Rufflet Line
Morphs [Oak Catalog #]
- Rufflet [#627]
- Braviary [#628]
Physical Description
Rufflets are avian pokemon with wide yellow beaks set between two large black eyes; the lens of these eyes give the impression of white pupils, but this is only an illusion. Their scaly yellow legs end in thick black talons. A white fluffy ruff that covers its head and neck, with a single feather in the front having a red zigzag pattern on its lower portion. Aside from this and the three white tail feathers, the Rufflet's feathers are all a navy blue. There is a rare exception, with brown feathers and the forehead feather having an orange lower portion, which is prized by collectors for both its rarity and the coloration of its evolution.
Braviary are four times as large as their pre-evolution, with a hooked beak, longer legs, broader tails, and larger wings. Their navy feathers have darkened quite a bit, stretching out to cover their legs to the ankle; the dorsal surface of the pokemon is almost entirely a dark red in color. The tail feathers are mostly red, with a yellow stripe separating the primary body from the blue tips. While they retain the ruff of their pre-evolution, it has not grown larger with the rest of the body and is constrained to the back of the head. Furthermore, the zigzag feather of the Rufflet has grown into a complicated crest; three feathers extend back from the blue cere of the beak, each with a dark red lower third and white upper portions, while three pairs of smaller, pure white feathers frame the Braviary's eyes. Rufflets with brown feathers retain them upon evolution, but there dorsal coloration is almost the inverse of their companions; the head feathers and back of the wings are a bright blue, while the cere and tail tip are dark red. This dramatic coloration is prized by collectors.
Notable Biology
Both Rufflet and Braviary have incredible strength, with Braviary being reported to occasionally lift cars; a number of them can use this strength to amplify attacks that would normally cause an additional effect to, instead, 'merely' do more damage. An equal number, however, seem to hone the line's other major advantage; while an ordinary Rufflet can see prey from a great distance, the ones with keen eyes rarely if ever miss their attacks on prey. A small population of 'outcast' Braviary exist which exhibit neither ability; they make up for it with a ferocity that only increases when they are injured, which for they already aggressive Rufflet line is truly impressive and frightening.
Social Structure
Rufflets are known to form constant fight-bands, squawking as they run through the grass in groups of three to nine in search of a fight. When one of them spots another pokemon, they'll cry out a challenge; the others will stand to the side, cheering the fighter on until he falls, whereupon one of them will step forward. Whoever succeeds in driving off or killing the other pokemon is awarded praises, especially if they did so on their own. Despite this, whole groups have a tendency to overestimate their foes and get picked off; small groups of one or two will seek out others to join, generally being given some respect as survivors of horrific battles.
The hard-earned and harsh lessons of a Rufflet's life carry over to the evolved Braviary. While they are still somewhat reckless, there is a small measure of restraint in their actions; they only attack to feed or to protect their flock. The flock is defined as themselves, any other member of their Rufflet group (evolved or not), and any Rufflet hatchling of theirs that has yet to form a fight-group.
Habitat
The Rufflet line is mostly native to grasslands and mountains in northeast Unova, but there is a small population of 'outcast' Braviary that are occasionally spotted in the desert.
Diet
Both Rufflet and Braviary are predators, each hunting down other pokemon for the purposes of feeding. Interestingly, while they fly in flocks and roam in groups, only one member at a time will attack prey even in situations where it is utterly insane. The group will always share the kill, however, and appear to give respect to the one that brought the creature down. They will not guard the kill, and sometimes even share it with other pokemon before they fly away.
Hazards
The younger Rufflet can break legs with a wingbeat and rip out chunks of flesh with their beaks. This, coupled with their tendency to try to pick fights, makes them incredibly dangerous; however, this tendency can be curbed if they are allowed to battle regularly. Braviary are both more dangerous, in the sense that they have more raw power, and less, in the sense that they don't use it if unnecessary. Both forms require the praise of their trainer and/or their team, as they consider their battles to be their greatest deeds; conversely, careful management is required in order to teach them to hold back, otherwise they will become a danger both to other pokemon and to themselves.
Courting and Childrearing
The Rufflet line is all male, although it is suspected that the Vullaby line is the female counterpart as Braviary and Mandibuzz are seasonally seen migrating together to parts unknown. Nevertheless, the only Rufflet eggs known are either the product of Ditto breeding or wild eggs clutched in the talons of returning Braviary. A flock of Braviary will gather their eggs in small nests, protecting them while they hatch and engaging them in small play fights. As the Rufflets grow older, they try to push back their parents; one by one, the flock is 'driven away', although they still watch from afar. Once the last Braviary is fought off, the younglings set out on their own.
In Human Society
The Rufflet has a very minor presence in modern Unova culture, usually turning up as over-eager children or schoolyard bullies. There is evidence that some prior civilizations gave them a measure of totemic importance. This might be related to the same civilization's habit of mimicking the head crest of Braviary when they went to war. In most modern appearances, the Braviary is an honorable warrior and protector; Unova as a whole has adapted the species as a symbol of the region.
Written by Masterweaver.
