Mudstomper
Crushing Jaws Of The Swamp
The mudstomper is a ferocious amphibian and one of the many top-order predators of the Trench, heavily derived from salamander ancestors. Physically imposing with a large head and a muscular body built like a living tank, mudstompers are a common apex predator that can be found in the Trench's lower levels. While large and hostile carnivores, they are also highly adaptable animals with a suprisingly developed social system.Basic Information
Anatomy
A distant descendant of hellbender salamanders, mudstompers have a drastically different appearance with a body shape that more closely resembles those of theropod dinosaurs than their pond-dwelling cousins.
Like salamanders, they have a gigantic, dorsoventrally flattened head and torso with thick skin folds traveling down the sides, a single open gill slit on each side, and slimy skin that is blotchy brown or red-brown in color, with a paler underbelly. Bipedal in posture, their powerful hind legs have a digitigrade structure with four thick toes. The feet are large when compared to the rest of the leg and are flat and act like a pair of snowshoes to facilitate ease of movement and not become bogged down in the muddy terrain that the mudstompers preferred in their natural environment and from which they get their name. This unfortunately also had the adverse effect of making them slightly slower on hard ground like the metal floors of the Trench. The feet jut out backwards and up. The ankles are positioned several feet off the ground and bend at a 90-degree angle into the knee. The knee sits directly over the foot and can absorb force easily as less is transferred to it. The long tail serves as a counterbalance to the mudstomper’s weight and is keeled for propulsion. Their tail is shaped like a rudder, but it is rarely used for swimming and instead used as a weapon; mudstompers use pads on their toes instead to grip rocks and walk up and down rivers instead of swimming.
The torso and ribcage of a mudstomper are fairly large to house the lungs and heart it needs to pump blood to all its muscles. Due to its bipedalism, the arms of mudstompers are used more offensively than for movement. However, if a mudstomper needs to move quickly it will begin to run on all fours. The biceps and triceps are large and can generate tremendous blunt force. Enough to outright kill most humanoid species in a single swing. A thin fold of skin running from the shoulder to the elbow that once was used like a fin in its ancestors is still present. The hands of a mudstomper are similarly flat like the feet and are equipped with four thin claws. These claws are used to slash in horizontal arcs at their target to inflict grievous wounds.
The mudstomper has working lungs, but gill slits are often retained, although only immature specimens have true gills; the adult mudstompers can absorb oxygen from the water through the capillaries of their side frills but mostly uses the lungs as their central breathing apparatus. This means mudstompers are not totally reliant on keeping their skin moist in order to breathe unlike other amphibians -however, they do prefer to still keep it moist with a healthy mucus coating. Although the skin is semi-permeable to facilitate oxygenation, the wrinkled hide of a mudstomper is hardy. Able to withstand direct hits from powerful tools, blunt objects, and even hits from golems. The skin is thick and durable. Not easily pierced by pointed objects anything short of the most powerful ballistic weapons won’t do much against a mudstomper. Though they are vulnerable to chemical weapons, particularly gas-based ones.
The frilly gills of juvenile salamanders can still be seen in adult specimens of mudstompers, which led to Organization guards nicknaming mudstompers "Satan's axolotl." Though they are no longer used to oxygenate the blood, they have evolved to serve a new purpose as thin sheets of membrane connect them. Forming a sail-like collar that can be flexed open and shut like that of a frilled lizard. The sails are usually a leathery dark tan with maroon stripes. These act like two giant thermal regulators and are extended to stop the beast from overheating or serve as threat displays to potential rivals.
The mouth of a mudstomper is wide and is capable of opening much wider than those of regular salamanders. What look like teeth in the mouth are actually hard, keratinous, dental plates that the mudstomper uses to crush prey items with a hard bony plate occupying the roof of the mouth and exceptionally powerful muscular jaws to assist in that task. With the crushing force like a hydraulic press, getting caught in the jaws of a mudstomper will lead to a very bad day. A series of sensitive bumps line the upper lip, brow, and nape of the neck allows the mudstomper to detect vibrations in the air and water.
Biological Traits
The Dominant Pair
Upon finding a mate and establishing a pack, both the mated male and female pair will have achieved dominant status and will undergo several physical and behavioral changes. The dominant pair of a mudstomper pack can be identified from standard adult specimens by having twice the body mass and darker skin color than their subordinates. The cause for this dramatic increase in size is a big spike in certain hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. The dominant female is the largest, allowing for larger young to be born, effectively making them the dominant sex of the species and the overall leaders of their pack. She will also experience bone growth along the sides of the vertebrae at the end of her tail. Creating a series of hardened bumps that poke out from just underneath her skin that she can use as an additional weapon to protect her babies. The breeding pair stick out like a sore thumb and remind inhabitants of the Trench that things can indeed always get worse.Genetics and Reproduction
Breeding within a mudstomper pack is limited only to the dominant pair. They habitually avoid incest as their packs are comprised of closely related individuals. With the dominant pair being the parents and the remaining pack members comprised of their offspring of assorted ages. A healthy mother mudstomper will lay a single clutch of three eggs every four years. Mudstomper mothers do not incubate their eggs and instead lay them in muddy, water-filled warrens with rotten vegetation to keep them warm until hatching. Mudstomper parents are extremely devoted and even vengeful should an egg be stolen. They will relentlessly track it down and if the egg has been destroyed, they will search for the killer with that same determination. This doesn't happen very often as mudstomper eggs are some of the most well-protected in the animal kingdom as each member of the pack will guard them whenever the mother or father is away.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once hatched, a mudstomper is in its larval stage. In this stage, the larvae resemble juvenile salamanders, only the size of a Yorkshire terrier and with only two back legs. Lungless and with feathery external gills, they are entirely aquatic for a period of two months. Where they will then metamorphize into their juvenile state. During metamorphosis, their lungs develop and their external gills lose their ability to oxygenate. Becoming their frilled collar. Their arms will emerge and the back legs will entirely restructure themselves to a digitigrade form. Allowing them to adopt a bipedal stance. Now just under the size of a typical human, it is here where they will now join their parents and older siblings on land. Their behavior is rare among amphibians as both larvae and juveniles are partly dependent on their parents. They are kept in a sort of nursery area with their parents until they are old enough to forage for themselves. Like birds of prey, whole carcasses are brought back for the young and dismembered on site for them. Even if her mate is killed, a mother mudstomper won’t vacate the area until her young are ready. With juveniles reaching maturity at 9 years of age. Though juvenile mudstompers are by no means non-threatening. While under the protection of their pack and especially their mother, babies are dangerous as they possess fearsome jaws and an attitude to match. They are also an estimated 70% smaller than adults.
