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Description
Throughout the continent of Arcadia, the dromaeosaurs are among the most successful families of non-avian dinosaur. Able to thrive, in a wide range of habitats, and fill a wide variety of niches. They all share features like a coat of feathers, clawed wings, a rigid tail, and their most distinguishing feature, a hook like claw on each foot. Unlike their ancestors of old, Arcadia's dromaeosaurs developed higher intelligence and in some species an omnivorous diet, which further contributed to their widespread success. The people of Arcadia call these creatures, Dragon Hawks.

In the isolated region of Astra, lives a notable member of this group. Known as Astroraptor, it is the second largest dromaeosaur in Arcadia, after the much larger Talakoraptor from Talako. They are mainly found in the Argenta Woodlands, but can also be found on the Aegis Mountains and Sunrise Prairie.

Despite their relatively light build, they are quite robust and are capable of taking down prey nearly twice their weight. Using the large claws on their feet to grip on to their prey delivering deep puncture wounds, while they flap their wings for balance. With smaller prey, they pin them under their own weight, and proceed to eat them while their still alive. They mainly target mammalian prey such as deer, camelids and equids, but will sometimes go after young brontotheres and ground sloths. They compete with tigers, bears and the Red Pursuer, a descendent of Carnotaurus.

During their hatchling and juvenile stages, they are capable of limited flight and can climb trees to escape predators. They lose these abilities once they reach adulthood, however they can still leap great heights. Astroraptors mate for life, taking turns in hunting and rearing the young.

While they don't normally view humans as prey as they prefer "meatier prey", they are still dangerous and have been known to kill humans when provoked or when defending their young. They are quite intelligent, as they seem to understand that killing livestock could result in retaliation from farmers, and thus avoid hunting them despite being easier prey. Despite being dangerous predators, the people of Astra have made attempts to tame them, with mixed results. Astran nobles would purchase eggs from merchants, to raise as exotic. Astroraptors also served as companions for adventurers and military personnel alike, as the dromaeosaurs are capable of forming lifelong bonds with their human owners provided they were cared for and treated properly with respect. Many Astroraptors were documented giving their lives to protect their human companions, a behavior that is considered unusual for predators. Astran scholars have long theorized on the possibility that Astroraptors may be sapient, and while there has been no direct evidence so far, the theory persists even till this day.

Scientific name: Astroraptor - "Star Plunderer"

Anatomical Reference: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Use…

Description
Throughout the continent of Arcadia, the dromaeosaurs are among the most successful families of non-avian dinosaur. Able to thrive, in a wide range of habitats, and fill a wide variety of niches. They all share features like a coat of feathers, clawed wings, a rigid tail, and their most distinguishing feature, a hook like claw on each foot. Unlike their ancestors of old, Arcadia's dromaeosaurs developed higher intelligence and in some species an omnivorous diet, which further contributed to their widespread success. The people of Arcadia call these creatures, Dragon Hawks.

In the isolated region of Astra, lives a notable member of this group. Known as Astroraptor, it is the second largest dromaeosaur in Arcadia, after the much larger Talakoraptor from Talako. They are mainly found in the Argenta Woodlands, but can also be found on the Aegis Mountains and Sunrise Prairie.

Despite their relatively light build, they are quite robust and are capable of taking down prey nearly twice their weight. Using the large claws on their feet to grip on to their prey delivering deep puncture wounds, while they flap their wings for balance. With smaller prey, they pin them under their own weight, and proceed to eat them while their still alive. They mainly target mammalian prey such as deer, camelids and equids, but will sometimes go after young brontotheres and ground sloths. They compete with tigers, bears and the Red Pursuer, a descendent of Carnotaurus.

During their hatchling and juvenile stages, they are capable of limited flight and can climb trees to escape predators. They lose these abilities once they reach adulthood, however they can still leap great heights. Astroraptors mate for life, taking turns in hunting and rearing the young.

While they don't normally view humans as prey as they prefer "meatier prey", they are still dangerous and have been known to kill humans when provoked or when defending their young. They are quite intelligent, as they seem to understand that killing livestock could result in retaliation from farmers, and thus avoid hunting them despite being easier prey. Despite being dangerous predators, the people of Astra have made attempts to tame them, with mixed results. Astran nobles would purchase eggs from merchants, to raise as exotic. Astroraptors also served as companions for adventurers and military personnel alike, as the dromaeosaurs are capable of forming lifelong bonds with their human owners provided they were cared for and treated properly with respect. Many Astroraptors were documented giving their lives to protect their human companions, a behavior that is considered unusual for predators. Astran scholars have long theorized on the possibility that Astroraptors may be sapient, and while there has been no direct evidence so far, the theory persists even till this day.

Scientific name: Astroraptor - "Star Plunderer"

Anatomical Reference: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Use…