Daxari are large rodents with sharp shovel-like claws and dark fur.
They often build their burrows in the gardens of people, where they spend most of the day together with a small family.
During the night they will solitarily roam the streets.
Anatomy and Morphology
The Daxari is a large rodent with a body length of up to 1 meter and a weight of up to 15 kilograms.
Its fur is usually dark, although it can vary from light brown to black depending on the individual.
Its teeth are sharp and well adapted for both omnivorous and carnivorous diets.
Its most distinguishable feature are its shovel-like claws, which are used to dig burrows and forage for food.
Daxari also sharpen their claws on stones with sharp edges, often damaging houses in a recognizable way.
Habitat and Behaviour
Daxari usually build their burrows in the gardens of people, where they can spend most of the day together with a small family.
Daxari are highly social and usually form groups of five to six adults, although larger groups are possible.
They are territorial but do not aggressively defend their territory, unless threatened.
They are mostly nocturnal, during the night they will solitarily roam the streets and search for food.
They are found in grasslands, swamps, forests and steppes but have also migrated towards denser populated areas, as food is more easily available here.
Abilities
Daxari have low light vision and are capable of seeing in dimly lit environments.
They are also fast burrowers and can dig up to 10 meters in a single night.
Additionally, their sense of smell is exceptionally heightened, allowing them to easily find food sources.
Diet
The Daxari is an opportunistic omnivore, mostly eating earthworms, carrion, cereals, fruits, small mammals and edible trash.
Daxari are surprisingly capable of opening closed containers, containing trash they search for through.
Unfortunately, they are not very careful and often topple over the bins, spilling garbage everywhere.
They are known to have favorite trashcans and will try to discover them if they have been moved.
Culinary Uses
Daxari are edible but their meat is quite bitter.
Due to them being found in largely populated areas however, it is not uncommon for Daxari to be caught by people and prepared for food.
Especially in the northern cities with their larger industrial focus as well as some settlements along the
Camiten Stream, several ways of preparing Daxari Meat have developed.
Soured Daxari
Daxari meat is often pickled with a mixture of vinegar, spices, and herbs to help reduce its bitterness. The pickled meat can be eaten on its own, used as an ingredient in stews, or served as a side dish. When preparing the Soured Daxari, a dish from the
Assenquell region, using the shredded bark of the
Assenbirch is common.
Hearty Daxari Stew
Boiling the meat in a pot of water with herbs and spices helps to tenderize the meat and reduce the bitterness. The boiled meat can then be served as is, or used in dishes such as soups and stews.
Together with
Taburas, they create a well-liked stew in many
Junker Villages
Smoked Daxari
Smoking the meat over a low heat helps to infuse it with smoky flavors and reduce its bitterness. The smoked meat can then be served as is, or used as an ingredient in dishes like sandwiches. Smoked Daxari is a common but not publicly known ingredient in much of
Bealuki's streetfood.
Daxari Barbeque
In the eastern areas of
Copperwynn, wild Daxari are often hunted in early summer.
After the hunt, the Daxari are usually rubbed in spices and griled above an open flame.
Grilling the meat over a hot flame helps to caramelize the surface of the meat and bring out its flavor.
Economic Uses
The fur and hide of Daxari can be used in leather-based trades. Daxari Fur is very smooth and hard, which is great for repelling dirt.
Their claws and teeth can be used as ingredients in alchemy, to thicken potions. Any special effects based on these mundane ingredients are unknown.
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