Bas'iik

Bas'iik Reference by Cweinmanart

"A sound carries over the Thel'esian Sands, sharp and startling, the baying of a beast both respected and feared by the Kan'ali people. Known as the apex predator of the sands, the Bas’iik is unmatched in speed, power, and hunting prowess. Their plated scales adorn Kan'ali shields and ornaments, their visage is oft flown on clan and tribal flags, and the sound of their bellow strikes terror into the heart of anything that hears it. Despite many training efforts and methods, this terrifying species of the Drakkus family remains entirely wild and undomesticated to this day."

A passage from "The Barbaric South: The Unforgiving Thel'esian Sands" by Ven'ki, a Kan'ali Biologist

Known to many haunted Kan’ali warriors as the Sand Screamer, the Bas’iik is a truly terrifying hunter prowling the Thel’esian Sands. With long limbs, a powerful body, and incredible tracking skills the Bas'iik has been known to hunt a single target for hundreds of miles without giving up. They patient and cunning, employing the use of traps and ambush strategies to catch their prey unaware. They get the name ‘Sand Screamer’ for their piercing war-shriek when chasing prey, the sound able to carry for miles to alert other Bas'iik to their quarry.

As a member of the Drakkus family, the Bas'iik is highly intelligent. However, they are notoriously short tempered and stubborn, making them nearly impossible to tame; many have died trying. Unlike their more traditional Drake cousins, these creatures are not often loners and have been well known to travel in packs of 2-8, making this already lethal beast even more deadly.

The Kan’ali people have a certain level of respect for these expert hunters. They view the Bas'iik as a symbol of strength, intelligence, and community. It is not uncommon to find the Bas'iik symbol carved onto a Kan’ali warrior’s shield or embroidered onto the blanket of a newborn child.

Physiology

Anatomy

The Bas’iik is a large-sized quadruped in the Drakkus family of reptiles. Unlike other species in this family the Bas'iik has long legs that allow for swift movement. This makes it the fastest species in the Drakkus family by a large margin with top speeds clocking out at just over 30 mph (48 kph).

As a species accustomed to running over soft sand and loose terrain, their back claws have developed a thick webbing between each toe to allow them to propel themselves easier with streamlined bodies. Their tail is dense and used as a rudder for quicker turns, as well as being a useful bludgeoning tool when necessary. These two evolutionary traits make the Bas’iik well-adapted for its habitat, allowing it to have speed and mobility most other large beasts don’t have in this environment.

Unlike other members of the Drake family, the Bas'iik has particularly narrow shoulders and elbows, and their neck and spine force their head permanently forward. This makes them unable to tilt their head or tail upwards, and slightly limits their overall range of motion.

Primed for hunting, Bas’iik have powerful front-claws made for grabbing and hooking into skin. Their jaws can open to almost 140°, with two rows of sharp teeth angled inward. Once a Bas’iik grabs hold of its prey, it takes significant force to knock them away, often leaving the prey mortally wounded.

Behavior

The Bas'iik are known by many outside of the Sands as ferocious and terrifyingly violent creatures. However, the Kan'ali people know the truth: Bas'iik are intelligent creatures. They rarely attack the Kan'ali unless desperate, knowing better than to force the humanoids to react. Among their own kind they are more often accommodating and careful rather than outright territorial.

Within their own pack, Bas’iik are familial and often even playful. They appear to follow a loose hierarchy that seems most relevant during feeding. Apart from those times, it isn’t uncommon to find these terrifying looking creatures brushing up against each other, bumping heads together, and sleeping in protective groups. Younglings are constantly watched over, and not only by the parents. The entire pack will take turns watching, feeding, or teaching a youngling while it grows.

It is also possible that, should two lone Bas’iik come across each other in the wild, they may find reason to hunt together for a time before breaking apart. If a lone Bas’iik is ill or injured, they may find temporary solace with another wandering Bas’iik, or even an established pack. It is these social behaviors that often lead to the forming and growing of new clans.

Bas’iik usually only attack Kan’ali and humanoids when food is scarce, or if they feel provoked to do so. This can happen for several reasons, such as humanoids getting too close to a pack’s den, if their food source is threatened by a tribe’s hunting, or if a humanoid attacks a Bas’iik first. While many Kan’ali tribes see the Bas’iik as an intelligent and powerful creature, there will always be some that view them as a threat.

