[Bestiary] Deserts

[squakhawk 14038]

 

The Deserts

 

Sandy and arid deserts are among some of the most uniform of all biomes. No matter what desert one is in, they will be barren, dry, and hot in the sun. Though some may comprise cracked clay or fine sand, deserts are among the most inhospitable of all biomes. Very few live in the desert, save except by oasis springs, or permanent rivers which scar the sandy mass with wounds of greenery and life. Desert wildlife is hardy, if not somewhat brutal, with nothing being wasted.

 

Flora

 

Drake’s Tail

Barrierbrush

 

 

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Qairn Hound - The Desert Apex

Characteristics

Physiology
 

The Qairn hound is the most dominant creature with the deserts, a vicious predator that devours and kills whatever it sees fit.  With an impressively thick hide, and claws capable of tearing through plate, the beast easily deals with parties who seek to challenge it. Qairn Hounds stand at 8ft tall, with an impressive strength easily capable of pushing aside adult Bolugar and toppling them upon the ground.

The Qairn Hound is a deafening and very distinct roar that sounds like that of a banshee's wail, this warbling cacophony can be heard for miles around and is a telltale sign that a Qairn Hound is on the hunt.

Behaviour

The Qairn Hound holds a unique hatred for life, feasting upon their prey while still alive, often taking bites out of them purely to see them suffer. A true emblem of the desert’s cruelty, the Qairn Hound roams the sands with an intense ferocity, constantly seeking prey to challenge. Due to their voracious appetite it is rare to see a Qairn Hound within groups, though small clusters have been seen within the shifting sands of the desert at times. Interestingly, the Hound recognizes its victories over prey and other combatants. The Hound decorates the outside of its lair with bones and carcasses, a clear and distinct warning for all those who dare enter its dwelling place.

Before a hunt, the Qairn Hound will release a deafening roar over the desert, a warning to all denizens and creatures that the hunt is on and that they should be very, very afraid.

 

Taming

 

This creature cannot be tamed.

 

ST Notes/Abilities

 

-Its roar while loud is incapable of damaging hearing or stunning descendants/creatures.

-Despite their size, the Cairn Hound is extremely agile and will have no issues hunting larger prey as it uses its strong legs and agile body to climb or leap onto the backs of creatures larger than it.

 

General Red lines/Restrictions

 

– The Qairn Hound can only be roleplayed in DIY, player-hosted events.
 

-Qairn Hounds cannot be forced, tamed, or used in player events without ST supervision.
 

– Everything that may be obtained from a Qairn Hound is player signed and wholly aesthetic.

 

 

 

Kitekatch

Also called the Al-Bataniyyah al-Sama'a, or Cazaviento

 

Link to Art

 

Physiology

 

Kitecatches are wide-bodied, with a silhouette akin to a waterborne manta. Their bodies are composed over leathery ridges and seams, and crested cartilage, with a full breadth of its ‘sail’ spanning at least a meter, but the largest have been seen up to seven. It has a pair of eyes atop its head, but additionally has a rudimentary flagellum beneath its ‘face’ that allows it to perceive depth, and distance, so it can accurately pounce atop prey.

 

Beneath its sail are several fine tendrils that are reminiscent of a starfish, giving it some fine motor control to adjust its positioning upon dunes, as well as settle itself into the sand. If needed, a Kitecatch will flip onto its back, and use these tendrils to draw in what little moisture is carried in the air.

 

When resting, a Kitecatch may ease itself into dunes partially, though it often lays atop dunes for the dual purpose of gathering heat from basking in the sun, and waiting for breezes it might use to travel around the desert in pursuit of the sun as it sets, as well as prey. The Kitecatch often looks like a worn carpet traveling through the air on errant winds, giving some the idea of magic carpets ferrying people around the desert.

 

Its underside, in addition to its tendrils, is a series of incredibly potent gripping muscles. These muscles, in addition to its flagellum, are used to crush and wrap itself around prey, akin to rolling a corpse in a carpet. The Kitecatch will squeeze its prey in an attempt to pulverize it, and draw all moisture possible, as if milking a stone.

 

Behavior

 

Kitecatches are ambush predators first and foremost, though they mostly hunt in an effort to gain moisture, as Kitecatches are able to mostly sustain themselves with a photosynthetic process. They wait patiently for movement across the hazing heat of the desert for signs of movement, and gauge its size with its several frontal eyes, and when the wind sweeps across the desert, it will climb aboard the gust and glide towards its prey, or, a more suitable dune to strike from.

