Ironeater
The Ironeater is a large reptile that lives in mountainous regions. It gets it's name from the diet of rocks and metal it subsists on. Ironeaters are known to be one of the only non-sapient examples of the Rule of Eight- they are a distinct species resulting from at least eight unbroken generations of hybrids interbreeding. They have been identified as being descended from a cross between dragons and mountain lurkers. This species developed independently across the continent, just as varied as their draconic progenitors. While they lack wings and the true ferocity of a dragon, ironeaters come in a variety of colors and retain the special breath attacks of their dragon ancestors.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Ironeaters resemble oversized pangolins with a more crocodile-like head. Their teeth are wide and flat in the back and extremely sharp and thick in the front, not unlike a spade which lends them a bucktoothed appearance. The scales of the ironeater overlap and serve as armor, but are more loosely attached like feathers. The bones and scales of adult ironeaters are made almost entirely of biological iron. The creatures walk on four legs but are capable of standing on their back two for long periods of time and have scythe-like claws on their front limbs, which they use for digging through rock. They retain the interior air sacks of dragons, making them lighter than they appear and capable of jumping extremely high for their size and build. The tongue is long and fully prehensile with smaller scale growths covering it like a cheese grater. They do not have tails.
Genetics and Reproduction
As reptiles, ironeaters lay eggs in a nest constructed of rock. They form life bonds with another of their kind, and take turns guarding the nest. Life bonds can occur between any two ironeaters, and couples that cannot produce eggs themselves will often adopt abandoned eggs, even those of other species. Life bonds can occur between broodmates, but these will not reproduce. At least two instances of ironeaters forcibly "adopting" humanoid children have been recorded. Eggs take about three months to hatch.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Ironeaters have a magnetic organ underneath their tongues that they use to identify metal deposits. This ability is so sensitive that they have been known to dig hundreds of feet to get at metal with complete accuracy. Closer to settled areas, this can be a problem as anyone buried with metal on them is likely to be dug up, and the beasts have been known to attack forges.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Magical Beast
Geographic Distribution
Comments