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1 Autosentry
2 Vita
3 Satellis
4 Rexoskell
5 Vasara
6 Zu Pharg
7 Almandal
8 Puge
9 Pugilith
10 Galdr
11 Quo
12 Oc-serv
13 Qmoeva
14 Caladar
15 Seidr
16 Xern
17 Shrad
18 Xe-dom
19 Zig
20 Fal-swo
21 Neilnail
22 Human-Made Skell
23 Marnuck
24 Milsaadi
25 Sylooth
26 Gularth
27 BLADE
28 Prone (Cavern Clan)
29 Prone (Tree Clan)
30 Definian
31 Wrothian
32 Ganglion Command
33 Petramand
34 Scirpo
35 Forfex
36 Cinicula
37 Falsaxum
38 Vivohast
39 Thallus
40 Tectinsula
41 Arenatect
42 Blatta
43 Turba
44 Adsecula
45 Papil
46 Germivore
47 Sabula
48 Ictus
49 Aeviter
50 Lophid
51 Purgovent
52 Duoguill
53 Scintimure
54 Aetrygon
55 Xiphias
56 Balaena
57 Ceto
58 Grex
59 Caro
60 Vigent
61 Virago
62 Monoceros
63 Progen
64 Simius
65 Cantor
66 Aprica
67 Cervus
68 Suid
69 Ovis
70 Millesaur
71 Coronid
72 Evello
73 Caecus
74 Insidia
75 Sphinx
76 Chimera
77 Gerrid
78 Lepyx
79 Mortifole
80 Sacrifole
81 Auravis
82 Jacul
83 Levitath
84 Colubrim
85 Millepod
86 Unafulge
87 Visigel
88 Filiavent
89 Yggralith
90 Telethia
91 Vesper
92 Murra
93 Terebra
94 Mephite
95 Saltat
96 Liceor
97 Potamus
98 Dilus
99 Tersqual
100 Tainted
101 Humans and Orpheans joined forces to[ST:n ]develop these security robots, which were[ST:n ]intended to guard water-processing plants.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The exterior designs were tailored to[ST:n ]match what Orpheans perceived as human[ST:n ]sensibilities, while the inner workings represent[ST:n ]the pinnacle of Orphean technological might.
102 The ultimate Skell, created with technology[ST:n ]unknown to both human and Ganglion.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Its body is composed of dark matter, which[ST:n ]the craft absorbs from its surroundings.[ST:n ]Any surplus dark matter can be transformed[ST:n ]into deadly missiles or autonomous support[ST:n ]craft capable of aiding the Vita's assaults.[ST:n ][ST:n ]These abilities vary, however, depending on[ST:n ]the skill of the pilot. Luxaar, for example,[ST:n ]can only use the Vita at 30% capacity.[ST:n ]This pales in comparison to the craft's true[ST:n ]master, a mysterious figure known only as[ST:n ]\"the Great One.\"
103 GENUS_EN010310_Capti
104 A special Ganglion Skell fitted with a high-[ST:n ]output reactor to accommodate its extremely[ST:n ]heavy armor. It boasts a fearsome arsenal of[ST:n ]weaponry, the designs of which were based[ST:n ]on knowledge gleaned from alien crafts found[ST:n ]on Mira, such as the oc-serv.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The Rexoskell is more than just raw force,[ST:n ]however. It also features secondary effects[ST:n ]such as the ability to employ electronic[ST:n ]countermeasures, and its amphibious design[ST:n ]grants it increased mobility in water.
105 A Skell created with the unique technology of[ST:n ]the Wrothians. Its head resembles a warlord's[ST:n ]helm, with long, flowing hair that acts as a[ST:n ]cooling system, and a mouth that houses[ST:n ]a high-powered beam weapon.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Additional fixed armaments include[ST:n ]high-frequency vibrowires in each arm, a[ST:n ]dimensional-propulsion device in the hips,[ST:n ]and twin beam cannons powerful enough to[ST:n ]affect the weather. Ga Jiarg's weapons of[ST:n ]choice, however, are the razor-sharp blades[ST:n ]mounted on the Vasara's shoulders.
106 The Ganglion's largest transforming Skell,[ST:n ]the Zu Pharg can achieve flight by bending[ST:n ]gravity while contorting its legs and body[ST:n ]to resemble a disk.[ST:n ][ST:n ]What the Zu Pharg lacks in mobility, it more[ST:n ]than makes up for in firepower. Built primarily[ST:n ]to annihilate enemy strongholds once air[ST:n ]superiority has been achieved, the Zu Pharg's[ST:n ]head contains a charged particle cannon of[ST:n ]mammoth proportions, while its tail wields a[ST:n ]powerful anti-materiel Gungnir cannon.[ST:n ][ST:n ]In disc form, the Zu Pharg boasts a primary[ST:n ]cannon powerful enough to take down the[ST:n ]White Whale itself. Such armaments make[ST:n ]this craft equal in strength to an entire[ST:n ]squadron of standard Skells.
107 Blindingly nimble crafts built to combat alien[ST:n ]Skells. Though they specialize in close-quarters[ST:n ]offensives that make use of their high mobility,[ST:n ]the tail-mounted drones they employ allow for[ST:n ]ranged attacks as well.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Their armor has been kept light so as not to[ST:n ]weigh them down, and if need be, can even[ST:n ]be purged entirely to allow for potent beam[ST:n ]attacks. Such features mean their efficacy[ST:n ]in combat depends largely on the user's skill[ST:n ]and technique, and as such, qualified pilots[ST:n ]are few and far between. For this reason,[ST:n ]research on AI integration is under way.
108 Humanoid robots engineered by the Ganglion[ST:n ]for use in a variety of fields—from guarding[ST:n ]key military points to providing simple[ST:n ]machine maintenance. They excel in close-[ST:n ]quarters, anti-personnel combat, utilizing the[ST:n ]lasers on both arms to mow down opponents[ST:n ]with cold efficiency.[ST:n ][ST:n ]When destruction is inevitable, a self-destruct[ST:n ]sequence can be engaged for one final[ST:n ]attempt on an enemy's life.
109 Puge mobile cannons meant for infantry[ST:n ]support in environments that larger weapons[ST:n ]cannot access, such as dense urban areas.[ST:n ][ST:n ]If the puge inside is neutralized, a pugilith[ST:n ]will continue to rain fire down on the[ST:n ]designated hostile entity, though manual[ST:n ]control can be re-engaged should another[ST:n ]puge take command. But even destroyed[ST:n ]pugiliths have their uses, as their incredibly[ST:n ]thick armor makes for an ideal barricade.
110 Manned, air-based units with transformative[ST:n ]capabilities. Though colossal in size, these[ST:n ]Skells can achieve incredibly high speeds[ST:n ]while in cruise mode. While mobility is[ST:n ]sacrificed when shifting to Skell mode, the[ST:n ]boost in firepower more than makes up for it,[ST:n ]as it permits deployment of four primary[ST:n ]weapons—the piercing beam, tornado claw,[ST:n ]titan missile, and creed revolver.[ST:n ]Though each of these armaments differ[ST:n ]conceptually, their shared modular nature[ST:n ]make the Galdr series a highly versatile one.
111 Unmanned units created to support friendlies,[ST:n ]and primarily meant to operate within a[ST:n ]platoon or other large group. Intel gathered[ST:n ]by their \"Domina\" data-processing systems[ST:n ]can be transmitted to nearby allies—giving[ST:n ]them an edge in combat—while regenerative[ST:n ]nanomachines can be dispersed to mend[ST:n ]superficial wounds.[ST:n ][ST:n ]While their solo combat skills are less than[ST:n ]desirable, quos do boast two missile pods,[ST:n ]which allow them to hold their own in[ST:n ]standard anti-personnel engagements.
112 Enigmatic, pilotless crafts exhumed from the[ST:n ]Miran soil. They come in a variety of sizes,[ST:n ]and are constructed from a kind of living[ST:n ]metal that not even Ganglion technology can[ST:n ]replicate. But while the particulars of the[ST:n ]oc-serv manufacturing process remain[ST:n ]shrouded in mystery, a lucky research mistake[ST:n ]unlocked the secret of controlling the units—[ST:n ]allowing the Ganglion to put them to work[ST:n ]protecting bases and toting resources.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Oc-servs are impervious to both electro-[ST:n ]magnetic jamming and adverse weather[ST:n ]effects, allowing them to operate with[ST:n ]impunity across the entirety of Mira.
