Species Name: Chelcauda
Species Number: 40
Pronunciation: shell-cau-dah
Breeds Available: Chlorderm, Castanea, Baenarch
VSC Breeds: Stoneskin, Callidryas
Feral Breeds: Brindle
Super-Rare Breeds: None
Stats: HereSpecies StandardsPreferred Habitat: Varies by breed - see breed differences below. The original samples of the species’ genetics were found near the base of an extinct volcano, suggesting a general preference of mountainous lush forests.
Diet: Chelcaudi are completely carnivorous and eat pretty much anything they can find on their personal territory. They love to eat fish (which are swallowed whole) and other small animals (which are not), but will also sway toward scavenging on larger creatures if there’s not enough of either to go around. While they certainly have the strength to, chelcaudi tend to be just a little bit too slow and cumbersome to chase down any bigger kind of game, preferring to gradually track down and finish off anything slower than them (such as prey that is wounded or injured), rather than expending energy and effort on running long distances.
Call: The baby checlaudi chirp and chitter, but as the species grows, more types of vocalizations are learned and used, each with their own meaning - A high-pitched shriek is considered a challenge (usually for territory), where-as a deep throated gurgling noise is affectionate; A muted hiss (in combination with the waving of the tail) is to serve as a warning, and after winning a battle (or the rare times prey that is neither fish nor small animal is taken down), they always have a desire to let out a mighty roar.
Special Care Needs: The baby chelcaudi are quite chubby to resist the cold, and can do fine in cooler weather. However, in warmer weather, such as summer, they would need to be kept in a cool area or they may suffer a heat stroke. Due to their young age, they are very curious and quiet ignorant of the dangers around them, so it’s suggested to keep an eye on them while outdoors, lest they get themselves into trouble.
As the chelcauda grows, they get more confident and begin to throw their weight around more, as the chubbiness gradually gets replaced with growing muscle. Juveniles can be particularly troublesome because of this, as the previous games they play with siblings (or owners) can start to take a more serious tone, and the need to carve out some form of territory grows. It is around this time that siblings can begin to drift apart and become more independent from one another.
Once a chelcauda has grown to adult, they are (largely) self-sufficient.
Biology and Anatomy: As all chelcaudi are warm-blooded, they aren’t considered to be "true" reptiles - their overall anatomy sways more towards therapsids than the common lizard. Their skin is coarse and rough, made up of many small dermal denticles. A row of spinal blades runs along their back, largely to threaten and impress as they are not sharp enough to damage, while bony plating covers the top of their head and part of their neck. There are two sets of horns growing from the skull, which gradually grow to fuse together mid-way, once they’re mature. The jaws are large and strong, filled with fine serrated teeth, the upper ones angling backwards - the better to grab and hold their prey with. As there are no molars to chew with, the chelcaudi method of eating is to largely eat the prey whole (if it’s small enough) or to rip it into smaller chunks and swallow those.
Despite their tendency to be territorial, the chelcaudi have a preference to intimidation rather than fighting - Their necks have flaps of skin that can flare out into vibrant frills, to better scare off any would-be intruders. The clubs on their tails are solid bone - with blunt, serrated edges - and its often waved around during threat displays, loose bone rattling inside it to add to the effect.
Although they love to eat fish, they aren’t fast swimmers.. And they aren’t all that great at running either. Because of this, their main strategy for catching prey is to stalk and track, which they are quite expert at - Their eyesight is built to catch the tiniest movement, letting them more easily spot fish swimming past underwater as they loom over it (sometimes even extending the fills to create a bigger ‘shade’) before biting down to snag them; And with smaller prey, a row of small indents on their upper jaws act as thermal sensors, allowing them to locate their quarry in burrows and holes, then using their large bony claws to easily dig up the earth and snatch them. In the rare event a chelcauda actually goes after bigger prey (usually out of desperation or over-confidence) they will try to stalk by blending into their surroundings and making a short run for the prey (for they cannot run very long) and go for the throat with their serrated teeth, holding on until the prey stops struggling.
Behavioral Study: In the wild, it is uncommon to see two or more chelcaudi moving together as a pack, due to their solitary nature. As young siblings, it is usually the parent that drives each of the offspring off on their own, once they are old enough to fend for themselves. However, if that should not take place, the siblings may travel and hunt together for a time, forming a protective bond between one another instead of each carving out their own territory. These types of pairs are usually more nomadic in their behaviour, as a result, rarely claiming any set piece of territory.
The more ‘domestic’ variations made by the Labs have had their genetics altered enough so that parents no longer driver off their offspring. Instead, the young are instilled with a sense of competitiveness, which reflects early on in games of power and play fights. As the siblings grow, it isn’t unusual for one (the stronger of the group) to gain more influence over the others. These siblings can inhabit the same territory without all too much issue, so long as they respect the power balance between them.
Overall, the chelcaudi are surprisingly mild-mannered species. They are largely unconcerned about anything smaller than them (which can include negligent owners), and so long as anything equal-sized or bigger doesn’t threaten their territory, they’re perfectly fine eating, sleeping and generally wandering around their space. Once a chelcauda does feel threatened, however, they can be quite vicious. The first step is always a long, deep, muted hiss. If that doesn’t do it, then the frills come out, followed by the waving of the tail and exposing the teeth into a more louder, open-mouthed hiss. Some chelcaudi can back off and run away after that, if they feel a fight isn’t worth it, but others might let their over-confidence take them into a direct fight as well - They might not be the fastest creatures, but they are still predators for a reason.
