Hawkstrider
General
- Classification
- Beast (Avian)
- Faction/Affiliation
- Thalassian elves
- Homeworld
- Azeroth
- Area(s)
- Quel'Thalas
- Languages
- —
Hawkstriders were large flightless birds with glowing eyes and beautiful, bright plumage that were tamed by the elves of Quel'Thalas as mounts and livestock. Notably, they had armored plates along their throats and underbellies, which was a trait not common amongst other birds.
History
Hawkstriders were originally native to a small island off the coast of the Broodlands. They were believed to have originally been related to hornstriders, but the proximity of the hornstriders to draconic kind caused the draconic mutations to manifest much more drastically than they did in the birds that would become hawkstriders. Following the Sundering, the island that was home to the hawkstriders was blown miles from the Broodlands and came to rest near the tip of Quel'Thalas. The numbers of hawkstriders were drastically reduced from the event, but they maintained a small-but-steady breeding population.
When the highborne under Dath'remar Sunstrider ended their pilgrimage, they were enamored with the beautiful, brightly plumed birds they found on the isle that would become Quel'danas. The elves immediately set about taming the beasts, and under their care, they became an integral part of elven lifestyle. Their numbers were drastically increased, and wild populations spread throughout the woodlands, though the large majority remained domesticated by the elves.
Husbandry
Hawkstriders were raised entirely by thalassian elves and largely served the same roles as human horses. Despite their sleight frames, they were able to carry riders easily, and they also could pull small-to-moderate sized carts, though they lacked the raw strength of dense draft horses. Hawkstrider eggs were considered to be a delicacy, and their size allowed a single egg to feed several people, thus some birds were kept as brooders in order to provide unfertilized eggs similar to chickens. Some birds were also butchered like other livestock, though the meat was somewhat gamey and resembled venison more than chicken.
Hawkstrider show breeding was also a very popular hobby amongst many elves, and selective breeding as well as mage-influence resulted in beautiful color mutations and plumage that could fetch very high prices, and feathers were used in clothing by various artisans to make show-stopping gowns and tunics.
Description
Hawkstriders were much larger than their elven riders, and had long, powerful legs that allowed them to cover great distances with little issue. While they were flightless, they had thick, beautiful plumage. Males were generally more colorful than females, but selective breeding over generations had resulted in even the females having such a wide variety of colors. They had long necks and sharp beaks, large side crests, and their eyes had a notable glow. The trait that made them most distinct from other birds were the scale-like plates along their underbellies, which resembled draconic scales.
Females were easier to handle than males unless they were brooding over a clutch of eggs, at which point they could become unpredictable around handlers that they were not familiar with. They typically established a pecking order amongst a flock of females, but largely self-regulated their hierarchy. Males could get ornery and loud during breeding seasons if they were not separated from females. They were known for a keening cry that had a touch of a growl to it, and their displays involved fluffing out their wings into an almost umbrella shape to show off their size and plumage to potential mates. These displays could last for hours.
Young hawkstriders were precocial and hatched with feathers and open eyes. While they were cared for by their mothers until they got older, they could eat on their own from the moment they were hatched, though they were incredibly gangly. They normally grew into their legs over several weeks.
Abilities
Hawkstriders were generally fairly docile creatures, but when threatened they could strike out with their powerful feet and talons. These kicks could be devastating to an average person, as they could easily break ribs or tear open flesh with their talons.
Statblocks
| Warcraft Creature Types |
|---|
| Aberration • Beast • Celestial • Construct • Demon • Dragonkin • Elemental • Fey • Giant • Humanoid • Monstrosity • Ooze • Plant • Undead |
| Beast Creatures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mammal | ||
| Carnivore | Cat (Lynx • Panthara • Saber) | |
| Ungulate | ||
| Avian | Hawkstrider • Peafowl • Raven (Blood Raven) | |
