Konvetra (kɐnˈvʲɛtrə)
During the last days of Muria, several groups of Zmei found a way to open a path to the legendary island of Buyan. There, in the forests that line the southern coast, they first encounterd the Konvetra, a species of wingless four-legged birds who have many qualities in common with horses. The Tugarin people who settled near the coast in the region called Lukomorye came to love and prize the Konvetra above all other animals, and have spent centuries breeding them to be their ideal steeds.
Basic Information
Anatomy
An adult konvetra is between 1000 and 2500 pounds, depending on the precise breed. They are tall and long bodied, with the largest breeds standing seven feet high at the shoulder and measuring nearly fifteen feet from beak to tail. They have four legs with clawed feet, each with four long toes. Their skin is covered by a thick coat of feathers, in every shade that can be imagined - the Tugarin have bred for specific colors and patterns over the centuries, and some breeds have colors that were never present in the wild population. A konvetra's head is rounder than a horse's, with large eyes and prominent beak. While the beaks of wild konvetra most closely resemble that of a parrot, selective breeding has resulted in a wide variety of beak shapes that help distinguish the different breeds. They have no external ears, and their long necks allow them to rotate their heads more than 180 degrees. Incautious riders have discovered that a konvetra can bite someone sitting on their back.
Genetics and Reproduction
Konvetra are oviparous, and in the wild build large nests in the forests. The herd will share a nesting region that they all defend, although each individual mated pair will have their own nest. Their eggs are elongated, and about a foot long; they take approximately 12 weeks to hatch after being laid. A konvetra will typically lay only one to two eggs at a time.
Growth Rate & Stages
Newly hatched konvetra are able to walk and forage almost immediately. They grow to their full size within the first three years of life, and live for about 30-60 years in the wild. Domesticated konvetra sometimes live up to 70 years, although this is shorter for some breeds.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Konvetra are omnivores, and plants make up the bulk of their diet. They rarely hunt, and are more likely to drive smaller animals away from their prey to acquire meat. Some breeds of Konvetra are selected for their hunting tendencies, and have a higher proportion of meat in their diet.
Behaviour
The Konvetra are territorial herd animals, with a strong internal hierarchy and pecking order. The leader of a herd is typically the oldest female, and the other konvetra rarely challenge her for control. During their youth, the konvetra will have skirmishes as they determine their place in the herd structure. They can be very aggressive when other herds impinge on their territory, although this rarely escalates beyond threat displays and intimidation. Domesticated konvetra treat the Tugarin who care for them as members of the herd, and often as equivalent or above the herd's matriarch. Their territorial nature makes them good guard animals, and smart intruders stay far away from a keep's konvetra stables.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Konvetra have excellent vision and can discriminate between more colors than most other species. They are diurnal and do not see particularly well in the dark. Their other senses are not exceptional, and they seem particularly insensitive to strong odors.
Comments