A sinuous creature of interlocking metal plates; numerous, spindly legs; and thin, barb-like protrusions, Vaeltaja most closely resembles a daemonic hybrid between a flying eel, a dragonfly, a centipede, and a scorpion. It is held aloft by a diaphanous veil, supported by superior dorsal spines¹⁾ and billowing on unseen currents of magic. Along it's flanks, additional spines protrude, their tips ending in clusters of fine filaments of that same diaphanous material, not unlike the frills of an axolotl. These axial spines appear to be used to make fine adjustments as the creature slithers through the air, with snake-like grace.

Its ventral side is smoothly-scaled and flanked by dozens of rows of legs, resembling those of a centipede, which fold up under the creature's body as it moves through the air. Its foremost two sets of appendages more similarly resemble a needle-thin set of mechanical scorpion's claws and are capable of delicate articulation and fine motion. Likewise, the tail is ended with a pair of prehensile claw-like appendages which allow it to grasp objects with surprising precision.²⁾

The creature's head is blockier than that of a scorpion, however, and houses a number of lenses, antennae, mandibles, and other sensory appendages.

The name is derived from the Finnish word for “Wanderer”, though I'm absolutely certain that I have no idea how it's pronounced.