Post by AmozonQueen on Jun 17, 2017 7:38:03 GMT
- River Fencer -
“Its wings glowed like witch’s fire upon the river’s surface, armed with a beak akin to that of a fencer’s blade.”
- Excerpt from the Traveler’s Logs
Physical Appearance
The River Fencer is a peculiar creature, having the shape of a bird yet having no feathers. Instead it is covered in a hard, leathery skin marked with blue stripes, and wings made up of a thick, green-tinged membrane. It is fairly large, standing to a height of 5’ with sturdily built legs. It gets its name from its oddly shaped beak, that leads out into a narrow, sharpened point extending up to one foot long.
The River Fencer has two other interesting characteristics, both found within their wings. The first is the ability to produce a chemical bioluminescent light which they use to attract fish to the surface. They are able to produce another compound in their wings, being a dazzling light yellow dust that they release into the air by flapping outwards to temporarily blind predators.
Rarity: Uncommon-Rare
Location
They can be found hunting for fish or lizards along river shores and ponds of Theylenia and Shinovek’Lavay, favoring the humid climates of both islands and their assortment of fish.
They have also been sighted on other islands with similar environments, however these are more rare.
Behavior
The River Fencers are a peaceful species, spending its life along a river or pond's shore feasting on a variety of fish, lizards, and aquatic greenery. They are also very flighty, using their dazzling dust from their wings to make a quick escape from predators.
Their nests are usually built a short distance away from the water source where they can easily run if need be. After a favorable spot is found they dig out a small pit from the ground, layering it with vegetation from their surroundings. A common feature in these nests is the appearance of various flowers, with some Fencers only choosing to collect a certain color of them.
Typically a Fencer will keep to a single territory of rivers and ponds, however during the mating season the males will journey out in search of a female. Upon finding one they will bring her offerings of flowers and begin to dance around her, displaying their wings with a vibrant flourish of light and dust. If the female approves of their dance and offering she will allow the male to move into her territory and become mates. These relationships are kept for a lifetime usually, and in some cases even farther. It has been documented that if one of the mates is killed, the other may stay in wait at the river or pond in wait for its missing partner.
Benefits
- The chemical substance from its wings may be extracted to get its bioluminescent and blinding properties.
- Their beaks are commonly taken off as prizes or primitive spears. Their skin is also usable as a type of leather.