[Bestiary] The Mountains

[squakhawk 14038]

 

The Mountains

 

Towering high above the plains and fields and marshes, the mountains are a mysterious place, scraping high towards the heavens and often enshrouded with mist. They are found in a plethora of locations, though almost always possess hilly and rocky crags which make it quite difficult to traverse. Its steep and gritty terrain leaves room for only the most bold of settlers and scavengers, and can be dangerous to those unheeding of the land. Its flora and fauna is usually hardy and mobile, as to traverse such steep cliffs and crevices.

 

Flora

 

Despite its rather harsh nature, the mountains are often home to a plethora of unique flora which sprout even amongst the rocky nooks and crannies. Those who manage to find such reagents are lucky indeed, for these are not all too easy to come by in what little soil lies here.

 

Paddfoot

Night Glow

Elf’s Hair Vine

Ponderlot

 

Fauna

 

Stretching high towards the heavens, the high altitudes often dissuade many creatures from taking their place among the mountainous peaks. Nevertheless, there are some rather hardy beasts which roam these stretching spires, some rather benign, and others less so.

 

 

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Slagamander

 

 

Physiology

These creatures range anywhere from 1 meter up to 3 meters in length and weigh anywhere from 50 to 150 pounds pending their length. This unnatural weight is due to their forms being up of salamander-like flesh with bulbous growths made from various types of igneous rocks in order to help blend more naturally with the volcanic environments. In addition to such, they have bright orange glows that line their skin as they have literal magma flowing through them - allowing them to rest and dive beneath any pools or rivers of lava.

 

Behavior

Slagamanders are very skittish, but overly territorial of their pools and have been known to fight with other groups of slagamanders over the rights to the larger pools of lava. Descendents who dare to try to interact or capture should be prepared for a herd of slagamanders trying to pull them within the pool.

 

Taming

They have no ability to be tamed and will harden into stone if removed from the harsh volcanic environments for too long.

 

Abilities

Molten Spit:
As defense mechanism, they will spit out any of their molten bile from their stomachs. They have been known to do such through both the method of ‘spitting’ but also through biting down and vomiting such. This will melt most mundane armors and harshly burn/melt flesh.

 

– The spit will melt through ferrum armor in 3 emotes. The only time this is truly threatening is if they are ‘vomiting’ such.

-They are not precise when spitting, it has never been heard of their spit piercing through an already melted piece of armor

-These can be used for player events and can be even larger if done by an ET

Hardening:
If they are taken outside of their zone, they will turn to stone as to not risk the moisture seeping into their skin. Once they are turned to stone, they must be submerged back into a molten pool otherwise they are doomed to be stuck in their statue-like state.
–Hardening is immediate as soon as they leave the volcanic zone. The weight of themselves doubling in their state
-At their largest, they will require minimum two people to carry them.
-If they are submerged into a lava pool outside of their home, they will become territorial of this new spot.

 

 

 

Slagspitter

 

 

Physiology

The Slag Spitter is a volcanic reptile that reaches a maximum weight of 150 lbs and 7 feet long. Upon a close inspection it shares many resemblances to Gila Monsters, yet they carry darker scales of gray and black tones with streaks of red or yellow along their forms. Much like their Gila cousins, the Slag Spitters carry an acidic venom which easily breaks down volcanic rock, utilizing such to dig and find stores of mineral to devour. Despite their odd nature and diet, the Slag Spitter is rather fast, capable of speeds up to 30 miles per hour. 

 

Despite their natural tolerances for magma and the scorching climate of the volcanos, many descendants might hunt and slay the Slag Spitter in an attempt to create or treat equipment to become fire proof. This idea is one born of a false hope, as their body rapidly collapses post-mortem in an acid-esque reaction. This leaves it impossible to truly harvest anything but the weak bone of the reptile, leaving only the acidic substance and brittle bone. 

 

Behavior

The Slag Spitter is a rather docile creature, choosing to reside in the volcanic region of Azuras feeding on minerals within the volcanic rocks. When threatened, the Slag Spitter chooses to retreat, finding a crevice in the terrain over any form of confrontation.

 

Taming

Slag Spitters may be tamed, although are incredibly hard to keep as they require ready access to Volcanic Activity to remain alive.

 

Abilities

The Slag Spitter is by nature a non-confrontational creature. When threatened they can bolt away, making them quite hard to catch. The acidic substance formed upon a Slag Spitter’s death can be used to cut away and clean rust from equipment, as well as protect it from rusting.

