Moon Wing

Biodata

Background

The Fire Barbarian Lord granted his tribe’s warriors eternal life, but the Barbarian God stripped them of their human forms and turned them into Moon Wings. They lost their reason and became driven by resentment and bloodlust. Every three years, their grievance turns the moon red, allowing them to emerge during the Blood Moon 31.

Moon Wings rest within Wu Mountain’s five peaks, including Black Flame Peak. In its buried Fire Barbarian settlement, Su Ming finds a skeleton caught partway through the transformation and a red trunk that holds resting Moon Wings 31 32 33 34.

Appearance

Moon Wings are small, red, winged creatures with human-like faces 31.

• Size: About the size of a palm 31.
• Features: Two wings, six limbs, red eyes and expressions twisted by bloodlust 31.

Abilities & Weaknesses

Flight and Swarming

• Tens of thousands can emerge together and divide into swarms to attack separate targets 31.
• They can carry living captives back to their nests 32 34.

Blood Feeding and Resilience

• They drain blood and life force, reducing prey to withered husks; Barbarian blood attracts them especially strongly 31 32.
• Wounds from arrows or Su Ming’s Bone Horn do not readily kill them. A cut Moon Wing heals rapidly, though repeated wounds leave it listless 32 35.

Vulnerability to Fire and Heat

• Fire keeps them from approaching the Wu Mountain Tribe’s protective barrier; a flame trap destroys three pursuers 32 35.
• Scorching heat near their nest terrifies them. Moon Wings that fall into the magma shatter, leaving no flesh or blood 35.
• After the Blood Moon fades, they return to their nests as the heat rises 34.

Story Role

• The Blood Moon attack: Black Mountain Tribe Barbarian Duke Bi Tu uses Moon Stones and his blood to awaken the Moon Wings early. Swarms pour from Wu Mountain’s peaks and attack the Black Mountain, Wu Mountain and Black Dragon tribes 31.
• The tribes’ defense: Bi Tu lets Moon Wings feed on him, then uses an incantation to absorb their blood. The surge of blood-energy draws more toward him. At Wu Mountain, Moon Wings breach a fiery barrier and seize tribesmen 32.
• Captives at Black Flame Peak: Moon Wings take Bai Ling and other captives into their nest. Su Ming finds Bai Ling in the red trunk and rescues her, then destroys three pursuing Moon Wings with fire 32 34 35.
• Reaction to Su Ming’s cultivation: Moon Wings stir within their resting places when Su Ming practices the Fire Barbarian art. During his attempt at a third Blood Fire Stacking, those within all five peaks grow frenzied but cannot leave their trunks 40 43.