2025 Apr 17: Greater Zurakh

 Greater zurakhs are a type of giant, vulture-like bird with four legs and four wings. They are large enough for humans to ride, and are sometimes tamed to be used as mounts by Sorcerers. While not considered to be a mount fit for a noble, they are popular with necromancers because of their association with death and decay.

 In their natural habitat they fly long distances, and either hunt smaller animals such as gazelles and goats, or they scavenge the carcasses of larger animals such as elephants or even dragons. They are rather intelligent, and food-motivated, though keeping them is rather difficult, as they can become aggressive when underfed, but are also prone to over-eating which makes them rather slow and clumsy fliers.

Their coloration goes from browns and dark blues to black. The rare albino ones are sacred to the White Lady, and hurting them is considered to lead to endless torment after death.

Greater zurakhs are said to have been created by the gods to destroy the undead, and in some legends the Underworld is guarded by the oldest and largest of them. 

Image from Fairmeadow