 

General Redlines and Restrictions

• Slag Spitters may only be used in DIY Player events or as docile pets given they can be fed. 
• Only the Acidic substance and bones of a Slag Spitter may be harvested and are both considered Player Signed. The bones have no unique qualities, only equivalent to regular mundane bone. 

 

 

Rockaby

Sometimes called an ‘Amphineura’

 

 

Link To Art

 

Physiology

The Rockaby, sometimes called a Slumberstone, sometimes an Amphineura, is a creature of immense stature, the largest seen measuring in at nine meters, and the smallest at a little more than four. Their arms and legs end in three-digited hands that have claws that are suited for digging, and abrasive paws meant for grinding rock and plant and bone.

 

Its head is bald, and the Rockaby itself has leathery flesh behind its stony shell. The more wrinkles under their eyes help to belay their age: as their size is more determinant by its diet than its lifespan. Curiously, Rockabys have no teeth, though their gums are incredibly hard, so one might mistake them for a pair of large molars.

 

While all Rockabys have a brown, or gray hue to their flesh, the stone-esque plates that adorn them are, too, determined by their diet.

 

While the Rockaby itself is not particularly agile, it is immensely strong, and incredibly durable. Given it often resides upon hills, utilizing its claws to maintain itself, and dredge terraces to perch upon, and dig from. Often times, Rockabys may dig tunnels too, and perch themselves as ‘doors’ to those tunnels, to guard the minerals inside-- their food source.

 

Behavior

Rockabys prefer high altitudes and don’t discriminate between hot, or cold climates. In hotter climates, they may prefer tunnels, and roam to dig new terraces at night, and in colder climates, they may prefer to basque in the sun for when it shines through the clouds.

 

While isolatory, the Rockaby is not particularly aggressive. Its hearty flesh and sturdier hide does offer it a great deal of liberty to ignore predators and trespassers. It tends to limit its territory to its tunnel, and the opening there of: roaming Rockabys tend to focus on finding new places to burrow. If a Rockaby settles a tunnel with its eggs, it would focus on defending its nest, likely trying to roll forward, and crush knockers should they attempt to enter.

 

Teeth are good indicators of diet: and the Rockaby is technically omnivorous, though it strictly prefers rock and mineral, to funguses and plants and meat. When eating meat, it tends to scavenge, and prefer bones. The Rockaby eats by first picking with its claws, then running the food through its abrasive hands as if to grind them preemptively, and THEN gnashes the food within its ‘gum-molars’.

 

Taming

Rockabys may not be tamed. 

 

Though, Rockabys have been known to remember faces. Offering food to them can permit one passage to their tunnels, and while it is unheard of that it would permit folk to peruse its nest (ie, its eggs are present), it is not impossible that it would favor incredibly kindly travelers with such an honor.

 

Abilities

– The Rockaby, as indicated previously, and per its namesake, will ‘rock’ upon particularly obtuse and persistent aggressors and transgressors. Its weight is akin to a wagon full of rocks: those caught under would be pressed as if strained into a juicer: flattening whatever was caught beneath it, OR comically embedding them in the ground.

– The Rockaby’s waste often has remnants of its diet within it. This means one can find trace amounts of whatever its diet is. Sometimes, one might find usable (if gross) variations of common alchemicals, such as sweet rock, or faerie truffle, this way. (If an ST is utilizing the Rockaby, they might hint at treasures this way, or provide very small amounts of that material, akin to arrowheads or coins)

 

Redlines

 

– The Rockaby may be utilized by both players, and ST.

–Rockabys cannot be tamed: though they may be ‘befriended’ with adequate time, and roleplay-- though no matter how friendly, a Rockaby will never permit someone to pass their tunnels without some food offering.

–All things obtained from the Rockaby are player-signed, and wholly aesthetic.

–The only exception to the above is an intact ‘plate’ of its shell, if peeled from its corpse, can serve as a shield as if of ferrum strength, provided one can strap it to their arm, or hold it at both edges.

 

 

 

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Aevosi Remnants

 

Snorgus

 

 

Physiology

 

A weasel sized creature, with gray fur and stone protrusions coming out from its spine and head, giving it features  resembling a tiny dragon. It also has long white whiskers the length of its body  that end in many branches like brushes. Despite its small size, it has exceptionally powerful arms and legs, being able to remove small rubble within mountains and dig into them a bit to make its burrows. Though it is only strong at this, and cannot damage any descendant. It uses its mouth and horns to fight and hunt other creatures its size.