 

Once close enough, the Kitecatch descends with a nose dive, often trying to surprise and stun its prey, before they are enveloped in blackness, and crushing, grinding muscles. The Kitecatch will try to disperse heat into its target through its flagellum and membranes: trying to sear, suffocate, and dessicate its victim, feeding off of the fluids and softened tissues. Oftentimes, the remaining husk will turn into ash within the following days: utterly devoid of all moisture and tissue.

 

Despite its terrifying means of consumption, the Kitecatch is largely solitary, and tends to stray away from groups when hunting. Similarly, Kitecatches are known for infighting when not in their mating season, and often fight by rearing up and slapping at each other: loud claps echoing from their battles. Their tracks are hard to discern due to their careful movements and wide dragging, though keen eyed travelers can spot a serpentine pattern in the sand, and if one can tell the direction of the breeze, they can often spot Kitecatches by determining their trajectories and paths.

 

Taming

Kitecatches cannot be tamed.

 

Abilities

– Kitecatches use drafts and winds to silently glide through the air and travel to new dunes and far flung prey.

– Kitecatches over three turns will produce increasing heat, maxing at temperatures akin to an oven: roughly 200 degrees fahrenheit or 93 degrees celsius.

– Kitecatches, due to their photosynthetic nature and preference to basque in the sun, constantly radiate heat: if struck with flame or further fire, they will rapidly disperse that heat around them as steam.

– Kitecatches, when still, and especially when seen through hazing heat, can pass as litter like a rug, cloth, or carpet, and some colorations even allow them to appear as if stone sticking from the dunes.

 

Redlines

– Kitecatches may be utilized by both players, and ST.

– Kitecatches may not be tamed.

– Kitecatches are solitary, and will not work in tandem. Any interaction with kitecatches will only have one at a time: unless they are infighting.

– Intense and prolonged cold will cause a Kitesail to shrivel up, as if forced into a hibernative lethargy.

 

 

 

Cᴇᴘʜᴀʀʀɪᴅ

ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜɪᴛɪɴ-ᴍᴏɴɢʀᴇʟꜱ

[Link]

 

Physiology

All living things converge into crabs eventually- ‘carcinisation’, or so the biologists prattle. Though, given the breadth of the many crustaceans which litter the many continents of the world, it can be assumed their theories have some merit. However, none of those beings match the size of the hulking abominations of the Cepharrid- feral and vaguely crab-esque in shape, littered with insectoid limbs of varying sizes; their largest limbs are equivalent to those of an aspen’s trunk, whilst the smallest are no larger than that of a descendant- albeit far weaker.

 

These creatures are surprisingly vast for crustaceans- averaging to be about [10] to [12] meters in height, and stretching on average from anywhere between [18] to [22] meters in length. Whilst covered in a carapace, in truth its natural defenses are not that strong- the Cepharrid’s armouring only feasibly covers their back, skull, and frontal-facing portions of their limbs with similar strength to that of plate, whilst their belly, vestigial limbs, and back-portions of all their limbs remain fleshy and easily punctured like mortal flesh.

 

Given the vast size of the Cepharrid, their bodies need greater force to pump their blood about them than the meagre hearts of cattle and men- thus, nestled beneath their core, a vast heart no larger than a cubic meter remains- known to rogue hunters and eccentric collectors alike as a ‘Stoneheart’ for its vaguely quartz-like appearance, and its tendency to never rot due to its composition of primarily mineral-based substances.

 

Behavior

There are three things that primarily dictate the behaviour of Cepharrid- hunt prey, protect their young, and defend their ground. Cepharrid primarily hunt smaller beings which it knows are unlikely to fight back- in short, they will scarcely target the descendant races in their hunts for prey, rather preferring stray boars or cattle to gorge upon. However, descendants are not just given an indiscriminate boon of protection from these things- Cepharrid are extremely protective of their young, and thus primarily their hovels.

