Atharen, A Fantasy Roleplay Forum

Fast Facts

Height: 5'7" - 6'1"
Weight: 930 - 1,240 lbs
Length: 10'4" - 12'2"
Diet: Herbivore
Rarity: Uncommon
Tier: 4
Taming and Training: Journeyman


Appearance and Biology

The Ozymastyx are well adapted to their environment; the imperial badlands. They retain water exceptionally well and rehydrate themselves through the flora they eat and the condensation that forms on their scales when the sun sets. They are often described as enormous as they stand at the height of many breeds of horse but are much longer on average. Their tails are thick toward the base and taper toward the end, and are the primary storage location for their fat. The rest of their body's scales wrinkle and crease in parts as they are often very lean creatures. Most of their weight is composed of muscle, as they are very strong and sturdy beasts. Their hide, though soft, is resistant to corruption and protects them for up to an hour of exposure to the dust storms that ravage the Badlands.

Most Ozymastyx are near-sighted and cannot see well. They rely on their impressive sense of smell to navigate the wasteland and sometimes walk for miles with their eyes closed to retain water.

They are ectothermic, and completely incapable of regulating their own temperature internally. They are therefore dependent on their environment and sometimes need to bask on rocks during the hottest days of Searing.


Habitat

The Ozymastyx exists solely in the imperial badlands. Occasionally, they are known to wander out of bounds and prowl the outskirts of Greater Daravin, but otherwise, keep to the sand and red rock of their home environment. They mostly exist in cracks and crevices of large stone structures and live secluded from one another.


Temperament

To their own kind, the Ozymastyx are often aggressive and disgruntled. They are known to fight for territory, food, and mates. But to other species, including the mortal races, they are exceptionally docile and scarcely attack, even when provoked. Ozymastyx are more likely to flee when faced with a predator.


Life Cycle

They reproduce traditionally for reptiles. The females birth a clutch of 9 - 12 eggs per 6-month cycle, and if inseminated, will typically hatch half as many baby Ozymastyx. The hatchlings are reared for the first twomonths of their lives under the care of their mothers but are left to fend for themselves shortly after. Interestingly, clutches have been observed to remain together and steadily break away as they mature. Typically, the strongest of the clutch will depart toward the end of the 6th month, and every month afterward another will leave until the weakest is left to fend for themselves. At a year of age, the Ozymastyx is considered sexually mature and can begin to rear hatchlings of their own, but they continue growing for another year if the right conditions are met. (Surplus of food, living space, adequate thermoregulation etc.)


Abilities

The scales of the Ozymastyx are the most impressive trait of their biology. They are well adapted to the harsh climate of the imperial badlands and are impervious to the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun and extremely resistant to other forms of radiation. Etheric radiation is their weakest resistance, but they are known to power through corrupted dust storms and emerge unscathed.

They are exceptionally good climbers and scale tall stony cliffs with remarkable ease. Some have even been seen climbing stone overhangs and emerging on the top of the cliff victorious.

In addition, the Ozymastyx can smell flora, predators, and death for 12 miles upwind.

Finally, the Ozymastyx have a top running speed of 50 mph which they can sustain for an hour before they need to rest. This can be less if they are hauling a wagon or the day is exceptionally hot.


Uses

Its carapace and sheddings have been used to create corruption-resistant clothing, which is a commodity among the raiders of the badlands.

The beast itself is more often used to haul carriages and wagons of heavy goods across the dunes, as well as transport individuals (sometimes pairs) across the desert.

Their meat is also very tender and stringy, but they're more often hunted for use in logistics and farmed for their sheddings.

Created By: Arkash