Forktail Wyvern

Basic Information

Anatomy

The forktail wyvern is very much like its cousin the common wyvern. They have a long slender serpent-like body with two legs, two wings and a long muscular tail that is often the same size as its body. The forktail is also known for its finned back and slender tongue which can grow up to 150 centimeters.

Genetics and Reproduction

Forktails are monogamous and often mate for life. The couple will do most things together, unless the female wyvern is pregnants or protecting their nest or lair, in which case, the male wyvern will be hunting on its own and be easily aggravated. A female wyvern lays her egg during the late spring or early summer, and will often lay 1-3 eggs at a time. It is common for only one of the wyverns to survive until adulthood as parents kick their young out after two months, and since most wyverns learn to fly at 3 months old, most are killed by other predators before ever learning to fly. Wyvern eggs take about 60 days to hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Wyverns mature at the age of 2 and never stop growing during their lives. Most wyverns live to 50 years on average, but some of the oldest wyverns have lived to twice that number. A wyvern who survives past the age of 100 is considered venerable, though only 1 in 50 live beyond that age.

Ecology and Habitats

The forktail wyverns are more adapted to higher altitudes and rocky terrain. Most forktails have their nests far up in the mountains or in mountain caves.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Wyverns are carnivorous creatures and often the apex predator in their areas. They tend to feed on smaller creatures that wyvern who often target one large creature, but forktails have a different hunting tactic which limits them to smaller sizes. Desperate forktails or males who have had a hard time feeding his mate will target larger creatures, but it is a rare occurrence.

Behaviour

Forktails are cautious hunters and are more strategic with their kills. They often grab unaware creatures with their hooked tail and drop them from the skies, much like some birds do with hard shell creatures. Some who have observed these killings also say that more playful forktails might drop a creature to have its mate catch it moments before hitting the ground, just to scare it. If this has a bigger purpose than just playing with their food is still not fully understood.

Additional Information

Domestication

Though some cultures like the warriors of Decaris are known to break and ride wyverns, forktails are more difficult to break and train. Some who have managed to ride and train forktails, have found themselves being dropped by them from high distances.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Forktails have a different poison than normal wyvern, it is less potent, but drains the strength of those inflicted. This makes their poison as sought after as normal wyverns. Their tail is also a delicatesse, it is rare for hunters to hunt forktails for their meat, however, as the rest of their meat and body is mostly useless. Forktail skin is not tough enough to be used for armor and their bones are lighter than normal wyverns, making them frail for crafting or scrimshaw.

Average Intelligence

Forktails are known to be slightly more intelligent than normal wyverns, but seem to have a harder time being trained and taught commands.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The forktail wyvern is more perceptive than the common wyvern and has better eyesight. The forktail also has an unique ability to utilize its hooked tail stingers as a tuning fork, an ability which gives them limited echolocation.

World of Aloth

Forktail Wyvern CR: 7

Large dragon, unaligned

Armor Class: 14

Hit Points: 119 (14d10+42) 14d10+42

Speed: 20 ft , fly: 80 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

12 +1

CON

16 +3

INT

6 -2

WIS

13 +1

CHA

4 -3

Skills: Perception +7 1d20+7

Senses: Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 17

Challenge Rating: 7

Echolocation: The wyvern can't use its Blindsight while Deafened

Actions

Multiattack: The wyvern makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its Stinger. While flying, it can use its claws in place of one other Attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 1d20+7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) 2d6+4 piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 1d20+7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) 2d8+4 slashing damage. The target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) 4d6 poison damage and have their Strength score reduced by 1d4 1d4 on a failed save, or half take half as much damage and not have their Strength reduced on a successful one. The Strength reduction lasts until the creature has completed a long rest.
Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 1d20+7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) 2d6+4 piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is Grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is Restrained, and the wyvern can’t use its stinger.

Suggested Environments

Mountains, Tundra

Scientific Name

cauda-furca vipera

Lifespan

50 years

Average Weight

Between 850 kilo to 1150 kilo

Average Length

Between 5 meters to 12 meters

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Most forktails are either a dark shade of gray or a light blue.