Suncrest's Bestiary: Razorbeak

[thelisan]

Appearance

Razorbeaks are stocky reptilian quadrupeds. Up to three and a half meters in length, they have thick tails, strong legs, hooked beaks, and seemingly-vestigial wings directly above their forelimbs. Their scales are generally mottled olive with muddy brown flecks throughout.

Their wings are lined with pinion-shaped scales noted for their hardness and sharpness. These scales develop as a young Razorbeak reaches maturity. 

Razorbeak in profile, artist's depiction. Provided by naturalist Endson Lawrence

 

Lifespan

Razorbeaks in the wild regularly reach 35 years of age, but their maximum age is unknown; all dead razorbeaks found have died in violence either with other beasts or hunters. Folk legends tell of century-old razorbeaks stalking the bog, but it remains yet unknown if there is truth to these tales.

They take approximately a decade to reach maturity, with some variation both between individuals and between sexes; female razorbeaks mature more slowly, taking up to 13 years.

 

Habitat

Razorbeaks favor warm swamps, where the waters can conceal them as they approach their prey. However, they are hardy creatures, and can be found rarely in temperate deciduous forests as well. They avoid deserts, which have too little food for them, and plains, which are too open and make it harder for them to hunt.

 

Behavior

The first summer after reaching maturity, a male razorbeak will set out to find its mate. Prospective mates take on a hunt together to gauge each others' worthiness as a mate and ability to provide food for their future young. They are also fiercely territorial, tolerating none but their mate and immediate family in their territory. This does also become an issue in mating season, as a razorbeak that fails to satisfy his would-be mate will often be attacked for it, leading to a battle that often takes both their lives. However, despite the fickle and often violent nature of courtship, razorbeaks mate for life.

They nest upwind from their prospective hunting grounds. This allows them to respond quickly if someone or something damages their eggs, damage they will be alerted to by a pungent odor. This odor comes from an oil in the eggshell.

While they are capable of impressive bursts of speed, they cannot sustain them for long. This is where their wings are used; razorbeaks are capable of launching their pinion scales over 60 meters in order to bleed a target out, to weaken them as the razorbeak closes for the kill. When they catch a weakened or unwary foe, their powerful beaks are employed to snap limbs and crush skulls.

 

Diet

Young razorbeaks feed on nuts and tree roots, which they use to develop their jaw strength in safety. As they close on maturity, however, they will eat more meat and begin hunting with their parents. This is for the development of their pinion scales, which requires them to eat meat and bone.

 

Human Interaction

Razorbeaks and humans near-inevitably come into conflict, whether by necessity or circumstance. They rarely pursue us as food unless desperate, but they will strike to kill if we give them a reason. Unprepared travelers that encounter a razorbeak are advised to raise their hands to shoulder-level, maintain eye contact, and back away. In the event that a razorbeak yet gives chase even after that, run in a serpentine manner to take advantage of their relatively limited agility.

Some hunters wear armor made from razorbeaks. This serves as both protection, owing to the resilience of their hides and bones, and as proof of their skill.

 

Glimmergold's Notes

Never pursue a razorbeak unless you are utterly certain you know what you are doing. They kill dozens of aspiring hunters every year.

As Suncrest noted, their hides and bones are useful. Their hides, however, may require specialized tools to remove sufficiently intact. Their bones are easier, but can be harder to work with; unlike steel, they do not take heat well, so you are best-served using bones already in the shape and size needed for your purposes.

Notably, their bones always look bloodstained, no matter how young and no matter how clean. This makes them popular and distinctive trophies.

Their pinion scales have several uses as well. They can be knapped into quality arrowheads, though this takes time due to their hardness and I rarely find it worthwhile. They can also be used in ritual among practitioners of the old craft. After a razorbeak infestation is cleared out, some will gather these scales from the area of their hunts and battles to sell to us for some extra coin, which is often especially helpful as a razorbeak nest will typically cause significant damage and distress until its destruction.

If they launch their scales at you, dare not think that's the only chance they'll have. Their wings contain rows of pinion scales ready to be pushed out for another volley. This does take a moment, so use the opportunity to flee, close the distance, or finish the job, as circumstances dictate.