Crestbill

Threat Level: Very High

A living fossil, or perhaps a case of extreme specialization, the Crestbill has cemented itself as the most outlandish, and cruelest, of the Terror Birds.

Description

Standing at an imposing 12ft tall, the Crestbill is the only quadrupedal Terror Bird in all of Jotunheim, possessing what appears to be an additional pair of appendages. However, while primarily seen walking on all fours, the Crestbill is far from limited to a quadruped gait, and in truth is capable of several forms of locomotion. To begin with, much akin to a bear, the Crestbill can stand, for short periods, on its hind legs to increase its height and to allow it an elevated view. The Crestbill has also been noted climbing trees, and using a foldable set of extensions on its “arms” (which are in fact “Proto-wings”, or in other words the link between wings and arms) to “glide” from one elevation to another, usually using it to hop from tree to tree, or to swoop down on unsuspecting prey.

The Crestbills arsenal is quite diverse, not only possessing a venomous stinger hidden within feather at the tip of its tail, but is able to produce a viscous mucus within its trademark “crest” and expelling it out in globs, usually rendering whatever poor soul has been entrapped immobile, much akin to “webbing.” Additionally, though this seems to have been specially adapted for the Lanced Harbinger, the Crestbill possess tightly interwoven feathers across its body, which serves the purpose of protecting it from piercing attacks. Although, it has been shown that with adequate force, the feathers can be penetrated, but will still dampen the blow.

Ecology

Highly intelligent, rivaling even the Lanced Harbinger, the Crestbill is often viewed in a bogey man esc light, especially with nearby Firbolgs. And while many of the rumors and myths are nothing but superstition, the underlining theme of their cruelty, vindictiveness and sadistic nature is very much so true.

Examples of such behavior has been documented into a short, but comprehensive, list. This researcher would like to forewarn readers of the graphic details that said list may contain. Additionally, this researcher firmly believes that no animal is truly “evil”, but instead are simply byproducts of their environment, with any such notions of “evil” simply being equated to our biased perceptions and beliefs. With this being said, this researcher also believes the Crestbill to be an exception to this.

• An infant Boggle had its limbs methodically dismembered, with the stumps being covered in the Crestbills mucous to stem bleeding. It’s was not eaten.
• A Treant sapling had its bark removed, along with limbs, and was placed near a termite mound.
• A pair of Crestbills managed to subdue an Amargasaurus, and proceeded to take turns stabbing it with their stingers, letting out strange warbling sounds as they did so. This is believed to be laughter. The creature was partially eaten, and used to attract other creatures.
• Two juvenile Suchomimus located previously mentioned Amargasaurus body, and was ambushed by Crestbills. The two took the young kings to a river, and held them under for prolonged periods. This continued for several hours, as they would bring them back up before drowning, allowed to catch their breath, before being dunked back under.
• An as of yet undiscovered species of large canine was fed pieces of itself. Further information has been stricken. The canine was left inedible due to nearly all of it being inside itself.
• Exactly 25 rats were captured and buried alive.

It is because of such behaviors that most wildlife will choose to actively avoid any area where a Crestbill is known to frequent, leading to it living a nomadic lifestyle, in search of food and “fun”. Of course, the Lanced Harbinger is an exemption, as they will actively seek out and kill Crestbills, and in turn Crestbills that have managed to kill or incapacitate a Harbinger have been noted to be ESPECIALLY cruel in their activities of torturing. It’s largely unknown why or how this rivalry started, but is theorized that due to Niche Overlap, both being apex predators in their selected pockets of the Jungle and feeding on similar game, they instinctively recognize the other as a competitor for the resources. Intrestingly, both species seemed to have become specially adapted to counter the other. With the Harbinger having adapted an oil like coating on its feathers to combat the Crestbills glue like mucous, and an immunity to all forms of toxins to counter its venomous sting.

While not a widely accepted theory, it is of note to mention the folklore surrounding the rivalry of the two, provided from the native Firbolgs. The story goes thusly:

“Long ago, before Annam left his children, and even before the Great War of Dragons, the Firlegs [Crestbill] roamed the lands sewing his chaos. He took great delight in the pain of others, and would steal away children, only to use his insidious [closest translations is “Nose Slime”] and return them malformed. One day, the Firlegs entered the Kingdom of Jotuns, and stole away the first born of Thrym, only to return him ugly and horned. Annam, enraged, set off for the Firlegs.

However, the forests where the Firlegs lived was too crowded with trees and so he could not be found. Not to be bested, Annam set to creating a might creature to slay the beast. And so he made the Rod-Krigga [Lanced-Harbinger]. For four days and four nights they battled, toppling trees and shaking mountains.

By the end, both lay slain. But so impressed by the display of combat, Thrym and Annam decided to take each of the fallen beasts plumage and create children of each, so that their battle may forever continue”