Tyrant's Crab

A strange water dwelling arthropod resembling a cuirass of bronze, and with a pattern of spines in the on its head that resemble a circlet, that pierce through its exoskeleton from within during winter months. Found mostly in the shallow water of the Shatterlings in the Camoreyt Sea, they eat detritus and fish scraps that drift to the bottom of the sea.
Their head and thorax is protected by a large, horseshoe shaped plate of chitin, with a second one plating the abdomen, giving it the appearance of a single jointed piece of torso armour. A spine extends from the underneath the thorax plate directly behind, resembling a rigid, sword like tail. Shorter spines extend on the rear left and right of the thorax plate, with the number varying between males and females of the species. Tyrant's beetles appear in a variety of colours, from dark maroon reds to purple blues, and the tips of there spines are usually a black, with the exception of the circlet spines that are always a bright yellow.
Around the Camoryet Sea, a legend persists that these are the transformed soldiers of an invading army, cursed for their hubris for attempting to reach some sacred, secret place. Within sight of their goal, and with their lord commanding them to attack, a great curse was visited on them, transforming and scattering them. The commander, the tyrant from which the crabs get their name escaped, every soldier, and all their equipment was transformed into a lowly bottom feeder. The army's origin, the name of the tyrant and their goal changes from teller to teller, but the most common location is the heart of Taenwall.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The head and thorax is protected by a large, horseshoe shaped plate of chitin, with a second one plating the abdomen, giving it the appearance of a single jointed piece of torso armour. A spine extends from the underneath the thorax plate directly behind, resembling a rigid, sword like tail. Shorter spines extend on the rear left and right of the thorax plate, with the number varying between males and females of the species. Tyrant's beetles appear in a variety of colours, from dark maroon reds to purple blues, and the tips of there spines are usually a black, with the exception of the circlet spines that are always a bright yellow.


On the underside, the crab has five pairs for legs for locomotion, with the front pair adapted slightly for grasping. In the centre of the legs are several sets of chelicerae that shred food and feed it to the mouth. Behind the mouth is a section of articulating gills that are used for swimming, on the occasions when the tyrants crab required it.
The spines that pierce through the the top of the crabs body are made of a significantly harder and more brittle substance, that appears to be at least partially metallic.

Biological Traits

Tyrant's Crabs grow to 40cm in length, with females approximately 30% larger than males. They are long lived for arthropods, living up to 40 years in captivity.
The first pair of legs in male crabs have hooks rather than the pincers that tip the other four (females only have pincer tips)

Dietary Needs and Habits

Tyrant's Crabs eat molluscs, smaller crustceans and detritus. Around populated areas, they hang around spots where fish are gutted and cleaned, eating the scraps.

Biological Cycle

During early winter , yellow spines of a very hard substance puncture through the frontal plate of the crab, extending to 7cm from the shell. The spines grow at a a rate of 4mm a day, and the process appears quite painful for the crab. By mid, most crabs molt, shedding their tough exoskeleton, and during the stage while they remain soft, the spines detach from the point inside their body, leaving smooth round holes, and a scattering of hard, shiny yellow spines scattered on the ocean floor.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Tyrant's Crabs have their "coronet" harvested for it's capacity to contain and be imbued with magic, though it is somewhat unclear what makes it so suitable. Their blood is also used in making higher quality healing draughts, and is used as a component for many cures. Otherwise, their roe is eaten as a delicacy, and acts as a popular export from the Camoreyt Sea to Marnain and Lareena.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tyrant's Crabs have several compound eyes throughout their body, two primary ones on the front of their frontal plate, two less developed on the side of the same, one well developed one nestled just in front of where the emerge on the underside. They also have barely developed photosensive patches on the underside of their tale.

Scientific Name

Xiphosura Limulidae Carcinoscorpius diadema

Lifespan

30 years

Average Height

9-15cm

Average Length

15-40cm