#aolenus

Maddie's Entry on Falcoraptor:

Falcoraptor (Falcoraptor. velocionyx, 'the Swift Clawed Falcon Thief'), more commonly known as the 'Cockatrice-Hawk' is a species of Troodontid.

Falcoraptors are part of a group known as "Avitroodontidae", these as their name suggests. Are more birdlike relatives of the Troodontids.

Usually people will think of only Dromaeosaurs when it comes to the "Raptor Dinosaurs", but their close relatives the Troodontids whilst usually left out, are also Raptors too. And it seems their clade seems to be the more flight borne one in Kheltura.

Falcoraptor's ancestors were likely some Arboreal Troodontid that would later adapt for flighted movement, evolving in a similar way to Archeopteryx, though repurposing the Tail as some rudder like structure.

Usually you'd expect Dromaeosaurs to occupy flighted niches, and on Earth, this has been the case with Dinosaurs like Microraptor, Sinornithosaurus, and Changyuraptor thanks to the more stiff tail Dromaeosaurs have. However, most of Kheltura's Dromaeosaurs were more prone to Megafaunal Niches, and so far. I've found survivng or modern day equivalent for the Microraptorines on the Neodromaeosaurids. Only the Titanoraptorids, Dromaeoraptorids, and Megaunenlagiines are the clades I've doccumented so far. And whilst said clades are diverse, it is odd seeing the lack of Dromaeosaurs in these niches.

However, smaller species of the Troodontids might've already filled their niches, as the clade Falcoraptor is a part of has convergently evolved a more stiffer tail through multiple tendons helping limit flexibility. And with time, these Dinosaurs would be in the perfect spot to evolve into giant flyers, something the Microraptorines before them didn't have the chance to do.

Falcoraptor is large, with a wingspan greater than that of Keraunodrakon, it'd seem to be one of the largest flyers in Kheltura. Despite this however, Falcoraptor's own weight is significantly lower than Keraunodrakon's. Likely due to its own flight mode of taking off, you see, Falcoraptor takes flight in a similar way to Avians like me by using our hindlimbs. And this would make getting airborne for Falcoraptor pretty hard to do. But, Kheltura has bestowed upon this Troodontid a element Earth's own evolutionary path could only dream to have.

Using Flame magic in a similar way to that of Saurolimbopteryx, Falcoraptor is able to expel Flame from its legs, tail, and wings in a similar way to a jet engine, with its own Arcanus system even being modified into a more ramjet style structure. Whilst this would usually be a potential fire hazard towards Falcoraptor's feathers too, this Raptor has also evolved specalized pyrophobic feather coverage. This pyrophobic feather covering not only protects Falcoraptor from its own thrust plumes, but also aids in in combat against other giant flyers like Keraunodrakon and Megistodrakon.

Falcoraptor will use the enlarged sickle claws on their feet to slice and swipe other aerial species in hunts. Often aiming for the neck or wings to try make hunts as fast and easy as possible. But this species is willing to use its sickle claws to defend itself against Keraunodrakon's own more Kleptoparasitic behaviour. Keraunodrakon whilst unable to do lots of damage themselves, are capable of bullying other species off their kill through their storm breath and general bulk, with their storm breath being able to not only electricute, but also spark fires.

This makes Falcoraptor oftentimes in need of evading targets, and thus, it is significantly more agile and able to deal lots of damage. However, the sheer bulk of Keraunodrakon also allows it to tank said hits. And it can overpower Falcoraptor through sheer brute force alone.

Some of these things are just so... There's something about them. They have lore and behaviour about them written on their species profiles and such, which is always nice to have. And to a degree you get to colour them the way you want (by using their default colour palette or getting others through regular gameplay or buying them).

They are just so creature.

Aolenus, for example:

Yes, we're birdhearted and fictional birds are no exception, but look at this thing. Top tier creature. Alterhuman vibes all over it.

As another example, Verklixin:

This thing has stars on it. It's got cool antlers. Instant love for this thing.

One of our favs since it came out? The Lure.

The amount of times we've changed this ones colours because we keep thinking of cooler ways to colour it is astounding.

I drew this at 4:34 am.