Staukata

Description

Staukata are large insectoid creatures covered in chitinous armored plates that are found in the region of Jégoria, specifically in the Downside ('Lefelé'). They are not well-suited to the cold above, so they pretty much never venture out, and are mostly found in the deepest passages of the Downside. They are only 10 feet (3 meters) tall, but can grow up to 16 feet (almost 5 meters) in length. Their tiny bead-like eyes on the sides of their head provide them with heat vision that is very useful in the low-light conditions in which they live. Their claws are thin but very tough allowing them to rip through rocks. They also possess a single stinger which contains a paralyzing poison that they use to immobilize their prey so they can eat them in peace. Interestingly enough, the poison also induces a sense of intense euphoria along with its paralyzing effect, which is why it is highly sought after as a drug.
Staukata live to be up to 80 years old, although they rarely reach this age, male members especially. They live either solitary lives, or in small herds of 3-6 individuals (not counting young). Within a single herd there is always an alpha male who is the only one that will breed with the female members. Oftentimes young males will challenge and fight the alpha male for his position, the loser is eaten and the victor becomes or remains the alpha male. A successful mating can lead to a nest of around half a dozen eggs. The eggs hatch within a month and start to feed, oftentimes on the weaker members of the newly hatched group. Over the duration of a year one or two grow into their adult forms and join the herd. Young males are allowed in the herd if they behave submissively, however male children will often move away from the group as they risk being eaten by the alpha male who does not want them to rise up to challenge him. They will either live a solitary life for a while or join another herd, potentially trying to take over the position of alpha male within that herd.

Intelligence and Behavior

They are not entirely mindless, but the Staukata are far from what one could call an intelligent species. They do not speak any language, instead communicating through clicking sounds and direct physical contact. The sounds they emit (and hear) to communicate however are above the range that humans and many other species can hear, which allows them to pull off coordinated ambushes.
Staukata are most active during the day, when they hunt small- to medium-sized creatures.. They hunt all creatures equally with no apparent predilection. They do however leave larger creatures that they perceive to be stronger than them alone, unless they have a large numerical advantage. Usually they will try to first weaken their prey before paralyzing them with their stinger and taking them to their lair where they can consume them over a period of time.

Statistics

[5th Edition D&D]

Geographic Distribution

• Jégoria