113 A mass-produced Skell utilized by the[ST:n ]Ganglion. Like human-designed Skells, their[ST:n ]armaments can be easily swapped out,[ST:n ]granting them maximum adaptability in all[ST:n ]situations. The standard arsenal includes a[ST:n ]weaponized head with powerful beam[ST:n ]capabilities and scissor-like hands for[ST:n ]shredding armor in close-quarters combat.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though these crafts are remarkably versatile,[ST:n ]their cockpits were given only cursory thought,[ST:n ]and the stress of particularly long missions[ST:n ]often takes a significant toll on Qmoeva pilots.
114 Wrothian Skells tasked with supporting[ST:n ]commander units such as the Vasara.[ST:n ]While the high-caliber beam cannons in their[ST:n ]core are the Caladars' defining trait, they also[ST:n ]possess simple transformative capabilities that[ST:n ]allow them to assume humanoid form during[ST:n ]hand-to-hand engagements. Their specialty,[ST:n ]however, is ranged combat while in cruise[ST:n ]mode. While in this mode, it's possible for[ST:n ]the Vasara to climb on top of them in order[ST:n ]to move about more quickly.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Other features include high-frequency[ST:n ]vibrowires for binding foes, and the ability to[ST:n ]disperse regenerative nanomachines that can[ST:n ]repair light damage.
115 Enormous manned units designed to be the[ST:n ]next evolution in the Galdr series. As with[ST:n ]their predecessors, the shoulder armaments[ST:n ]are completely interchangeable, which[ST:n ]contributes to their high versatility. The crafts[ST:n ]also boast three main weapons, consisting of[ST:n ]a hyper rail cannon, maximal missiles, and a[ST:n ]fuse blower. Additional weapons are also[ST:n ]rumored to be in development.[ST:n ][ST:n ]While their legs are meant for gravity-based[ST:n ]combat situations, they can be removed as[ST:n ]needed for space combat situations.
116 Ganglion attack carriers that hover above[ST:n ]strategically critical areas and defend them[ST:n ]from incoming foes.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though capable of housing up to 40 Skells,[ST:n ]the crafts are more than just mobile hangars.[ST:n ]Their main cannons can instantly vaporize[ST:n ]Skell platoons with a single blast, or create[ST:n ]a torrent of lasers by firing special energy[ST:n ]rounds into the sky. Additionally, the carriers[ST:n ]can interface with attack satellites in geo-[ST:n ]stationary orbit to unleash offensives that no[ST:n ]amount of evasive maneuvering could escape.
117 Small in size and requiring no pilot, these[ST:n ]units are often tasked with patrolling military[ST:n ]strongholds. While in orb form with radar[ST:n ]deployed, these robots will scour their[ST:n ]surroundings for visual and sonic traces of[ST:n ]enemies. But once they engage in combat,[ST:n ]they transform into a quadrupedal form.[ST:n ]Though their combat potential is not high,[ST:n ]shrads can call in aid from allied units and[ST:n ]support them until the shrads take critical[ST:n ]damage—at which point they self-destruct.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Shrads are imbued with an undeniable charm,[ST:n ]so much so that miniaturized versions are[ST:n ]highly prized as toys by Ganglion of all ages.[ST:n ]Thanks to these enthusiasts, the toy versions[ST:n ]have branched off on their own unique paths[ST:n ]of evolution.
118 Enigmatic, pilotless crafts exhumed from the[ST:n ]Miran soil. They come in a variety of sizes,[ST:n ]and are constructed from a kind of living[ST:n ]metal that not even Ganglion technology can[ST:n ]replicate. But while the particulars of the[ST:n ]xe-dom manufacturing process remain[ST:n ]shrouded in mystery, a lucky research mistake[ST:n ]unlocked the secret of controlling the units.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Their exceptional combat skills—including[ST:n ]the ability to manipulate gravity in the[ST:n ]surrounding area, useful for both attacking[ST:n ]and movement—make them ideal for[ST:n ]protecting critical Ganglion bases.
119 These autonomous Ganglion cannons can[ST:n ]detect enemies with astounding efficiency.[ST:n ]Dense armor gives them a sweeping[ST:n ]advantage in head-to-head shootouts, while[ST:n ]the weapons affixed to either arm can be[ST:n ]customized for all forms of warfare, including[ST:n ]anti-personnel, anti-surface, and anti-air.[ST:n ][ST:n ]In one past conflict, hundreds of such units[ST:n ]were deployed on the deck of a space carrier[ST:n ]as a form of extra firepower. The operation[ST:n ]was ultimately written off as a failure,[ST:n ]however, due to the massive costs incurred.
120 Enigmatic, pilotless crafts exhumed from the[ST:n ]Miran soil. They come in a variety of sizes,[ST:n ]and are constructed from a kind of living[ST:n ]metal that not even Ganglion technology can[ST:n ]replicate. But while the particulars of the[ST:n ]fal-swo manufacturing process remain[ST:n ]shrouded in mystery, a lucky research mistake[ST:n ]unlocked the secret of controlling the units.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Fal-swo are designed to seize and maintain[ST:n ]air supremacy. Their flight abilities are based[ST:n ]on advanced theories of gravity manipulation,[ST:n ]giving them a limber maneuverability that[ST:n ]human-made fighter craft can't match.
121 GENUS_EN013001_Capti
122 Human-made bipedal mobile weapons.[ST:n ]Their basic structure consists of a variable[ST:n ]inner frame with an outer frame mounted on[ST:n ]top, allowing for the crafts to shift rapidly[ST:n ]between humanoid combat mode and[ST:n ]vehicular cruise mode.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The outer frame is divided into two[ST:n ]components; the first, known as the hull,[ST:n ]consists of a layer of secondary armor, as[ST:n ]well as an integrated weapons array,[ST:n ]auxiliary drive unit, power pack, and[ST:n ]armament rack. The second, known as the[ST:n ]backpack, houses the mobility module, as well[ST:n ]as control systems for weaponry and the Skell[ST:n ]itself. Switching out the hull allows the pilot to[ST:n ]customize his or her Skell for a diverse array[ST:n ]of strategies and squad configurations.
123 An exceedingly warlike race hailing from[ST:n ]Wyran, a planet that was destroyed in a[ST:n ]global civil war where the only survivors were[ST:n ]those who backed the Ganglion. Marnucks[ST:n ]revel in combat above all else, and as such,[ST:n ]military tech is their greatest accomplishment.[ST:n ]They subscribe to a polytheistic religion,[ST:n ]the chief deity of which rules over life and[ST:n ]death as a kind of \"god of the graveyard.\"[ST:n ]Sending adversaries to this deity by felling[ST:n ]them in battle is considered a noble act.[ST:n ]The more foes that are vanquished, the better[ST:n ]one's standing in the afterlife. As Marnucks[ST:n ]are eternally bound to the battlefield, many[ST:n ]choose to live as vagabonds. Social class is[ST:n ]determined by the outcome of a ceremonial[ST:n ]duel during the rite of adulthood, as well as[ST:n ]subsequent fruits of war reaped thereafter.
124 A race of silicon-based organisms not unlike[ST:n ]machines. Pain is a sensation that they can[ST:n ]disable, thus eliminating any and all fear of[ST:n ]battle. They boast remarkable skill in close-[ST:n ]range combat, which is why the Ganglion use[ST:n ]them to carry out high-profile assassinations.[ST:n ]As hunting is regarded as a sacred act,[ST:n ]Milsaadi generally confront even the largest of[ST:n ]prey armed only with close-quarters weapons.[ST:n ]This custom is the reason for their mastery of[ST:n ]melee combat, though their honed reflexes[ST:n ]also make them excellent Skell pilots.[ST:n ][ST:n ]On their home planet of Bidwoi, the Milsaadi[ST:n ]made up only a fraction of the population—[ST:n ]the majority of which were enslaved aliens[ST:n ]that toiled under their totalitarian rule.
125 Giant, two-legged beasts that thrive in[ST:n ]woodland areas. Though relatively intelligent,[ST:n ]they are not capable of speech. They live on[ST:n ]photosynthetic energy derived from certain[ST:n ]symbiotic trees, but can also absorb ether[ST:n ]while respiring. Young or injured Sylooth[ST:n ]may also consume fruits and leaves for[ST:n ]supplemental strength.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Sylooth often band together in small groups[ST:n ]for mutual protection, warding off stronger[ST:n ]foes with sheer numbers. They have also been[ST:n ]observed protecting the birds and insects that[ST:n ]take up residence in the trees on their backs.
