id: 729
name: Bestiary entry 1, Autarch
author: MONGO
date: 11th June 2022
text len: 6284
views: 47

                                                                                                       AUTARCHS
	Similar in physiognomy to barn owls, though smaller, with less prominent wings, stark black feathers, and very small, pinprick eyes, nonetheless just as effective as the eyes of their earthborn brothers. They retain the almost completely silent flight pattern and nocturnal lifestyle while possessing higher intelligence, comparable to corvids. They have much, much greater wisdom than barn owls, disproportionate to their intellect and lifespan; this will be discussed later. They have an odd, multicolored pattern surrounding their eyes and wrapping around their head. They are found in extreme cold, though occasionally migrating to other countries during their respective winters. While these attributes alone could make them an oppressive apex predator in the non-magical world, their great rarity and uncertain future makes that unlikely. 
	The primary magical traits of the Autarch are great foresight, small illusions, and limited, aggressive telepathy. Like all telepaths, they must make eye contact with their subject for it to manifest, and theoretically can be beaten in a mental struggle; however, to this date, no sage, researcher, or predator has successfully overpowered an Autarch in such a struggle, and no attempts will be authorized. Due to past incidents, staff and senior tradesmen are expressly forbidden from facilitating, encouraging, or allowing such conduct. This is an academy, not a frat house.
	Their method of hunting is among the most unique in the animal kingdom, and at times, especially younger ones, they do seek out humans; the following is a quote from the book ‘Life and times of a modern woodsman,’ (Thorson, J. A. (2019), Normandy, Books of Normandy.)
	“...snow started falling, and, after quite some time, feeling impelled, I turned around; unbeknownst to me, a small, dark owl, with a fiery pattern around its eyes, it had landed, and as I saw it I knew why the forest had grown so silent and oppressive. Its tiny face met mine, and the shape of them changed; I saw what had been feathers become flame, and what I had thought to be eyes become the center of a horrid, burning, mournful gaze that dropped me to my knees. All other details faded, and I was powerless to look away; in an instant I saw my future, and its end, and the void beyond; I smelled acrid and burning sulfur, and felt the alien touch of the thing on my mind. Groping, examining, staring, like a child; feeding on more than my memories, and more than my exquisite pain and pleasure; feeding most on my experience of life itself. My entire life, it flashed before my eyes, leaving me hollow, and wondering at its significance; at its lack of significance.
	At last, having combed my soul for meaning, it let me go, and I dropped to the ground. Its eyes did not diminish, as a warning, I suspect, to let it go in peace; having a last look at me, it took off, with a whump of the wings far more weighty than one would suspect of such a small creature. The flames streaked behind it as it winged through the trees, and looking up at it, hearing only the snow falling around me, I beheld true and dignified majesty.”
	Use of this quote is not to imply that the contact is particularly hazardous; it is possible, though formidable, to maintain mental integrity and even communicate. Thus, they are often kept as half domesticated pets and companions by high wizards and witches. Multiple Autarchs can target a single individual, and so one individual can ‘talk’ to multiple Autarchs, though such a feat is considered possible only by the most accomplished practitioners. Of special note is the famed Siberian Sage, who keeps a great aviary of these birds, and can, without visible effort, engage with dozens at a time; the same holds true for the lady of the Nile, and of course the bushman, though they keep no such aviaries, living in much warmer countries.
	Their diet is meat (of all kinds, though they have a preference for magical and exotic ones) and wisdom; the reason they posses such sound judgment and capacity for it in comparison to common corvids or parrots has been demonstrated through repeated research. They seem to retain and draw upon the life experience they find in their victims. Every memory and sensation they harvest, they keep, and they use. This is how they survive and predate.
	They are so rare because, unlike barn owls, they may only breed once a decade, and, at most, produce four offspring; the young are naïve, and prone to reckless behavior; they chase after humans, seeking wisdom, and are often poached. The blood of an Autarch, though cursed, is a semi-euphoric and extremely powerful hallucinogen; their bones are considered some of the best for divination, along with dragon; arrows fixed with the black feathers of an Autarch will always find their mark, even in seemingly impossible scenarios; and their colored headfeathers have many alchemic applications, due to their reactive exothermic and hypnotic properties. These products make them targets for poachers, further contributing to their reclusivity and rarity. 
	Fortunately, they possess a great lifespan, averaging at around fifty four years, and remain fertile throughout that time; specialized and humane aviaries are a mainstay of any academy; even so, there is reason for concern. Projections show that if current demand remains constant, it is unlikely they will survive (Jena, X. T. (2020), ‘Assorted statistics of magical creatures,’ Jefferstown, ACAL). This worry is currently being addressed by several powerful figures and organizations. The Sage of Siberia in particular is known as an advocate for more rigorous enforcement of anti poaching laws and overall wildlife protection, specifically arguing for greater funding of current wildlife administrations.
	As these measures expand, the situation grows more dire; Autarchs have declined in number since the portals have opened, especially around major population centers. Habitat destruction is the primary concern of environmental protection agencies, but is not as applicable to rarer creatures such as Autarchs because of poaching; their future and viability, much like dragons, remains in doubt.