Raptors

**Raptors** are winged Synths, with a resemblance to theropod dinosaurs (from which their name comes from), though far larger and more idealized than the creatures that once existed.

## History

When the first Avio prototypes were created, there were many mistakes. However from these mistakes, there were opportunities made for the project managers to go back on the codes and create new creatures from what they had learnt. This is how Raptors were begun.

That and because someone had the bright idea to make big dinosaur looking creatures with a few of their own preferential designs.

*Drake Raptors*, so called for the dragon-like 6 limbs, are based more roughly off of the appearances of the likes of Utahraptor or Deinonychus, where as the *Jewel raptors* are more representative of Velociraptor.

#### **Uses**

Drake Raptors are often used as guard dogs, similarly how guard geese are used, as they will be territorial and will attack if that territory gets invaded by anything new.

#### **Senses**

Raptors have accute vision, able to see in low light in some subspecies.

## Behaviour

Drake Raptors have strong social bonds with one another and live in stable groups of up to twelve individuals. They are highly cooperative and capable of strategizing and utilising each individual's strengths in hunting and exhibit a lot of play behaviours.

As they are so social, they have a number of various behaviours to communicate and express themselves to one another, through both vocalisations with hisses, trills, purrs, and screeches, to fanning feathers, using arms and wings independently, and moving their head crests up and down.

> "...*They hissed, bowing low with their wings fanned low in aggression, keeping their distance as she threatened them with powerful beats of her wings.*
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There is somewhat of a hierarchy, which falls possibly to the largest and-or eldest member of the group.

> *"...she mimicked the Drakes body language, walking on her toes with purposeful steps and intermittent bounding leaps, sharply turning her head, and hissing at them in their same low echoing manner. They stepped away, allowing her to walk between them, though she kept her wings arched out either side of her as a display of how large she was."*
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In Sirocco it is revealed that Raptors are actually raised initially by Avios, and so have a strong familial imprint on them and so listen to and follow the behaviours of Avios far more willingly than of humans. This socialisation is useful.

## Ecological Purpose

### Niche

The creation of Avios has been a process, with many versions, however their ultimate goal was to have a human-like Synth with both wings and arms that could be moved independently of one another, and could maintain flight.

## **Drake Raptor Subspecies**

#### **Harrier**

The most common species of Raptor and what is considered to be the standard basal form from with other Raptors are derived.

> *Now in the light they could see each of the six Drakes. Each one standing taller than Amell on long legs with a head that reminded her of a feathered monitor lizard and the black and rust plumage of a Harris’s hawk. Nearly four meters long from tip to tail, with fans of black and white striped feathers that ran down their long stiff tails and their taloned arms; they were six limbed like a dragon, like an Avio.*
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They are highly trainable and are on par with other working animals such as dogs, rats, and falconry birds for their intelligence. They are the only raptors that have teamwork skills, and prefer to work together in flocks.

They are fast runners, capable of sustaining a 45-50 mph pace for half an hour before tiring, with short sprints of up to 65mph. Although they cannot fly long distances like an Avio can, they are capable of short flights and gliding in a similar way to which peacocks and other short-winged birds can.

The predominant colouration of Harriers usually fall within maroon, black, and brown shades, with females being larger.

**Colour Morphs:**

* **Harrier (Standard)** - Russet brown feathers with black and white markings, and black/grey scales
* **Snowshoe** - White feathers with pale yellow scales.
* **Nightjar** - Black and grey feathers, with grey scales.
* **Buzzard** - Brown feathers with yellow scales.
* **Au** - Yellow-gold feathers with black markings, brown/grey scales.
* **Royal** - Bright red feathers with black and white markings, grey scales.

#### **Padfoot**

The Padfoot is a highly feathered critter, used more often in colder climates.

Their running ability is more limited than Harriers, however they do possess climbing skills and often use their wings to help them run up trees and rock faces before swooping down on targets and piercing them with long, sharp talons. The sound of a Padfoot in the dark is apparently a horrifying nightmarish hiss that grows into a scream. Despite this, they are very, very soft to the touch and make the best pillows from their feathers.

**Colour Morphs:**

* **Ermine** - White with black markings.
* **Caramel** - Brown and yellow-gold feathers with black and dark brown markings.
* **Sooty** - Grey, black, and dark brown feathers with lighter undersides.

#### **Archer**

The second smallest subspecies of Drake Raptor, they are fragile looking next to Harriers but are fearless; designed to hunt snakes and other reptiles in areas where venomous reptiles are prevalent. They aren't as fast as Harriers, but can put on a sprint when they need to, and have the best flying ability of all Drake Raptors. Their primary purpose is to protect against wildlife and other critters by using their legs to stomp and strike, but they will go after humans and other Synths.

They are very calm around humans, and like to be petted making them useful pets.

#### **Swoose**

Created by someone who liked swans but didn't think it through.

Just one Swoose egg is the equivalent to nearly 75 chicken eggs, and its meat is the equivalent to 200 chickens, making it far more useful as an agricultural Raptor, as well as a guard Raptor as they are excessively territorial.

#### **Imperial**

The Imperial Drake Raptor is the result of a mixture of breeding and remodification of the Harrier, to produce a swifter more obedient and flight worthy Raptor, at the expense of a much shorter lifespan than the Harrier. They are counter-shaded with darker backs and pale stomachs, spotted with red. Of all the Drake Raptors, they have the largest wingspan, longest tail, and most tailfeathers.

Compared to the Harrier, these Imperials can take off with a running start and climb into the air, and can fly for up to half an hour, more than the Harrier which can only glide.

They are rare and only owned by the upper echelons of ARCDA's leaders, including Guy Daniels who has a breeding pair.

## See More

* Synths
* ARCDA
* Critters

## Trivia

* *Drake Raptors*, so called for the dragon-like 6 limbs, are based more roughly off of the appearances of the likes of Utahraptor or Deinonychus
* *Jewel raptors* are more representative of Velociraptor and lack the additional wings of the bigger Drake Raptors.
* The name Drake Raptor comes from both the term for a dragon, a drake, and the name for a male duck.
* Harriers have little orange spangles.

## References

1. ↑ **Stormbite**: Chapter 30
2. ↑ **Stormbite**: Chapter 31
3. ↑ **Stormbite**: Chapter 30

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