126 Giant, two-legged beasts that thrive in[ST:n ]volcanic areas. Their heat tolerance is such[ST:n ]that they can wade in lava without issue,[ST:n ]even going so far as to incorporate the[ST:n ]molten rock into their bodies for strength.[ST:n ]Though lava is usually the only energy source[ST:n ]they require, Gularth have been known to[ST:n ]prey on animals, dragging them into their[ST:n ]fiery domain before consuming the[ST:n ]flaming bodies.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Extremely territorial in nature, Gularth will[ST:n ]attack trespassers without a second thought.[ST:n ]Clashes between fellow Gularth are also[ST:n ]common, but usually take place over[ST:n ]prolonged periods of time—making them[ST:n ]easy to spot and avoid.
127 An organization formed after the crash[ST:n ]landing on Mira. BLADE is charged with a[ST:n ]multitude of tasks, including securing food[ST:n ]and water, planetary exploration, and keeping[ST:n ]the peace in New LA. Its most important duty,[ST:n ]however, is searching for the Lifehold.[ST:n ][ST:n ]As the organization was formed from the[ST:n ]remains of the Coalition forces, most BLADE[ST:n ]members have at least some amount of[ST:n ]military experience.
128 A group of Prone that sided with the[ST:n ]Ganglion in order to secure victory in the[ST:n ]clan warfare that engulfed their home planet.[ST:n ]Though physically sturdy, they lack[ST:n ]intelligence, which makes them convenient[ST:n ]pawns for the Ganglion. Despite this lack of[ST:n ]brainpower, they managed to figure out how[ST:n ]to herd Miran suids, and now use the[ST:n ]creatures for a wide variety of tasks.[ST:n ]Though few in number, there do exist some[ST:n ]Cavern Clan Prone that harbor concerns[ST:n ]about the current course of their group.
129 A group of Prone that once waged a long[ST:n ]and bloody war against their home-planet[ST:n ]rivals, the Cavern Clan. But when the[ST:n ]Ganglion began supplying their foes with[ST:n ]high-tech weaponry, defeat became all but[ST:n ]inevitable. Now little more than slaves, most[ST:n ]Tree Clan members spend their days toiling[ST:n ]away in Oblivia—a far cry from their former[ST:n ]primitive existence, where they lived in peace[ST:n ]and harmony with nature.[ST:n ][ST:n ]A handful of clanspeople managed to escape[ST:n ]to New LA, where they joined up with BLADE[ST:n ]to fight against their Ganglion oppressors.
130 A unique race composed entirely of females.[ST:n ]Definians possess the ability to manipulate[ST:n ]other organisms' visual perception, and can[ST:n ]make themselves appear to be anyone that[ST:n ]they wish. This disguise, however, will only[ST:n ]remain in place so long as there is no[ST:n ]physical contact between parties.[ST:n ][ST:n ]While the Definians' talents make them perfect[ST:n ]spies for the Ganglion, they also have a well-[ST:n ]earned reputation as fearsome Skell pilots.
131 A race that possesses both unique technology[ST:n ]and a powerful warrior-culture, though their[ST:n ]once-great numbers have dwindled in recent[ST:n ]times. They complement their superb combat[ST:n ]abilities with a samurai-like code of ethics[ST:n ]that praises fair fighting above all else.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Wrothians have no true concept of religion,[ST:n ]though they do believe that a single spirit[ST:n ]moves from person to person throughout the[ST:n ]course of eternity.
132 The culprits behind the attack on Earth, the[ST:n ]Ganglion's leaders now seek only to locate[ST:n ]and destroy the Lifehold. Each one wields[ST:n ]unique abilities, and is considered to be[ST:n ]highly formidable in combat.
133 Spider-like creatures that exist on a diet[ST:n ]of specific minerals, which they melt for[ST:n ]consumption using acid secreted from their[ST:n ]abdomens. Though most will not attack living[ST:n ]organisms, there have been rare cases of[ST:n ]mutants with carnivorous tendencies.[ST:n ][ST:n ]After laying eggs, the female will carry them[ST:n ]in her mouth until they hatch. The hatchlings[ST:n ]spend their larval phase atop their mother's[ST:n ]body, and upon maturation, they attach[ST:n ]themselves to flying creatures such as the[ST:n ]levitath, moving as far away from their[ST:n ]maternal home as possible.
134 Nocturnal arachnids that use a secreted[ST:n ]silk thread to dangle from trees, where[ST:n ]they camouflage themselves as fruit before[ST:n ]pouncing on any creatures that come too[ST:n ]close. The scirpo's powerful venom allows[ST:n ]them to subdue prey of significantly larger[ST:n ]size than themselves.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Scirpo hatchlings are extremely small, and will[ST:n ]extrude thread into the air immediately upon[ST:n ]birth, catching the wind in order to traverse[ST:n ]long distances. Out of the thousands born[ST:n ]from one brood, less than 10 will survive[ST:n ]until adulthood.
135 Crab-like creatures mostly found near the[ST:n ]coast. Their shells are hard enough to deflect[ST:n ]small-arms fire, while their offensive tools[ST:n ]include pincers capable of shredding Skell[ST:n ]armor, as well as the ability to fire ether[ST:n ]bubbles from their mouths.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During breeding season, females keep their[ST:n ]fertilized eggs tucked beneath their stomachs.[ST:n ]When the eggs finally hatch, the newborns[ST:n ]are released into the sea under the light of[ST:n ]a new moon. It's not unusual to see all the[ST:n ]female forfexes of an area giving birth at[ST:n ]once, turning entire beaches into a roiling[ST:n ]mass of shells, legs, and claws.
136 Giant beetles with exoskeletons that are hard[ST:n ]as steel. They spend most of their time buried[ST:n ]under the earth, waiting for prey to wander[ST:n ]by. Upon sensing a vibration, they will rise[ST:n ]up and attack, swallowing both soil and[ST:n ]unfortunate victim in one mighty gulp.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Ciniculas have been known to engage in[ST:n ]long periods of dormancy. The conditions for[ST:n ]triggering this state vary, though the main[ST:n ]factor seems to be ether density in the[ST:n ]atmosphere.
137 Giant beetles that mimic boulders. Not very[ST:n ]adept at pursuing prey, they favor sitting still[ST:n ]and waiting for dinner to come to them.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During droughts, the falsaxum will enter a[ST:n ]state of dormancy that can last for centuries.[ST:n ]But even this impressive talent has its limits,[ST:n ]as the creatures will occasionally perish while[ST:n ]still in a dormant state. The dead creature's[ST:n ]organic components then assimilate with its[ST:n ]surrounding mineral deposits—turning them[ST:n ]from figurative boulders into literal ones.
138 Slender creatures found primarily in[ST:n ]environments with high humidity, such as the[ST:n ]roofs of caves. After attaching themselves to a[ST:n ]perch, vivohasts use their wings to disperse a[ST:n ]dust of pheromones designed to attract vesper[ST:n ]males. Any creatures unlucky enough to fall[ST:n ]into this trap are usually dispatched by their[ST:n ]scythes and turned into a meal.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though winged, vivohasts' mastery of flight is[ST:n ]rather limited. They prefer to avoid vulnerable[ST:n ]aerial situations, and use their wings only to[ST:n ]latch on to a high spot or glide down from[ST:n ]one when necessary.
139 The skin of these creatures bears a texture[ST:n ]reminiscent of bark or rock. They often[ST:n ]camouflage themselves in the tops of trees,[ST:n ]lashing out with scythe-like forelimbs[ST:n ]whenever a potential meal stumbles too close.[ST:n ]The grasping apparatus on the tail is used to[ST:n ]clamp on to tree trunks, as well as to hold[ST:n ]the body of the female in place[ST:n ]during mating.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Thallus eggs resemble plant seeds in both[ST:n ]form and function, and the hatchlings that[ST:n ]emerge are long, thin, and string-like. These[ST:n ]larvae will coil around branches and imitate[ST:n ]vines until ready to enter the pupal phase.
