[✓] [Rewrite] [Creature Lore] Dwarven Riding Beetles V2

[Norgeth 1903]

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[!] A Surface-Acclimated Beetle chasing down a farmer who irritated it in some way.
 

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OVERVIEW

Large and sturdy, Dwarven Riding Beetles, also known as Kozzmaurr in Dwarvish or Magaravilut in Old Elvish, are a species of insectoid that typically find use by any manner of cave-dwelling descendants as work animals or even capable cavern mounts. Normally a purple or blueish colour, riding beetles possess a thick, armour-like carapace capable of protecting the animal's soft internal organs or underbelly from the falling rocks common in underground environments. The beetles also have a large horn on their head, which they use in nature as a sort of spade to dig up nutritious mushrooms and lichens before consumption.

Originating in the cavernous underbelly of Athera, the relatively docile beetles were quickly domesticated by the early Dwarves of Khaz’Urguan, with the species soon intentionally spread to the many other burgeoning outposts and fortress cities being built in those elder days. Eventually, in a separate instance, traveling Dark Elves of Magara'lin came across the wild beasts, bringing them back to their underground kingdom. Other cave-dwelling sentients, such as Mori'Quessir or other, even stranger creatures, may have interactions with riding beetles, though such is currently unknown to Descendant scholars.

Use of riding beetles faltered in the centuries after the fall of Aegis, with memory and writing of the livestock lost for hundreds of years. Thankfully, the beetles were rediscovered in the realm of Arcas, found nearby old underground ruins, people noticed the docile state of the beasts, and subterraneans quickly redomesticated the beasts, returning them to widespread use.

 

LIFE-CYCLE

Riding beetles begin life as small oblong eggs laid in clusters of around three or four. If kept in a suitable, preferably moist environment, these eggs quickly hatch into small grub-like worms that feast upon any decomposing debris, such as table scraps or even refuse. The grubs can stay in this ravenous form until they reach the approximate size of a halfling, their metabolism slowing down as they enter a sort of hibernation for 1-2 weeks, at the end of which, newly transformed beetles bite their way out of the now hollow skin that they once inhabited.

The now technically mature beetles continue to grow in size, with the largest reaching the size of a bison bull or other large bovine. Eggs are laid during a time surfacers would consider fall, mother beetles creating a sort of nest for the eggs to lie in, formed of moist mushroom fibers that are subsequently consumed by the hatchling larvae.  

Overall, riding beetles have an impressive lifespan of around 35-40 years, with them only slowing down in life a few years before death, becoming sedentary and almost corpulent. Disturbingly, other riding beetles find the spongy flesh of their overweight relatives extremely desirable as food, the beasts sometimes even fighting over what animal gets to feast on the deceased.

Mature riding beetles more typically eat a mixture of mushrooms and decaying debris, with ranchers often making a sort of gruel using rotten vegetables and grain alongside broken-up mushroom matter.

 

CAPABILITES

Capable steeds, livestock, or beasts of burden, riding beetles are as strong as a well-trained ox, capable of lifting similar weights to such a beast. Riding beetles have sturdy shells capable of protecting them from most non-predator dangers found in their cavern environments, though they may be easily damaged by intentional attacks by other animals, or by weapons made by Descendants, thus exposing their soft, easily destructible interiors. Typically slow-moving, docile beasts, riding beetles may be trained for travel in more dangerous conditions, such as battle, acting similar to a horse in such situations. Once completely blinded when exposed to sunlight, modern beetle ranchers have bred their stock to be capable of acclimating to such over several days, though they are still highly sensitive to bright flashes of light from magic or otherwise.

Riding beetle meat is soft and spongy, usually only eaten in times of famine. This is not to say that the creatures lack true culinary usage, however, for when in their larval stage, riding beetle grubs secrete a mildly sweet resin when well-fed, with some cultures utilizing this foul substance in alcohol production, fermenting it into strange varieties of liquor.

 

REDLINES

- Dwarven riding beetles act as horses would while being used in CRP, utilizing any and all existing rules for mounts.

- Dwarven riding beetles are common creatures and may freely be used by players and ET alike.

- Dwarven riding beetles are sensitive to light, making them especially vulnerable to light-based attacks meant to stun or blind an opponent, taking 2 times the amount of emotes to recover than a normal creature or individual.

- Dwarven riding beetles cannot gore people to death with their horns.

- Dwarven riding beetles may be represented in-game by either a Minecraft build or, if being ridden, a horse, mule, or donkey.

- Dwarven riding beetles cannot fly.

 

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CREDITS

Original 2020 Post: Norgeth_ [Link]

Art: Kruggsmash

Writing: Norgeth_

Encouragement: The Urguani community

 

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[Two2the 365]

Peak post 

[DISCOLIQUID 2731]

All art should have to be crayon or colored pencil going forward.

[SethWolf 2340]

To all dwed chads, not only is the art of this post done by Kruggsmash, but is from a Dwarf Fortress lets play series done by him. All craftdwarfship is of the highest quality.

 

 

+1 btw

[Islamadon 9163]

This Lore has been accepted. Moved to Implemented Lore, it will be sorted to it's appropriate category soon. Please note that if this is playable lore, such as a magic or CA, you will need to write a guide for this piece. You will be contacted regarding the guide (or implementation if it isn’t needed) shortly.