The Balsa Wyrm

General Information

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The only significant differences between balsa wyrms and balsa drakes are color, smell, and perceived value. Both make useful (if frustrating) companions. Balsa wyrm are largely solitary creatures, so the best way to see one's wyrm on a regular basis is to train it as a battle companion.Though usually not aggressive, balsa wyrms can be temperamental, making them a poor choice for the novice mage. As much remains unknown about balsa wyrm behavior, they can be a rewarding subject of study for the advanced mage, though.<br>(Extra Information by Mathcat)

Egg Information

This egg looks like a root.

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Balsa wyrm eggs are susceptible to wood rot and should be checked daily for softness or discoloration. An overall softening of the shell means the egg will soon start to hatch, but isolated soft spots are often a sign of trouble. The egg is generally out of danger once the green aura has started to form. Balsa drake and balsa wyrm eggs are identical, so unless the parents are known, the only way to be sure which species one has is to wait for the egg to hatch.

Baby Information

The root has grown into a small hatchling. A soft glowing aura seems to be coming from it.

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Very young balsa wyrms are susceptible to a whole host of wood pests. Finding them an amenable companion to keep an eye on them is a must unless one is prepared to carefully check their drake daily for problems. Holly pygmies, leafsprites, and leaf midges are all good choices. Be careful with leafsprites, though, as they sometimes use their magic for mischief and some balsa wyrms dislike them. Balsa wyrms are never particularly friendly, even when young, and are happiest with calm companions that will let them soak up sunlight in peace.

Teen Information

The hatchling has now grown; its aura glows a bit brighter, and it has started to fly, even though it lacks wings.

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Balsa wyrms are nearly mature when they start to smell strongly like wood. They will vanish for increasingly long periods of time, often spending days in the forest, but as they're much hardier now, they no longer need to be checked quite so carefully for pests or damage. They can't fly well, but can hover with enough skill to be startling the first time one sees them in the air. Clumsy balsa wyrms will sometimes welcome the aid of a friendly windsprite.

Adult Information

Not much is known about Balsa Wyrms, but stories tell of a great entity that brought a single tree to life, twisting and tangling branches and roots to form this creature.

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Balsa wyrms smell like freshly carved wood, though the type of tree they smell like varies between individuals. Though generally sturdy, balsa wyrms should be checked from time to time for splinters, as that can be either an early warning sign of poor health or a sign of excessive aggressive behavior. They also benefit from a gentle pruning from time to time to keep trailing twigs from getting too long, though care should be taken not to cut so much that the cut ends start to bleed sap. The scrap wood contains magic and should be kept for later use or sold. The sap "tears" that balsa wyrms produce from the place where their eyes would be are also worth keeping, as the sap has many uses as a spell component.