The Crystalline Bat

The Crystalline Bat is a species of bat commonly found inside crystalline caves, caves that have a great concentration of wild mana inside of them, generally because of manastreams passing through them. This species of bats has evolved to exist and survive in these very demanding conditions in a similar way as other mammals and large reptiles: by finding ways to adapt to the mana quantities of the caves, as well as changing their diet to survive in a mostly barren ecosystem.

Bats are usually known to eat different fruits and insects; since a crystalline cave doesn't present either (especially deeper down the caverns), crystalline bats have developed a taste for the moss that grows inside, evolving to survive off it alone. The richness of the moss, as well as the speed at which it spreads, make it the ideal food source for the vulnerable bats. This allows them to feed without venturing outside to hunt, although larger specimens will still attempt to hunt down small rodents at the entrance of these caves.

The body of a crystalline bat is covered in thick opalescent skin that offers them mana insulation. It's a usual adaptation found in this ecosystem, the other common option being the growth of mana crystals on its fur. Out of the two, only one variant allows the bat to fly freely and to hang from the cave ceiling, although it is still possible for them to be slowly covered in crystal if they do not move for long enough. Their skin is not usually harvested because of how small the bats are, rendering any medium or large leather cloth impossible to made. Some Exalted still use small pouches made of their skin to hold mana gems, with a few using them to craft some of their equipment insulation, since the skin of a bat is the easiest to cut into smaller bits.

If you ever encounter a crystalline bat in the wild, it is good to not provoke the animal, especially if you see more hiding close nearby. They are easily excitable and will consider you a threat, so make sure to make sluggish moves and to retreat slowly, lowering your body to keep yourself far away from them. One bat can alert its brethren with its scream; soon, you will find yourself completely surrounded. They are tricky to kill, as they fly above you in spirals and attack you with screeches that can make your ear tubes explode. Don't waste time swinging your weapons at them; use ranged and precise spells if you really need to, but it is most important to run away to safety. The bats will not leave their territory, so focus on putting as much distancte between you and them as you possibly can.