Fiction:The Firmament/Thunderbird

"The feathers of a thunderbird are valuable across magical circles, as they serve as powerful electric conductors. Not that I really understand how any of that works... Bird makes zappy thing, and zappy thing is good, basically."

- Helxen Finn, renowned gnome explorer

Thunderbirds are a species of rare and immense magical bird of prey who live atop the highest peaks of the continents of Eusheth and Lesheron. They are closely related to rocs.

Biology
Thunderbirds appear like colossal birds of prey, with a body over fifteen meters tall and with wingspans of 25 meters, making their adults rival the size of some species of large dragon. Thunderbirds have long, clawed talons and sharp hooked beaks ideal for tearing flesh. Their feathers are usually a scorched black colour, and sparks of electricity course through their bodies, lashing out at nearby objects and creatures.

Ecology
Thunderbirds normally live in mountainous areas, ideally making their nest upon a crag inaccessible to ground dwellers. These nests are normally made of large trees, rocks, and even chunks of masonry stolen from the local landscape.

Society
Thunderbirds only mate once a decade and are highly anti-social otherwise, often even attacking other thunderbirds that venture into their hunting ground. After mating, the female lays a clutch of three to five eggs; the parents then alternate hunting patterns, with one parent always remaining close to the nest.

Abilities
Their large size and powerful claws mean thunderbirds are typically the apex predator of whatever area they happen to inhabit. Additionally, the creatures hold inherit power over lightning; with a beat of their wings, they can launch a barrage of thunderbolts at prey, usually resulting in them being instantly killed. Thunderbirds are immune to electricity themselves, and are even known to fly high during storms so that lightning strikes may hit them, causing the creatures to be energized.

Notable thunderbirds

 * Relanvadur† - a particularly massive thunderbird who menaced the outskirts of Aelvana until it was slain by the Order of Magicka