#stalkling

Name: Stalkling

Classification: Vulture Trolls | Top Aerial Predators / Category: Avis-Venator

Size: Very Large

Special Feature: Complete immunity to sunlight , high-altitude flight , infallible hunting instincts

Danger: Extreme

Stalklings are among the most impressive troll creatures… but also the most difficult to study, as it is rare for one to survive long enough to record observations.

• Enormous and powerful membranous wings

• Blood-red eyes, slightly luminescent, perfect for hunting

• Sharp fangs

• Razor-sharp talons, useful for catching prey or tearing victims apart

• Ruff or mane of feathers (or scaly feathers), used for display and intimidation

Stalklings are completely immune to sunlight, an extremely rare trait among troll creatures. However, like all living stone creatures, they are vulnerable to lightning. Therefore, it is in their best interest not to fly in bad weather.

Stalklings are:

• fiercely territorial

• intelligent

• unpredictable

• and almost impossible to control

Once a stalkling spots prey, it never gives up. It will follow it everywhere.

They prefer to attack:

• isolated individuals

• in open areas

• where their wings can gain momentum

Stalkings:

• live in nests, often built on steep ledges, or in caves or dense forests

• can form veritable colonies, led by dominant pairs

• develop a strict hierarchy, especially among the older individuals

The young are raised collectively by the colony. Experienced adults teach subtle things such as: "only hunt when the wind is from behind," or "avoid prey that is too heavy to carry."

Sexual dimorphism:

Females:

• larger

• stronger

• more aggressive

• responsible for hunting

They are mostly the ones who lead the clan. At the top of the hierarchy is an elder female.

Males:

• smaller

• stockier

• responsible for guarding the nests

• very protective

• sometimes… a little absent-minded

Gol says a male tried to incubate a rock. I don't know if it's true. But knowing Gol…

Stalklings are obligate carnivores. They hunt prey that is proportionate to their size, and even larger in times of scarcity, to feed the colony.

A Stalkling almost never attacks without reason.

They don't really bother us, as long as we:

• don't approach the nest

• don't touch the chicks

• don't try to steal their eggs. Seriously, don't do that.

✨️✨️✨️⬇️✨️✨️✨️

Turns out, he’s not alone! 

I was rewatching s1e26 today and noticed this guy flying around in the background fighting a golem!

At first I thought it was the same one we’ve seen before but this time with wings, which would’ve lended credence to my theory that stalklings can summon or vanish their wings at will (since the other one looking mostly like a stalkling but having no wings is odd, and also Strickler (who I headcanon as half-stalkling) seeming to have wings OR knife cape at a given time but not both). Upon closer inspection, however, this is a separate individual! Different horns and lacks the head crest thing of Vest Guy.

So while it may not offer much for my wing theory, it does mean that there are at least two “friendly” Stalklings living/hanging out in Trollmarket!