Giant eagle animals
From FiranMUX
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Background
Giant eagles, another flying beast thought originally to be mythical by the Firans, are extremely rare beasts who originate in the mountains near the Caldera City. Few people have ever encountered these beasts, and they are shy and tend to avoid the settlements of man and civilization in general.
Giant Eagle Animals
Giant eagles appear to be extremely large versions of normal eagles, with plumage varying from dark brown to white and, rarely, golden. They stand 20' high at the shoulder, and weigh in at over 2000 lbs. They can carry a pilot and up to three passengers comfortably with appropriate outfitting, and they can lift up to 1000 lbs. if necessary. They consume over a hundred pounds of meat a day, and have been known to consume both horses and griffons, lifting them up into the air in their great clawed talons. They are reported to be quite intelligent by their riders.
Some History
In 37 A.U. a pair of Giant Eagles chose to nest in the Chimera roost within the Chimera district in Anarinuell. The nest can still be seen if you go there. It is from this brood that Sharin Rissik's Giant Eagle was gained.
During this time a Giant Eagle snatched a Hydran Griffon piloted by Lord Firistan out of the air and consumed it. It was only through the actions of the Giant Eagle that the Lord Firistan was not gravely injured in his fall to the ground.
Giant Eagle Use
As with the Griffons the Giant Eagle is equipped with a complex harness which both assists in the transfer of instructions to the mount and ensures that pilot and passengers/crew do not fall during manouvering. They can carry a pilot and three passengers during normal duties. From a code point of view they are controlled in the same manner as a griffon. (See Piloting for more information.)
Giant Eagle Ownership
As of 40 A.U., the only three Firans to ride giant eagles are the former Ticanee Clan Leader Torvahl, Garen, husband to Akinita and one of the original seven heroes and Sharin Rissik, Garen's grandson. It is also reported that Clan Leader Akinita was selected by an Eagle to ride once, but that she turned it down for reasons unknown.
Giant Eagle Husbandry
Unlike the semi-domesticated griffons, giant eagles are not bred and tamed by the Firans, but rather, every once in a great while a giant eagle chooses a companion from the ranks of men. The mechanism by which a giant eagle selects a rider is unknown, and neither Garen nor Torvahl have ever been very forthcoming regarding their relationships with the giant beasts.
Also see: Pilots -- Piloting -- animal husbandry
