al-Mawt Scorpion
Racial Magic
☀️Rithaldis' Venom
☀️
Their venom contains powerful ionizing radiation, injecting it directly into the bloodstream and afflicting intense radiation poisoning.
Ilnid 's Movement
Able to walk, step or move on or through sand and glass. It can move through sand as if swimming or skittering through with total freedom. It is also immune to damage from this aspect.
This is a small but potent scorpion found throughout the Shamsi and Arabiyyah Deserts. Its rare to see them during the day, nocturnal by nature and often buried deep underneath the sand. They have small pincers compared to other scorpions but their venom more than compensates—its the deadliest scorpion in Emynea! Ilnid's Movement allows this tiny invertebrate to move freely through sand, unimpeded and highly mobile. It will hide itself just below the surface, emerging when it senses vibrations overhead. This also aids in evading it's own predators. Rithaldis' Venom laces its already potent venom with ionizing radiation—a sought after commodity for assassins. This is because of its effectiveness even to those immune to poison.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Despite its deadly venom, al-mawt scorpions are very small. They range from 1 to 3 inches long and weigh in at 3 grams. It has eight legs and it's body is split into two main parts, the cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) and the opisthosoma (abdomen). Their cephalothorax contains most of its sensory organs and it's legs and pincers attach to this. A hard carapace shields this part of its body too. Its opisthosoma can also be split into two parts, the mesosoma (section before the tail) and metasoma (the tail). Its stinger is found at the end of the metasoma and is called the telson. The venom glands are found here. A scorpions mouthparts are called chelicerae, sharp and claw like. It can pull apart the flesh of its victims with this. It's lungs are called book lungs, extracting oxygen from the air and expelling carbon dioxide like our own lungs. However, they resemble the pages of a book. Oddly enough, scorpions can be easily found if one can generate ultraviolet light. Their bodies will glow under this kind of light, blue green and spectral.
Original Ancestor
Deathstalker Scorpion
Lifespan
Size
Length: 30-77 mm (1.2-3 in)
Coloration
Biological Traits
by Lee Stepp
These scorpions are the most venomous of their kind, possessing powerful neurotoxins and a lethal radioactive sting. Even those who survive are in for a terrible experience. Their venom is actually a mix of various different neurotoxins and a compoumd called Lq2. Unfortunately, anti-venoms aren't very effective. Because of the complexity of this venom, its effects are wide ranging and unpleasant. The sting itself is extremely painful and symptoms set in quickly. It mainly effects the heart, lungs and gut alongside paralysis. Lq2 causes all of ones muscles to contract and they cannot be relaxed. This is the source of paralysis. Death usually occurs from fluid in the lungs or heart failure. Worst of all, all of this occurs alongside radiation poisoning which comes with longer lasting symptoms.
Toxin Details
The toxins present in their venom include chlorotoxon, charybdotoxin, scyllatoxin, both types of agitoxins and a compound called Lq2. Each of these has their own list of effects but common symptoms include elevated heart rate, convulsions, fever, coma, hypotension, numbness, paralysis, lethargy, confusion, agitation and sometimes unconsciousness. Generally, death occurs from increased fluid in the lungs or heart failure. Myocardial damage can occur, the heart heavily effected by these toxins. Arrhythmias, hyper or hypo tension, pulmonary edema. A lot is happening within the body from this little creature's sting. However, what most victims will be accutely aware of is the paralysis. Lq2 compound blocks chloride channels in muscle cells, how our body tells them to relax. All of ones muscles will contract and remain unable to relax but most will remain conscious. All of this is only attributed to the venom, not touching on the radiation sickness.
Their venom is loaded with an intense dose of ionizing radiation and will quickly result in radiation poisoning/acute radiation sickness or ARS. Symptoms can start immediately or belatedly, the earliest of these being nausea, headaches, fatigue, fevers, skin reddening, vomiting and appetite loss. Radiation degrades cells in a body, damaging their DNA, and cells which are most effected are those which divide rapidly. Most die from infection but bleeding, dehydration and confusion can continue to develop. There are three main types but, as this is injected directly into the body, gastrointestinal and neurovascular have a faster onset. The last kind is bone marrow, which is more likely an issue if they manage to survive the venom.
Overall, ARS may cause seizures, thyroid or lung cancer, scarring and inflammation in the lungs, GI tract bleeding, loss of white blood cells and infections. Hematopoietic syndrome occurs as this venom enters the bloodstream, causing a drop in blood cells which afflicts aplastic anemia. Infections, low blood cells count, bleeding and anemia will result. Gastrointestinal syndrome may follow, resulting in the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite but also abdominal pain. Death can result from this syndrome if not treated aggressively, more due to infection than GI dysfunction. The last stage is neurovascular syndrome, resulting from a high dose of radiation. The victim can experience dizziness, headache, decreased consciousness and incapacitation. It is almost always fatal. Even if one survives, long term effects can include purpura (bleeding under the skin), hemorrhages, infection, alopecia, hypotension, ataxia and electrolyte imbalances. When combined with the effects of the neurotoxins, the sting from this scorpion is incredibly unpleasant and lethal.