Suggested Uses: Although their mature stage would certainly be large enough to carry a rider, the spinal blades along their back make it quite impossible to fit an average humanoid, much less a traditional saddle. At best, a young child could perhaps fit between the spades, though it would not be the most comfortable ride. Still, their size and strength can make them great at carrying loads and heavy objects, if properly tacked.
Their best quality, however, would be their ability to hunt and track, which makes them excellent companions to hunters. Where their keen eyesight and thermal sensors are generally used to track small prey, a good enough trainer can teach them to use it for much larger quarry as well. And if they encounter any foes, they are most certainly “battle ready”, able to defend themselves and others.
As a chelcauda is always protective or something - be it territory or a mate - and if one were to raise it well from a young age, they can redirect that protection need towards themselves, making them quite excellent guardians. And given their size, perhaps having them throw their weight around things that threaten their “subject of protection” isn’t such a bad idea..
BreedsChlorderm: Often regarded as the smallest of the breeds, Chlorderm are also the least territorial due to their migratory habit, making for more placid natures and easier handling. They prefer mild and warm climates, between sub-tropical and heavily forested temperate areas, where their particular pattern makes it easier to blend into the surroundings. They migrate southward during winter time, due to it being too cold in the north, and back again during summer, when it’s too warm in the south. A comfortable temperature for them generally rests around the 20C/70F range.
Castanea: Inhabiting the more tundra-based and snow-covered areas, the Castanea is also the largest of the breeds. Having adapted almost completely to the harsh conditions set before them, they have taken on an unusual colouration, resembling snow-covered patches of foliage and dried branches of trees. They prefer snow-covered mountain regions with more sparse forests, and are the only breed who largely retains their baby chub into adulthood, which helps them keep warm.
Baenarch: The Baenarch is the reason the species is available in the Labs today, as they were directly derived from a clutch of eggs found at the base of the dormant volcano. Prior to this find, the chelcaudi were thought to have been long-extinct, as only fossilised bones were ever found of them. Where the rest of the breeds had adjustments and additions made to the genetic make-up derived from the eggs, the Baenarch were changed very little, only enough to fill a few genetic gaps as the scientists were hoping to unlock the secrets of this strange extinct species.
When young, the Baenarch appears and behaves almost no different to the rest of its kind, save for a few peculiarities: for one, they are always all-too-warm to the touch, suggesting a more magical affiliation; second, they rarely sleep, seemingly fuelled by their internal little furnace for days on end; and thirdly, where the other breeds put emphasis on blending in, the Baenarch boasts bright and bold colours, with markings that seem to faintly glow. The heat they generate and the glow of these markings intensify as the chelcauda matures, and when the rings are bright enough to match the white centre, the creature is close to a sudden and very drastic change - when they reach adulthood, they explode in a fiery inferno, burning off their fleshy form to reveal the fossilized final form beneath.
Beyond this change and a new-found fiery appearance, their behaviour changes very little otherwise - The scientists are still debating whether this final form is true to how the species has always been (suggesting the link to fossil finds) or if the minor tampering of the genetic code was enough to change something crucial. As far as the Baenarch themselves go, they simply wish to eat, lounge and guard their territory, as normal.
Stoneskin: A close cousin to the Chlorderm, the Stoneskin excels in the more rocky parts of mountainous forests, where it can better blend into the environment. Despite what it’s name inters, their skin is not actually “made of stone”, although the dermal denticles are certainly a lot rougher and sharper than any other breed. Likewise, where the Chlorderm is all-physical, the Stoneskin does have a small spark of the something else to them, able to infuse their strikes with earthy power.
Callidryas: Where the Chlorderm likes tempered forest, the Callidryas is designed to survive in the hot and humid jungles. Being of smaller stature like the Chlorderm, the Callidryas has no shortage of small game to find and has even been known to snatch paradise birds out of the air, if able to sneak up on them. Given the abundance of food at any given time, they tend to carve out a larger swaths of territory than other chelcaudi, as they have more time to maintain it. Rivers and streams are of particular prize to the Callidryas, as they fight fiercely for their favourite fishing spots. With other predators being few and far between, they can also be the most confident of the breeds, being more prone to fighting than fleeing. Given their sleek skin (a much finer and smoother texture than any other breed) doesn’t just contain the humidity of the jungle, but a deadly toxin as well, perhaps they have the right to be so confident..
Brindle: The Brindle was an attempt by the Labs to bring back the species into the far-reaching wilds. Supposedly, they were raised and maintained in a testing facility far to the south, isolated from the rest of the world.. At least, according to rumour.
They are said to be not quite like any of the other breeds and are unique in that their bite can be much more worse than their bark, and are perhaps the only breed who actively hunts larger prey - reports have come in from the wild of game found half-eaten, with bite marks from serrated teeth and strange wounds oozing some form of substance.. But, again, that could just be rumour.
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I know this is more for the Pocket Guide, but I'd also like to propose a simplification of their level/loyalty requirements, since it's been bothering me for years x3;
No big change, just making it simpler to keep track with:
Special Requirements:
Loyalty 10 (adult - Baenarch) to continue training.
Loyalty 10 (adult - Chlorderm) to become protective of owner.
Level 5 (adult - all breeds except Baenarch) to continue training.
Level 8 (adult - all breeds) to be able to learn Tracking. If not level 8 before growing, this threshold is increased to level 10 while adult, if the chelcauda can continue to be trained.