Phoenixes were immense Elemental birds that embodied the raw essence of the Realm of Fire. Distantly related to Firebirds but far more powerful, their feathers glowed with vivid shades of orange, red, and violet, and their beaks and talons shone like blue-violet diamond. Their eyes burned with a ruby light, and their bodies shed constant illumination, often appearing more flame than flesh. Because their forms were semi-immaterial, they could slip through narrow spaces or engulf foes in searing fire.
They were reclusive creatures that avoided contact unless disturbed or provoked. Many considered phoenixes to be forces of good, while others saw them as unpredictable and destructive, reflecting the dual nature of fire itself. They displayed a relentless hatred for the Undead, attacking such creatures on sight. When driven to such battles, they fought with a selfless and unyielding determination, knowing that their destruction only brought about eventual rebirth. In dire circumstances, they could release devastating firestorms that destroyed them completely, leaving behind a gem-like Phoenix Egg that would hatch into a new phoenix within days.
These beings lived for thousands of years, dwelling in the Elemental Plane of Fire or other magical places. All phoenixes were male, and their cycle of self-immolation and rebirth was the sole means of reproduction. Their bodies were highly sought after by Alchemists and Wizards, as feathers and other parts could be used in powerful magic. Despite this obsession, many cultures regarded harming a phoenix as a grave omen, treating them with awe and reverence as eternal symbols of destruction and renewal.