Stankbirds

Stankbirds are an introduced species of bird found throughout the Darkwood especially in the Pepperoni forest, who's exact origins are unknown, even to Drub.

In unrecorded ancient times, a population of wild Stankbirds were found by Vexivar (The Hole King) living on a planet called the Red Stone which he encountered on his travels when he was still disguised as "The Night Pilgrim" and had not yet revealed his plans for galactic domination. Seeing them as a promising future ally he revealed his true identity and power and the Stankbirds were persuaded by Vexivar’s might and splendor to join his cause.

Their dwelling had been in the cliffs of The Red Stone, a super dense planet in a distant outer rim galaxy, but after their master's defeat they were routed by the free armies and many fled to and settled in the Darkwood

Stankbirds were employed in war as early as the conquests of Andromeda, when Vexivar and Spider Commander went to the the alliance of Bel-nuin to negotiate the terms of their surrender stankbirds were present presumably as an intimidation tactic to demonstrate Vexivar's power.

Today stankbirds are no longer bound to Vexivar’s will nor under any of his hexes or spells, however many still swear allegiance to him and for many years were agents of the Bone Council. stankbirds will still bring prey to the Halls of Torment that were once under the Bone Council's control and are still linked to the abysmal mind of the Hole King.

The influence of the Bog has made stankbirds change in appearance from mighty silver and crimson eagles with wingspans that “blackened the sun” to 4-5 foot tall chicken like creatures described as being, “ in a constant state of screaming and liquid defecation and urination"

It is subject to some debate in among the Darkwood ornithological community whether Stankbirds are dirty birds or bad birds, they are classified as a Tier 1 threat to society by the Lemming-Vanlouen guide to Darkwood Flora and Fauna.