The Great Northern Aquilon is a noble variety of eagle of very large size, comparable in wingspan to a fully grown dragon. (ác- + cuelân, "great wing") Despite behaving in no way dissimilar to ordinary birds of prey if left to their own devices, Aquila are quite intelligent. Most understand the common tongue, and some may speak it. Though spoken of in myths ferrying heroes in and out of battle, they may permit themselves to be ridden only in very rare circumstances, as they are very prideful. It is, however, of no burden to carry a rider-- a Great Aquilon has been known to be capable of swooping down upon, and carrying away a grown saddlehart buck without so much as faltering.
