Strixia

The Strixia is a family of large, rideable land birds that serve as powerful and loyal mounts across diverse terrains. Known for their impressive speed and stamina, they are valued companions in various cultures, particularly among nomadic and desert-dwelling societies. Strixia birds are well-adapted to their respective environments, whether traversing the scorching sands or sprinting across the vast plains. These birds are prized not only for their physical abilities but also for their strong bonds with their handlers, making them symbols of resilience, freedom, and endurance.

Desert Strixia

The Desert Strixia is a towering bird adapted to life in the arid regions, distinguished by its sandy-colored feathers and long, slender legs. Designed for swift movement across shifting sands, it has developed specialized adaptations to conserve water and withstand extreme heat. Revered in desert cultures, the Desert Strixia is a calm, gentle creature known for its loyalty, making it an ideal mount for desert travelers and nomads. This type of Strixia is celebrated as a symbol of endurance and adaptability, with its streamlined form enabling swift travel across the dunes.

Plains Strixia

Slightly smaller and more vibrant in color, the Plains Strixia thrives in the open grasslands and plains. It has a spirited and energetic disposition, eager to sprint across vast stretches of land. Known for its agility, the Plains Strixia is best suited for experienced riders who can handle its enthusiastic nature. Among plains-dwelling cultures, this bird is revered as a symbol of speed and freedom, often featured in races and hunting expeditions. Its close bond with its handler and lively temperament make it both a prideful companion and an exhilarating mount.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Strixia is anatomically adapted for land-based speed and endurance, with distinctive features in each type that suit their environments. Strixia are large, flightless birds with muscular legs, long necks, and strong, sharp talons. Their bones are denser than most birds, adding to their stability on rough terrain, and their large feet have specialized, padded toes to prevent slipping on sand or grass. Their powerful legs make them capable of sustained sprints, while their bodies are streamlined for minimal resistance.
Both types of Strixia have broad, sturdy beaks suited to a herbivorous diet, capable of cracking seeds and foraging through vegetation. Their beaks are slightly hooked, which aids in grasping tougher plants and plucking grasses, with Desert Strixia adapted to drier plants and Plains Strixia suited to leafy greens. Strixia birds have powerful hearts and highly efficient lungs, enabling them to maintain speed and endurance over short to medium distances. Their circulatory system is particularly robust, supporting the oxygen demands of rapid sprints and quick recoveries after exertion.

Desert Strixia

The Desert Strixia has a slender, streamlined build designed for traversing sand dunes and arid environments. Covered in short, dense, sandy-colored feathers that repel sand and help conserve moisture. The coloration allows them to blend into the desert, camouflaging from both prey and predators.
Extra long and sturdy, adapted for rapid, long strides over soft sand. Their toes have wide, rough pads that grip shifting sands efficiently. The Desert Strixia’s head is narrow with large, wide-set eyes optimized for sharp vision under glaring sunlight, while specialized glands near their nostrils help conserve moisture in dry air.

Plains Strixia

The Plains Strixia has a compact, muscular frame that supports bursts of speed and rapid directional changes. Vibrant plumage in shades of brown, green, and ochre, providing camouflage within grassy plains. The feathers are slightly longer and layered, offering insulation against both heat and cooler nighttime temperatures.
Strong, short-toed feet provide stability on uneven terrain and make for quick, agile movement. Their powerful leg muscles enable them to sprint and leap with ease. Plains Strixia have excellent eyesight to detect movement across the open plains, with slightly narrower pupils adapted for both bright daylight and dusk

Genetics and Reproduction

Strixia are long-lived birds with a relatively slow reproduction cycle, adapted to the challenging environments they inhabit. Strixia birds typically mate once every three years, with a short mating season that aligns with the most temperate part of the year. Both Desert and Plains Strixia form temporary pair bonds during this season, but they generally revert to their flock lifestyles outside the breeding period. Strixia are protective and attentive parents. They build well-camouflaged ground nests to conceal their eggs and defend their nests against intruders. Females take primary responsibility for incubating and guarding their eggs, displaying heightened vigilance during this period. In domesticated environments, handlers often support nesting efforts by providing secure nesting areas, which helps Strixia remain calm and focused on protecting their offspring.
After mating, the female Strixia lays a small clutch of one to two large, durable eggs. The eggs are well-camouflaged, blending with the natural environment to protect them from predators. In desert environments, the eggs have a sandy coating, while in the plains, they display muted earth tones. The incubation period lasts around two months, during which the female tends to the eggs, while the male guards the nesting area.
Strixia chicks are born with a thin covering of down and are highly dependent on their parents. Over the first year, they undergo rapid growth, developing their signature feathers and strength needed for travel. By two years old, young Strixia are nearly full-sized and begin training with experienced handlers if domesticated. They reach full maturity at around four years of age.
The Desert Strixia has a lifespan of approximately 15 to 20 years, while the Plains Strixia may live up to 25 years due to more abundant resources and less extreme conditions. Both species inherit their feather color patterns, body size, and adaptations for their specific environments genetically. Desert Strixia display sandy hues and moisture-conserving features, while Plains Strixia have vibrant, camouflaging plumage suited to the grassy plains.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Primarily herbivores, Strixia forage for a variety of plants, seeds, and grasses, depending on the region they inhabit. The Desert Strixia has adapted to consume tough desert vegetation and can go extended periods without water, while the Plains Strixia, with more abundant resources, grazes frequently to maintain energy levels. Their foraging behaviors are efficient, using their strong beaks to break down resilient plant matter and seek out hidden sources of nourishment in their respective terrains.

