Gargoyles

Gargoyles (Gargatus Chiropterus) are a species of nocturnal winged humanoid creatures that hibernate by day and become active at night. Gargoyles used to be found throughout the world but were nearly exterminated during the Dark Ages by The Church. because of their monstrous appearance they believed gargoyles were demons Cathedrals and churches built during this period often had statues depicting gargoyles as both a symbol of the church's superiority over what they considered evil beings and as wards against evil. Gargoyles have a pair of bat like wings on their backs to allow flight however they need air currents from high points to take flight effectively. They have superhuman strength this coupled their razor sharp claws allows them to climb virtually any surface like mountain sides and buildings to get to higher elevations to take off from. they have pointed ears and heavily muscled torso and limbs and some possess horns on their heads although considering gargoyles vary in appearance it is hard to describe any uniform characteristics. one of the most peculiar adaptions gargoyles have evolved is the so called "Stone Sleep." The outer epidermis on gargoyles calcifies during the day and so because of this they resemble statues when at rest which led to the myth that they were stone by day but in actuality is just a layer of hard calcium. Unfourtunately the gargoyle is completey immobile during this time and vulnerable during this time which is why before sunrise gargoyles will seek a safe place to roost before the calcification occurs. This state of hibernation does two different beneficial processes for the gargoyles body purging the creatures body of toxins and impurities sort of like a biological mud bath and allows the the gargoyle to absorb solar energy from the the sun significantly cutting down the caloritic intake the creature would normally require making the gargoyle one of the few animal species that derives sustenance from sunlight. Although it is not understood why gargoyles have a strong drive to protect and will guard and defend the area they call home this once included humans before the purging. Despite their frightening appearance gargoyles are actually benevolent creatures and only fight back when provoked. Gargoyles are one of the few mammals that lay eggs similar to the platypus usually only two to three at a time. Their breeding cycle is extremely long with females only being able to conceive every ten years and the eggs once laid take another ten to incubate making each death a blow to the species. Gargoyles are considered critically endangered by the Tyana Institute as their a fewer than five hundred remaining. Gargoyles if their allowed to get their numbers back up could be a great ally as some clans still protect humans in some parts of the world. They are included here as a reminder that just because its different doesn't make it our enemy.