Sol Hesten
This winged egg is warm to the touch and brings up pleasant memories.
Sol hesten hatchlings are able to walk and run within minutes of their hatching, and they seem to greatly enjoy racing through the early morning, gleaming gold and bronze under the sunlight. Their wings aren't big enough to allow them to truly fly but they often glide from high places, at least until their bodies get too heavy as they age. As the morning continues, sol hesten hatchlings and their herdmates retreat into the high empty hills to play and graze until night falls and they can sleep.
An adult sol hesten is too small to ride and would not appreciate the effort; although they're shy and avoid conflict, they are still capable of using their sharp hooves and large teeth to defend themselves. However, sol hesten prefer to bring calm and pleasant memories to those lucky enough to spot them. They usually travel in small herds with a number of adults sharing the raising of hatchlings, which can then remain with the herd or split off to form their own. Sol hesten gleam in bronzes and golds under the sunlight, and seem to especially enjoy playing in sunshowers to give their coats an extra shine.
Sol hesten are seen mostly at dawn and within the first hour or two of morning, when most people are still asleep. Quiet and gentle, they have the ability to bring up pleasant memories for those who manage to see them, but they are still just as wild - if more social - than nox hesten. Any attempt to befriend them takes time and patience; attempting to forcefully control a sol hesten will cause it to run at best. At worst, some magi believe, an attempt at force will change a sol hesten into a nox hesten, and bring not only nightmares but tragedy. Some also believe that sol hesten call the sun up into the sky every morning, ensuring that day always comes after the night.
Nox Hesten
This dark winged egg makes a shiver run down the spine of anyone who touches it.
Nox hesten hatchlings are able to walk and run within minutes of their hatching, and they seem to greatly enjoy racing through the darkness, able to see perfectly well with their red eyes. Their wings aren't big enough to allow them to truly fly but they often glide from high places, at least until their bodies get too heavy as they age. It's thought that dark magi collect the feathers of their manes and tails for use in spells; easier to collect them from the smaller hatchlings - or the ground - than annoy a fully-grown nox hesten.
An adult nox hesten is too small to ride, but still large enough to inflict damage with their sharp hooves and large teeth, not to mention the nightmares they induce. They gleam with a multitude of colours under the moonlight, and it's thought that there's an increased chance to see one when the moon is full. In some towns and villages, parents warn their children to avoid any red lights, as this could be the glow from a nox hesten's eyes. Unlike sol hesten, nox hesten have a crest of feathers and a feathered tail instead of hair, and their colouring is darker. Occasionally they are also seen during late-night storms, when they race across the plains under the fitful flickers of lightning.
Nox hesten are seen mostly at night, though many magi would prefer not to see them at all. This is because nox hesten have the ability to bring up dark memories, which often manifest in dreams. Although they're beautiful to look at, they are not social creatures and are very difficult to tame; even as new hatchlings, they tend to be stubborn and willful, and attempts at using force often result in the magi descending into madness. There are many stories of death and destruction surrounding nox hesten, but there are also some who believe that nox hesten simply bring about the night and any nightmares as a result of their presence are simply from a guilty mind.
Sprite art: Tekla | Description: Sochitelya
