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Shellbird — Description

A common sight along the coast and around the shallow seas, the shellbird is a sign of where land and fluid meet. They can be found perched upon cliffs and shards that overlook the crashing waves, and can be seen diving into the ocean for food. Their lives are ones of dual nature, for land and sea is where they live and thrive, but also fluid and air is how they travel. Shellbirds fly with scaly wings, using them to access their high up nests and to soar out into the ocean where they hunt for fish. When they spot food below, they dive right in and their wings turn to flippers. Eager beaks snap up their food, and they hurry back to shore to feed their young or find safety from the beasts of the depths. Thankfully, a spiny hard shell protects them from hungry jaws, but for only so long. There are many creatures down below that can crack through such armor if given the time and chance, thus shellbirds rely on this defense to give them a long enough opening to escape.
Shellbirds are enjoyed by seafolk, be it for their company or their meat. Some have been kept as pets or messengers, while wilder specimens may be hunted for their tough shells and tasty flesh. Shellbird soup is a favorite, with the frequent joke that it comes with its own bowl.
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Just a quick little post to show people that I am back! Been outta town for a minute but have returned. A lovely time had, but back to work!
Also, this fella is in the FOI universe instead of the KotWT one because A. It is based on medieval map beasties and B. there is no possible way to properly explain why it can fly, and thus it goes into the universe where things ain't so bound by the laws of physics and flesh. (Why does it have to fly? Well that's the entire point!)