Vampire Penguin [Creature]
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2020 8:10 pm
Mostly at third draft:
Esteemed Colleague, I have returned from a 12 months journey into the Servos Jungle where I undertook to uncover new species of plants and animals. Now, I will not bore you with all the minute details of this harrowing and dangerous trip as it would take more time than what has been graciously granted to me. Thus, I will jump right into the core of the topic of my Memorandum that I have presented you.
Durkov Farstrider, Beastmaster Scholar
The Servos Jungle is a wild and dangerous place yet full of beauty and unknown secrets to be discovered. One of those newly discovered secrets is a fascinating symbiotic relationship between two of its inhabitants which, surprisingly, can be found a bit everywhere near shaded water.
The first half of the pair is the razor bramble. Growing in large patches, these thorny bushes have razor sharp leaves that give it its name as well as sweet dark-red berries. While it presents a moderate danger to Namegivers, carcasses of animals can and are regularly seen within them, trapped as they try to pass through or attracted by the berries. These carcasses will eventually enrich the soil in which they grow. The razor bramble needs to be approached with care as it will “lash out” or thrash when it senses a prey nearby or in it, thus causing a risk of being entangled just by carelessly walking too close to it.
The second half of the pair is a small flightless aquatic bird that nest within the brambles. The bird, which has been named a vampire penguin, is between 30 and 33 cm (12 and 13 in) tall and usually weighs about 1.5 kg on average (3.3 lb). The head and upper parts are isabelline in colour, with russet-color ear covers fading to white underneath, from the chin to the belly. The dark grey-black beak is 3–4 cm long, the irises pale silvery- or bluish-grey or hazel, and the feet pink above with black soles and webbing. An immature individual will have a shorter bill and lighter upperparts. These penguins are mainly hematophagous, feeding on the blood of the trapped animals, and they help the bramble by providing them with nutrient rich guano. They will supplement their diet with fish, flesh and shellfishes.
While harmless in appearance, these birds seem to be able to attract larger animals, especially predators, towards the bramble and are able to incite the bramble into violent lashing and thrashing with the help of their beak. Thus providing food for both of them. Furthermore, They are quite dangerous in the water, where they are more agile, and for anyone who has the misfortune of sleeping near razor brambles as they will take advantage of the opportunity. Their saliva is both mildly anaesthetic and anticoagulant, aiding them in remaining unnoticed while feeding.
Both of these menaces are known to the Cathan, the jungle T’skrang and the elusive elves of the Servos jungle. They will harvest the berries and use the bramble “branches” to grow new patches and form fences around their villages. The Branches can also be used as a kind of rope fence to form small enclaves for fowls and small animals. They will also hunt the penguins for their meat and their eggs which are considered a delicacy. Interestingly enough, They do not eat the innards claiming that the heart, the tongue, the liver and, especially, the whole digestive tract are prime ingredients in the creation of Blood Charms.
Vampire Pengin
Esteemed Colleague, I have returned from a 12 months journey into the Servos Jungle where I undertook to uncover new species of plants and animals. Now, I will not bore you with all the minute details of this harrowing and dangerous trip as it would take more time than what has been graciously granted to me. Thus, I will jump right into the core of the topic of my Memorandum that I have presented you.
Durkov Farstrider, Beastmaster Scholar
The Servos Jungle is a wild and dangerous place yet full of beauty and unknown secrets to be discovered. One of those newly discovered secrets is a fascinating symbiotic relationship between two of its inhabitants which, surprisingly, can be found a bit everywhere near shaded water.
The first half of the pair is the razor bramble. Growing in large patches, these thorny bushes have razor sharp leaves that give it its name as well as sweet dark-red berries. While it presents a moderate danger to Namegivers, carcasses of animals can and are regularly seen within them, trapped as they try to pass through or attracted by the berries. These carcasses will eventually enrich the soil in which they grow. The razor bramble needs to be approached with care as it will “lash out” or thrash when it senses a prey nearby or in it, thus causing a risk of being entangled just by carelessly walking too close to it.
The second half of the pair is a small flightless aquatic bird that nest within the brambles. The bird, which has been named a vampire penguin, is between 30 and 33 cm (12 and 13 in) tall and usually weighs about 1.5 kg on average (3.3 lb). The head and upper parts are isabelline in colour, with russet-color ear covers fading to white underneath, from the chin to the belly. The dark grey-black beak is 3–4 cm long, the irises pale silvery- or bluish-grey or hazel, and the feet pink above with black soles and webbing. An immature individual will have a shorter bill and lighter upperparts. These penguins are mainly hematophagous, feeding on the blood of the trapped animals, and they help the bramble by providing them with nutrient rich guano. They will supplement their diet with fish, flesh and shellfishes.
While harmless in appearance, these birds seem to be able to attract larger animals, especially predators, towards the bramble and are able to incite the bramble into violent lashing and thrashing with the help of their beak. Thus providing food for both of them. Furthermore, They are quite dangerous in the water, where they are more agile, and for anyone who has the misfortune of sleeping near razor brambles as they will take advantage of the opportunity. Their saliva is both mildly anaesthetic and anticoagulant, aiding them in remaining unnoticed while feeding.
Both of these menaces are known to the Cathan, the jungle T’skrang and the elusive elves of the Servos jungle. They will harvest the berries and use the bramble “branches” to grow new patches and form fences around their villages. The Branches can also be used as a kind of rope fence to form small enclaves for fowls and small animals. They will also hunt the penguins for their meat and their eggs which are considered a delicacy. Interestingly enough, They do not eat the innards claiming that the heart, the tongue, the liver and, especially, the whole digestive tract are prime ingredients in the creation of Blood Charms.
Vampire Pengin