The toxins present in their venom include chlorotoxon, charybdotoxin, scyllatoxin, both types of agitoxins and a compound called Lq2. Each of these has their own list of effects but common symptoms include elevated heart rate, convulsions, fever, coma, hypotension, numbness, paralysis, lethargy, confusion, agitation and sometimes unconsciousness. Generally, death occurs from increased fluid in the lungs or heart failure. Myocardial damage can occur, the heart heavily effected by these toxins. Arrhythmias, hyper or hypo tension, pulmonary edema. A lot is happening within the body from this little creature's sting. However, what most victims will be accutely aware of is the paralysis. Lq2 compound blocks chloride channels in muscle cells, how our body tells them to relax. All of ones muscles will contract and remain unable to relax but most will remain conscious. All of this is only attributed to the venom, not touching on the radiation sickness.
Their venom is loaded with an intense dose of ionizing radiation and will quickly result in radiation poisoning/acute radiation sickness or ARS. Symptoms can start immediately or belatedly, the earliest of these being nausea, headaches, fatigue, fevers, skin reddening, vomiting and appetite loss. Radiation degrades cells in a body, damaging their DNA, and cells which are most effected are those which divide rapidly. Most die from infection but bleeding, dehydration and confusion can continue to develop. There are three main types but, as this is injected directly into the body, gastrointestinal and neurovascular have a faster onset. The last kind is bone marrow, which is more likely an issue if they manage to survive the venom.
Overall, ARS may cause seizures, thyroid or lung cancer, scarring and inflammation in the lungs, GI tract bleeding, loss of white blood cells and infections. Hematopoietic syndrome occurs as this venom enters the bloodstream, causing a drop in blood cells which afflicts aplastic anemia. Infections, low blood cells count, bleeding and anemia will result. Gastrointestinal syndrome may follow, resulting in the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite but also abdominal pain. Death can result from this syndrome if not treated aggressively, more due to infection than GI dysfunction. The last stage is neurovascular syndrome, resulting from a high dose of radiation. The victim can experience dizziness, headache, decreased consciousness and incapacitation. It is almost always fatal. Even if one survives, long term effects can include purpura (bleeding under the skin), hemorrhages, infection, alopecia, hypotension, ataxia and electrolyte imbalances. When combined with the effects of the neurotoxins, the sting from this scorpion is incredibly unpleasant and lethal.
Genetics and Reproduction
One might never have guessed these ordinarily aggressive and even cannibalistic creatures would have courtship rituals but against all odds, they love to dance! When females are ready to mate, they will begin releasing pheromones, quickly attracting nearby males. When they meet, the male will hold the female's pincirs in his own and lead in a dance-like walk which is called the promenade a deux. She will choose her mate based on this dance but if more than one male appears they might have small skirmishes.
Unlike other arachnids, scorpions give birth to live young! Their particular form of live birth is called ovoviviparity. The baby scorpions will develop inside of their eggs within the mother's body, remaining here until ready to hatch. Anywhere from 35-87 scorpions can hatch, gestating for around 185-277 days. After hatching, their mother usually carries them around on her back until they have had their first molt. Newborns look exactly like adults but smaller. They won't reach adult size until they molt 5-7 times, each of these stages called instars.
Ecology and Habitats
al-Mawt ca be found in Shamsi Desert, Arabiyyan Desert, Kemet, Kna'an and Arya but might also be found in Gaarreen Ho'aa, Kasar Wuta or Balkurtiz. They prefer desert and scrubland habitats, living beneath the sand, under rocks and within crevices. Seeking out humidity naturally, they need to be careful of loss of moisture in their arid environment. Most of the water they need comes from their prey. However, unlike their original ancestors, Ilnid's Movement allows them to burrow deep and reach water hidden below the sand.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Scorpions prefer to eat other arthropods. They prey on centipedes, earthworms, spiders and crickets or even other scorpions. al-Mawt wait just below the surface in sandy dunes or between rocky crevasses, relying on their hairs to sense vibrations overhead. They spring out of the sand and grab prey with their claws, crushing them if they can or stinging when necessary. These scorpions can only consume liquid food, using their chelicerae to cut off pieces. They have a cavity near their mouth which is then flooded with digestive juices. This process can take several hours, often pulling their kills back under the sand. They can go without food for several months and prefer big meals. Thanks to a low metabolism, they can remain totally inactive while they wait.
al-Mawt are actually a sought after prey despite their venom which is why they spend so much of their time underground. Jah Eagle-Owl, Ayyur Fox, Mul'ataa Agama, Paraa Falcon, Mefkaht Ostritch, among others often prey on these arthropods. Other invertebrates like spiders and centipedes will also eat them, mutually preying on each other.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
While this scorpion has a lot of eyes, its vision is poor and its two main eyes are most sensitive to light. Rather than relying on sight, a variety of hairs can be found across its body called trichobothrria, each with different sensitivities. Leg hairs can pick up on humidity levels while those on its pincers are sensitive to touch. Those found around its mouth can be used to smell and their venom bulb even acts as a thermometer. The hairs on most of its body are very sensitive to vibrations, it's primarily tool in sensing prey overhead!
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