 

It can manipulate its whiskers freely, and it uses them to brush along its burrow walls to be able to detect the stability of its home. At night it curls up into a ball to make itself appear like a rock, and its whiskers stick out to be able to detect predators.

 

Behavior

 

Snorgi (plural of Snorgus) are territorial amongst each other, using their horns and tough skulls to compete with each other for burrows and mates. They are diurnal, since their bright white whiskers stick out more at night. They are omnivorous, but hardly eat any flora since it is rare to find in the mountains, thus the majority of their diet consists of other critters and bugs.
 

Their burrows are complex mazes, both as an adaptation against predators and one to attract mates. The more winding and long the borrow, the harder it is for a predator to find the Snorgus and the more it shows off its digging skills. Though a Snorgus can never get lost in its burrow due to its sensitive nose.

 

Taming

 

A Snorgus is fairly easy to tame, it is merely a tedious process and one needs to leave little samples of food for weeks to months. Variety must be present too. Snorgi have a catty personality, thinking they are the ones graving you with their presence, but they are also affectionate, curling into little balls on one's lap.

 

Abilities

 

There is no notable ability.

 

– Snorgus are reskinned versions of cat-like pet creatures and may be used outside of combat and for DIY, player-hosted events only. 

 

Gold Goat

 

 

Physiology

 

Beautiful and majestic creatures, these goats are the close relatives of the Iron Ram. They differ however in various ways, the most striking would be their slick, and golden horns and hooves. They stand on average around 5 feet tall, however most curiously Gold Goats may grow beards and tails to the same length, making them very sought after by dwarves. 

 

The pelt of the Gold Goat is not particularly durable, however it has a silvery sheen and a soft feel making it a favourite choice among the wealthy descendants. Experienced zoologists reading this may wonder how such a flash and fanciful creature can survive the harsh environments of the mountains. The answer would be speed. A Gold Goat can traverse the rocky steps as easily as a bird can fly, and a fish can swim. Thus predators must work hard to catch them.

 

Another unique attribute to the Gold Goat is their milk. It is highly nutritious, being fatty and packed with all the nutrients needed for raising little goats in a harsh land. It also has a slightly sweet taste, making it a staple amongst mountain nomads.

 

The horns of a gold goat have the density of iron, much like their Iron Ram cousins. Only they are somewhat smaller. Although Gold Goats are named such because of the color of their horns, there is a very slim chance to spot a Gold Goat with silver horns. Though this mutation is very rare.

 

Behavior

 

The Gold Goats are very intelligent creatures with expressive faces, making them for wonderful companions. In the wild they are very skittish, if they feel the slightest disturbance, they will quickly skip away in a blur.
 

Their intelligence also manifests in complicated mating practices. These goats make all manner of sounds to compose songs to attract mates, as well as to send warnings along the mountains to other flocks by way of echo.

 

They travel in small herds of 3 to 4 goats. Due to the sparse flora of the mountains, they can be seen climbing great distances to like some salt of a rock or to chew upon some tough root. It seems no mountain, no matter how steep, can frighten them.

 

Taming

 

Adult Gold Goats are extremely difficult to tame, since one needs to be able to actually catch them in the first place. And even if by way of miracle one could outrun a Gold Goat, they would be stubborn to any taming attempts. Thus most tamers opt to raise and tame them from birth as one would a typical goat. However, they cannot be ridden upon, or used in combat due to their ingrained skittish nature.

 

Abilities

 

Gold Goats can ram into prey and gore adversaries with their deer-like antlers, but is easily overpowered by a steed or horse.

 

– Gold Gotas can only be roleplayed during DIY, player-hosted events or outside of combat as farm-like animals.

– Gold Goats can be tamed to be like a farm animal but may never be weaponized or used to defend a location.

– Any material extracted from a Gold Goat, like their gold, is comparable to its mundane counterpart. This is to say that gold will be like normal gold, and its meat will taste like any other goat’s, if not juicier. These are all player-signed.