140 Burrowing creatures that expose only their[ST:n ]camouflaged shells while awaiting prey.[ST:n ]Their young often throw themselves against[ST:n ]trees to knock down seeds, a practice that[ST:n ]encourages vegetation to take root on their[ST:n ]backs.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Breeding season sees the male take on a[ST:n ]bright red hue in order to attract mates, even[ST:n ]though this makes them more noticeable to[ST:n ]predators. To counter this, males eat a toxic[ST:n ]strain of forest mushroom to which they bear[ST:n ]a natural immunity. Predators soon learn to[ST:n ]associate the bright red coloration with[ST:n ]poison, and will often search for a more[ST:n ]palatable meal elsewhere.
141 Sinking into the sand, arenatects bide their[ST:n ]time until prey comes to them. A marvel of[ST:n ]metabolic efficiency, they can maintain this[ST:n ]buried state for months on end without any[ST:n ]sustenance. They do, however, possess clear[ST:n ]territorial boundaries, and will move on if[ST:n ]they discover another of their kind nearby.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The mushrooms on their backs fill the roles[ST:n ]of both camouflage and defense, unleashing[ST:n ]poisonous spores when attacked. They also[ST:n ]play an important role during mating season,[ST:n ]as the types and colors of the mushrooms[ST:n ]determine a male's attractiveness to members[ST:n ]of the opposite sex.
142 Winged creatures often found behind[ST:n ]boulders, inside caves, and in other dark[ST:n ]locales where light doesn't reach. As such,[ST:n ]their diet consists primarily of leftover scraps[ST:n ]and dung scavenged from other animals.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Blattas are exceptionally social creatures,[ST:n ]and have worked out a kind of language in[ST:n ]which they can share information on food[ST:n ]locations. They've also been known to gang[ST:n ]up and attack smaller creatures, though even[ST:n ]larger ones can be at risk if the blattas get[ST:n ]into a frenzy.
143 Small, airborne creatures that function as a[ST:n ]hive mind under the command of a single[ST:n ]queen whose bulbous anatomy prevents her[ST:n ]from leaving her underground nest. Any other[ST:n ]females are relegated to the mundane tasks[ST:n ]of securing food and raising larvae.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Turbas often steal the eggs of blattas,[ST:n ]letting them hatch before rearing them on a[ST:n ]highly addictive nectar secreted from the[ST:n ]queen's posterior. These young blattas then[ST:n ]work tirelessly for the colony, expanding[ST:n ]its borders, defending it from harm, and[ST:n ]performing general cleaning duties until[ST:n ]they ultimately perish from exhaustion.
144 A mosquito-like organism that lives off fluids[ST:n ]and ether sucked from other organisms.[ST:n ]Unlike the standard Earth mosquito, however,[ST:n ]both the female and the male take their[ST:n ]nourishment in this fashion.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Adseculas plant their eggs in the bodies of[ST:n ]large, beetle-like creatures such as the[ST:n ]cinicula. Hatchling larvae then live off[ST:n ]their host until maturation, preying on any[ST:n ]small parasites they encounter and forming[ST:n ]a symbiotic relationship. When near maturity,[ST:n ]the larvae will exit their host through its[ST:n ]digestive tract, at which point they finally[ST:n ]mature into full adults.
145 Butterfly-like creatures that use their elongated[ST:n ]mouths to suck the sap from tall trees. Papils[ST:n ]tend to seek out trees with poisonous sap,[ST:n ]as they can store the toxic agents in their[ST:n ]throats and then spit them at enemies when[ST:n ]threatened. The glowing scales that disperse[ST:n ]from their wings also contain the poison.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Unlike adults, the larvae have a rather bland[ST:n ]physical appearance, which aids them in[ST:n ]mimicking tree leaves.
146 Four-legged insects that live along lakeshores,[ST:n ]burying their heads in the ground to better[ST:n ]resemble flowers. Small, unwary creatures[ST:n ]who wander by are easily turned into surprise[ST:n ]meals, though even larger creatures can find[ST:n ]themselves in trouble when faced with an[ST:n ]entire field of germivores.[ST:n ][ST:n ]If mimicry alone is not enough to procure[ST:n ]sufficient sustenance, the creatures will switch[ST:n ]to a nocturnal form of scavenging in which[ST:n ]they live off a diet of carrion and dung.
147 Worm-like insects that burrow through the[ST:n ]sand, swallowing dirt and other creatures in[ST:n ]equal measure. The presence of sabulas is[ST:n ]generally good for the land, as they[ST:n ]aggregate soil and make it more conducive[ST:n ]to vegetation growth. Additionally, while the[ST:n ]creatures excrete the sand they ingest, any[ST:n ]imbibed miranium is retained within the body.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though bereft of sight, their sense of touch is[ST:n ]highly developed, and they will immediately[ST:n ]spring out at and attack at the sign of any[ST:n ]vibrations that occur above ground—a trait[ST:n ]that has led to the doom of a few unlucky[ST:n ]Pathfinders.
148 Fearless and deadly, ictuses use their powerful[ST:n ]back legs to spring on unwary opponents,[ST:n ]striking them with forelegs coated in a[ST:n ]paralyzing neurotoxin. They will then carry[ST:n ]the prey back to an underground lair and[ST:n ]store it until hunger strikes.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During mating season, ictuses dig a new shaft[ST:n ]in their underground homes, which males[ST:n ]stock with rotting meat while the female[ST:n ]ovulates. As the larvae will feed on this for[ST:n ]nearly a month before leaving the nest,[ST:n ]a male's worthiness as a mate is based solely[ST:n ]on the amount of food he contributes.
149 Enduring insects that survive by absorbing[ST:n ]ether from the atmosphere. Due to their[ST:n ]intensely long lifespan, they mate only once[ST:n ]every dozen years or so, and will often stop[ST:n ]moving altogether in order to conserve energy.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Before reaching maturation, aeviters live[ST:n ]underground, feeding on the sap from tree[ST:n ]roots and other organic matter they encounter.[ST:n ]Though generally docile, they are also quite[ST:n ]territorial, and will attack anything that[ST:n ]encroaches on their ether-harvesting grounds.
150 Lophids boast scales harder than armor[ST:n ]plating, though this adaptation comes at the[ST:n ]price of mobility. They use a bioluminescent[ST:n ]esca to hunt at night, devouring any creatures[ST:n ]taken in by the ruse. When up against foes[ST:n ]of equal or larger size, they flicker the esca[ST:n ]rapidly, disorienting their opponents just long[ST:n ]enough to unleash a powerful tail strike.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Males are paternal mouthbrooders—they keep[ST:n ]the female's eggs inside their mouths while[ST:n ]she looks for food. As males cannot hunt[ST:n ]during this time, the fry are at risk of[ST:n ]becoming dinner if sufficient food is not[ST:n ]provided by the mate.
151 Giant fish that are covered in adamantine[ST:n ]scales reminiscent of armor. Evolution has[ST:n ]seen their eyes and teeth recede, giving them[ST:n ]no option other than to completely swallow[ST:n ]nearby prey. If the meal happens to be[ST:n ]poisonous, it will be regurgitated along with[ST:n ]the stomach; after a good wash in seawater,[ST:n ]the stomach can then be gulped back down.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Their illicium and bioluminescence give[ST:n ]purgovents a means to communicate amongst[ST:n ]themselves. During spawning season, females[ST:n ]will secrete special pheromones from their[ST:n ]illicium, attracting prospective mates. Once her[ST:n ]eggs are fertilized, she abandons them to[ST:n ]hatch on their own. Though few survive this[ST:n ]process, adult purgovents have almost no[ST:n ]natural enemies, and tend to enjoy long lives.
152 Though the two tentacles on their crowns[ST:n ]make duoguills stand out, they aren't merely[ST:n ]for show—the creatures use them to restrain[ST:n ]and electrocute potential prey, at which point[ST:n ]the paralyzed victims are eaten alive. Multiple[ST:n ]eyes also add to the duoguills' frightening[ST:n ]appearance, though their actual purpose is[ST:n ]to provide a wide field of vision.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The fry look completely different from adults,[ST:n ]and also happen to be quite toxic. This[ST:n ]adaptive phenomenon protects young[ST:n ]duoguills from enemies they cannot repel[ST:n ]with their yet-undeveloped bioelectricity.
