Location Den of The Swamp Bird

[Crylon Stonecraft]

x Den of The Swamp Bird Locally called "The Den of The Swamp Bird", it is the main breeding ground and summer den of the namesake bird. Found roughly 3 days west of Ravok as the bird flies, though due to the terrain close to Ravok it is much longer on foot or by horse. The Den is an odd mix of swampy and rocky terrain and is more of a swathe of land than a specific spot, the swampy areas being a source of food for the birds and the rockier areas good nesting ground for them. While not all of this bird species will come to this locale at once, it is rare to find one which doesn't visit at least once a year. During the summer breeding months anywhere from a hundred to five hundred can descend upon the place at once on a given day, and during the rest of the year it is rare to not see a dozen to three dozen of the birds inhabiting the territory. A beast of many names, locally it is often referred to as "The Swamp Bird." Also known as "The Ravokian Dire Chicken", or "The Giant Swamp Chicken" due to its similarities in many regards to an oversized chicken. It is similarly flightless with weak arms as a chicken, however it can be quite deadly with its beak and taloned feet and has been known to kill a full grown man when provoked. It is also quite fast and sure footed, able to outrun on foot most humans or even horses in the swampy/rocky terrain it uses for its hunting grounds and dens, though on flat ground or in a straight run it would much more easily be overtaken. For most of the year The Swamp Bird can be found all around lake Ravok for several days journey in any direction, nesting solitarily in rockier portions of land or more commonly in groups of 2-5, and hunting in the surrounding swampy areas. In the colder seasons such as winter they tend to migrate closer to the lake itself. However each year they return en mass to the same breeding grounds, due to its perfect mix of terrain for their needs. In general they avoid humans, though if attacked or provoked they will either run away or attack en-mass (most common if they have young with them which cannot keep up with the fully grown birds). If attacking they tend to go straight for the kill, targeting vulnerable areas such as eyes, neck, and other such spots. :::Fauna:::   The Swamp Bird Size: 15-18 hands. Females tend to be larger than the males on average, and are very deadly if defending their eggs. Color: feathers can be white, black, brown, tan, or a mix of these colors. Rarely will have full red plumage. Location: Most commonly in The Den of the Swamp Bird during summer/breeding season, Environs Surrounding Lake Ravok rest of year and closer to the lake when colder. Lifespan: 10-15 years, 20-25 domesticated (requires at least L2 Animal Husbandry if raised from eggs, L3 if captured after hatched). Diet: Omnivores- Eats plants, bugs, fish, small animals, and occasionally larger prey it kills. General Information: While it is possible to steal their eggs which fetch a fair price to the right buyer(generally found in late summer or during the fall), this in general is easier said than done as this will trigger every such bird locally to attack, along with any others whose territory you enter with the eggs as the Swamp Bird as a species is protective of its young. They are rarely found fighting each other except for males during mating season or if food is scarce, with the hens being dominant the rest of the time. (All NPCs are free for unmoderated use unless otherwise specified. Please play them according to their descriptions. Abuse will not be tolerated.)