Cavavalvis
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Description:
The cavavalvis is a highly social and intelligent species of whale, similar in size and appearance to a beluga whale, but with a pronounced s-shaped curve to the spine. Cavavalvis are found in all regions, from the freezing polar waters where they go to hunt in small pods of a couple of dozen, to the warm tropical seas where they converge in groups of hundreds or thousands to breed and to raise their young. While they are sometimes hunted in polar waters, their speed, comparatively small size and intelligence make them difficult quarry. Hunting them in warmer waters is pointless as the oils and fats that are most valuable are lost as they migrate to warmer regions. Additionally, pods of cavavalvis are smart enough to work with fishermen to corral large schools of fish, making easier feeding for them, and easier fishing for humanoids - so killing a cavavalivis is often considered bad luck.
Cavavalvis are 'the horses of merfolk', in the sense that mer literally raise, breed and ride them, saddling them in riding gear woven from tough seaweed. Rarely, non-merfolk have been known to ride cavavalvis as mounts. This is tricky business because while cavavalvis are not amphibious (they are mammals) they can still hold their breath for thirty minutes or more. Because merfolk are amphibious, they do not typically train cavavalvis to consider the rider's need for air - so special training is required to teach cavavalvis that non-mer riders needs to breathe much more frequently than they do.
An cavavalvis can be trained to carry a rider, but will not carry a load on its back.
Variants:
Cavavalvis' may be encountered in the wild, but are also often used for labour, usually by merfolk working in harbours and ports. Occassionally, cavavalvis have also been trained to form sea cavalry units to assist in naval operations and warfare.
Standard Cavavalvis
Cavavalvis encountered in the wild will always be of the standard sort. Standard cavavalvis may also be encountered serving as standard mounts (almost always for merfolk) working in ports and harbours.
War Cavavalvis
With expert training, Cavavalvis can be trained to serve as naval cavalry, bearing riders into mounted combat. Because of the dangerous of mounted combat in the open water, War Cavavalvis riders must be able to breathe underwater.