153 Electricity courses through the bodies of these[ST:n ]colossal piscinoids, which they use to scan for[ST:n ]prey by releasing a weak charge into the[ST:n ]surrounding area. Upon finding a potential[ST:n ]meal, scintimures subdue it with a powerful[ST:n ]jolt from the tips of their tentacles. The[ST:n ]quivering victim is then consumed by an[ST:n ]immense set of molars.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Scintimures have unusually soft bodies,[ST:n ]complete with flexible bones that allow them[ST:n ]to enter tight spaces. The fry are similar to[ST:n ]sardines, in that they congregate in massive[ST:n ]schools and move as a single undulating[ST:n ]organism. Those lucky enough to spot the[ST:n ]creatures at night are treated to a visual[ST:n ]orchestra of pulsing bioluminescence.
154 Masters of natural propulsion, these beasts[ST:n ]draw in air through their blowholes, then[ST:n ]expel it out their backs to traverse the skies[ST:n ]with astonishing speed. Any ether absorbed[ST:n ]during this process can then be fired from the[ST:n ]muzzles on their wings. Though aetrygons[ST:n ]once inhabited the sea, a mutation of the[ST:n ]dorsal fin allowed them to take flight in the[ST:n ]sky. Spawning, however, still takes place in[ST:n ]the water, and the creatures can often be[ST:n ]seen heading back to their ancestral marine[ST:n ]home for breeding season.[ST:n ][ST:n ]When hunting, groups of aetrygons arrange[ST:n ]themselves in a fighter-jet-like formation. They[ST:n ]usually bombard prey from a safe distance[ST:n ]before closing in for the kill, which comes in[ST:n ]the form of a powerful horned charge.
155 These mollusks are best described as sea[ST:n ]slugs that evolution saw fit to give a fish-like[ST:n ]morphology. Their horns (actually vestigial[ST:n ]shells) are used to subdue prey in conjunction[ST:n ]with glowing dorsal bumps—a biological[ST:n ]version of naval mines that can be ejected at[ST:n ]will. Like mechanical mines, they are triggered[ST:n ]by the slightest amount of tactile contact.[ST:n ][ST:n ]As the wings of young specimens are too[ST:n ]small for flight, they attach themselves to[ST:n ]rocks on the sea floor and ingest algae for[ST:n ]sustenance. Only when they develop a horn[ST:n ]and wings after a year or so do they finally[ST:n ]take to the sky. And despite being frail, they[ST:n ]exhibit exceptional regenerative abilities.[ST:n ]Even if both wings are lost, they can[ST:n ]eventually be repaired, given enough time.
156 These whale-like creatures' dorsal sacs house[ST:n ]vaporized biofluid that swells the organs like[ST:n ]hot-air balloons, granting them aerial mobility.[ST:n ]In rare cases, these dorsal sacs remain inflated[ST:n ]after death, resulting in the carcass remaining[ST:n ]airborne for years, and causing unique[ST:n ]ecologies to form around them.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though generally slow, jet mechanisms near[ST:n ]their tails allow for high-speed locomotion.[ST:n ]They can also shell foes from afar with a kind[ST:n ]of biological mortar. Monogamous in nature,[ST:n ]balaenas produce a single offspring every[ST:n ]three years, the rearing of which is handled[ST:n ]by both partners. This period of raising young[ST:n ]is streaked with irritability, resulting in the[ST:n ]predation of creatures that the usually gentle[ST:n ]balaenas would typically regard as symbionts.
157 Huge fish that use atmospheric ether as a[ST:n ]thrusting agent for aerial locomotion, storing[ST:n ]the ether gas in their swollen abdominal[ST:n ]cavities in order to stay afloat. Their backs[ST:n ]are equipped with large echolocation organs[ST:n ]designed to sense their surroundings and help[ST:n ]subdue prey. Upon sighting a potential victim,[ST:n ]cetos emit concentrated bursts of sound waves[ST:n ]to stun the target before closing in for the kill.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Cetos are sluggish, and their feeding habits[ST:n ]slovenly. For this reason, one can often find[ST:n ]wayward xiphias attached to their abdomens[ST:n ]in hopes of securing a free meal.
158 Keen and carnivorous, grexes are usually[ST:n ]found in packs of a dozen or so creatures led[ST:n ]by an alpha pair. These group hunters are as[ST:n ]territorial as they are vicious; though their turf[ST:n ]will often range over an expansive area, even[ST:n ]accidental encroachment by another pack will[ST:n ]be met with extreme prejudice.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Despite all this, a lone grex is not an[ST:n ]uncommon sight. Losing in a skirmish for[ST:n ]alpha superiority is the principle cause of such[ST:n ]wandering beasts, and starvation is the usual[ST:n ]outcome. Caution is advised around such[ST:n ]loners, as they tend to be especially ferocious.
159 Omnivores that consume almost anything,[ST:n ]even decaying meat that other animals[ST:n ]wouldn't dare touch. The caro's sense of[ST:n ]smell is extremely honed, allowing even well-[ST:n ]concealed prey to be sniffed out. They are[ST:n ]also persistent hunters that tirelessly pursue[ST:n ]their quarry.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Caro are monogamous, maintaining small[ST:n ]familial herds where mature offspring help[ST:n ]their parents raise newborns. To this end,[ST:n ]any bones left over from successful hunts are[ST:n ]carried back to the den as emergency rations[ST:n ]for times when food grows scarce.
160 Young vigent males live in bachelor herds[ST:n ]known for their coordinated hunting mastery.[ST:n ]Breeding is a privilege belonging exclusively[ST:n ]to alpha male leaders, and clashes for this[ST:n ]position are extremely common at the start of[ST:n ]mating season. A vanquished leader will be[ST:n ]ousted from his perch and replaced by the[ST:n ]victorious challenger. But should a challenger[ST:n ]lose, his claws are shattered, thereby[ST:n ]preventing any future attempts at glory.[ST:n ]If an established leader boasts exceptional[ST:n ]strength, he may not need to suffer a[ST:n ]challenge for several years.
161 Group hunters and social creatures that often[ST:n ]live in packs of 10 or more. The larger[ST:n ]female physique relegates males to the bottom[ST:n ]of the hierarchy, with the strongest female[ST:n ]assuming the role of leader. Should she[ST:n ]perish, her eldest daughter will then assume[ST:n ]command.[ST:n ][ST:n ]In the rare case that no females are available,[ST:n ]the largest male virago will step up to the[ST:n ]task, undergoing a process of sequential[ST:n ]hermaphroditism which spans the next few[ST:n ]months. At the end of this period, he will[ST:n ]emerge as a fully functional female.
162 Herbivorous creatures that largely prefer grass[ST:n ]and tree bark. Males usually band with other[ST:n ]males, while females stay with the foals. The[ST:n ]males are highly territorial, and often engage[ST:n ]in border clashes with encroaching groups.[ST:n ]The female herds, however, dissolve once their[ST:n ]year-long parental duties have concluded.[ST:n ]When a new breeding season arrives, the[ST:n ]females will once again band together,[ST:n ]forming a harem exclusive to the male[ST:n ]group with the most territory.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The skin fold beneath a monoceros's throat[ST:n ]can be contracted to produce a complex cry[ST:n ]with individual variation. This sound is so[ST:n ]unique, mothers can locate their offspring even[ST:n ]when surrounded by hundreds of their kind.
163 During the day, progen stay in small,[ST:n ]age-specific herds, but at night they all join[ST:n ]together to form a single large group.[ST:n ]Foals are reared from spring to summer,[ST:n ]and any associated duties are a group[ST:n ]activity shared by members of all ages.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Extremely vigilant animals, progen can emit[ST:n ]shrill cries to warn of enemy threats. When[ST:n ]under attack, the oldest, most infertile group[ST:n ]will assume the role of decoy in order to[ST:n ]protect the younger, more viable specimens.
164 Omnivorous creatures that are as smart as[ST:n ]Earth's gorillas, and that live in groups[ST:n ]consisting of a single male with multiple[ST:n ]female mates.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though prideful and vicious in temper, males[ST:n ]will generally keep their groups away from[ST:n ]stronger ones. However, chance encounters[ST:n ]between two sets of simius will inevitably[ST:n ]result in a clash. To minimize such conflicts,[ST:n ]males that sight an unfamiliar group will[ST:n ]unleash a series of roars. If superiority can be[ST:n ]established, the weaker of the two males will[ST:n ]alter course. But if neither concedes, a duel to[ST:n ]the death will ensue. As the victor claims the[ST:n ]females of the vanquished male, group size is[ST:n ]usually proportionate to a leader's strength.
