Nafinju
Contents
Overview
Name: Nafinju
Quick Facts
Height: 15–26 inches at the shoulder
Width: ~10 inches
Length: 35–53 inches rump to chest
Weight: 15.9-34 kg or 35-75 lbs
Native to: Southern Idalos
Meta Location Found: Makubwa Lori primarily, other forested areas of Southern Idalos, possibility of introduction to other forested biomes.
Created By: Toscun'ahesesi
Appearance:
The Nafinju, is a decidedly odd looking creature. It's body is best compared to that of the smaller breeds of deer, while it's head and tail are undeniably avian.
It's body is covered in short, incredibly fine and soft fur, coloured an almost iridescent turquoise with darker blackish green striping that helps to break up its profile within the often shady forests it makes its home. It's pelt is prized by all for both colour and texture, and only it's own skittish nature and the awareness of conservation the Sev'ryn show keep it from being over-hunted.
It head is crowned by several feathers similar to those of a peacock, and it's tail (much longer in males than females) is also feathered, though those feathers range from yellow to orange and lack the mobility of a peacocks tail, being used instead like a horses, to whisk away biting insects. In the event of an attack, any significant pressure on the tail will cause it to detach with minimum trauma to the Nafinju, leaving its aggressor with a still twitching tail to hopefully distract them. Though it will grow back, this does take time, about 6 seasons to reach full length again. Although largely avian, it's head does boast two tufted ears which are in almost constant motion. Sev'ryn consider the head-feathers to be lucky, and they are hotly traded for when a Nafinju is brought down.
Aside from tail length, there is no major sexual dimorphism, though males do tend to be slightly larger than the females.
Habitat:
Nafinju are found solely in temperate forests. While hardier than they appear, they are nevertheless too delicate for extreme temperatures, and do not deal well with drought. Thick underbrush they can use for shelter while sleeping is preferable.
Lifespan and Development:
Nafinju can live up to 17 Arcs, although in the wild 10 is more common. Gestation lasts roughly 7 months, at which point a live offspring is delivered, rarely twins may occur. More than two offspring at once is unheard of. The young will stay with their mother until able to fend for themselves at roughly 6 months. Sexual maturity is reached between 1 and 2 Arcs with females maturing more slowly than the males.
Nafinju are largely solitary creatures. A males territory tends to be larger and may include several females and rarely other males as long as they have not yet reached sexual maturity. They only actively seek out others for mating, with the male leaving once it is clear the female has been impregnated. The females have no specific season when they are fertile.
Diet:
Nafinju graze constantly. As well as many plants, they will eat fruits and vegetables when available as well as fish and insects. Rarely they will eat rodents, but these seem to largely be only when the opportunity arises rather then as a practiced survival method. Berries of all sorts are a particular favourite. The Nafinju is surprisingly adept at picking small things, be they specific plant sprouts, berries or insects with its large beak.
Temperament:
Nafinju are extremely skittish. They are on high alert almost constantly, and will run at the first sign of danger. Rarely during mating a male will become more aggressive, tending to use its beak for attack more than its hooves. This is because occasionally a male will have to drive off another male.
They are singularly unsuited to domestication. It is possible to confine them for their exotic appearance, but no true domestication has been successful. Given the chance they will always flee and avoid contact.
Abilities:
Nafinju have fairly keen senses of hearing and vision, and for their size are fairly swift as one might expect of a creature with a large many predators and no major defence mechanism.
Uses:
Primarily hunted for their pelts, the meat of the Nafinju is edible, the feathers are prized by Sev'ryn, and the beaks are often worked into ladles or other such tools.