Braion

The braion (Photosynthetica leoninus) is a medium-large spirit species, known for its lion-like appearance, although these creatures are in no way related.

It is also locally known as solleone or granazzo.

Etymology

According to most experts, the common name of this creature comes from the union (and subsequent evolution in pronunciation) of the words brennen, a German term meaning to burn, to be in flames, to be consumed by fire; to be inflamed by passion or desire and Aion (in Ancient Greek: Αἰών), the personification of the succession of the ages, eternity and destiny, but is also a play on words with Lion, lion, which sounds very much like the pronunciation of Aion, the Greek deity. It is also interesting to note that Bran, or bran in English, is also derived, like brennen, from the Proto-Germanic term brennanan.

Some prefer to interpret the name of this spirit as a union of "brave" and "lion", that is, brave and lion, but there is little chance that this is its true origin.

Appearance

Braions are agile, quadrupedal spirits that move in a manner similar to that of canids. Despite their feline appearance, their body is relatively rigid. They have a very dark, smooth, compact body, and on their heads and backs grow wheat plants, which depending on the season can obviously have the appearance of a carpet of green grass, or of waving golden ears, loaded with delicious grains.

Moving from one place to another, braions help with the dispersal of the seeds of the plants that grow on their backs, and with which they are in symbiosis, managing to exchange essential nutrients with the plants, thanks to a particular chemical connection with their roots.

Behavior

Braions are solitary and nomadic spirits, used to moving in rather large areas. When the weather is good, braions lie down in open fields to sunbathe. The heat is attracted by their black skin and synthesized.

Habitat

Braions live only and exclusively in the spiritual and material areas of the Mediterranean Sea, especially in Sicily. They appreciate hilly ecosystems and large open spaces.

Diet

Braions are partially photosynthetic, but like many other spirits of similar size they are also predators, formidable in this case.

Conservation

Braions are extremely rare spirits, due to their slow reproductive cycle and their limited natural range, but they are almost devoid of natural predators and at the moment their population is not undergoing significant declines.

Since the first documentation, in ancient times, braions have always been present in small numbers and therefore, even today, they are considered a species to keep an eye on (since even relatively "small" damages to their population can have a large impact), but not in danger of extinction.

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