165 Loners for the most part, cantors possess no[ST:n ]clear territorial boundaries. When the need[ST:n ]arises, however, they can coordinate for[ST:n ]group hunts by emitting an odd sound from[ST:n ]their chest cavities. Social standing in such[ST:n ]situations is determined by the quality of the[ST:n ]tone produced.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The exception to this loner rule involves[ST:n ]children, as small groups are often formed[ST:n ]for the sole purpose of rearing young. Baby[ST:n ]cantors are soothed to sleep by pleasant,[ST:n ]lullaby-like sounds, the rhythm of which differs[ST:n ]from group to group. Though they are a[ST:n ]hermaphroditic species, breeding can also be[ST:n ]performed via asexual reproduction if a mate[ST:n ]cannot be found.
166 Majestic creatures that live on meager diets of[ST:n ]grass and water, which are supplemented by[ST:n ]absorbing ether from the atmosphere with[ST:n ]their antlers, as well as taking photosynthetic[ST:n ]energy from their plant symbionts. Infants lack[ST:n ]plants of their own, however, requiring the[ST:n ]parents to part with a portion of theirs.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During the day, aprica rest in sunny spots[ST:n ]to aid photosynthesis. When night falls, they[ST:n ]assemble in small groups for safety, rotating[ST:n ]turns on guard duty to ensure the herd sleeps[ST:n ]unharmed. Social bonds are strong among[ST:n ]them, and they have even been known to[ST:n ]conduct funerals in which the horn of the[ST:n ]deceased is cast into a lake or river during[ST:n ]a full moon—after which the herd collectively[ST:n ]drinks from the water.
167 These herbivores require large amounts of[ST:n ]daily vegetation to survive, though they also[ST:n ]absorb and store atmospheric ether in their[ST:n ]bodies as an offensive weapon. The body[ST:n ]parts that resemble plants are actually[ST:n ]specialized components of exoskeletons and[ST:n ]fur that are used for camouflage. The \"leaves\"[ST:n ]are in fact composed of ether, the brightness[ST:n ]of which is proportionate to the creature's[ST:n ]overall strength—and thus, symbolic of its[ST:n ]reproductive success.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Cervuses have unusually long lifespans;[ST:n ]generally, the longer one lives, the more[ST:n ]skilled it becomes at ether manipulation.[ST:n ]For this reason, the leader of the herd is[ST:n ]often the eldest and most experienced.
168 Roamers of Miran grasslands, the males of[ST:n ]this omnivorous species are ill-tempered and[ST:n ]quick to charge at anything that draws near.[ST:n ]Sows are comparatively docile, though they[ST:n ]often become equally volatile when rearing[ST:n ]young.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Male suids compete for their mates by means[ST:n ]of a headbutting contest that makes use of[ST:n ]their cranial bumps. A crushed bump signals[ST:n ]defeat and requires a full year to regenerate—[ST:n ]just in time for the next breeding season.[ST:n ]Female bumps, on the other hand, exist to[ST:n ]store nutrients, and one can see a gradual[ST:n ]decrease in bump size over the course of[ST:n ]infant rearing.
169 Herbivorous creatures that make their homes[ST:n ]in large flocks on the Miran plains. The hair[ST:n ]covering their bodies is unusually stiff, with[ST:n ]certain areas taking on an armor-like quality[ST:n ]that adds plenty of protection from predators.[ST:n ]The one exception is the pom-pom-like tail,[ST:n ]which is rather soft. An especially lush tail is[ST:n ]the sign of a plentiful diet, which makes it a[ST:n ]powerful status symbol.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The mild temperament of the ovis complements[ST:n ]its defense-oriented physique. They are quite[ST:n ]fearful of confrontations, and would much[ST:n ]rather flee than fight.
170 Millesaurs are among the largest, physically,[ST:n ]of all Miran fauna. Their long trunks can[ST:n ]move in any direction to strip trees of their[ST:n ]leaves and plains of their grasses, while rocks[ST:n ]they have swallowed grind up this vegetation[ST:n ]in their stomach, aiding in digestion.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though gargantuan in size, a significant[ST:n ]portion of the millesaur anatomy is dedicated[ST:n ]to an air sac, making them much lighter than[ST:n ]they first appear. As adults are seldom[ST:n ]targeted by predators, they will almost never[ST:n ]attack other creatures—except when their[ST:n ]offspring are in danger. For this reason,[ST:n ]several millesaurs keep watch over their young[ST:n ]at all times. Interestingly, direct incubation is[ST:n ]impossible due to their size, so they use geo-[ST:n ]thermal heat to keep unhatched eggs warm.
171 The pores of these massive creatures absorb[ST:n ]ether as a main energy source while capillary[ST:n ]action sponges water up through their feet.[ST:n ]The crown, which resembles a head, is in fact[ST:n ]a defensive adaptation that hides its vital[ST:n ]crystalline organs. The presence of such a[ST:n ]decoy suggests they once had a powerful[ST:n ]natural enemy, though no such foe is known[ST:n ]to exist today.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Coronids are egg layers. Said eggs are[ST:n ]incubated and hatched internally before[ST:n ]joining the world via the process of live birth.
172 Inhabitants of Mira's southern lands, these[ST:n ]giant birds sport highly developed beaks that[ST:n ]occupy most of their head and effectively[ST:n ]serve as horns. Their diet consists primarily[ST:n ]of insects, the exoskeletons of which can be[ST:n ]easily pierced by a single sharp peck.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Evellos are pair-bonding creatures, often[ST:n ]sighted in groups of a single male and[ST:n ]female. Reproduction occurs every two years,[ST:n ]with hatchlings raised by both the genetic[ST:n ]parents and another closely related couple[ST:n ]with no young of their own for that year.[ST:n ]Evello eggs are unusually large, and a[ST:n ]favorite food of many predators.
173 Armor-like sinew helps these creatures move[ST:n ]rapidly when traversing the land. Though their[ST:n ]wings and eyes have receded over the course[ST:n ]of evolution, they have keen senses of smell,[ST:n ]as well as the ability to ultrasonically scan[ST:n ]terrain and locate prey. Adults are prone to[ST:n ]desiccation, however—a problem they counter[ST:n ]by encasing themselves in a membrane of[ST:n ]toxic biofluid.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Caecuses are hermaphroditic, and will mate[ST:n ]with as many partners as possible in the first[ST:n ]week of winter. They then lay an abundance[ST:n ]of eggs and conceal them in moist swampland[ST:n ]soil. Left to nature's care, the eggs will usually[ST:n ]hatch in the early spring, with the young[ST:n ]remaining safely within the swamp until[ST:n ]maturation.
174 Concealed among the trees, these dinosaur-[ST:n ]like carnivores wait for prey to wander by,[ST:n ]then use their powerful legs to close in for[ST:n ]the kill. If a stronger creature poses a threat,[ST:n ]insidias will violently cough up stones from[ST:n ]their digestive tracts, creating a brief window[ST:n ]which can be used to beat a hasty retreat.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Herds consist of several insidias with no[ST:n ]special regard for gender or age. During[ST:n ]breeding season, multiple herds gather in a[ST:n ]single spot for mate selection. Those who[ST:n ]fail to acquire mates assume nursing duty,[ST:n ]helping others to raise their young.
175 These beasts' abdominal cavities function like[ST:n ]a pressurized tank, storing gas which can be[ST:n ]expelled as flame through the chimney-like[ST:n ]spines covering their mouths and backs. The[ST:n ]bony shoulder and tail protrusions are used to[ST:n ]perforate victims before they are thoroughly[ST:n ]broiled for consumption.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Males tend to be loners, joining up with[ST:n ]female herds only during breeding season—[ST:n ]though this is a privilege afforded to only the[ST:n ]strongest of specimens. When males clash for[ST:n ]mating rights, the winner is determined by a[ST:n ]spectacular flame-blowing contest.
176 A malfunction in the Lifehold's control system[ST:n ]created these biological monstrosities from[ST:n ]protoplasmic fluid. Their grotesque forms are[ST:n ]due to being composed of an erratic jumbling[ST:n ]of various genetic data.
177 Vivid creatures with tentacles that are tipped[ST:n ]with mouths. Anything they find—organism,[ST:n ]rock, or magma—gets sucked into the mobile[ST:n ]maws and converted into electrical energy.[ST:n ]Said energy is then used to power their life[ST:n ]processes and attack enemies. Gerrids[ST:n ]make for poor prey thanks to defensive traits[ST:n ]including highly acidic biofluids and a teeming[ST:n ]array of symbiotic—and toxic—bacteria.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Courtship takes the form of a peculiar dance[ST:n ]in which the courter repeatedly contracts its[ST:n ]legs. After mating, the female uses a tentacle[ST:n ]to give a fertilized egg to the male, which he[ST:n ]then incubates inside himself. Upon hatching,[ST:n ]the infant gerrid tears its way out of the male[ST:n ]through his posterior.