 

The life cycle of a Cepharrid is four-staged; Egg, Pupa, Chrysalis, and eventually Adult; these creatures breed slowly- and thus their populations are generally small. Cepharrid, for most of their adult life, are nomadic- not really sticking to any area or creating a hovel lest they have young to protect. When they do make one, they usually prefer dry, cool places to make their hovels, usually either rocky outcroppings beneath cliffs or in sandy caverns. Thus, they usually spend most of their life cycle in the driest biomes, such as the Geyserlands and Mesa.

 

Even though they are nomadic, they are oft territorial- if an adult Cepharrid whom bears no young is met with any other Cepharrid whom is not a direct relative to it, they often get enwrapped into scuffles- the victor and loser alike often suffering limb damage in twain, often causing grudges to be forged within both individuals. Cepharrid who bear heavy grudges against another may even try to sneak upon their foe’s young and engorge upon them, though this has been notably rare- especially given the Cepharrid’s natural urges to protect their hovels.

 

Taming

Cepharrid are untamable beings, lest a magic of an incredible caliber become involved. They are primarily driven upon their urges to hunt prey, protect their young, and defend their ground from others; to usurp these mental priorities with another one is practically impossible.

 

Abilities

Little more is going for these creatures besides their vast size- with its comparable strength- and its surprising dexterity. Capable of weaving about vast stone pillars and scaling walls- albeit slowly- Cepharrid have decent mobility within terrain they are familiar with. However, their eyesight is pitifully feeble- when moving, they view the world as a blur, easily missing targets unless they are standing still; during nighttime, unless individuals carry about lighting, they cannot see a thing at all and are practically blind.

 

Redlines

– Cepharrid grow to be about [10] to [12] meters in height and [18] to [22] meters in length at most when adults; pupae grow no larger than [1] meter in height and [2] in length, with their chrysalis stage similar size to that.

– Cepharrid have intelligence comparable to that of a loner-predator; similar comparisons are best made with mountain lions and bobcats.

– Cepharrid solely have their carapace-like armour stretch upon their back, their skull, and the front-facing portions of their many limbs. All other portions are unarmoured, and as easily carved into as unarmoured flesh. Their carapace has similar durability and weight to steel, and can be used as reskinned steel if carved into such shapes as armour and blades.

– Cepharrid’s strength varies depending on their limbs. Their smallest ones are similar in size to a descendant’s, though are tremendously weak and might as well be vestigial- however, their largest ones are about as vast as a tree trunk, and are capable of slamming things with force equivalent to twice an olog’s.

– Cepharrid can only be played by [ET] members.

 

 

 

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Aevosi Remnants

 

 

Vinix

 

 

Physiology

 

The Vinix are small primate-like creatures, hosting stark avian attributes and are found within the hottest climates of the southern deserts. Its small stature, measuring at a mere 20 inches in height and weighing a scarce four pounds only emphasizes its diminutive size and vulnerability. Its spindly body with slender limbs, short, coarse fur, allows the Vinix an opportunity of camouflage that blends amongst its arid environment. With its pelt ranging in colourations of light browns and pale yellows. Although such a pathetic creature hosts stark avian qualities, its delicate wings spanning from its shoulders hosts a poor bone structure rendering it unable to maintain substantial flight and instead glides from tree tops, where it seeks refuge from predators.

 

Behavior

 

Being primarily diurnal creatures, the Vinix use the daylight as a sacred time to gather limited resources the south has to offer. Its main diet consists of whatever foliage they are able to source, including leaves, shoots, and berries. If fortunate enough to come across insects, they will often hoard them within their burrows, a necessary form of protein that without renders another cause of death for these vulnerable creatures. However, the Vinix often struggles to find these sufficient sources of nutrients due to the scarcity of vegetation.  The Vinix’s habitat is characterized by vast stretches of dry landscapes with little opportunity for shade or suitable nesting sites. As a result, the Vinix are forced to roam from location to location in search for better territory. Unfortunately this dangerous journeying makes them easy targets for larger predators. Despite their challenges, the Vinix possesses the ability to reproduce rapidly. Litters often numbering from four to eight offspring known as ‘Vinnies’. 

