Blekendelph (BLEH-kin-DELF)
The Blekendelph, or Squid Dolphin, is a highly intelligent, aquatic mammal possibly related to the dolphin but possessing a set of 6-8 tentacles it uses for propulsion and protection. As such, it is capable of great speeds in the water, and is highly used in blekendelph racing, a gambling and sporting activity popular in eastern Melas.
The blekendelph is a large, carnivorous aquatic mammal, usually 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) long and weighing upwards of 400 kilograms (880 pounds). Its tentacles do not have traditional squid-like suckers, but are long and tapered and range anywhere from 1-1/2 - 2 meters (5 - 6-1/2 feet). Blekendelph usually also have two smaller tentacles tucked inside the others, but these lack any discernable purpose. They can reach great speeds in water - blekendelph typically swim at a benign 4 to 7 km/h (1.1 to 1.9 m/s), but are capable of bursts of up to 40 or even 50 km/h (11.1 to 13.8 m/s). The higher speeds are prized for racing owners.
The blekendelph is thought to have an intelligence rivaling some near-human species on land, and only lacks the necessary anatomical accessories to have become a competitive civilization. Attempts have been made from time to time to communicate with them but most owners offer limited access, and contact in the wild is rare. They have formed a kind of symbiotic or partner relationship with merlings, who are employed as Blekendelph Handlers by their owners.
The blekendelph is a large, carnivorous aquatic mammal, usually 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) long and weighing upwards of 400 kilograms (880 pounds). Its tentacles do not have traditional squid-like suckers, but are long and tapered and range anywhere from 1-1/2 - 2 meters (5 - 6-1/2 feet). Blekendelph usually also have two smaller tentacles tucked inside the others, but these lack any discernable purpose. They can reach great speeds in water - blekendelph typically swim at a benign 4 to 7 km/h (1.1 to 1.9 m/s), but are capable of bursts of up to 40 or even 50 km/h (11.1 to 13.8 m/s). The higher speeds are prized for racing owners.
The blekendelph is thought to have an intelligence rivaling some near-human species on land, and only lacks the necessary anatomical accessories to have become a competitive civilization. Attempts have been made from time to time to communicate with them but most owners offer limited access, and contact in the wild is rare. They have formed a kind of symbiotic or partner relationship with merlings, who are employed as Blekendelph Handlers by their owners.
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