178 Once marine creatures resembling sea slugs,[ST:n ]these distant cousins of the xiphias left their[ST:n ]ancestral home for land, becoming much[ST:n ]larger in the process.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Lepyxes lay their eggs in great numbers, then[ST:n ]simply entrust them to the ocean. Surviving[ST:n ]hatchlings feed on poisonous seaweed,[ST:n ]stockpiling the toxins inside their bodies to[ST:n ]prevent predation—though as they mature,[ST:n ]the potency of this poison gradually weakens.[ST:n ]Once all four limbs have grown, the young[ST:n ]assume their place with an adult colony on[ST:n ]land. This exciting new phase is not without[ST:n ]its setbacks, however, as the soft, fleshy[ST:n ]composition of adult lepyxes makes them an[ST:n ]ideal snack for many a hungry predator.
179 Devious insects that camouflage themselves[ST:n ]as large flowers, waiting patiently for unwary[ST:n ]prey to approach. The instant a victim comes[ST:n ]in contact, a powerful acid spray is [ST:n ]unleashed.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Mortifoles have been known to band together[ST:n ]at times, creating the illusion of a gorgeous[ST:n ]field of flowers. Interestingly, they lay their[ST:n ]eggs on the very plants they attempt to mimic.[ST:n ]The hatchlings are caterpillar-like in form and[ST:n ]will sometimes cling to adults in an effort to[ST:n ]enhance their camouflage.
180 A relative of the mortifole, these creatures[ST:n ]imitate the gregarious plants of Mira's[ST:n ]northern lands, with their petaloid organs[ST:n ]absorbing atmospheric ether.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Sacrifoles have fierce communal bonds, and[ST:n ]have even been known to sacrifice themselves[ST:n ]in suicidal explosions for the sake of their[ST:n ]brethren. During breeding season, their eggs[ST:n ]are laid while airborne and scattered over[ST:n ]the water. After hatching, the young bury[ST:n ]themselves in mud and feed on carrion until[ST:n ]they mature.
181 Giant avians that soar the Miran skies[ST:n ]in search of prey to skewer with their[ST:n ]tremendous horns. These horns never stop[ST:n ]growing, making them an accurate marker[ST:n ]for determining a creature's age.[ST:n ][ST:n ]The sac on their backs stores a flammable[ST:n ]substance that is channeled through the horn's[ST:n ]tip, creating an explosive discharge that[ST:n ]reduces its victim to shreds. For this reason,[ST:n ]lesser carnivores in search of scraps are[ST:n ]constantly following the auravis's trail.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During courtship, males fashion a complex[ST:n ]nest of branches, the craftsmanship of which[ST:n ]is used by females to determine their[ST:n ]worthiness as mates.
182 Immense avian beasts with skeletal structures[ST:n ]that are hard as steel. After setting their sights[ST:n ]on a victim, they shift from a passive glide to[ST:n ]a rapid vertical dive, running the target[ST:n ]through with a devastating horn strike. Should[ST:n ]they miss, jaculs will mark their prey with an[ST:n ]odorous fluid expelled from the dorsal pouch[ST:n ]and then attempt to track them down without[ST:n ]mercy. They've even been known to leave their[ST:n ]territory and pursue prey for days on end.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Jaculs don't incubate their eggs directly,[ST:n ]instead leaving the work to geothermal heat.[ST:n ]Generally not social creatures, they form flocks[ST:n ]only during breeding season, which makes the[ST:n ]task of guarding eggs and feeding chicks[ST:n ]something of a group effort.
183 Levitaths' huge mouths are giant vacuums[ST:n ]used to imbibe ethereal energy, while their[ST:n ]hollow upper torsos house low-density gas,[ST:n ]making the creatures highly efficient fliers.[ST:n ]Though generally docile, they will unleash[ST:n ]powerful ether-based attacks in self-defense.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Because levitaths stay airborne without[ST:n ]expending energy, they actually never need to[ST:n ]land. As such, they spend all phases of their[ST:n ]life—including reproduction and child rearing[ST:n ]—in the air. Chicks are born in the torso[ST:n ]cavity, remaining there for roughly six months[ST:n ]until flightworthy. Just before leaving, the[ST:n ]younglings receive a portion of their mother's[ST:n ]flight-assisting gas.
184 Enormous, dragon-like creatures armed with[ST:n ]multiple feelers. Each of these appendages[ST:n ]moves as if independent of the colubrim, and[ST:n ]features a prey-seeking mouth at the end.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Much of their time is spent hibernating[ST:n ]beneath rivers of magma, making the beasts[ST:n ]a rare sight indeed. They're easy to spot[ST:n ]when active, however, as they quickly turn[ST:n ]their voracious appetites on every organism[ST:n ]in the vicinity.[ST:n ][ST:n ]With a lifespan of close to a millennium,[ST:n ]and activity periods that are irregular at best,[ST:n ]colubrims rarely end up reproducing more[ST:n ]than once a century, resulting in relatively[ST:n ]low numbers for the species.
185 Hulking, centipede-like creatures with flight[ST:n ]capabilities. Extremely temperamental, they[ST:n ]never flee a situation, even when wounded.[ST:n ]They also have a well-deserved reputation for[ST:n ]attacking anything in sight, setting upon[ST:n ]victims with an immense maw that leaves[ST:n ]the landscape beneath them scarred.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Because their great fangs never stop growing,[ST:n ]millepods must gnaw on boulders to wear[ST:n ]them down. This habit results in a variety of[ST:n ]minerals entering the animal's digestive tract,[ST:n ]and it is not uncommon for millepod corpses[ST:n ]to house a trove of precious stones.
186 Unafulges live in harmony with primitive [ST:n ]bioluminescent symbionts. This relationship[ST:n ]provides them with the ability to flash light,[ST:n ]which they use to communicate with others[ST:n ]of their kind.[ST:n ][ST:n ]They feed off of photosynthetic energy,[ST:n ]which eliminates the need to hunt. As such,[ST:n ]unafulges rarely attack other creatures, and[ST:n ]have evolved a fairly meager set of fighting[ST:n ]abilities. Their only defense is a bright strobe[ST:n ]effect that can dull—or sometimes increase—a[ST:n ]target's brain activity. Cornered unafulges[ST:n ]have even been known to self-destruct.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Mating occurs in the late summer in a few[ST:n ]select locations. When they assemble by the[ST:n ]thousands under a full moon, it creates a[ST:n ]visual symphony of pulsing lights.
187 Parasitic organisms with anatomical structures[ST:n ]akin to jellyfish, visigels are known for their[ST:n ]peculiar process of self-replication. Their[ST:n ]spore-like eggs are either rubbed directly onto[ST:n ]a host, or else scattered to the winds after the[ST:n ]adult self-destructs. Once an egg hatches[ST:n ]inside a host, the newborn visigel will slowly[ST:n ]devour it from the inside out. After reaching[ST:n ]the outside world, it then inflates its balloon-[ST:n ]like body and soars away.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though parthenogenesis is the visigel's[ST:n ]primary mode of reproduction, there are rare[ST:n ]cases in which two visigels meet within a[ST:n ]host, allowing sexual reproduction to occur.[ST:n ]In order to prioritize the survival of their[ST:n ]genetically richer offspring, the parents then[ST:n ]exit the host's body and perish.
188 The largest of all Miran mollusks, filiavents[ST:n ]stay anchored to the ground, feeding on other[ST:n ]creatures that come too close. To do so, they[ST:n ]contract their lengthy bodies and then swallow[ST:n ]their victims whole—along with everything else[ST:n ]in the vicinity. All matter then enters the[ST:n ]digestive tract, where it is liquefied by[ST:n ]powerful acids.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Reproduction also takes place while anchored[ST:n ]to the ground. On the night of a full moon,[ST:n ]filiavents release a myriad of sperm and eggs[ST:n ]into the atmosphere. While most are eaten[ST:n ]by other creatures, one in a few thousand[ST:n ]survives to be fertilized. Because infants have[ST:n ]many predators due to their small size, few[ST:n ]of them survive to adulthood—despite the[ST:n ]presence of a defensive electrical discharge.
