Pingu

Famous for their - often black and white - feathery coats capable of withstanding ~ nay, allowing them to thrive in the immense cold are none other than the pingus. These tuxedoed creatures waddle their way through life on land, alternating with bellysliding (or tobogganing) over snow and ice for more speed. As an essential part of the bustling societies that have sprung up around Bahrid, pingus have proven themselves to be a versatile species. However, their true home is elsewhere.

Whoah, look at them go — these pingus swim just as fast as the boat!

— A surprised traveller on the ferry to Bahrid

Waddling through Life

A variety of pingu species toddle their way through the snowy plains of Bahrid to their homes and communities. This doesn't go without a hitch. Walking upright is quite the challenge and it's often met with a thud to the ground. Good thing pingus have a thick layer of fat all around to absorb the shock during the pingu-meets-immovable-object spectacle. While their clumsiness on ice and rocky shores is highly entertaining to outsiders, it also shows how remarkably sturdy these birds are. Sure, they may fall a few meters to the ground, but they will get right back up and continue their way forward or upward.

One common aspect among all pingus is their way of breeding. While duration may differ, it all comes down to pairing up, laying an egg, brood, and a little chick will pop out when the time is right. These little balls of down only know two things: the call of their parents and that fish is tasty. If all goes well, these chicks will grow at an immense speed, usually trading their down feathers for their juvenile coats after a few months.

Like many birds, pingus replace their feathers every year. However, their process of moulting is unique: they shed and replace their feathers all at once roughly in the span of a month. Without their waterproof coat they cannot go swimming and hunting, so it's a tough month of being unable to eat while consuming a lot of energy.

— Bahrid Explorers Guide

With a nice waterproof coat, young pingus instinctively know how to swim and hunt for fish. They tag along with other pingus of the colony into the open ocean for months at a time. They cannot breathe while underwater, so at most a quarter of the flock will leap out of the water for air while the others keep an eye out for predators. They may have a pact with their biggest predator, the Mahawt - thanks to the Qadim Pingus - but they are far from the only threats lurking in the depths of the oceans.

"Come son, it's time to go fishing!"
"But muuummm, how do I even sleep if we keep swimming? It's impossible!"
"Just nap!"
"Nap?"
"Yeah! For like.. 10 seconds or so every few minutes. Your cousins take 10.000 naps a day like that!"
"Wh.. what?!"

Outside the vast borders of Bahrid - where the cold climate and sea ice provides a safe haven for the cold-loving residents of the island - the pingus have few physical encounters with the people inhabiting the less frigid parts of Hesli. When they happen to stumble upon anyone out at sea, the reaction is often the same: shooing away the birds because they clearly are stealing fish. Which, ironically, is their own fault, as overfishing has left the ocean scarred and the pingus hunting longer for food.

A Rahab Pingu Chilling in the Snow

Worst Insult
Fatgoose

Genetic Descendants

• Alqafi Pingu
• Gamar Pingu
• Qadim Pingu
• Rahab Pingu
• Shara Pingu
• Sharid Pingu

Geographic Distribution

• Bahrid

A Summary of Subspecies

There are currently a few subspecies of pingu known, but there is a decent chance that a few more exist outside or hidding in Bahrid.
Qadim Pingu: As the tallest and strongest, the qadim pingus peck off predators with their enlarged and sturdy beaks or by massive headache-inducing slappenings. Learn more...
Gamar Pingu: Crowned kings of the depths, the gamar pingus can dive deep down into the ocean and under icebergs in search for their favourite food. Learn more...
Rahab Pingu: Zooming through the water, the Rahab pingus can cover the most distance faster than any other pingu. Learn more...
Sharid Pingu: With their relatively longer flippers, the Sharid pingus can use tools more easily when farming. Learn more...
Shara Pingu: As the worst swimmer of all pingus, the Shara pingus make up for it with their intellect in diplomacy and innovation. Learn more...
Alqafi Pingu: Taking the more tumultuous approach to life on land, the Alqafi pingu climb their way up the cliffs making them the jumping masters of the pingu. Learn more...