Magmapoda

Description

Life finds a way. That is what people usually say when they mention the magmapoda or magmapods found in the highlands of the Tukhamu Magas. Like slow-motion boulders these beasts roam the volcanic mountains, able to survive even when swarmed by a sea of flames.
They have adapted to the circumstances in two very distinct way. The first is that they are able to secrete an insulating mucus that protects from the heat. This allows them to go near volcanoes to eat the silicates that are usually found in their vicinity. Through biomineralization they convert these silicates in additional protective layers on their shell.
The second is that through a series of biochemical processes they form two chemicals they keep in two separate reservoirs. When both are sprayed together at the same time, the reaction within the air causes intensely high temperatures, igniting the mixture and forming a jet of flame. Alternatively they can throw up some half-processed silicates while spraying these chemicals to lob a ball of flame that spreads over a wider area. Both of these are viable defense mechanisms meant for different situations. The concentrated jet can kill many larger predators that would dare prey on the magmapod, while the fireball can wipe a larger group of opportunist minor predators such as a pack of thornback raptors.
Occasionally these arthropods will generate a silica pearl within their stomach when they consume an excess of silicates. These are very valuable and the only reason people would ever risk hunting them down. But even with a way to survive its dangerous flames, these shelled creatures are very difficult to kill when they retreat in their shell.

Intelligence and Behavior

The magmapod is generally solitary creature. It slowly roams the magma plains and volcanic fields, paying little mind to most of its surroundings unless said surroundings try to aggress onto it. That being said, if they are desperate for food, they may decide to ambush other creatures, which they are startlingly well-suited to. They can easily hide among rocky terrain where their shell doesn't stand out at all, and through tremors in the ground they can spot other creatures without having to risk showing themselves.
At a certain time during storm season, magmapods can be seen to roam around at lower altitudes than normal. This is because it is their mating season, the only time of the year when they seek out others of their kind. They are slow-moving creatures however, and none too intelligent, so many never find a partner. Those that do are in luck though, because as they are hermaphrodites, gender is not a problem and they can hopefully have a viable off-spring. Magmapods generally do not do much on the parenting front. As soon as it is grown, they leave the nest and start to move. They simply let the child follow them without paying them much mind, but when the child decides to split off to try on its own, they do not try to stop it or find it again.

Statistics

[5th Edition D&D]

Geographic Distribution

• Tukhamu Magas