 

Manticore

 

 

Physiology

 

A creature vile in appearance, resembling a large feline predator with grotesque wings, a serpent’s tale, a ghastly humanoid visage. The appearance of the Manticore may vary between mountains, some may have  the bodies of lions and the wings of bats, while their cousins may possess tiger-like bodies with more lizard-like wings. Fortunately to all mountain travelers, the wings of the manticore are not big enough to allow it flight, but they may use them to glide down from mountain ledges.

 

The Manticore is often similar in size to a lion, though not all subspecies possess a lion’s mane. Its strength and biting power are also roughly equivalent to that of a lion. However, one should not approach it like a simple beast, it is very intelligent and may use its prehensile snake tails to grab its prey and constrict it. Whether this is a legitimate hunting technique, or a twisted predatorial pleasure is unknown.

 

Most descendents tend to be blinded by greed, not seeing the danger around them, thus they tend to seek out to hunt the manticor for its luxurious pelts. They tend to vary greatly in appearance, but the pelt of a manticore is a very good insulator, given the fact the creature inhabits the windswept mountain tops.

 

In addition to their pelts, another adaptation of their physiology to their mountain environment is the uncanny ability to be unmoved by any wind. In furious tempest and storm, the Manticore can prowl the rocky terrain without issue, perhaps due to its powerful claws. However, it is still greatly affected by weather in flight.

 

Behavior

 

The Manticore makes its home in mountain caves, often building dens and nests of stone. It uses its prehensile tile to construct crude stone walls by simply stacking rocks upon each other. Over the ages, it has learned to use this ability to construct random structures, like mounds of rocks, upon the paths of travelers to lure them to an advantageous spot. Once its prey is there it will glide down from its lair in an attempt to kill the prey in one swooping bite. Their primary prey being Iron Rams, Gold Goats and Griffons.

They are solitary creatures, making their territory with scent glands present on their snake tail. This scent tends to smell very faintly of sulfur, thus experienced adventurers may be able to determine when they are in a manticore’s lair, that is if the wind doesn’t blow the scent away.

 

Abilities

 

The Manticore is capable of short flight while its tail carries the strength of an average descendant. 

 

– Manticores can only be roleplayed during DIY, player-hosted events.

– Manticores cannot be tamed.

– The tail of a Manticore cannot wield tools like a descendant’s hands.

– Manticores are unable to speak common tongue.

– Any material extracted from a Manticore is wholly aesthetic and player-signed.

 

Minotaur

Physiology

Minotaurs are large beasts, not unlike a bull who walks on two hooved feet and has opposable thumbs. They are towering creatures, ranging anywhere from twelve to fifteen feet, with great strength rivaling, if not exceeding, that of an ology creature. Their skin is dark and leathery, having long hair that may dangle from their elbows and maw. The oldest recorded minotaur had lived upwards of five hundred years before it became sickly and died.

Habitat

Minotaurs often favor settling in ancient ruins or libraries, locations that they know will attract wandering scholars or adventurers. They may also take up residence in maze-like and elaborate caves, though seldom roam far from their chosen den.

Behavior

Minotaurs, despite their monstrous appearance, are incredibly intelligent, capable of recognizing patterns and solving puzzles with shocking proficiency. Oftentimes they will create elaborate traps throughout their dens in order to ensnare their prey, relying on the target to become lost and disoriented before attacking them outright. They do not often create their own clothes or weapons, and will rather take such from deceased travellers. Minotaurs are also prone to collecting large sums of jewelry which they wear and hoard, being incredibly vain and self-centered. Many keep mirrors in their den for the sake of vanity.

Abilities

Minotaurs have relatively poor eyesight, though make up for this via keen hearing and smell, as well as a degree of echolocation done through low bellows and groans which often signal its presence. Minotaurs are able to wield most melee weapons with great efficiency and power, making them formidable opponents when paired with their strength.

Redlines

- Minotaurs are not descendants and cannot speak common, nor learn any magic. Older minotaur can learn to write in common though struggle to speak it due to biology.

- A minotaur’s hide is no stronger than that of regular leather and can be pierced. At most, it would deflect arrows and other small projectiles.

- Minotaurs are quick, though lack agility and stealth. Their presence can often be told by the light tapping of their hooves and the occasional huff or snort.

- Minotaur, especially hungry minotaurs, cannot be reasoned with. Their craving hunger for mortal flesh is too great to be ignored.

- Minotaurs struggle to see in both extreme light and extreme darkness. They often illuminate their dens with dim (redstone) torches to see adequately.