The Blackhorned Wyvern is a formidable creature that can be found soaring high above the Mountains of Rivermond and the Silver Dominion. This large, solitary wyvern is known for its distinctive black horns that protrude from the back of its head, giving it a fearsome appearance. Despite its fearsome reputation, the Blackhorned is a cunning and intelligent predator that prefers to hunt small to medium-sized prey, such as deer, mountain goats, and occasionally even a lone traveler who dares to venture too close to its territory.
The Blackhorned's hunting tactics vary depending on the situation, but it is known to use its keen eyesight and sense of smell to locate potential prey from great distances. Once it has spotted its target, the wyvern will often use its powerful wings to swoop down and snatch its prey up in its razor-sharp talons before taking it to a secluded spot to devour it. The Blackhorned is not an aggressive creature by nature. In fact, it is a solitary creature that prefers to avoid conflict whenever possible, and will only attack if it feels threatened or if its territory is invaded.
The Blackhorned's strength lies in its size and power, as well as its ability to fly with great speed and maneuverability. Its wingspan can reach up to a hundred and sixty feet, and its powerful wings can generate enough lift to carry it high above the mountains. Its sharp talons and powerful jaws make short work of its prey, and its thick hide provides ample protection from most attacks. However, the Blackhorned Wyvern also has some weaknesses. Despite its powerful wings, it is not as agile as some of the smaller flying creatures that it shares its territory with, making it vulnerable to ambushes and surprise attacks. Its thick hide and plated scales are also vulnerable to certain types of weapons, such as spears or javelins, and a well-placed blow can bring it down.
It is said that some of these Blackhorned Wyverns possess the ability to become invisible at will, making them even more elusive and difficult to track than their non-magical counterparts. The wyvern's invisibility is believed to be a type of illusion magic that allows it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, making it virtually impossible to spot unless one knows what they are looking for. This ability is especially useful for the wyvern when hunting, as it allows it to get very close to its prey without being detected. It is also known that travellers have stumbled upon them when they are resting while looking like a cliff rock.
Another rare magical ability attributed to the Blackhorned Wyvern is shadow magic. This type of magic is associated with darkness and shadows and allows the wyvern to manipulate and control these elements to its advantage. For example, a wyvern with shadow magic might be able to summon a cloud of darkness that obscures its movements, or use the shadows to hide itself from view. In some legends, it is said that a Blackhorned Wyvern with shadow magic can even merge with the darkness itself, becoming an extension of the shadows and moving unseen through the night.
Of course, such magical abilities are extremely rare, and most Blackhorned Wyverns are not believed to possess them. Even those that do may not use them often, as they are still powerful predators without the need for such tricks. Overall, the Blackhorned Wyvern is a fascinating and mysterious creature, and its rare magical abilities only add to its mystique and allure.