Approved Species Shuvu

[Rosalina]

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OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a hunting companion for the Nasvalo mountain people.
• ​Image Credit: shiprock on DeviantArt
• Canon: N/A
• Links: Nasvalo

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Name: Shuvu
• Designation: Semi-sentient
• Homeworld: Manas
• Language: Chirps and screeches
• Average Lifespan: 14~22 years in the wild, 25~35 years domesticated/bonded
• Estimated Population: Planetary
• Description: Shuvu are avian creatures native to the mountains of Manas. These birds are rather large and have sharp beaks and talons used for hunting game. Quite a few have been tamed and bonded with Nasvalo hunters and are often used as hunting companions. Shuvu are covered with feathers that come in varying shades of white, grey, brown and black. They are not considered to be particularly beautiful creatures and many are downright homely and rough looking. The lack of looks and an aggressive temperament make them difficult to tame and keep as pets, but once they are fully bonded with a hunter they are loyal companions for life.

PHYSICAL INFORMATION

• Breathes: Type I
• Average height of adults: 30-50cm
• Average length of adults: 40-64cm
• Skin color: Various shades of brown beneath the feathers
• Hair color: Feather colors come in shades of white, grey, brown and black
• Distinctions: Razor sharp beaks and claws
• Races: N/A
• Strengths:
  Eagle Eyes: Shuvu have naturally keen eyesight (up to 8x better than humans) and are able to spot color and shape distinctions from far away. Additionally, Shuvu have the ability to detect lifeforms with thermal vision making them ideal for hunting.
• Brave Bird: A Shuvu bonds deeply with his or her handler, becoming very protective of them and will defend them to the death should they be in danger.
• Pointy: A Shuvu’s beak and claws are both hard and razor sharp, enabling them to tear through the flesh of their prey with ease.

[*]Weaknesses:

• Temperament: Shuvu can be hostile and independent creatures even when domesticated. These creatures tend to be wary around strangers and may become easily aggravated--even if the stranger is shown to be friendly and of no danger. While a Shuvu will only listen to his or her handler, they are liable to act aggressively towards anyone unfamiliar unless instructed otherwise.
• Squishy: Though made for tough mountain life, Shuvu are still squishy birds that are made for offense rather than defense. A well placed bout of blunt trauma or blaster bolt will take them down.
• Upkeep: Shuvu burn a lot of calories and must intake a lot of protein in order to survive. This can prove difficult during winter and in times of famine when game may be scarce when a hunters may not be able to properly feed Shuvu, causing them to become lethargic and even starve to death.

CULTURE

• Diet: Small rodents and occasionally insects. Can be fed certain vegetables and fruits in small amounts, but grains will cause bloating and bowel obstruction and should be avoided.
• Communication: Vocally among members of their own species
• Technology level: N/A
• Religion/Beliefs: N/A
• General behavior: Shuvu are aggressive and solitary. They do not form attachments easily even among their own kind and mother Shuvu will gradually lose their maternal instincts to the point where she will chase her adolescent children from the nest (conveniently after they are biologically ready to be on their own). Typically they live and hunt alone, competing with their own kin for territory and meals.

Domesticating a Shuvu is a difficult task and one would argue that they never become fully domesticated. Around their 14th birthday, Nasvali are tasked to either capture a fledgling Shuvu from its nest or an adolescent from the wild. These challenges are dangerous and some tribes resort to breeding domesticated Shuvu in order to produce offspring. Once the Nasvali and Shuvu successfully meet, the Nasvali must tame the Shuvu and bond with it through a series of special hunting and training sessions. Developing a bond can take many years and result in many injuries from the aggressive Shuvu, though a Shuvu will respect and remain fiercely loyal to a handler they have bonded with. Shuvu will only bond with one handler and fully mature adult Shuvu cannot begin the bonding process.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Shuvu have lived on Manas for thousands of years and have been loyal companions for just as long—at least, that’s what the stories all say. Because history is passed down through word of mouth there are very few written accounts of the Shuvu. However, many ancient tales and works of art include the Shuvu and its bond with a Nasvali hunter.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Under review.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Alm"]

For the most part this is a perfectly fine submission. Neat lore addition to your planet and I would love to see more of this!

Just a few things though- foremost: it says that the birb is sentient, but from everything after that it reads more like semi-sentient at best? Could you walk me through your rationale here?

 

[Rosalina]

[member="Jairus Starvald"]

I had a bit of trouble with the designation. Changed it to semi-sentient because it fits

 

[Jairus Starvald]

Temperament: Shuvu tend to be aggressive and independent creatures even when domesticated. A Shuvu will only listen to his or her handler and will likely be very protective of them if they perceive any harm coming their way

Last thing: this reads more like a strength in my opinion. Because they serve mostly as hunters and defenders of their handlers, the fact that they are protective of them actually works as an advantage. Maybe if you change that into being difficult to handle by their handlers as well?

That would work better here. Give me your thoughts?

 

[Rosalina]

Last thing: this reads more like a strength in my opinion. Because they serve mostly as hunters and defenders of their handlers, the fact that they are protective of them actually works as an advantage. Maybe if you change that into being difficult to handle by their handlers as well?

That would work better here. Give me your thoughts?

The idea behind that weakness was to highlight that Shuvu can be hostile around newcomers regardless of whether or not they are friendly because they're so protective. They'd only be aggressive around their handlers during training. I've edited this weakness to reflect that more clearly and added the bit about being protective onto the "Brave Bird" strength in order to flesh that out a bit more.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Alm"]

That works. Nice birbs, gimme more!

Enjoy.

 

[Zeradias Mant]

Approved.