[ ART CREDIT - Bartooliinii ]
- ARACHIAN BAT -
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"SCREECH!"
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[ Free to be used in Events ]
H A B I T A T
So far, they've only been sighted within Nid Arach. Most likely these beasts are a result from the Essence of Chaos that Jishrim has brought down upon that place. Adventurers have recorded slight mutations of animals in the region and it is quite possible that this sub-species of bats have mutated through the essence of chaos several times, while continuing to mate with each other. They are surface creatures, never found in caves.
They usually hunt in the swamps and plains surrounding the old fortress and use the abandoned ruins and large trees of the surrounding area as a place to rest. They do venture further away from Nid Arach during mating time, in much larger flocks. So it is possible other towns may be plagued by such creatures too.
P H Y S I O L O G Y
Arachian Bats can grow roughly up to 3 meters from snout to the tip of the tail, with a wingspan of 4 meters. Their main body is elongated, much like a snake, ending in a long and powerful tail. They've got a darker underside to blend in with the night and a lighter green to grey topside to blend in during their rest. Their snouts are similar to the jaw of canines, with the exception of a single sharp tooth on the lower jaw that fits exactly between the two sharp teeth at the front; ideal for ripping pieces of flesh off a corpse. They've got a rather large square nose, pointing upwards. They do not have any eyes. Oversized ears for sonic hearing, like bats. They've not got any limbs, but have a powerful tail instead, which they use to hold onto structures and trees when resting, or to snatch and strangle prey with. Purple veins cross through a soft leathery skin between fingers. The fingers got short sharp nails, used solely to hang onto wherever they rest.
Diet: They've got an entirely carnivore diet, consisting of rats, raccoons, birds, cats, dogs, foxes, badgers, and the like. They will feed on people's corpses if they are laying around. In the most extreme cases, during food scarcity or during mating-time, they feed on livestock such as cows, pigs, sheep, horses and even people.
Lifespan: -.
B E H A V I O U R
These bats most commonly hunt at night for anything from small rodents up to stray dogs, depending on the size of the bat. They use their large nose to smell the general location of their prey, after which they rely on high pitched screeching and listen for the returning echoes to pinpoint the exact location. They've got four wings which they use to fly soundlessly through the night. When seeking out a prey, they use their top wings to fly, while the lower wings mainly focus on flapping in such a way to disrupt the noise that the top wings would make, effectively flying soundless in search of a meal. Once a prey is spotted, they swoop down, relying on their dark underside to hide them from sight. Once close enough, they lash out with their tail like a whip, attempting to roll it around the victim's neck. They then use all four wings to fly off with this extra weight, which strangles the prey while they fly off with it to a safe place to eat it or feed it to the offspring. At times of food scarcity, Arachian Bats may fly together to snatch larger prey, like livestock or even an unsuspecting adventurer.
Arachian Bats mostly stick together in clans of around ten, being primarily social creatures. Such groups of bats are often found together in the same tree or on top of the same ruin. They do not hang upside down like usual bats, but wrap their tail around a branch or outcrop and hold onto the structure with tiny sharp nails, sleeping upright. During mating-time, two times a year, clans flock together in sizable groups of thirty or more. During these excited times it is advised not to be in the area. The excited hormonal bats often work together at these times and fly off to snatch larger prey; even as large as a horse. Frenzied by their hormones, they take larger risks at the cost of self; to attract a mate.
A B I L I T I E S
[Abduction] It takes three fully grown bats to lift an adult human from the ground. They'll do so when they see an opportunity for a quick large meal, or during mating season.
[Sonic Scream] Elves are the only sentient species to actually hear the high pitched screeches of the bats. The screeching is of such intensity, that they will need to cover their ears, to not damage them. However, this may help them raise the alarm before the soundless hunters swoop down.
W E A K N E S S E S
[Fire] When openly attacked by arrow-fire, their first reaction is to fly away and return once the threat is gone, unless they're being attacked where they keep their offspring. At such times, they'll attempt to fight back.
[Gryphons] They share the skies with this other hunter. If they ever come across a gryphon, they would hide away as quick as possible. A gryphon will easily be able to take out an entire clan, and they'll instinctively understand this threat.
Y I E L D S
[Bat-pellets] They swallow large parts of animals whole. So, like an owl, they puke up balls of fur, bones and teeth of their victims. These oftentimes litter the ground below their resting place.
[Tail-skin] They've got a scaled tail, and like a snake they shed the skin every so often, which can be found on the ground below their resting place.
[Hide] The soft leathery skin between their wings is prized for its durability and beautiful pattern of the purple veins. By the right tailor, it can be crafted into gloves, scarf, winter-hat or the like.
Original Writeup: Bartooliinii
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