This egg has a powerful tail coming out of the shell.
(no dimorphism)
Spoiler
Patchy hippocampus hatchlings prefer to remain in deep freshwater lakes, and rarely venture to the surface. They remain by their parents' side as long as possible, and only leave when they are strong enough to create small waves with their tails. Patchy hippocampus hatchlings do not show much evidence of their magical power over pressure, but are still very physically strong. Magi must take care around these hatchlings, as their small and fragile looks are deceptive and they can injure a person unintentionally very easily. Hatchlings must be convinced, with lots of food rewards and grooming, to stay near humans, as they naturally will stay far away.
(Female, unknown if dimorphism)
Spoiler
It takes a lot of work and patience to raise a patchy hippocampus, but upon reaching adulthood, a magi will have a very powerful companion. Their magical power over pressure is wildly inconsistent, and their abilities can shift in strength by the day or even hour, going from barely being able to squish a sponge to being able to crush stone. It is unclear whether this is due to shifts in magical power, though, or simple willfulness by the hippocampus. Patchy hippocampi are absurdly physically strong, able to create whirlpools and waves with swings of their tails, but will not let themselves be ridden, nor will they ever pull any sort of craft. They will, however, swim by their magi at a distance, keeping them safe in the water, and will viciously attack anyone or anything that poses a threat to their magi. For all their unpredictability, Patchy hippocampus raised at the Keep have never once let a magi come to harm in the water.
Spoiler
Patchy hippocampi are rare, found in one place only - the bottom of the great lakes in the Alveus region. They are closely related to kelpie hippocampi, and it is widely thought that the freshwater variety evolved separately as the oceans receded and left them stranded in the lakes. Perhaps due to the magical unrest in the Alvean region because of the mage wars, their power over water pressure is less refined than their cousins, and they do not trust humans as readily. They are timid and flighty, and will not permit themselves to be put in any sort of harnesses. Their hooves are shockingly hard and their bodies are strong, and anyone, magi or not, must take great care when dealing with them in the wild. They prefer to keep with their own kind, and will take care to protect one another. One lash of their powerful tails can create enormous waves that can sink a small boat, and a wild patchy hippocampus will not hesitate to do so if they or others of their species feel threatened.
This egg has a powerful tail coming out of the shell.
(no dimorphism)
Spoiler
Kelpy hippocampi hatchlings are eager to learn from everything around them, and are incredibly energetic. They prefer to stay in deep water when they are first hatched, and the water pressure will help strengthen their bones and hooves so that they develop properly. As they get older, they will explore the surface if urged to do so, and will make spectacular leaps out of the water. Hatchlings will leave the water entirely and crawl around clumsily on land if their magi doesn't enter the water in an attempt to play, and should quickly be placed back in the water if they try. Most magi put a halter on their kelpy hippocampi, as it helps keep them calm and reminds them that their magi is always nearby.
(male, unknown if dimorphism)
Spoiler
Despite their somewhat foreboding appearance, kelpy hippocampus are incredibly social and friendly. Unlike other species of hippocampus, they do not form large herds, but they do interact with others of their species, forming pods with complex social hierarchies. They are endlessly entertained by other species, as well, and will try to frolic and play with any creature or magi that enters the water. A kelpy raised at the keep is never happier than when its magi is in the water with it, and can spend hours swimming with its magi and introducing them to interesting things it has found near the ocean floor. Their power over pressure has been experimented with at the Keep, and some magical researchers claim they can convince their hippocampi to help them fuse coal into diamonds.
Spoiler
Deep in the trenches of the darkest seas, kelpy hippocampus roam, using their powerful tails and hard hooves to propel themselves along the ocean floor. They eat decaying seaweed, discarded shells and other detritus that they find there. Wild kelpy hippocampi rarely leave the depths of the sea, and were long thought to be a myth, the only sign of their presence the dark, shed fins that would sometimes float to the surface. It was only when a magi's ill-fated voyage to the bottom of the sea nearly ended in disaster that they were found, using their power over water pressure to save the magi's life. Kelpy hippocampus can withstand any pressure, and some say their bones and hooves are harder than diamond. Their power is clearly magical, however, and extends to whoever rides them. With a spell of water breathing and a kelpy companion, magi have explored the deepest oceans.
So what do you think they will be or what are you hoping for?
I would love some Fennec foxes to be honest...I'll scream in joy if they are fluffy and adorable and just actually look like those types of foxes but it would be interesting if they had something additional added to them to make them special.....*starts rethinking this and would probably prefer these as stream creatures so she can hoard them*
dammit I hate when I overthink this type of thing...
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