Hellwyrm

The frozen wastes and icy waters of northern Arvendell are inhospitable to all but the hardiest of creatures and humans. The region ensures that life follows a strict kill-or-starve mantra, and few creatures have adapted to kill as well as the Hellwyrm. Though solitary and territorial on the land, vying for control of hunting grounds against polar bears and dire wolves, they swarm together in the ocean in feeding frenzies.
What makes the Hellwyrm truly deadly is not its size, which, though bulky and insulated with muscle and fat is relatively small compared to other Wyrm species, but its intelligence. Many have speculated that the creatures can think with near-human levels of ingenuity. Though this is widely debated among naturalists, the species is incredibly difficult to study given its violently hostile nature. What is known is that they are capable of laying traps, learning from the habits of their prey, and even seem able to communicate with other members of their species. Entire settlements have been lost due to Hellwyrms forming animalistic alliances with one another to distract guards and break down palisades.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Fully grown Hellwyrms vary between sixteen and twenty-four feet long from head to tail. They notably only have two forelimbs, and rather than walking move with undulatory locomotion. Their limbs aid with moving over rough terrain and climbing up steep inclines that would be otherwise inaccessible given the creatures' size.
Their bodies are bulky, with a thick layer of blubber protecting vital organs from the cold, and their backs and heads are covered with plated scales. The thickest scales, those on the top of their heads and shoulders, are an average of four inches thick, to protect the neck against bites from polar bears and orcas.
Between the fingers and under the arms is a webbing made out of flexible cartilage, that aids in the Hellwyrm's ability to move in the water. Indeed, they are far faster and more graceful underwater, despite being air-breathing organisms.

Genetics and Reproduction

Unlike other Wyrm species, the Hellwyrm is warm blooded and gives birth to live young. This adaptation enables it to survive in the inhospitable climate of the frozen north. By only giving birth to a single Wyrmling at a time, rather than laying a clutch of eggs as is common in other species, the Hellwyrm infant is born larger and more fully developed, giving it significantly increased chances of survival.
Female Hellwyrms are larger than the males, are solitary and more territorial. The males are nomadic and tend to travel in small pods. The females are constantly fertile once reaching maturity, but a long gestation period of two years ensures that mating is rare. When a group of males do encounter a female that is not pregnant, they will first contend with each other for dominance and mating rights. The victor will then have to contend with the female herself before she allows him to mate with her. If the female still has a young infant in her care, the males will often try to kill it, both to ensure the survival of their own progeny and to force the female to care solely for the new wyrmling she will carry, if she conceives. This is rare, however, as the female with defend her current offspring vehemently before submitting to the male's mating rights, and more often than not the dominant male is killed in the conflict.

Growth Rate & Stages

A Hellwyrm gestates for two years before being born. The infant has only the flat scales over its skin, without any plates, to ease the birthing process. The ampullae on the head and back are soft at first but harden within the first two months. Its forelimbs are born small and without dense muscle mass. The wyrmling is not born with additional fat and instead maintains warmth by curling itself in a very dense coil to limit exposure to the cold. It will not leave its nest for the first six months.
Between six months and two years the Wyrmling will grow rapidly, though it will still be dependent on its mother for food. Plated scales will start to emerge on its head and neck and its arms will begin to elongate. At this time it will emerge from the nest and learn to move about the terrain, including accompanying its mother into the water.
From two to four years of age the Hellwyrm will learn to hunt and kill for itself. At this time the mother will no longer provide food for its offspring, though will still care for it and share the birthing nest.
At the age of five for females and six for males, the Hellwyrm will reach maturity. Male Hellwyrms will often remain in the mother's territory until it joins another pod of males, though females will leave on their own, often being chased out of its birthing territory by the parent.

Ecology and Habitats

Hellwyrms are native to Arvendell, Ormoru, and the islands in the sea of Ormor. Each female Hellwyrm commands a territory of approximately ten square miles, though this will depend on the amount of food available in the region, with sparser areas requiring a larger area. The females will also typically make their home and birthing nests in caves or sheltered areas at the centre of their territories, whereas the males will often dig out tunnels for themselves in any given area, as they have little need of a permanent shelter.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As pack hunters, male Hellwyrms generally kill and eat together, stripping a carcass down completely in a single sitting. The females, by contrast, will often return a fresh kill to the birthing nest for any offspring. A carcass may stay edible throughout an entire winter, though the Hellwyrm's calorific requirements necessitate constant supplement. If a female cannot supply enough food to feed her offspring, she will prioritise the eldest and largest among them, often killing any others rather than letting them starve. In extreme cases, the female will kill all of her children before moving on to new territory, prioritising herself and her own ability to produce further offspring in the future.

Biological Cycle

Hellwyrms are active hunters throughout the year. Their warm blood is maintained by constant muscle activity, rather than homeostasis, and as such sleep for only brief periods throughout the day. Their habits are dictated more by the cycle of their prey, primarily seals and walruses, but have an uncanny ability to adapt to changes in the environment.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Hellwyrms are considered to be one of the greatest challenges faced by northern hunters and nomads. Though generally avoided, there are those in Skalbaard and Nilfjord who consider hunting and killing an adult Hellwyrm to be an incredible honour and a glorious achievement. The plate scales of Hellwyrms have historically been incorporated into the armour of the Osvalargareth. Many believe that Wyrms' blood and certain organs contain potent magics, and so the hunting of Hellwyrms by trained marksmen has become increasingly prevalent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Hellwyrm has no eyes, and 'sees' instead with specially adapted sensory organs on its head and back, allowing it to detect infra-red, electro-static and micro-vibrations in the surrounding environment. Functioning the same both on land and in the water, the multiple placement of this sensory organ, known as ampullae, enable both a overview of the Hellwyrm's surroundings, and a focused, directional sense allowing it to stalk prey. While this organ is specially adapted to close-quarters encounters, it relies on 'tasting' the air or water with its tongue to track prey across wide distances.

Scientific Name

Draco Serpentum Glacies

Lifespan

70-120 years (depending on available food sources)

Average Weight

850kg

Average Length

16' - 24'