189 Hailing from the depths of outer space, these[ST:n ]creatures can strip the ether from entire[ST:n ]regions before storing it in their dorsal spines[ST:n ]to facilitate interstellar travel. Any unlucky[ST:n ]inhabitants of planets they encounter are also[ST:n ]devoured down to the very last organism.[ST:n ]When this destructive rampage is finished,[ST:n ]they set off in search of the next planet.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Though extremely rare, Yggralith do at times[ST:n ]come into contact with one another. The[ST:n ]ensuing battles spell doom for any planet[ST:n ]unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity.
190 Said to be Mira's guardian and culler of[ST:n ]unclean lifeforms, the Telethia is also known[ST:n ]as the \"Ruler of Fates.\" It is rumored to have[ST:n ]mind-reading abilities that make it virtually[ST:n ]invincible—a theory strengthened by the fact[ST:n ]that it has never been defeated in combat.[ST:n ]As if that wasn't enough, the creature's vast[ST:n ]wings also have the ability to amplify and[ST:n ]manipulate ether in the surrounding[ST:n ]atmosphere.
191 Vespers are giant, cave-dwelling bats.[ST:n ]Dormant by day, these omnivorous creatures[ST:n ]rely on echolocation—not sight—to gauge[ST:n ]their surroundings and locate prey, which[ST:n ]can be defined as pretty much anything that[ST:n ]fits in their jaws. One should be wary of[ST:n ]these teeth, which are covered by noxious[ST:n ]microorganisms. And though it shouldn't need[ST:n ]to be said, vesper meat is generally rancid[ST:n ]and unfit for consumption.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Vespers live in massive colonies that can[ST:n ]cover entire cave ceilings. The floors of these[ST:n ]domains are plastered in excrement, which[ST:n ]acts as the main food source for many small[ST:n ]insect species. This odorous dung also serves[ST:n ]as a strong repellent against predators.
192 The bodies of these flying beasts resemble[ST:n ]porcelain. Both wings feature organs for[ST:n ]absorbing atmospheric ether, which is then[ST:n ]stockpiled in the head before being used to[ST:n ]either blast foes or to self-destruct while[ST:n ]defending the colony.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Murra populations are greatly affected by an[ST:n ]area's ether density. When ether is abundant,[ST:n ]females are able to reproduce via[ST:n ]parthenogenesis, giving rise exclusively to[ST:n ]more females. Once herd numbers have[ST:n ]stabilized, males are born and sexual[ST:n ]reproduction can resume. The ether-absorption[ST:n ]abilities of asexually-created murras are[ST:n ]lacking, however; when ether density drops,[ST:n ]these ones are the first to die, leaving behind[ST:n ]their fitter, sexually-produced counterparts.
193 Terebras are technically omnivorous, though[ST:n ]their main diet consists of aquatic organisms[ST:n ]snagged from rivers, such as fish and shellfish.[ST:n ]Their ear-shaped bony ruffs can be positioned[ST:n ]into a drill-like shape, an ability they use to[ST:n ]fight enemies and build dwellings.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Once excavated, a terebra den will extend[ST:n ]deep underground and house the entire pack[ST:n ]of a dozen or so terebras. The entrance is[ST:n ]constantly guarded by several pack members[ST:n ]that stand erect on their hind legs.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Terebra fur has commercial value due to its[ST:n ]excellent heat insulation and softness—so[ST:n ]long as the barbed bristles are removed.
194 The enemies of mephites have more to worry[ST:n ]about than their sharp fangs and fiery[ST:n ]tempers—namely a rancid blend of fluids[ST:n ]released through their posteriors in a gaseous[ST:n ]cloud. The lingering smell of these odorous[ST:n ]assaults can persist for months.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During mating season, male mephites gain[ST:n ]a new, ornate coat of fur. As for females,[ST:n ]their exclusive task is to rear infants in a deep[ST:n ]vertical den, the entrance of which is doused[ST:n ]in the same malodorant gas to ensure that[ST:n ]any and all predators steer clear.
195 Though flightless, these avians make their[ST:n ]homes at high elevations, preying on fish and[ST:n ]crustaceans that they suck into their trumpet-[ST:n ]like mouths. Relatively intelligent creatures,[ST:n ]some saltats are known to also display a[ST:n ]penchant for combat.[ST:n ][ST:n ]During mating season, males blow rainbow[ST:n ]bubbles as a way to attract a mate. They then[ST:n ]perform a frenzied dance of courtship as the[ST:n ]bubbles drift. Failure to impress will dash all[ST:n ]prospects of mating, spurring young males to[ST:n ]improve themselves by learning at the feet of[ST:n ]senior saltats. The relationship is mutually[ST:n ]beneficial, with disciples blowing bubbles to[ST:n ]help their tutors' own romantic endeavors.[ST:n ]Even after gaining nests of their own, they[ST:n ]continue to look after their aging masters.
196 Liceors share a common ancestor with saltats,[ST:n ]and in similar fashion, the males woo[ST:n ]potential mates by dancing. However, females[ST:n ]also take a mate's \"fortune\" into account,[ST:n ]requiring them to amass a collection of[ST:n ]jewels, minerals, and curiously shaped stones[ST:n ]that are stored in a spherical thoracic pouch.[ST:n ]During the dance, the male will fling treasures[ST:n ]to divert the female's attention, affording a[ST:n ]brief chance to inch closer. Should the male[ST:n ]succeed in closing the gap completely, he will[ST:n ]have won a mate. If the female does not take[ST:n ]to her presents, however, she will dart off.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Aside from the unique mating ritual, the[ST:n ]liceor's main feature is a wildly inconsistent[ST:n ]temperament, which can switch from joy to[ST:n ]rage depending on the weather.
197 These herbivorous, bank-dwelling creatures live[ST:n ]in herds of one male and multiple females,[ST:n ]and spend the better part of their days in the[ST:n ]water. Males are known for their territorial[ST:n ]tendencies, driving off invaders with great[ST:n ]animosity, though females may also display[ST:n ]similar traits when other creatures approach[ST:n ]their young.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Equipped with mighty fangs and horns to[ST:n ]match their temperaments, potamuses are[ST:n ]actually more dangerous than many fiercer-[ST:n ]looking carnivores. The Nopon, however,[ST:n ]have succeeded in domesticating them to[ST:n ]haul freight.
198 Violent aquatic giants that attack anything[ST:n ]around them, save for others of their kind.[ST:n ]This behavior is due to their highly developed[ST:n ]social tendencies, which are most easily[ST:n ]observed in their pair-bond relationships.[ST:n ]Young are reared by both parents, and after[ST:n ]the female has successfully incubated an egg,[ST:n ]the hatchling is taken into the male's mouth[ST:n ]for protection. The female's temperament then[ST:n ]becomes more volatile than usual, motivating[ST:n ]it to attack all it sees in order to keep her[ST:n ]child and mate fed.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Once mature, the offspring leaves its parents[ST:n ]in search of other colonies.
199 These reptiles never stop growing—their final[ST:n ]body length can easily reach over a hundred[ST:n ]meters, and their lifespan is measured in[ST:n ]centuries. As such, a tersqual's appetite is[ST:n ]never fully sated. Nutrients are mostly derived[ST:n ]from mineral sources, though they may prey[ST:n ]on other creatures to aid in growth.[ST:n ]Once they have gained sufficient nutrition,[ST:n ]tersquals will shed their skin to facilitate even[ST:n ]larger sizes. After then eating said shed skin,[ST:n ]sometimes they will immediately begin to[ST:n ]shed again.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Superiority is determined by size, which keeps[ST:n ]intraspecies conflicts to a minimum. As only[ST:n ]the large ever succeed in mating, smaller[ST:n ]specimens of tersqual are forced to simply[ST:n ]continue on with their hopeless feeding cycle.
200 The tainted are abnormal variants of common[ST:n ]creatures found only in certain parts of[ST:n ]Noctilum. They attack and devour anything[ST:n ]they encounter, save for other tainted[ST:n ]creatures.[ST:n ][ST:n ]Specimens include varieties of sphinx, caro,[ST:n ]and scintimure that have been infected by a[ST:n ]virus that induces madness. As this virus is[ST:n ]unable to survive outside of Noctilum, the rest[ST:n ]of Mira remains safely unaffected.