The Origins of the Bailons and Their Relations with the Humans
The bailons are the most intelligent and developed species among all riding animals. They live in a widespread region to the north of the Red Dune, most of which currently belongs to the Türkan Sultanate.
The bailons are not only the mounts of choice of the Türks, but also their trusted friends. They are domesticated rather than tamed through companionship not force. The bailons are not feral or savage animals – they are allowed to choose their owner as much as an owner chooses them. Possession of a bailon is by sultanate approval only, regulated by specially appointed inspectors. Cruel treatment of a bailon, stealing a bailon or killing one are all acts considered to be among the most severe crimes.
Hunting and selling of the bailons is also prohibited. However the Arabi, the Aryāni, the Leikas, the Mihrani and at times the Zhōngguoren and Türkish gangs, hunt bailon calves. They sell them on the black market for exorbitant prices which make the practice highly dangerous yet also highly profitable.
The bailon cavalries, known for their devotion and courage and aptly named by the Türks “deliler,” the lunatics, are the most prominent example of man - bailon cooperation. The bailon cavalries invisible, strong, yet loyal brotherhoods and the cavalry candidates, male or female, learn to live alongside the animals. Since the bailons only obey the riders they respect and love the process of earning their trust is very important. It is an extremely dangerous and demanding journey which makes the training methods very strict.
Aside from the Türks the only other human nation using the bailons in battle is the Pyrokans. They also rent the riders from their allies, the Türks. Although some of these “lunatics” settle in Pyrokan lands, most of them return to their homelands after their duties are fulfilled.
The Bailon Species
There are three different types of bailons: claw bailons, sianja bailons and runhend bailons. The most significant characteristic of a claw bailon is their giant claw instead of a toe, a result of evolutionary changes. This feature if extremely useful in battle as it can tear enemies to pieces.
Discovered by a Türkan citizen of Zhōngguoren origin, the sianja bailons are recognized by their communication organ extending out of their heads and emitting a low frequency sound. This organ enables the sianjas to communicate especially well in the Red Dune. What is more, as the sianjas are very well coordinated, the Türks sometimes send them into battle without riders.
The third species known as the runhend, are recognized by the shining, rune-like patterns on their skin. These patterns can be extremely colorful and diverse to attract the females. The real purpose of them, however, is again communication.
It seems that except for the claw bailons, all bailons developed different ways of communication adapting to life on the Red Dune. Though neither the runehends nor the sianja have toes adorned with strong claws like the claw bailons. These two species can only use their fangs and tails as means of defense. However, both the runehends and the sianja are more intelligent than their clawed counterpart.
