Screecher

A horrifying amalgamation of tentacles, claws and pincers, the demonic Screechers are one of the only species able to survive in the toxic wasteland of The Gauze Grot. Having evolved from common beasts that wandered the subterranean landscape, the screechers have adapted to reside in their extreme home. Their namesake comes from their ability to project a horrifying screech to points other than where they stand, confusing prey into running towards them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Screechers have 6 legs, behaving much like spiked tentacles with a paw for running on the base of each one. With these, they scurry after their prey at an alarming speed. Their bones lie inside these tentacle as they can turn rigid and become more like legs. Their heads have multiple pincers for attacking and below down almost to their belly lies a set of long curved teeth. A giant mouth is entrapped between them for devouring other creatures, attached to a muscular body with sleek and smooth skin of a light brown complexion.

Genetics and Reproduction

Screechers sexually reproduce and lay eggs for their young. The eggs are slightly buried in the ground to feed off of the nutrients in the ground called Clomesh. Adult screechers also feed on it if prey is low, but the babies cannot hunt yet, leading to an alternative food source.

Growth Rate & Stages

It takes 7 months for the egg to hatch, by which time the Screecher will be roughly 3ft long depending on the patch they grew in. They also do not have effective pincers and teeth at this age, forcing them to avoid confrontation. By the age of one and a half, they are usually around 6ft long and their exterior growing is halted, however their organs and internal systems continue to grow.

Ecology and Habitats

Screechers are only found in The Gauze Grot and rarely some venture out into Human or Glayshan land. Since they are the dominant creature in the Grot, it is their optimal environment as they have the advantage.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They feed on small creatures called Tinlack, but also consume Clomesh from under the ground. Only babies can survive on only Clomesh, however, so they mostly act as predators.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The members of The Masked Village use the heads of the screechers to survive in the gauze, however, the attachment is permanent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The environment of The Gauze Grot deprives one of smell and gives limited visibility. To compensate for this, while the screechers have no smell, they have adapted vision to see past the fog. However, this is not nearly enough to hunt as they are still effectively blinded which is why they mostly rely on hearing to examine their surroundings. The Grot is often a quiet place, meaning the screechers can easily detect movement of prey.

Lifespan

55 years

Average Height

4ft - 6ft

Average Weight

35 - 55kg

Average Length

6ft - 8ft

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Light brown/beige skin, lack of fur.

Geographic Distribution

• The Gauze Grot