Asi, Kan’ali Shaman, are the only humanoids who seem to have the ability to create a companionship between themselves and Bas’iik. This appears to be a relationship based on respect, though scientists have yet to find an Asi willing to communicate with them to expand on their theories.

Senses

Bas'iik are well known for being the best trackers on Partha. Their olfactory senses can pick up even the faintest trace of a scent from the wind, and once the beast gets a scent it will never forget. Many researchers attribute this strong sense of smell to the species’ overall memory intelligence, relating smells and memories almost as closely as humanoids.

While not as strong as their sense of smell, the Bas’iik also has a very acute sense of hearing. Biologists believe that this creature has come to understand the sound of human speech, as well as recognize the sounds of rattling steel or a weapon being sharpened. This may be a determining factor that they use when deciding to hunt humanoids.

A Bas'iik has its eyes set forward in its skull. These eyes are small and black, and many believe that they have very poor sight. This comes from tales of Kan’ali hunters using their hawks to blind a hunting Bas'iik, only for the beast to show very little impediment to its hunting abilities.

Abilities

Unlike its Drake cousins, the Bas'iik is the only member of its family that cannot spit or use fire. It retains a strong resistance to fire, however, and can withstand immense temperatures as with any member of the Drakkus family. Like most reptiles, this species is prone to slowing down and losing energy in colder climates, which is likely why they are primarily found in Thel’esia.

One of the more unique features of the Bas'iik is its venom, known among the Kan'ali as Waterblood. This venom acts as a blood thinner, causing distinct drops in blood pressure and not allowing the blood to coagulate on wounds. This means that even small injuries from a Bas'iik can be fatal, causing their victim to bleed out from even minor wounds if not treated properly and quickly.

Another unique ability of the Bas'iik is its bellow. Often described as a haunting shriek used to alert other nearby Bas'iik to a meal, its bellow can also be used as a method of confusing an opponent or prey when up close. The frequency of their voice has been known to cause severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, and anxiety.

Life Cycle

One of the most unique aspects about Bas'iik, that continues to baffle biologists, is that this species of reptile doesn't lay eggs. Females give live birth to one or two live offspring, and often only once in their lifetime. This is perhaps due to their lifespan and resource scarcity, or a biological phenomenon that scientists just don't understand.

Mating between these beasts doesn't seem to be set during any one season. Females instead have their own individual cycles. They often mate somewhere between 10-15 years of age. While the data is lacking concrete evidence, it is strongly supported that only females who live in packs will breed, while wandering females show no signs of estrus regardless of age or season. Biologists suspect that this is due to the strong maternal instincts of the mother, and the familiar bond between packs to keep a youngling safe during its most vulnerable years.

The oldest recorded Bas'iik died at the age of 98, however archaeologists have found evidence in the bones of long dead Bas'iik that suggest they can live to be much older. Stories from old Kan’ali tribes tell of creatures known to be 200-300 years old, though there has been no such specimen found.

Gestation for female Bas’iik is approximately 13 months. During this time, the female shows little sign of slowing down during the first half of pregnancy, still willing and able to participate in hunt and play. As the pregnancy progresses, she is forced to lower her activity. Her pack will bring her to food and water, and ensure that she is never alone while she is vulnerable.

At birth a Bas'iik has no armor, however it is strong enough to start walking within hours after being brought into the world. As it is not a mammal, there is no milk that the mother produces for it to drink. Instead, the mother will chew up and regurgitate meat for her youngling. This, however, rarely lasts more than a month's time before the youngling can start eating solid food on its own.

Packs are highly protective of any younglings in their group, not just the mother. While the baby often remains near the mother, the pack will help to raise the youngling by teaching it to hunt and fend for itself. Packs will often sleep in closely clustered groups to keep the baby safe, and some will even play the part of babysitter to let the mother hunt and explore for a period of time.

All of this behavior gives the Bas'iik a sense of social influence. While fights between the beasts are wild and deadly, there is often a sense of camaraderie to be found among each other in times of need. A lone Bas'iik who is injured or ill may find safety in the numbers of a pack not its own, or another lone Bas'iik willing to stay by its side long enough to help.

