Kaybuds

Long ago, the ancient Dirtsprinter chromaraptors lived alongside another species of dromaeosaur who also had a greater affinity for water: the Kaybuds (Hydrophiloraptor timidus). Due to the destruction of many of the Dirtsprinter libraries during the Wet Sand Wars, not much is known about these ancient creatures. All that is known was that they were capable of a distinct form of magic known as "hydromancy" and that they coexisted with the Dirtsprinters in a symbiotic relationship which provided the Kaybuds with protection from the Dirtsprinters in exchange for using their hydromancy to the Dirtsprinters' benefit.

Most of the ancient Kaybuds were killed off by Sandrunner forces, forcing the survivors to migrate away from their homeland as several different tribes. Due to their naivety, most of these refugees were wiped out of existence by hostile wildlife, dehydration, and being sacrificed by Bloodtalons. Only two Kaybud tribes managed to eek out a living: one by migrating north to the wetlands of Ponodas, the other by living under the protection of the great Water Bringer, Tarrowasque.

The Kaybuds who fled north to Ponodas went through many changes, both physical and mental, in order to survive the chemical pollution, dangerous fauna, and the Mossdashers (who have found Kaybuds to be excellent test subjects for their elixirs). These "Dark Kaybuds" (Hydrophiloraptor timidus pictus) have dark brown plumage which allows them to blend in with the mud and roots found throughout their new homeland, their necks and nails have lost all traces of plumage, and their pupils have turned to slits to better see in the dark undergrowth. To emulate their brightly colored ancestors and intimidate Chromaraptors, Dark Kaybuds apply war paint to their heads. The warpaint makes individuals easy to recognize since no two Dark Kaybuds paint their heads with the same colors and patterns. Though they lost their ability to control water, the Dark Kaybuds have made up for it by learning how to construct many different types of traps to keep their enemies away. Reports even suggest that the Dark Kaybuds have even managed to tame Hover-Serpents as flying mounts in order to rain death by darts upon those unlucky enough to cross their warpath.

Those who stayed with Tarrowasque are referred to as "Light Kaybuds" (Hydrophiloraptor timidus munitis). In contrast to their savage brethren, the Light Kaybuds are timid like their ancestors and are hesitant to even step outside the Oasis of Tarrowasque. In contrast to their brightly colored ancestors, the Light Kaybuds are covered in a light brown spotted plumage to better camouflage against the sands of their oasis. Despite their shyness, however, they are still fiercely protective of their mistress and her egg with some individuals using pieces of destroyed eggs as shields against intruders. They have also learned to use their hydromancy for offensive and defensive purposes, such as shooting bolts of boiling water at enemies or reflecting magical attacks with a "water ward".

The head feathers of the Dark Kaybud are based on those of the Red-breasted Merganser.
The head feathers of the Light Kaybud are based on a weird combination of Wood Duck and Fennec Fox.
The idea of Light Kaybuds using egg shells as shields is based on the Kobold Dragonshield from "Volo's Guide to Monsters" by Wizards of the Coast.