Temperament: Friendly to humans, territorial to rival piscivores.
WILD
For any survivor facing the struggles of daily life on the desert ark, the prospect of a large waterbird having any chance of survival here sounds like a bad joke more than anything else. And yet, staking their claim over the various oasises around the canyons and obelisks, Ardea bennuides not only survives, but thrives.
More commonly known as Bennu, these gargantuan herons have rather unorthodox methods of surviving the arid conditions. In a similar manner to a Morellatops with its hump, Bennu use their highly absorbent body feathers to gather and store water. Not only does this give them a temporary source of water during times of drought or flights between oasises, but the evaporation of this water also keeps them cool even during the most extreme heatwaves!
DOMESTICATED
Although Bennu are very territorial towards other species over their fish supplies, they are surprisingly friendly towards humans. As a result, survivors have discovered that the fasted way to gain the trust of these birds is to assist them in their fishing endeavors. Bennu will gladly take any fishing baits provided to them and put them to good use. The more effective the bait, the quicker its trust will be gained.
Once tamed, Bennu make for an incredibly useful desert traversal companion. While a survivor can't use them as a mobile water source like a Morellatops, the water vapor that escapes from their feathers can soak the armor of their rider, granting them heightened hyperthermal insulation. They've also been known to shield their companions from sandstorm using their wings... just make sure you help them clean all the wet sand off themselves afterwards.
Furthermore, because of these birds heightened awareness of environmental heat, an adaptation likely meant to detect the onset of heatwaves, some claim they're able to detect the location of Phoenixes even in their dormant state. I'm yet to confirm the validity of this, but as I'd rather not have an encounter with an easily agitated firebird... I'll just take their word for it.
I've even heard some tales of daring Bennu riders training their birds to snatch wyvern eggs, using the unmatched aerial prowess of these birds to weave through the storm of fire, lightning and poison sent their way...
[Passive Abilities.]
Water Collection: While around a body of water or well, the Bennu Heron is able to soak its feathers with water (The capacity of such can be increased via the oxygen stat). The Bennu uses this water for two purposes, such as...
- Stayin' Cool: The Bennu grants both itself and its rider a buff that grants resistance to the fire debuff and moderate hyperthermal insulation. A second, more potent version of this buff with greater insulating effects and complete damage negation from any fire-based attack is applied during heatwaves, but drains the water supply at a faster.
- Clay Maker: Any sand placed in a Bennu's inventory will be slowly crafted into clay, the water being used as an alternative to cactus sap. A flock of Bennu can serve as a superior method of clay production than the mortar, giving survivors something better to work with in the time before they acquire a chem bench.
*This ability is a reference to the fact that the mythological Bennu played a part in the creation of the world in Egyptian mythos.
Sand Guard: During sandstorms, a tamed and unmounted Bennu will form an umbrella with its wings in a similar manner to a fishing Black Heron. Taking shelter beneath a Bennu's wings will grant a survivor with the same buff a tent would.
Phoenix Detector: Bennus possess the ability to detect the presence of a Phoenix, be it in their dormant ashen state or while active during a heatwave, making the process of finding these legendary firebirds significantly easier.
*This Ability is meant to reference the association between the mythological Bennu and Phoenix, as the Egyptian legend of the former is believed to have inspired the Greek legend of the latter.
Aerial Acrobatics: Though lacking in strengh or durability, Bennu make up for this with agility. Able to both dive and barrel roll, a skilled Bennu pilot can easily evade most threats. However, to go airborne they require either a running start or to launch themselves off a ledge.
[Attacks.]
Left click:
- On ground, a precise, low-damage beak stab/bite that deals heavily increased damage to fish and can grab objects, such as dropped item caches and eggs.
- In air, a talon strike much like the owl or argent. Low damage but fast attack rate.
Right Click:
- On ground, a precise kick that deals heavy knock-back and stun to small animals.
- In air, a heavy wingflap that unleashes a gust of wind with an AoE knock-back, not unlike that of the Tropeo.
Special/C Button:
- On ground, the Bennu stretches its wings and does a water dance, removing all gathered water from its feathers but granting nearby allies the "Keepin' Cool" buff and watering crop plots. If held, it instead simply emotes, stretching its wings and letting out a honking call.
- In air, essentially the same except instead of an AoE the shaken water is dropped directly below the Bennu's flight path in a similar manner to a crop duster plane. Better for if you want to drop the water directly onto crop plots.
[Taming.]
Possible Taming Method 1: Similar to Carch, one must provide the Bennu with corpses of small animals (Preferably fish) to gain its trust. Once it trusts you enough, you can either hand-feed it directly or provide it with precious materials like ingots, crystal and obsidian to earn its favor.
Possible Taming Method 2 (And the one I prefer): One must approach a Bennu in its pond to initiate the tame in a similar manner to an Amarga. Once the tame has begun, the Bennu will find a good spot and assume a fishing stance. While in this stance, you must provide the Bennu with fishing bait (Sap, leech blood, honey) to lure in fish.
- Fish lured in by higher quality bait will lure in more effective fish for taming progress.
- Loss of taming affinity is prevented by ensuring the Bennu does not go without access to bait for prolonged period of time.
Suggestion
EmperorTethys
[Passive Abilities.]
Water Collection: While around a body of water or well, the Bennu Heron is able to soak its feathers with water (The capacity of such can be increased via the oxygen stat). The Bennu uses this water for two purposes, such as...
Sand Guard: During sandstorms, a tamed and unmounted Bennu will form an umbrella with its wings in a similar manner to a fishing Black Heron. Taking shelter beneath a Bennu's wings will grant a survivor with the same buff a tent would.
Phoenix Detector: Bennus possess the ability to detect the presence of a Phoenix, be it in their dormant ashen state or while active during a heatwave, making the process of finding these legendary firebirds significantly easier.
Aerial Acrobatics: Though lacking in strengh or durability, Bennu make up for this with agility. Able to both dive and barrel roll, a skilled Bennu pilot can easily evade most threats. However, to go airborne they require either a running start or to launch themselves off a ledge.
[Attacks.]
Left click:
Right Click:
Special/C Button:
[Taming.]
Possible Taming Method 1: Similar to Carch, one must provide the Bennu with corpses of small animals (Preferably fish) to gain its trust. Once it trusts you enough, you can either hand-feed it directly or provide it with precious materials like ingots, crystal and obsidian to earn its favor.
Possible Taming Method 2 (And the one I prefer): One must approach a Bennu in its pond to initiate the tame in a similar manner to an Amarga. Once the tame has begun, the Bennu will find a good spot and assume a fishing stance. While in this stance, you must provide the Bennu with fishing bait (Sap, leech blood, honey) to lure in fish.
[IRL Info.]
Wikipedia Page (The animal itself.): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennu_heron
Dinopedia Page :https://dinopedia.fandom.com/wiki/Bennu_heron
Wikipedia Page (Mythological Bennu, the deity this bird is believed to have inspired.): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennu
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