Submission for Trudi Vowl

[Jagdkatzchen 72]

Name of the creature:

Trudi Vowl

(Optional) Link to a picture of the creature + name of the artist:

(Art by Paperiapina)

Is this creature tamable and if so, how:

The Trudi Vowl is tameable, and quite capable of being integrated into human societies. Trudies exhibit a wide range of personalities, so bonding with one will usually require getting to know the specific Trudi in question as one would a new friend. Fortunately, a sense of security and a supply of food can help keep a wild Trudi around, which gives an aspiring Trudi tamer more time to form lasting connections with it.

Can you use this in combat:

Yes.

 

Habitats - Check all that apply:

Savannah

 

Summary of the creature:

Trudi Vowls are feathered maniraptorans with coats that come in a variety of feathers and patterns, with males usually possessing flashier displays when compared to females. Adults stand at around half the height of a grown human, and while they cannot boast of their strength, they can achieve impressive sprinting speeds. They are omnivorous, typically eating small prey animals and vegetation low in cellulose. Trudies come in a vast array of personalities, which they often display through their advanced social and communicative skills. Their cognitive ability is also notable, and when used in tandem with their opposable thumbs, allows them to use tools to accomplish menial tasks.

 

 

Characteristics of the creature:

Physiology:

When viewed from the side, a standing adult Trudi Vowl measures about 1 metre in height and 2 metres in length. These creatures are nearly totally covered in feathers, with the only exceptions being the frontal portion of their jaws, and the undersides of their hands and feet. Most of these feathers are filamentous and resemble down feathers or fur, with pennaceous feathers being found along their arms and tails. While the colouration and patterning of these feathers can vary from Trudi to Trudi, males tend to possess brighter and more conspicuous coats, while females tend to appear less vibrant.

 

These creatures possess a keen sense of hearing, and their binocular vision is well-adapted to use during the night. When struck with light in a dark environment, the eye of a Trudi Vowl can appear to glow due to the presence of the tapetum lucidum; similar to a cat. The slender frame of the Trudi Vowl gifts it with increased cursoriality, allowing it to reach a sprinting speed of 70km/h.

 

Trudies do not have a strong bite force, and though they possess jaws of small, pointed teeth, these teeth are serrated in a manner like the teeth of certain herbivorous species. Another notable aspect of their physiology lies in their hands, as each of them bear an opposable digit that could be called a thumb. They also possess a retractable claw on each foot that is slightly larger than the rest of their hind claws, which is held above the ground when moving.

 

Behaviour:

Trudi Vowls alternate between being crepuscular and nocturnal, depending on the most convenient lifestyle for their present situation. When it comes time to rest, they can climb up trees to roost, though any place where a Trudi can feel comfortable will suffice.

 

Trudies are social animals, and often stick near other Trudies that they like. However, perhaps owing to their diet, they rarely hunt in packs. Instead, they often search for food alone, and once satiated, they return to their clique to mingle and relax. The personality of an individual Trudi is hard to predict, as they can possess a wide range of personalities. Some Trudies abhor conflict, and will shy away from anything that appears remotely threatening. Others will band together to climb up a tree a predator is sleeping under just to take a collective poop on its head.

 

They are fiercely intelligent, displaying heightened pattern recognition skills, problem solving skills, and the ability to formulate long-term plans. Trudies have been known to catch insects to use as bait for fishing, and can cooperate with others to flush out burrowing animals from the ground. With their opposable thumbs, they are also capable of manipulating tools, though in a less dexterous manner when compared to a human.

 

Trudies are capable for emitting warbles and chirps, and use their vocalizations in tandem with body language to display their emotions. However, it would appear that they are also capable of understanding and utilizing languages, with different groups of Trudies utilizing different arm gestures and vocal patterns to communicate more complex ideas. In fact, they often utilize this ability to share information with other Trudies about their environment, such as if there is an annoyance around, or if a new supply of food has been discovered.

 

Habitat:

Trudi Vowls reside in the savannah, and though they may roam across the landscape, they tend to prefer sticking close to areas with plenty of cover and trees.

 

Diet:

Trudies are omnivorous, but when they do consume vegetation, they will opt for choices with lower levels of cellulose. Trudies will usually prefer hunting for meat over eating plant matter, with their choice of prey being small animals such as invertebrates, rodents and fish. 

 

Lifespan:

Trudi Vowls can live for 50 years.

 

Reproduction:

Trudi Vowls reach sexual maturity at 5 years of age. During courtship, males will present their plumage to females and allow the latter to inspect them. Should a female be receptive to a male, she will initiate a courtship dance, to which the male will respond by transitioning into a flashier dance. If the female’s interest is held, they will mate.

 

The pair will construct a nest in a location they deem safe, and the female will lay 1-5 eggs 3 days after mating. The eggs resemble elongated teardrops about the size of two fists, and will have to be incubated for 1.5 months before hatching. Hatchlings will follow their parents around and learn from them, and will become gradually more independent as they approach sexual maturity.

 

(Optional) Origins of the creature:

The Trudi Vowl is heavily inspired by the stenonychosaurus, or the troodontid portrayed in NHK’s Amazing Dinoworld. However, I increased the intelligence and sociability of the creature so that Trudies might be able to fulfill roles like those of Palicoes in Monster Hunter.

 

Strengths/Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Good senses of sight and hearing
• Fast enough to run 70km/h
• Possesses opposable thumbs and can use tools
• Advanced social and communicative skills
• Big brain

Weaknesses:

• Relatively small
• Not particularly strong
• Struggles to take down anything more than half its size alone

 

Red Lines

Trudi Vowls lack the dexterity to use anything more complex than sticks and stones in combat.

The claws of a Trudi’s feet do about as much damage as a lynx’s swipe.

They will feel insulted if treated as a mere pet.

A Trudi Vowl can be taught to perform menial tasks.

Don’t expect them to comprehend algebra.

Trudies cannot live beyond the age of 50.

 

Availability:

Common - Anyone can RP finding this creature.

Edited July 20, 2021 by Jagdkatzchen
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