Behaviour

Strixia are intelligent, social, and highly adaptable birds that thrive in both wild and domesticated environments. Known for their strong bonds with their handlers and their gregarious nature, Strixia exhibit behaviors that reflect both survival instincts and a curious, cooperative temperament. Strixia are naturally social and form small to medium-sized flocks, especially during the breeding season or when food resources are plentiful. They are gregarious and thrive on social interaction within their groups, displaying friendly behaviors toward both their own species and trusted humans. Domesticated Strixia are known to form close-knit bonds with their handlers and other animals, showing loyalty and a strong preference for company over isolation.
Built for speed and endurance, Strixia are adept at covering long distances in search of food, water, and safe nesting grounds. The Desert Strixia moves with deliberate, energy-conserving strides across shifting sands, while the Plains Strixia is capable of quick directional changes and bursts of speed, allowing it to navigate uneven terrain. These mobility traits contribute to their valued status as mounts, as they can carry riders swiftly across challenging landscapes.
Strixia are protective of their flock and their chosen humans. When faced with a threat, they will stand their ground, using powerful legs and sharp claws to defend themselves and their companions. Desert Strixia, in particular, are known for their precision and strength when warding off potential dangers, making them reliable guardians. Plains Strixia, while slightly less defensive, are quick and agile, using evasive movements and forceful kicks when necessary. 
Strixia, especially when young, are naturally curious and enjoy engaging in playful behaviors, such as investigating new objects, practicing foraging, or exploring their surroundings. This curiosity makes them responsive to training and fosters a deep bond with handlers who engage them in new experiences. In domesticated settings, this playful nature is essential for building trust and keeping Strixia mentally stimulated, as they respond well to gentle training methods that encourage exploration.

Additional Information

Domestication

Known for their loyalty and keen social awareness, Strixia form lasting bonds with trusted humans and other animals. Once a Strixia bonds with a handler, it is deeply loyal, responding to voice commands, body language, and subtle cues with remarkable intelligence. They are sensitive creatures who can detect their handler’s emotions, making them excellent companions for those who treat them with respect and consistency. However, if treated poorly, they may grow distant, requiring a nurturing approach to maintain their bond.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Strixia’s sensory adaptations reflect its need to navigate vast, open landscapes—whether they are traversing harsh deserts or expansive plains.
Strixia birds possess exceptionally keen eyesight, adapted to help them scan large areas for potential threats or resources. Their large eyes are capable of detecting movement from great distances, crucial for spotting predators, prey, and water sources across the plains or desert. The Desert Strixia, in particular, has a reflective layer in its eyes that enhances its ability to see under glaring sunlight, helping reduce the effects of desert brightness. Both Desert and Plains Strixia have finely tuned hearing, capable of picking up subtle sounds across open spaces. While their hearing is not as acute as some other animals, it’s sufficient to alert them to distant sounds that might indicate approaching predators or other dangers.
The Strixia are sensitive to shifts in weather and air pressure, especially the Desert Strixia, which can detect changes indicating an approaching sandstorm. This sensitivity allows them to find shelter or warn their handlers, giving them a mystique as desert guides or protectors in Dhuma. Although the Strixia does not possess any psionic or magical abilities, their acute environmental awareness and close bond with handlers can sometimes create an impression of an almost telepathic connection. Riders often report feeling that their Strixia anticipates their movements or intentions, reflecting the bird’s highly perceptive nature.

Scientific Name

Strixus deserta (Desert Strixia)
Strixus campestris (Plains Strixia)

Lifespan

Plains Strixia: 20 to 25 years
Desert Strixia: 15 to 20 years in the wild.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Average Height

Desert Strixia: Typically stands between 8 to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 meters) tall at the shoulder, making them slightly taller to accommodate movement over desert sands.
Plains Strixia: Slightly shorter than their desert counterparts, averaging between 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 meters) tall, which supports their agility in open plains.

Average Weight

Desert Strixia: Weighs between 350 to 450 pounds (159 to 204 kg)
Plains Strixia: Slightly lighter, weighing between 300 to 400 pounds (136 to 181 kg)

Average Length

10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters) in total length.

Stat Block

Homebrew

Strixia CR: 2

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 60 (8d10 + 16)

Speed: 60 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

16 +3

CON

14 +2

INT

3 -4

WIS

12 +1

CHA

6 -2

Skills: Perception +4

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Challenge Rating: 2 ( 450 XP)

Keen Sight. The Strixia has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Trample. If the Strixia moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Strixia can make one beak attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

Multiattack. The Strixia makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its claws.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

The Strixia is a family of large, ridable land birds that can comfortably accommodate riders while possessing impressive speed and endurance over short distances.

Suggested Environments

The Desert Strixia is well adapted to arid environments.
Plains Strixia have spirited and energetic dispositions. They are known for their enthusiasm and eagerness to run. While this makes them exhilarating to ride, they are best suited for experienced riders who can handle their spirited nature.