 

However, the harsh environment and the Vinix’s vulnerability contribute significantly to a drastic decline in their numbers within the wild. Often considered the weakest link within the natural food chain, the Vinix lack any innate survival instinct and effective defense mechanisms other than their ability to blend within their environment. When distressed or provoked, it emits an ear-piercing shrill as its only form of deterrence from predators. Unfortunately, this is usually insufficient to protect it from its main predator, the Sectah Lynx, a formidable hunter that often shares its habitat. Due to its susceptibility to predation and the inhospitable conditions of the south, the Vinix face significant challenges in maintaining stable populations, making conservation efforts crucial to ensure the survivability of such a unique species, as the Vinix play a crucial role in the delicate balance of the southern ecosystem. 

 

Vinix share a mutualistic relationship with other large herbivores and migratory animals within the southern desert. When traveling between spots of water and flora.  Capable of loud vocalizations, the Vinix perch themselves atop other herbivores and other passive animals, warning them when dangers may arrive, in addition to feasting upon the pests or parasites that may plague their larger protectors. While most herbivores tolerate the presence of the Vinix, carnivores have no qualms turning on their small warning alarms. 

 

Taming

 

They may be captured and tamed.

 

Abilities

 

There is no notable ability.

 

– The Vinix can only be roleplayed in DIY, player-hosted events or outside of combat as a tamed creature.

– The Vinix can be tamed but may never be weaponized in combat.

– Everything that may be obtained from a Vinix is player signed.

-Vinix, though capable of being tamed, are never intelligent enough for complex command or action. 

 

Sectah Lynx

 

 

Physiology

 

The Sectah Lynx is an agile and curious predator that roams high above the desert sky and deep within its many valleys.  Unlike most predators, the Sectah has been seen to hunt prey in a variety of methods, bombarding targets at impossible speeds, or chasing them down. Agile in both the air and on foot, the Sectah eats and challenges a variety of prey, the desert climate keen on providing small mammals and lizards to devour.

 

The Sectah at maturity grows to the same size as large cats of prey, though far lighter than any tiger and stands around the same height as a descendant while on all fours.  Its powerful wings are capable of allowing it an impressive flight, in addition to strong legs that allow it to run quickly across The Sectah is capable of hunting large aerial predators through its unique physiology. Climbing an intense height, the Sectah dive bombs its targets from above, often killing them upon impact. With incredibly sharp claws, it is capable of ripping through flesh easily and breaking the bones of smaller mammals and birds. 

 

Behavior

 

The Sectah is keen on collecting the trinkets scattered around the desert as a means to bolster its nest. While Sectah only grow to the size of common descendants, their nests are large ornamental structures filled with  the jewels of the desert. These rearing spaces are found both on the ground in sizable caves as well as all peaks and cliff sides should the desert provide it. Sectah roam the land as their curiosity and desire to collect more treasure expands. 

 

Sectah hold a mischievous nature with those who enter its territory and the desert. Travelers who sleep or unaware have belongings stolen or pickpocketed by this dextrous predator. Sectah nests are often ornamented with jewels or lost artifacts, and wary thieves herald the bird as their patron animal.

 

Abilities

 

The Sectah’s dive bombing ability is only used on aerial prey or significantly smaller targets like the Vinix or rodents and lizards, often breaking their bones and killing them upon impact, though would serve little use against the armored beyond knocking them down and severely bruising them. 

 

– The Sectah Lynx can only be roleplayed in DIY, player-hosted events.

– Everything that may be obtained from a Sectah is wholly aesthetic and player-signed.

– The Sectah are too intelligent and their constant need to move prevents them from being tamed or kept in close proximity with descendants and other animals. If given the chance they’d escape or die quickly in captivity. 

 

Bolugar

 

 

Physiology

 

The Bolugar is a massive herbivore, a nomadic creature that travels between what little patches of water and moisture that may exist in the desert. The Bolugar takes decades to mature, going through multiple metamorphosis. Bolugar lay tadpoles, using what little water within the desert to nurse their young, or carrying them within a special pouch within their mouths. The young are also capable of feeding upon the slime the Bolugar all produce, a communal feeding behavior seen within a pack. Bolugar are capable of eating all forms of flora within the desert, stomachs sturdy enough to endure whatever they may graze upon. The slime of a Bolugar is produced either to feed their young, self-preservation techniques, or through husbandry, all of which allow for the attempt for the dauntless to extract it.

 

Bolugar are most commonly seen in their adult form, standing at 7ft tall, and weighing nearly half a ton. While capable of growing larger in the wild, they are capable of reaching this stage after nearly a century of husbandry. 

