#urstrix

URSTRIX

Using Latin to hide the inspiration of your creation is a tactic as old as Latin itself. In Japan, this monster is known as the "Ourubea", better known to English-speaking audiences as the Owlbear from Dungeons and Dragons. Either to obscure the direct concept porting or just not break immersion, the English localization team decided to spice the name up a little. "Ursa" is the Latin word for bear, and "strix" is both the scientific name for a genus of owls as well as an owl-like mythological creature. Putting the two together at their portmanteau point of the "s" gives us the "urs-strix". So, yes, it's an owlbear, but like... fancy. 

The notion of a hulking owl is just about all the Urstrix cribs from Mr. Gygax. Square Enix's take on it is much more avian, retaining its wings and a large amount of its head plumage. Specifically, it keeps the large crests of feathers that a number of owl species are known for, which is a nice touch. Skipping its torso for a moment, it also has a neat approximation of what bird claws would look like if they had to support the weight of a hefty biped. I like this take a lot more than the Dungeons and Dragons one; it actually works at making an owl into a bear-like shape, rather than just sticking an owl head on a bear like your typical mythical creature. The owl features that do remain are exaggerated to a dangerous level, with its huge beak and muscular body immediately communicating a strong, tough foe. The Urstrix isn't that threatening when you actually fight it at the appropriate level, but in nature, sometimes you just have to look tough and assert dominance with giant BDSM wing straps to dissuade attackers. 

Speaking of those straps, what's up with them? They're wrapped around the Urstrix's wings and chest in a way that suggests some kind of clothing. My justification for the Great Tortoise's chains just doesn't apply here. The only explanation I can think of is that the Urstriges (yeah, that's the plural) have some sort of understanding of either leatherworking, metallurgy, or more horrifying, both. There's the off chance that the harness is intended for a different creature and they're scavenged from whatever wears them, but the fit is too perfect to be happenstance. Am I killing sapient, cultured creatures? Does the Urstrix have an alien intelligence behind those avian eyes that I'm destroying without even attempting to communicate? It's entirely possible. Designers like to attribute intelligence to humanoid creatures due to our own appearance and reliance on our intellect. As much as I hate to say it, your merry band of travelers could very well have their own murderous wake that Urstrix elders will whisper about for generations to come.