Ketz
- This article is part of the Ardai canon.
A ketz (
listen) or kest ( listen) is a large, flying bird-dragon related to hasts and rooks. Once prevalent throughout much of Ardai, their populations had dwindled by the 18th and 19th centuries, but some species have since made a comeback thanks to conservation efforts.
Description
Ketzes have a long, slender neck, and a narrow, pointed beak, which they use to catch fish, rodents and other small prey. Their wingspan is the longest of the bird-dragons.
Species
- Winter ketz or snow ketz: Found in arctic biomes, including the islands north of Hethmora and throughout Kuo. Bright white coloration, with occasional patches of dark on the neck and torso. Fluffy coat to protect against the cold.
- Great southern ketz: Native to Avustra and surrounding lands. Typically grayish coloration, but can sport dark greens and browns.
- Royal ketz or crowned ketz: The islands between Vahe and Sorca are host to these dazzling variants, which sport a more pronounced orange or red crest, and multicolored feathers.
- Western ketz: Small populations remain in the Sorcan interior of a species that once ranged across the entire continent, as well as parts of Nuro. The western ketz was driven southward by competing draconids, and further persecuted by human hunters.
Habitat and distribution
Ketzes were once found all over the world, but their populations began to dwindle in the 18th and 19th centuries due to overhunting and habitat loss. However, with the advent of conservation efforts, some species have made a comeback, and can now be found in select areas across the continent.
Ketzes are typically found near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, where they can hunt fish and other aquatic creatures. They prefer warmer climates and are most commonly found in the southern regions of Ardai.
Interaction with humans
- "Rope after rope, pole after pole, they brought her low." —excerpt from an ekphrasis on Bringing Down the Kest by Surranil
Ketzes have had a mixed relationship with other species throughout history. While they are not generally aggressive towards humans or other intelligent beings, they have been hunted for their feathers and meat in the past. Some cultures also view ketzes as symbols of power and strength, and have incorporated their images into their myths and legends.
Ketz attacks on humans may have occurred in prehistory, but were minimized with the invention of effective countermeasures, such as spears, bows, and eventually ballistae. The advent of gunpowder led to increased hunting of ketzes, and decimated ketz populations wherever humans lived. By 1800, global ketz population had dwindled, and flocks moved to hard-to-reach areas like deserts, rainforests, and mountainsides. Ketz populations were further damaged by 20th century poaching with rifles and modern weaponry, but have slowly recovered due to conservation by governments.
Cultural significance
Human engineers were inspired by the flight of the ketz to invent some of the earliest aircraft, and even named planes after the creatures, like the Uhsla Mk. II "Vinterketz".