dead of night, where it then proceeds to use its Hemomancy capabilities to drain the blood from the brains of its enemies, causing them to faint before swooping in and carrying them back to their nest to consume. 

Phoesanguis Minor / The Greater Duskalian Blood Phoenix

The Lesser Duskalian Blood Phoenix differs from its larger counterpart in a few distinct ways. 

The most obvious of these differences is the size of the species, often ranging within 15 to 20 inches in height and a wingspan of 35 - 40 inches. 

Another difference is their behavior. The lesser variant is a social bird, often found perching in trees with flocks ranging from eight to twelve individuals. In addition to this, they prefer to wait and stalk their prey rather than actively hunt, following their prey for miles and miles while snacking on blood sucked out from their victim using Hemomancy from afar. Once their target is sufficiently weakened from blood loss they will descend upon their unfortunate victim in a frenzy of thrashing black wings.

Despite all the warnings and dangers that these birds impose with their incredible magic and power, it is undeniable that their beauty and intelligence should also be noted for these spectacular birds, even the most violent ones have a sort of charm. But also never forget that these birds can also be devastating forces of nature as they all pose a threat to those prepared and unprepared. So be sure to admire and respect these birds from afar, as their power demands it.