 

Once it reaches full size, it stands at 10ft tall and weighs over a ton. These large collosi are known as Elder Bolugar, though none have ever been seen within domestic use nor a husbandry person capable of breeding one in captivity. Bolugar grow duller in pigment through age, the sun beating upon their backs for centuries. Elder Bolugar are often mistaken by the unfamiliar as mirages within the sands, shifting mountains that move on the horizon through day and night.

 

While normally docile, the creature possesses an impressive strength and defense, leading those capable of domesticating it as a pack animal. The Bolugar’s flesh and constitution is of unusual nature, leading many to speculate and study the creature for its potential uses. When attacked, the Bolugar possesses a means of defending itself through the colored patches covered all along its body. When a wound or cut forms, the Bolugar’s secretions allow the wound to congeal and recover far faster, clotting injury and sealing them with a sticky slime. 

 

This slime’s wondrous ability has an incredible effect on Bolugar, capable of sealing injuries normally thought fatal within minutes.  These effects only work on the animal, though have been seen to be capable of keeping Bolugar alive through dismemberment and brain damage.

 

Alchemists, the scientific, and wary may freely experiment with Bolugar slime, creating their own concoctions from it. However, regardless of its use in base form or an extracted variant, Bolugar slime will always seal cuts and shallow wounds,  and staunching blood at the same level of other herbs. The strange chemicals and toxins within the slime(of which there are many) prevent the entire limb from being used, and over-use of Bolugar slime could lead to sepsis and shock.  It is incapable of performing the italicized effects on the ordinary descendant, no matter the reaction or chemical concoction performed. 

 

Behavior

 

Bolugar travel in large herds, forming territories through the valleys and pathways it crosses through. Vinix often shelter themselves within these migratory groups, using the shade they provide as a means of escaping the dangerous desert heat. Bolugar are especially defensive of their young, all members of a herd turning to stand their ground rather than lose the next generation.  While Bolugar are sturdy and quite strong, they possess no natural armor or means of defending themselves beyond powerful kicks and swings of their head, easily capable of breaking bones.

 

Abilities

 

Elder Bolugar serve as a difficult creature to fight within the wild, though while not the apex predator, are easily capable of killing careless descendants. Their endurance and slime allows them to endure common physical attacks, in addition to inspiring husbandry people and the curious to explore their slime.

 

– The Bolugar can only be roleplayed in DIY, player-hosted events.

– The Bolugar cannot be tamed.

– Everything that may be obtained from a Bolugar is player signed

– Players cannot wield Elder Bolugar, their domesticated or pack animal variants will always be 7 ft maximum and no more than 800 pounds.

– Domesticated Bolugar are too slow to use in combat and will often flee.
– Bolugar slime does not have any paralyzing effects, nor does it have any use on the unwilling.
– Bolugar slime is player signed. The slime can at most be used to seal and heal small cuts, burns and open wounds.
– Bolugar can only be extracted once a week.
– Due to the slow and difficult nature of raising Bolugar in domestication, a single player may only possess two at a time. 

 

Scalecid

 

 

Physiology

 

The tenacity of the Scalecid allow it to survive within the difficult deserts of its habitat. While far smaller than any of the predators within the desert, its fierce behavior allows it to stand its ground wherever difficult situations may occur. The Scalecid may grow to the size of a large dog, though it possesses an armor and agility unmatched by any other creatures within the desert. Scalecid are seen scraping with all creatures of the desert, doing whatever it can to continue eating and winning difficult encounters.  With a domineering bite capable of crushing bone and claws capable of allowing the creature to disappear within the sand in a moment’s notice, the Scalecid’s swiftness and durability make it difficult to catch and deal with.  The armor that dons the Scalecid is no different from plate, although being made from bone it is far thicker and heavier. This does not slow the creature by any means, though its hunters and poachers would find the bone a serviceable alternative to bone and steel.

 

The whiskers upon a Scalecid are a unique sensory organ to the creature, allowing it to hunt with unparalleled efficiency. It is rumored that the creature could smell a single drop of blood within the sands of the desert, with tens of Scalecid emerging to fight over any corpse that lay unclaimed within the desert. 

