Sandsharks

Killers of the silent

Always keep an ear up for hissing when you wander on the dunes, and never leave walls without a horn.

Sandsharks are predators hiding in the sand. Their name comes from their small fin that's coming out of the sand whenever they're moving.

Anatomy & Morphology

Sandsharks are long and broad reptiles covered with sand-colored scales. Slithering through sand, the swiftest can reach speeds of 20km/h when hunting.
While they do have eyes, they don't see much. Sandsharks mostly rely on their sense of touch, able to sense vibrations made by preys walking on the sand through their fins. By feeling the intensity of each vibration, Sandsharks can determine their prey's average size, weight, and distance.
Their maw is filled with razor-sharp teeth that they use for incapacitating their prey. Sandsharks will bite its victim's legs, severing it if it can, until it cannot move anymore.
Once their next meal is immobilized, they will come out of the sand and either swallow it whole or bite it into smaller chunks if it is too large.

Origins

Many souls agree on the fact that the Eastern Desert is relatively new. The depths of its sands keep growing as years pass by, bringing new lifeforms with each centimeter it gains.
Sandsharks used to live mostly in the south of the Desert, where they would wage war with the Lorianortis. They would hunt the small fire-eating scorpions and fell prey to the larger specimens.
As the Desert grew and gained depth, their preying grounds stretched north to the populated areas. Sandsharks did a lot of damage during the first years of their appearance north. Many caravans fell prey to a pack of sharks who killed the Dlintiarnas pulling the cart. The owners would then be trapped on their cart until they were eventually rescued by a Territorial Patrol if they did not die from overexposure to heat.
Fireguards reacted quickly by teaching other patrollers and merchants to always travel with horns. As Sandsharks use vibrations to determine if they can prey on something or if it is too big of a risk, blowing a horn in their direction usually scare them away.

Lifespan

9-10 yrs

Average Height

50 cms

Average Weight

50-60 kgs

Average Length

1-2 meters

Geographic Distribution

• Eastern Desert

If you happen to encounter these without a horn, you have three possibilities.
You're on a cart and one or both of your mounts will be eaten but then the sharks will leave.
You're on a cart and one or both of your mounts will be eaten but you are being attacked by a pack and half of it is still hungry.
You're on a mount so you can actually outrun 'em.