[✗] [Creature Lore - Glacier Back]

[ChainedDragons 1374]

[Creature Lore - Glacier Back]

Origin/Background/Culture

One wouldn’t expect to find a reptile-like creature in the cold. Glacier Backs take advantage of this fact, as there aren’t many fellow reptilian competitors for resources in cold environments, which has allowed them over time to evolve into the beasts they are now. Glacier Backs are a rare find due to how vast their territories are and how long they can live. Rumor has it that if you cut one of the creature's spines in half, it has age rings in the bone like a tree. Glacier Backs serve as an apex predator for tundra and frigid mountain biomes however they are not a constant predator. Glacier Backs go through feeding cycles - the time of feeding generally lasting a few months before they sleep off their meal for many years. They wake, gorge themselves, then find a suitable place to bury themselves before going into a deep sleep to allow their meal to digest. This helps the creatures to avoid conflict with other large beasts that may roam their homes and allow them to conserve energy for important events in their lives, such as finding a mate or going on a hunt. 

Creature Summary

Glacier Backs are described as roughly 18ft tall saurian-like reptiles that can reach roughly 48ft  on average. These animals are easy to identify to the many stone and ice like crests along their face, sides, and largely spine. These crests, covered in dark mottled markings, serve as camouflage and also aid the Glacier Back in absorbing sunlight. Their skin is tightly compacted with scales that look like snow on rocks, further aiding the Glacier Back's ability to remain hidden. Glacier Backs, when awake for its feeding cycle, tend to lay in wait near sources of water or game trails, snapping up unwary food that passes by. Due to their form of hunting, Glacier Backs are not the fastest of creatures and do not pursue their prey for long. Rather they choose to go back and try again instead of wasting energy. When a Glacier Back does claim their prey, it relies on their internal heat to aid in dispatching the food while the Glacier Back bites. The extreme heat burns flesh and if kept in contact with the prey, can even begin to boil or ‘cook’ the meal in the Glacier Back's maw as it works to break the prey into easier pieces by shaking its head side to side. While it has large forearms and claws, they are primarily used in digging bedding areas, though the Glacier Back isn’t afraid to use its claws in a fight either.

 

Taming

These are wild forces of nature and CANNOT be tamed. 

[Top and bottom doodles by me - the left is imagery is linked down below]

ST Notes/Abilities

Frost Bite: Due to living in such cold conditions, Glacier Backs use the heat line in their body to keep any important soft issues, such as the inside of their mouths' warm. If one is lucky enough to survive a bite from a Glacier Back, they describe it as an incredible burning sensation that racks their bodies. The site of the bite is numb from the intense heat of the creature's mouth making contact, only for the skin to hit frigid cold air once more. Some say it is like the effects of applying too much frostvine but with the feeling reaching into your very bones. 

Internal Engine: The Glacier Back has a pair of unique organs. One of which runs throughout their spine, from the tip of their snout to the tip of their tail. This organ is known as the heat line. The other is known as the infernigal, which is the main source of this heat. The infernigal runs along the heat line but in a much shorter span from the brain to the heart. The infernigal keeps the two most important organs in the body protected from the heat and can even store residual heal the Glacier Back soaks up from its spine.

False Back: A Glacier Backs' name highlights what they are known for and that is their ability to blend in. Glacier Backs often consume their meals and then bury themselves deep in the snow, only allowing their snout and spine to be exposed to the sun's rays. While the animal is sleeping, it digests its meal and uses the heat of the sun to warm its body and aid in digestion. Oftentimes being buried in the snow can lead to the Glacier Back overheating so the animal ‘vents’ the excess heat out from their body by opening the nostrils extra wide for steam to escape and sometimes even leaving their maw open, a thick stinking mist of heat leaving from their mouth. 

Extremophile: Glacier Backs are able to withstand extreme cold due to their internal engine. They can suffer through most high temperatures by allowing the excess heat their body produces to escape. Ice magic tends to be ineffective, whereas fire can be utilized if done in large amounts to wear out the creature. 

 

General Red lines/Restrictions

This creature cannot be tamed. 

The inferigal CANNOT be harvested correctly unless you are a trained medic. If the infernigal is burst, the contents can produce 3rd degree burns or higher to the one trying to remove it. The infernigal organ can be used as a substitute ingredient for DRAKETAIL in potions. [One Infernigal is the equivalent of 3 draketail herbs and can thus make three potions - drakestail replacement can't used in ST signed potions]

The Glacier Backs teeth and claws are the strength of FERRUM.

This creature's hide is considered mundane though the hide acts as if treated by Athins due to the hides insulating properties.

 

Purpose (OOC)
This lore is bringing another unique creature to the tundra and mountain habitats of LOTC. They are not a common animal so they can be used as a boss for events and even hunting rites of passage. The Glacier Back can also bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to the world as those who investigate the frigid areas might begin to wonder if they have accidentally crawled upon this creatures back by mistake or not. It fits into cannon as there are other saurian like beasts in the world such as the Shardspine raptor, which lives in the plains. I took heavy inspiration from that creature in particular as I think they are one of the coolest animals in the server and I wanted to bring a creature like that to a habitat where they would be least expected.

 

Citation Spoiler

https://www.deviantart.com/randomdinos/art/Spinosaurus-aegyptiacus-skeletal-reconstruction-986979635

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/261529-bestiary-plains/#comment-2139361 

Edited May 15 by ChainedDragons
image broke

[Wolfy-D 466]

very cool creature

[Hanrahan 2983]

please PLEASE PLEASE

[KeiaTypeBeat 3276]

I'm fawning 

[Kads99 30]

Dinos are canon, thats the only true in Lotc

[simatra 373]

-1, I feel like this doesn't fit the server.

[Pallodium 3775]

This lore has been denied.

 

After deliberation, we sadly do not have interest in implementing this NPC creature lorepiece currently.