Biologists have found that younger Bas'iik are more likely to be on their own. They separate from their pack between 3-4 years of age and often wander by themselves for years before joining or forming a pack of their own. Some biologists believe that packs are more like polyamorous mates, though this may be due to cultural factors of the Thel'esian region.

The older a Bas'iik gets, the tougher the armor on its back becomes. Often this can also be seen in the size of the stone scales, large crest-like scales protruding from their backs, as age can often affect the size and coloration of these. Stone scales are a highly prized item in Kan'ali culture, and is one of the most sought-after parts of a Bas'iik hunt.

Elder Bas'iik are known to wander between packs without causing territory disputes. Additionally, these elder beasts are known to be unusually friendly with Asi, acting as guardians or even companions to these magic using denizens of the sands.

Diseases & Afflictions

Bas'iik are not immune to natural elements and diseases. One of the most common killers of Bas'iik is infection from injuries while hunting. Though Bas'iik are naturally resistant, infection is still common in the desert.

An additional ailment for Bas'iik includes an illness called Scale Rot. This can occur when sand works its way under some of the loose scales on the back, causing the skin to become irritated, inflamed, and swollen. While not fatal, this often causes large chunks of back scales to fall off, exposing large areas of the back and leaving the beast vulnerable.

Combat & Hunting

While being able to chase and track pray for hundreds of miles, the Bas'iik is perhaps most notorious for its ambush techniques. Often used by solitary Bas'iik, the beast will bury itself in soft sand, with only its nose peeking out. Poised like this, the creature can wait for days, motionless, patient, waiting to scent or feel a potential target coming. These intelligent creatures learn the paths of their prey, such as migration patterns and even Kan’ali merchant routes, plotting out where to best bury themselves in preparation for an ambush.

When their prey draws near, the Bas'iik will burst out of the sand in a terrifying rush of muscle, scales, and teeth. With the element of surprise as well as its natural advantages, few survive these attacks.

Packs of Bas’iik are more adept at corralling prey into these ambushes, working together to get multiple kills in a single hunt.

Conflict

When in direct confrontation with another creature, the Bas'iik has a great deal of utility. This is what makes it the apex predator of the Thel'esian sands.

A Bas’iiks primary weapons are its teeth and claws. Its front claws are made for grabbing and gripping, and its teeth are serrated and the front teeth are angled back to make their bites harder to dislodge. This makes its grapple a devastating weapon, causing immense damage when landing a strike. It also allows the Bas'iik to ensure a strike with both of its natural weapons by either biting and then grabbing, or grabbing and then biting. Additionally the bite-force of a Bas'iik is strong enough to break the leg bones of most creatures in its habitat.

These weapons work in terrifying tandem with the predator's speed and size. A fleeing enemy stands little chance of survival once a Bas'iik gets in that first strike.

While the Bas'iik is designed as a swift but dense creature, only its back is heavily armored. This protects its spine, allowing it to shake off most attacks, even by Kan'ali weapons. Though where its back is rock-solid, a Bas'iiks legs, underbelly, and throat are significant weak-points. When facing down Bas'iik, Kan'ali warriors go for the shoulders and the sides of the neck. When facing other Bas'iik in mortal combat, they go for each other’s legs. A broken leg is a guaranteed win.

Territory

Bas’iik packs can have large territories that stretch for dozens of miles, often from the center of their den. The beasts will often take turns patrolling the edges of their territory for signs of danger, or to monitor the movement of migrating animals.

Wandering Bas’iik do not seem to have a hard territory, and often move around the borders of other territories while seeking their own place. These wandering Bas’iik are known as the more dangerous and volatile of their kind, as they have to fight harder for food and self-preservation.

Prey

Native herbivores of the Thel'esian sands (such as camels, tanon, and goats) are the most common prey for a hunting Bas'iik. Unfortunately, these creatures can be sparse and often guarded by Kan'ali shepherds. Smaller game, like foxes, sand-wolves, and rats are too small to sustain the beasts and often require too much energy to chase down.