 

Behavior

 

The Scalecid have a voracious appetite, eating any Vinix, or any animal capable of succumbing to its attacks. While primarily scavenging the desert remains, the Scalecid is capable of ambushing prey through its numerous tunnels scattered beneath the sands. Scalecid create complex burrows, often intersecting with sand-laiden caves or ancient burial grounds. While Scalecid do not live within packs, it is not uncommon to see multiple within large caves. 

 

Scalecid are extremely aggressive, even to their own kind. They have no fondness for any living creature, and will even tear up and destroy fauna purely out of malice. The path of a Scalecid can be found through the destruction it leaves in its wake, and massive holes within the desert. 

 

Abilities

 

Scalecid are capable of burrowing themselves with sand and other loose materials extraordinarily fast, disappearing and appearing within a single emote. While their claws don’t pose any real threat to the armored, a bite would certainly cause severe bleeding and breaking bones. 

 

– The Scalecid can be used and played for only DIY, player-hosted events.

– The Scalecid cannot be tamed.

– This is a combative creature used for event fights, and cannot be domesticated, tamed, or used in casual player combat.

– The Scalecid possesses no unique features beyond its armor, which may be player-signed as ornamental armor equivalent to plate.  

 

Uguldana

 

 

Physiology

 

The Uguldana possesses six powerful legs, each armed with razor-sharp hooks that allow it to move effortlessly through the shifting sands. Its enormous mandibles are capable of crushing even a Scalecid, However, unlike its smaller relatives, this giant antlion has adapted to become a scavenger, feasting on carrion and decaying organic matter that litters the desert floor.  Far more agile than other insects, the Uguldana quickly grabs prey or carcasses, dragging them deep beneath the sand, either drowning or crushing them from the terrifying hold. 

 

The hairs along the Uguldana allow it to sense vibrations and motion within the sands with unnerving proficiency. It tracks prey through these motions, allowing it to decisively pick out the weakest or most valuable targets within whatever foolishly invades its territory. 

 

Uguldana range in size as they mature and metamorphose. The youngest stage (nymph) will grow up to a maximum of 15ft, molting multiple times to accommodate its new body. Nymph Uguldana lack the strength and digging ability of their massive parents, and so are often seen within their caves scuttling about, or hiding beneath rocks above the surface. They serve as large insects commonly seen throughout the desert. At night, these creatures ambush Vinix, juvenile Bolugar, and other animals within the desert capable of being crushed between its mandibles.

 

In the next stage, the Uguldana buries itself deep within the sand, though is nearly entirely sessile. This Adolescent phase of the Uguldana is indefinite, as they may grow to indescribable proportions. These Adolescent Uguldana hibernate until some movement stirs atop the surface, goading them into bursting out and striking whatever lurks above them with intense proficiency. Rumors exist to prevent one’s travel across the desert from being detected by Uguldana, though no clear answer exists. 

 

Uguldana chitin is unique, though no more durable than standard materials like steel, has the unique property of being capable of filtering out sand and the dust of the environment it was made from. Tinkerers and forgers often craft the chitin into masks and helmets, allowing them to survive the harsh desert storms and difficult environment. This chitin is only made durable and effective in the adult form, often encouraging the bold to battle or scrape pieces from these impressive animals.  

 

Once Uguldana mature, they take on a similar appearance to the picture above, adult Uguldana ranging from 30-40 ft in size. These massive scavengers have been approached by the thrillseekers, riding these massive creatures adorning masks made from their exoskeletons. 

 

Behavior

 

Uguldana are incredibly fast creatures and cunning despite their size and insect physiology. Rather than engaging in direct conflict, Uguldana wait for the perfect time to strike before disappearing as quickly as they arrived. They lack the blind hatred 

 

Abilities

 

Juvenile and Adult Uguldana will only serve as event creatures, and while Adult Uguldana can be ridden, giving them complex commands or using them within standard combat are impossible. Adult Uguldana may be used as siege weapons during events, but they are just as likely to burrow beneath the earth and escape should true danger arise.  

 

– The Junior Uguldana can only be roleplayed in DIY, player-hosted events.

– Uguldana cannot be forced or tamed. Adult Uguldana cannot be used in player events without ST supervision.

– Everything that may be obtained from a Uguldana is player signed.

– Chitin may be harvested from them and experimented with to produce filters capable of allowing a Descendant to breathe more easily in sandstorms and the desert environment. This is the only application for this type of chitin; weapons or armor cannot be made out of it.

