[✓] [Creature Lore] Starry Owl

[Forgefire 98]

Starry Owl

Spoiler

 

 

 

(Artistic renditions)

 

 

Origin

The starry owl is an uncommon species of owl native to the towering mountains and trees of the wintry far northwestern reaches of Aevos, though can be seen rarely on peaks and pines throughout the land. Their uniquely colored feathers give the appearance of the glistening night sky when viewed from below, providing camouflage during the darkest hours of the night. These owls nest far up high, as close to the stars as they can get, where their illusory appearance is hardest to discern.

 

Biology

Starry owls are easily identifiable by their unique plumage. Similar at first glance to a black-banded owl's feathers, they are mainly dark black in color, with very small stripes of silver, cyan, and light yellow that create the starry illusion from afar. The primary wing feathers contain less pigmentation than the body and tail feathers, being almost completely black. Their body feathers are bound extremely tight together during flight, creating an almost smooth sheen that reflects moonlight just enough to make their 'stars' shine. On cloudy nights or during a new moon, they can somewhat hide the colorful parts of their feathers, but not completely, making them more easily identifiable and less active during these times.

 

These owls range in size similarly to the black-banded owl - males being between 9-12 inches in height with a 17-22 inch wingspan, and females being between 10-14 inches in height with a 19-26 inch wingspan.

 

Behavior

Being strictly nocturnal, like most owls, starry owls sleep during most of the day and only hunt during the darkest hours of the night. As such, they become more active during the winter season, when nights are longer. This causes an interesting phenomenon where, unlike many migratory animals that follow the warm season, starry owls will migrate at the beginning of summer, just after mating season, to follow the longer nights. They are very capable navigators, able to fly long distances with consistent accuracy, which has motivated some to use them for delivering letters.

 

Starry owls are solitary creatures, never being seen in groups larger than a pair after being old enough to survive on their own, except in very rare circumstances. They usually mate for life, and lay 2-4 eggs each breeding season, if conditions allow. Breeding season most often takes place during early spring, but is heavily influenced by the availability of food.

 

When a starry owl dies, some innate signal, be it a scent given off or simply inexplicable means, a group of the nearest starry owls immediately fly to find their dead companion, taking their remains high into the sky, higher than can be observed. Auspicious rumors claim that each owl taken this way becomes another star in the night sky, aiding other owls with their camouflage.

 

Taming

Uniquely, starry owls are able to be tamed rather consistently, with enough patience. Once its trust is gained, it remains near absolutely loyal to its owner, regularly returning after being let out. It does require a good measure of care, though. Spending time with them during their waking day hours and letting them out every night to hunt for food are both necessary. They possess minimal faculties for training, only able to be trained in very simple tasks, and will never comply to being trained to attack or defend.

 

Starry owls will bond with only one person for life, and are shy around anyone else. This bond is very strong. A bonded owl is irreversibly attached to its owner, becoming overly dependent and wishing to be with them almost all of the time. They always leave some unique mark on their owner, usually a faintly visible glittering constellation pattern. This is to mark their unique partnership, meaning no other starry owl will bond with that owner as long as the mark is there. Removing the mark, which must be done intentionally, is a show of abandonment. If their owner dies or abandons them, the owl will go through a period of mourning for a year or even longer, in which their feathers darken to a complete black and they remain lethargic, only going out to hunt and refusing any contact.

 

These owls are very closely intertwined with the patterns and cycles of the cosmos, which is especially apparent when tamed. Their mood shifts with the lunar cycle, their behavior changes during astrological events, and they are especially excited to see shooting stars. During a full eclipse, they become extra active and energetic.

 

Spoiler

Redlines

-Cannot be trained to do more complex tasks than answer to a name, be called, and act as a flavored way to send letters

-CANNOT provide any combative advantage AT ALL, purely for RP

-Can only have one bonded partnership at a time, must wait at least 1 IRP year after death or abandonment to bond with another owner

-Cannot be used as a combative summon or creature

Spoiler

OOC Purpose

Owls normally cannot be domesticated and make for terrible pets, which is really sad. I think there should be more tame and flavorful creatures to contribute to our awesome and underrated zoology RP.

 

[BakedPotato 1021]

This is neat, i like

[mothsthetic 2250]

oh to be the neighborhood crazy starry owl lady

[Rhettthecoldone 252]

Want now. I need now.

[tadabug2000 4918]

I want and I love this

[Bethinwonderland 2213]

I would like five please and thank you!!

[xo31 3979]

is it voidal...

[Forgefire 98]

perchance

[NightcastorKitty 2780]

[VoidTermnia 288]

adding this to moths list of random ass magical animals as we speak

[Islamadon 9158]

This Lore has been accepted. Moved to Implemented Lore, it will be sorted to it's appropriate category soon. Please note that if this is playable lore, such as a magic or CA, you will need to write a guide for this piece. You will be contacted regarding the guide (or implementation if it isn’t needed) shortly.