Sand drakes are a more dangerous option. Though often gentle and lazy giants, a sand drake offers high amounts of food, and makes a rewarding meal for a Bas'iik pack. Though rare, a sand drake's tail or bite can severely damage a Bas'iik in the right circumstances. Younglings are especially vulnerable if they charge in too eagerly or without a pack.

Though rare, it is far from unheard of for a Bas'iik to hunt human prey. Though doing so risks the repercussions of having Kan'ali warriors come after them, this is sometimes the only option for a starving Bas'iik. Additionally, these creatures are prone to grudges, and will hunt humans in search of revenge for a fallen child or pack mate. This is part of what makes these beasts so well respected among the Kan'ali people, as a Bas'iik has a strong sense of loyalty to its family unit.

Predators

While the Kan'ali people hold high respect for Bas'iik, it is sometimes necessary for a group of warriors to hunt renegade Bas'iik who have gotten a taste for human blood. Packs who infringe too close to Kan'ali settlements, or those who have tried or succeeded to hunt humans are the ones who are likely to be subjected to hunting parties. It often takes groups of five or more to successfully hunt a single Bas'iik, and even then the risks are great. Warriors are often lost to Bas'iik, either in the battle itself or to the beast's infamous waterblood venom.

Given the scarcity of food large enough to sustain these creatures, it isn't uncommon for Bas'iik to wage territorial warfare against one another. This can either be over food, mates, or leadership. Regardless, a dispute between Bas'iik is one that is fought to the death, and it isn't uncommon for both beasts to fall to their injuries. Even the victor will often not live long depending on the severity of the wounds sustained.

Ecology

Distribution & Habitat

The Bas'iik are most commonly found in the Thel'esian Sands, the peninsula of desert south of Æ'ur. The harsh desert heat and soft sand that covers vast swathes of the land makes for the optimal habitat of Bas'iik, allowing them to thrive as the apex predator. It is here that packs of these beasts are known to gather, as food is plentiful enough, and they are less likely to be hunted by Kan'ali when grouped together.

While extremely rare, there are some Bas'iik who live in northeastern Erastur, in the craggy and dangerous Crumbling Wastes. These are smaller cousins of the Thel'esian Bas'iik, highly territorial, aggressive, and refusing to hunt in packs due to the scarcity of food. Even these smaller cousins are feared by the denizens of the Crumbling Wastes, and groups of men numbering in the 20's or more are needed to fell even one creature successfully.

Uses, Byproducts & Exploitation

Though many would commonly seek to make such beasts into terrestrial mounts, the Bas'iik is not one to be tamed in such a manner. Many have tried, and only a rare few have succeeded in taming these wild beasts. Their stubbornness knows no bounds, and their refusal of companionship outside of their own kind is well known. The only rare exception to this rule are the Asi.

Only the Asi know why Bas'iik will put aside their usually wild nature to act as guardians and companions to them. One thing that researchers do know is that Asi make no effort to try and ride the beasts, and instead walk alongside them, even over long distances or rough terrain. Additionally, an Asi's influence seems to be over all of the beasts, not just select ones. These Kan'ali shamans have been seen walking into Bas'iik dens and emerging with the whole pack eagerly following behind them.

Culturally, Kan'ali warriors will only hunt these beasts when necessary. However, in some tribes, a Warrior is only considered true after they have been part of a successful Bas'iik hunt and returned victorious. The Bas'iik figure is carved across many shields and emblems in Kan'ali craftsmanship. These beasts are highly respected for their ferocity and tenacity, seeming to embody everything that Kan'ali culture stands for.

Scientific Classification

Family:
Drakkus
Genus:
Drakora
Species:
Drakora Megania

Basic Information

Colloquial Name(s):
Bas’iik
Sand Screamer
Etymology:
Bas - Stone
Iik - Runner
Origin Realm:
Kan’ali
Primary Habitat(s):
Thel’esian Desert
Ralahar’s Edge
The Crumbling Wastes
Average Lifespan:
35-45 years
Average Height:
5’ (152 cm) at the shoulders
Average Weight:
~1100 lbs (~500 kg)
Average Length:
12’-15’ (365-457 cm)
Average Physique:
Muscular, Long Limbed
Average Intelligence:
Medium-High
Conservation Status:
Not Threatened