Dragon-bird
The dragon-bird, also known as phoenix-dragon, is a mythological Itoran animal. Though several Uspan cultures refer to their existence, they tend to be spoken of as magical or supernatural creatures, sometimes even in shared context with Forces. Descriptions of these dragon-birds (mostly) match even when their cultures are spread far apart, suggesting that either the stories predate the spread of humanity on Uspa... or there may be some truth to the existence of these creatures. Of course, this being Itorah, it is quite possible that these dragon-birds were Forces all along, and never living animals.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Though details vary, the general descriptions of dragon-birds match across all cultures that speak of them. They are bulky animals with a hunched-over posture, bipedal but with front legs close to the ground. Small for dragons but large for birds, they stood at shoulder to head height compared to humans, and could easily be 8 or more meters long. They are supposedly good runners, long hind limbs with bird-like toes ending in hoof-like nails, excepting the raised inner toe, which instead bears a sickle-like claw typically kept off of the ground. Their front limbs are wing-like, but hidden underneath the feathers are well-developed fingers with sharp talons.
The head of a dragon-bird is long and narrow, especially in the beak, which flattens out into something more like a turtle than a bird. Additionally, the beak contains a wide array of sharp serrated teeth, used to tear flesh, all the same shape like typical for reptiles. Their eyes are moderately sized, and like birds, dragon-birds possess no visible ears.
Dragon-birds have long fairly stiff tails, used for balance while running or offense. Tucked between the long feathers at the tip are long and vicious spikes, like the thagomizers of a Stegosaurus, which can be wielded to great effect. Unlike these, the large somewhat triangular plates on their backs don't appear to be offensive in nature, lacking sharp edges or points.
Possessing both the scales typical of a dragon and the feathers typical of a bird, dragon-birds are nevertheless more recognizably feathered than scaled. The bare insides of their hands are scaled, and so are the hind limbs from the thigh down, and parts of the face, but the majority of their body is feathered. Longer feathers, true feathers like those of a bird, are found on the arms and tail. Still, dragon-birds are incapable of flight, unlike either of their constituents. Strange, but then, who would expect a mythological creature to make sense?
Dietary Needs and Habits
Dragon-birds are described as predatory animals, relentless hunters that can run down most humans, and track down those few that escape. Of course, being of myths and stories, these hunts rarely center on a need for food, but rather give the dragon-bird some reason for pursuit. A moral to the story, rather than an animal acting on its needs. Sometimes it is a force of good, hunting down wrongdoers and sinners, but other times it is the evil, devouring good men and leaving the world bleaker for their passing.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
If the stories are true, dragon-birds possess especially keen eyesight, with their hearing okay but not spectacular. Their eyes are pointed somewhat forward, granting them binocular vision. Supposedly, they are great trackers, but it's unclear whether this is because of a good sense of smell, or if they are clever enough to follow visual trails with good success. Some stories in which they are linked to Forces grant them supernatural tracking abilities, being able to locate their prey via magic, or make them simply know where their victim is at all times, but these are uncommon and generally dismissed.
Conservation Status
Mythological -- not proven to exist
Average Height
1.5 - 1.8m
Average Length
8m
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