– Filters/Masks/Helmets may not allow a Descendant to survive fully submerged in the sand however. At most giving them a couple of moments to escape from being fully submerged.
– A helmet made of Adult Uguldana chitin will only allow the player to filter out sand and dust of the desert, allowing someone to ride the creature and survive when it burrows beneath the sand. It possesses no other combative advantages and has the same durability and strength as weaker metals like bronze.   

 

Straadoth

 

 

 

 

Physiology

The desert Straadoth is a curious reptile, often standing at about 4 feet tall and measuring in at a length of 12 feet long. The creature, curiously enough, lacks any sort of eye sight whatsoever - relying on the vibrations of moving prey upon the sands in order to hunt them. With powerful forelegs for digging through the desert, this creature sports powerful muscles for digging and combative applications, while its hardy tail can easily be used as an improvised whip to bludgeon its prey into submission. Its teeth are like needles; numerous and sharp, meant for ripping its prey to shreds rather than chewing, though are easily broken. As well, its tongue is much akin to a dart of sorts, which it may use as a ranged projectile to impale its victims with great force.

 

The Straadoth, uniquely, possesses a sort of camouflage to it, blending into whatever environment it finds itself in with ease, as the color of its hide changes to match its surroundings. Its hide is prized for its resistance to the elements, and the creature is often hunted by Uruk for this quality.

 

 

Habitat

The Straadoth is commonly found in desert environments - sand dunes, vast deserts and the like, as it can not see in any other habitat; thus leading to its eventual starvation if it leaves its home.

 

 

Behavior

The Straadoth is a primarily nocturnal creature, opting to hunt at night. It is decidedly carnivorous, and when hunting, will attack its prey swiftly with no regards to its own well being. It is a vicious creature, and may not be reasoned with or tamed by any stretch of the imagination. It is an ambush predator at heart.

 

 

Abilities

The Straadoth possesses a powerful, dart-like tongue which it may shoot out at a distance in order to impale its victims. This tongue will only strike with the force of a crossbow bolt at the most, though may be retracted in order to pull its victims closer. As well, its powerful forelimbs may be used in order to batter a man or lift objects, the creature easily strong enough to lift a horse and throw it with force. Finally, its large tail can be used to strike targets as a powerful whip, or it may be smacked against the sands to create a sand cloud of sorts, obscuring visibility in the area.

 

 

Redlines

• May not be tamed or reasoned with, as it is an incredibly vicious and violent predator. Communion with the creature would elicit frenzied shrieks, and thoughts of hunger and dominance.
• This creature moves incredibly swiftly in a sandy environment, easily able to move faster than any descendant. Outside of this environment, its movements are slow and sluggish to an extreme.
• The sand cloud the Straadoth creates is only large enough to cover an 8x8 area, at the largest.

 

 

 

Stortfel

 

 

Physiology

Stortfel resemble scarabs the size of large dogs; bearing thick shells on their backs, nearly devoid of all nerve sensations. There are also physical differences between wild Stortfel and domesticated; wild ones have far thicker scales, as they are wounded more often with the scales repairing themselves to a thicker state.

 

Habitat

The creature is most often found within deserts; wandering the surface throughout the day, and crawling into their cave dwellings after sunset.

 

Behavior

They are a peaceful sort, lacking hostility to descendants unless provoked; it is in those instances that they will either flee or attempt to cleave flesh with their pincers. The stortfel favors small rodents and eels in their diet. However, they will eat most anything if you put it in front of them, making them particularly easy to domesticate. They are incredibly hungry creatures, attributed to their size and accelerated metabolism. Stortfels typically eat things that are already dead, as they lack the speed to catch critters. Wild stortfel commonly sharpen their pincers against the stones of the caves they reside in, a habit that fades for those domesticated. This comes from their initial wariness towards descendants, fading once they are made into companions.

 

Abilities

Using their pincers, they are capable of picking up and holding objects, the strength of the grip inverse to the weight of what they carry. The lack of nerves on their shells allows their backs to be carved into with little resistance nor care if domesticated.

 

 

Redlines

-Wild stortfel have pincers as sharp as steel swords, with domesticated ones having the sharpness of butter knives.

-Domesticated stortfel are averse to harming descendants of the same race as the one who tamed them, considering them friend not foe. However, this does not mean the stortfel cannot hold them within their pincers.