Post by A®heim on Dec 29, 2009 21:44:39 GMT -5
Species Name: Magnalui
Species Type: Erinaceomorphic
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Maximum age: 43 years
Age of Maturation: 330 days
Average Height: 2 meters (without spines)
Average Weight: 700 kg
Notable biological features: Long, thin snout, 1 meter transparent spines, translucent skin
Number of limbs and Type: 4 legs
Culture:
Magnalui are insectivores that travel in large herds across the plains of Aiaru. Highly social creatures, they develop powerful family bonds with the entire herd and will work together ceaselessly to protect a separated member.
The most notable feature of these giant, hedgehog-like creatures are the 700-800 spines that adorn their backs. These, like their skin, are almost completely transparent, a bright and colorful chemical reaction easily perceived through them. These light shows are in constant action (even while the magnalui is asleep) and are used for everything from dazzling predators to communication.
Feeding mainly on the web hives of the indigenous zyphters, they will immediately alert all nearby herd members with a special light pattern before utilizing their long, curved claws to burrow into the hive. The catalyst of the luminous reaction has an evolutionary trait shared with the venom of the zyphters making the magnalui practically immune to the otherwise deadly venom.
When threatened, magnalui will dig a furrow around them and tuck into a tight ball. This leaves the hundreds of spines erected in every direction while protecting the vulnerable underside. When in a herd, they will line up facing the threat before exhibiting this behavior. Once rolled up, magnalui pump massive ammounts of biochemicals through their spines setting off a cataclysm of light and sound that when multiplied by 50 animals will drive anything mad within seconds. When in this panicked state, it also becomes incredibly dangerous to touch one of these creatures (note the similarity between the chemical catalyst and zyphter venom).
When they do not feel threatened, magnalui are actually quite docile creatures allowing most calm sentients to approach them if they do not sense any ill intention. They can be tamed and used as beasts of burden or even for their milk which is said to be incredibly nutritious once the deadly traces of the chemical catalyst are removed, but extreme caution must still be taken around these creatures as they can easily kill you by accident.
Some Documented Light Signals
Cool colors (blue, green, purple, etc) slowly undulating - creature is content/asleep
Steady bright red - alertness
Rapidly flashing hot colors (red, yellow, orange, etc.) - alarmed/threatened
Flushed, pulsating pink/red - mating season
Hazy, tinted white - aged
Rainbow - uncertainty
Nothing - dead
History:
Like the flickercats, magnalui are rarely, if ever, seen off Aiaru due to the remoteness of the planet as well as their large size and...prickliness...making them difficult to transport. They are, however, revered by the natives as a creature of great respect who hunt them for the ornamental value of their spines and the medicinal properties of their luminous chemicals.
Many of these creatures are tamed by the mysterious Stellar Mythics who use them for the aforementioned reasons. They also use the chemicals in various forms of alchemy and many of their staves are fabricated from magnalui spines.
Species Type: Erinaceomorphic
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Maximum age: 43 years
Age of Maturation: 330 days
Average Height: 2 meters (without spines)
Average Weight: 700 kg
Notable biological features: Long, thin snout, 1 meter transparent spines, translucent skin
Number of limbs and Type: 4 legs
Culture:
Magnalui are insectivores that travel in large herds across the plains of Aiaru. Highly social creatures, they develop powerful family bonds with the entire herd and will work together ceaselessly to protect a separated member.
The most notable feature of these giant, hedgehog-like creatures are the 700-800 spines that adorn their backs. These, like their skin, are almost completely transparent, a bright and colorful chemical reaction easily perceived through them. These light shows are in constant action (even while the magnalui is asleep) and are used for everything from dazzling predators to communication.
Feeding mainly on the web hives of the indigenous zyphters, they will immediately alert all nearby herd members with a special light pattern before utilizing their long, curved claws to burrow into the hive. The catalyst of the luminous reaction has an evolutionary trait shared with the venom of the zyphters making the magnalui practically immune to the otherwise deadly venom.
When threatened, magnalui will dig a furrow around them and tuck into a tight ball. This leaves the hundreds of spines erected in every direction while protecting the vulnerable underside. When in a herd, they will line up facing the threat before exhibiting this behavior. Once rolled up, magnalui pump massive ammounts of biochemicals through their spines setting off a cataclysm of light and sound that when multiplied by 50 animals will drive anything mad within seconds. When in this panicked state, it also becomes incredibly dangerous to touch one of these creatures (note the similarity between the chemical catalyst and zyphter venom).
When they do not feel threatened, magnalui are actually quite docile creatures allowing most calm sentients to approach them if they do not sense any ill intention. They can be tamed and used as beasts of burden or even for their milk which is said to be incredibly nutritious once the deadly traces of the chemical catalyst are removed, but extreme caution must still be taken around these creatures as they can easily kill you by accident.
Some Documented Light Signals
Cool colors (blue, green, purple, etc) slowly undulating - creature is content/asleep
Steady bright red - alertness
Rapidly flashing hot colors (red, yellow, orange, etc.) - alarmed/threatened
Flushed, pulsating pink/red - mating season
Hazy, tinted white - aged
Rainbow - uncertainty
Nothing - dead
History:
Like the flickercats, magnalui are rarely, if ever, seen off Aiaru due to the remoteness of the planet as well as their large size and...prickliness...making them difficult to transport. They are, however, revered by the natives as a creature of great respect who hunt them for the ornamental value of their spines and the medicinal properties of their luminous chemicals.
Many of these creatures are tamed by the mysterious Stellar Mythics who use them for the aforementioned reasons. They also use the chemicals in various forms of alchemy and many of their staves are fabricated from magnalui spines.
