Hydra
Hydras a multi-headed reptillian beings of great strength and vitality. Boasting both potent regeneration and observational skills, few things can go toe to toe with a hydra. Each hydra is also a cluster of individuals, each head having its own personality. These heads consider themselves both individuals and parts of a collective and one can refer both to the head and the entire cluster as being a hydra. Despite their toughness, a hydra's heads can be severed and will die if not quickly reattached. Hydras mourn the loss of a head as one would a close relative.
In battle, hydras use their heads to tip things in their favor, overwhelming targets with numerous bites, most of which will come from different angles, as the hydra's necks are both long and flexible. They are not to intimidate, as they are aware that they can heal from most things. They tend to be more wary of enemies that show great skill with sharp weapons or who wield fire, as these are weapons that can do permanent harm. In these cases, the heads will coordinate as effeciently as possible to take the enemy out if combat cannot be avoided.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Hydras have a squat, stocky quadruped body covered in scales, with a long tail behind them. From the front grows numerous serpentine heads, each with its own distinct personality. Hydras have a rapid metabolism that means they quickly heal from any wound they suffer from. Only fire seems able to do long-term damage and is the only thing that is guaranteed to kill them.
A hydra's many heads are linked to one another and can communicate at the speed of thought, sharing sensory input as needed. These multiple linked heads also means that in case of negative mental stimuli, like hypnosis, a hydra can shunt that into one head to protect the others.
The sheer mental energy the heads can generate together means that most hydras develop at least minor occult powers of some kind.
Genetics and Reproduction
Hydras a perfect hermaphrodites. They are capable of self-fertilization should they be unable to find a partner. Once impregnated, a hydra will lay a leathery, large egg after about two to three seasons. This egg takes another season or two to grow, before it hatches.
Additionally, should a hydra lose a head to injury, a new head will grow. However, this head will have a completely new personality. Hydras traditionally consider these heads the children of whatever head they lost.
Growth Rate & Stages
Young hydras a ravenous and consume large amount of organic matter to fuel their growth and metabolism. They grow rapidly with the proper food and become full-sized in eight to ten years.
Ecology and Habitats
Most species of hydras are most comfortable in fertile area with large amounts of available food. Due to their size and power, they often fulfill the role of macropredators and their large size helps maintain meadows and forest paths as they bowl over smaller trees.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Hydras are omnivores, but with a strong leaning towards being carnivorous. Individual heads may have different preferences.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Hydras can be considered a social species, but they get most of that need fulfilled from their own cluster of heads. Since they need a lot of food, hydras usually claim large territories for themselves, though they don't mind neighboring with another hydra.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Hydras are semi-common and can be found on many spheres
Average Intelligence
Due to their ability to pool their minds, hydras are quick on the uptake, observant and quick to think things over.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Hydras have eyes, ears and noses. However, as they have set per head and can freely share sensory information, a hydra is unlikely to miss anything.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The hydra cluster, that is the entire hydra, usually has a name, alongside each head having its own individual name. Using their collective name is for addressing them all and their head names is for speaking with that particular head. Hydra names tend to be darker and guttural, with a lot of sibilant sounds.
Scientific Name
Multi Serpentes
Lifespan
Does not age
Average Height
9.2 meters tall
Average Weight
15 ton
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