Skytalon Drake

Appearance

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The Skytalon Drake is a formidable airborne predator that dominates the skies of Yrdde, its sleek and muscular form cutting through the air with effortless grace. With a wingspan stretching up to twenty feet, it is a fearsome sight as it soars through the clouds in search of prey. Their bodies are covered in iridescent scales that shimmer in the sunlight, ranging in color from deep azure to metallic silver. Their deadly talons, perfect for nabbing smaller creatures out of the sky with precision, are sharp enough to puncture the metal shells of most airships.

Habitat

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Skytalon drakes can remain airborne for days at a time, typically hunting across sky-sea tradelanes and air currents popular with schools of sky-fish. After hunting their fill they return to the countless tiny islands that dot the sky-sea, where their clutches of eggs lie hidden from predators and poachers.

Behavior

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Equipped with keen eyesight and acute senses, the Skytalon Drake hunts with ruthless efficiency, scouring the sky-sea for unwary travelers and vulnerable prey. Its powerful wings allow it to traverse vast distances in search of food, and it is known to travel in small packs, coordinating their attacks with deadly precision.
When hunting airships, the Skytalon Drake will often swoop down from above, launching itself at its prey with incredible speed and agility. Using its razor-sharp talons and powerful beak, it will tear through the hull of the airship, seeking out any food or supplies it can find before disappearing back into the clouds. They seem to have a clever sort of intelligence, as they almost never attack crews and will not attack targets that are prepared to defend themselves.
Tamed drakes are raised from chicks by trained breeders, and are often used to flush out prey and aid hunters. Specialist breeders in the Empire raise drakes with unique scale patterns and colors, chasing the ever-changing fads amongst the Imperial elite.