Sea Scamp

We thought the gulls out at sea were bad enough, then these fuckers mobbed us the moment we made landfall and dared pull a morsel from our pack.

So much for our first meal back on land.

— Disgruntled Savelan sailor

Sea scamp is an informal name for a form of shorebird native to the Kingdom of Arsavela, known for its unique physique and opportunistic feeding habits.

Sprinters of the Seabreeze

The sea scamp is a terrible little bird that lives on the shores of the Kingdom of Arsavela, primarily along the northern shores of Brineveil Forest, with their territories appearing in lesser concentration along the shores of the Savelan Northlands and Melocazh Barrens.

These birds prefer to reside on sandy beaches along large bodies of saltwater, but some inland varieties have been known to thrive along freshwater banks.

Clumps of Seagrass

This creature is a delight to observe from a distance, and many birdwatchers eagerly look out for them while passing by the shorelines. They live together in small groups, sharing sandy nests littered with seaweed and ocean debris.

While huddled together in their nests, they mimic the appearance of clumped seaweeds, and they have the scent to match. While huddled together this way, sea scamps have a very puffy, spherical appearance. When they mobilize, however, they elongate to a nearly-uncomfortable degree. Their legs are longer than their folded resting forms would have one believe, and their necks shoot out away from the body a fair distance — resulting in a very awkward-shaped thin bird.

Location

Kingdom of Arsavela
Brineveil Forest
Savelan Northlands

Primary Nesting Area

Silverbay

Classification

Shorebird
(Protected Species)

---

Persistent Policy

The sea scamps are a protected species, a policy put in place by the Arsaces Monarchy decades ago — a policy the Alabaster Hand deemed unnecessary to revoke.

Interfering with their nests or retaliating against their feeding behaviors may result in disciplinary action ranging from fines to imprisonment.

---

Humans as a Food Source

Sea scamps were believed to have once been migratory species, venturing to southern lands when the northern frost encroached on Savelan shores. Newer generations of sea scamps, however, display a preference for static habitats, remaining on their native shores year-round.

Naturalists theorize that the success they have found in their thieving feeding habits was a major contributor to this change in behavior. Traffic along Arsavela's beaches is consistent throughout the year, giving these birds ample opportunity to scavenge and feed from the unwary. Populations around Silverbay, especially, exploded with sea scamps as visiting sailors from distant lands walked the salt-crusted shores, unaware of the small eyes tracking their movements.

Traveler rations continue to be a primary food source for these bold creatures as they prey on the unsuspecting visitors to their beaches.

Sea scamps are shameless opportunists with keen perception; there is no sneaking a bite with one in line of sight.

And where there is one, there will quickly become many, and they will strike without any form of hesitation or fear to snatch food directly from a traveler's hands, or even mouth, if they get the opportunity.

---

Regional Variants of the Sea Scamp

The sea scamp isn't just one species, but several all grouped under the same generic label.

Silverbay

Their bellies are a stark white, while their heads and backs feature patterns which range in coloration including shades of green, red, and purple, with scattered black patches.

Their mottled coloration allows them to camouflage well with their nesting materials, typically the red-green seagrasses found on the region's northern shores.

Terror of the Silver Sands

Savelan beaches were always a fairly popular place for locals to visit, but travelers are warned to avoid the beaches of Silverbay if they seek a relaxing beach picnic, or even to crack open any form of food. Though these birds are found all across the northern shores of the land, Silverbay is their primary nesting location, and their counts are in the dozens in every rocky corner one might turn their gaze to. They nest out in the open in Silverbay, most predators of the air avoiding the blinding sands, and most predators of the land finding the salt too harsh to traverse. With this open nesting plan, they have two unique advantages: clear line of sight of any traveler and their activities, and an overwhelming population.

Brineveil Forest