Kwala
Kwala are a domestic arthropodal species similar in many ways to giant Whip Scorpions. They are found in the southern reaches of the steppe and to the Great Desert south of Occident, as well as Grand Erbakan and Far Vishkai. They were initially used by the Marobunta of the steppe, but spread outwards through migration and trade. Many races and cultures find their appearance unsettling at best and horrifying at worst, and so they are rarely used by more humanoid races, but their great endurance and stability (combined with the relatively low amount of food and water that they consume) make them invaluable pack animals in harsh desert or steppe conditions.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Kwala are arachnids, with two body sections and four main appendages, although only three are used for walking. A long, lightly barbed tail extends outwards from their rear section, and they have two large pincers to their fore, large enough to ensnare small dogs. They have two eyes on the front of their head, and then three more on each side. Kwala use chelicerae to feed, dicing their prey into small snippets before ingesting it.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Kwala are carnivorous, but consume animals much smaller than most humanoids, chiefly dogs, cats, and rodents. Indeed, the marobunta have bred specific breeds of dog to feed to their trusty kwala, which are relatively small, fat, docile creatures referred to as Ant Dogs. They only need to eat and drink once every few days, and can in a pinch survive on very little food for long stretches of time.
In the wild, kwala hunt through burrowing through the sand and topsoil, using their sensitive tails to detect movement above them and bursting forth to grab them in their mandibles before retreating. They are relatively social creatures, although not eusocial, and have been observed using pack tactics to lure and distract prey.
Additional Information
Domestication
The kwala were domesticated by the Marobunta at some point in the distant past, although much of their morphology and habits remains unchanged. Even wild kwala are relatively docile around anything too large for them to eat, as they are too large to be hunted by most animals, and their pre-existing pack structure enabled relatively easy domestication. Domesticated kwala are generally, however, far less ornery and forgetful than their wild counterparts.
Average Intelligence
For domesticated animals, kwala are rather unintelligent, or at least difficult to train -- they are stubborn, ornery creatures at times, and at others simply seem oblivious to their trainer's wishes. That said, they are very loyal creatures, and develop very strong bonds with their masters. They can even be affectionate, brushing their master with their pedipalps and rubbing up against them beside the campfire. When happy, they will hiss and vibrate, creating an effect not unlike a cat's purr in sound and feeling.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Kwala have very poor eyesight for detail, but see movement extremely well. This means that they often can seem somewhat blind when moving, and so their foremost legs have evolved into antenna-like structures that allow them to feel what is ahead of them. Their long tails are also sensory organs, the many barbs and hairs that cover them detecting changes in air current and direction, giving them an almost preternatural ability to both detect prey and to know if they are about to be attacked. Because of this, however, the tail is extremely sensitive, and damage to it can leave Kwala effectively blind or deaf.
Lifespan
15 years
Average Height
3 feet
Average Length
7 feet
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