Ecology and Habitats
True to their name, mudstompers hail from the marshes and mudflats of the Eastern Coast and Deep South of the United States. Unlike other amphibious monsters in the Trench, mudstompers can be found just about anywhere as they're not entirely dependent on water sources outside of breeding. Males especially are known for traveling great distances alone in search of a female which is why they are the most frequently encountered. They are one of the most commonly encountered top-order predators in the Trench and only fear the most extremely dangerous of monsters such as dragons.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Mudstompers are opportunistic generalist predators that feed on a wide selection of prey. In contrast to their social lifestyle, mudstompers are individualist hunters and will only get the pack involved if there is a large group of prey in an area or if the individual is in serious danger. While they do prefer larger prey, even Sasquatchs fear them. Showing that anything and everything they can reasonably take on is on the menu. Supernatural being or not.
Although mainly ambush predators, mudstompers are capable of bursts of speed to run down prey. Though not especially useful for grabbing, the claws of their forelimbs are primarily used to slash at the sides of fleeing prey in order to knock them off balance. Where the mudstomper can then pin them down by clamping their vice jaws around the prey's neck or head.
While ferocious and capable predators, mudstompers are also frequent kleptoparasites. When a mudstomper discovers another predator with a fresh kill, it will extend its frilled collar to increase its visual size. It will then charge, roaring with its mouth agape. This display usually scares off the predator and leaves the carcass free for the taking. If they stand their ground, the mudstomper will be more than happy to club them with its tail.
Mudstompers do not rely on teeth to shred their food and instead crush their food into a pulp with their powerful jaws and hardened mouth plates. Their jaws are extremely adept at cracking the toughest of shells and armor, so even the armored dingonek avoids them and they have been seen crumpling Organization security robots like paper. Like condors, mudstompers do not waste anything and consume the entire carcass. Bones and all.
Their strong jaws are believed to have arisen as their ancestors, who tended to swallow soft-bodied prey whole, began to take larger terrestrial prey that had significantly tougher bodies, necessitating the mudstompers to be able to crush them during consumption. Another theory is their rivalry with the Ogua. Another large semi-aquatic monster with similarly powerful jaws, that shares its habitat with the mudstomper in the wild and has a tough shell.
Smaller prey, like rodents, reptiles, and fish are important prey for juvenile mudstompers as they practice hunting.
Behaviour
Pack Instincts and Emotional Capacity
Alone, a single mudstomper is a formidable opponent that is not to be underestimated, but mudstompers are also pack animals. With the leadership role assumed by the oldest male and female in the group, who produced the subsequent members. The remainder of the pack follows their parents and migrates along with them. Although renowned for their aggressive temperament, mudstompers are emotionally complex creatures. Organization scientists did use to debate over to what extent to which mudstompers felt emotion. They form deep and loyal bonds with their packmates. Engaging in various play behaviors even when fully mature. One bull was observed walking with his juvenile progeny riding atop his back and head. Roughhousing, stepping on his upper eyelid, biting on his frilled collar, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. The male for his part, quietly tolerated his rowdy children using him as their personal playground. The reason for this behavior is unclear aside that the children wanted to. Their relationship with their mother results in them fighting to protect her in adulthood (which means they will rush any threat alongside her). If they are killed, the mudstomper mother will typically go berserk and attack any target in the vicinity, potentially even her mate. If the mother is dispatched, her children will flock to her body. Likewise, the alpha male will go into a rage if his mate is killed. Relentlessly pursuing the killer until they or he is dead.
Mudstompers have been one of the only species of amphibian known to have or have had any recognizable ritual around death. Mudstompers show a keen interest in the bones of their own kind. They are often seen gently investigating the bones with their snouts and forearms while remaining very quiet. An Organization scientist recorded the occurrence of a typical mudstomper death ritual as witnessed in the wilds of the Louisiana swamplands. The entire family of a dead matriarch, including her young calf, were all gently touching her body with their snouts, trying to lift her. The mudstomper pack were all rumbling loudly. The calf was observed to be weeping and made sounds that sounded like a scream, but then the entire pack fell silent. They then began to throw leaves and dirt over the body and broke off tree branches to cover her. They spent the next two days quietly standing over her body. They sometimes left to get water or food, but they would always return.
Territorality
When threatened, a mudstomper will extend its sails and bellow to intimidate its aggressor. While competition between males over territory is common, it is rare for a dominant male to need to defend his status from other males. As outside males are typically more interested in attempting to court one of his daughters and whisk her away in order to start their own pack than trying to take his place. Similarly, the dominant female does not need to fear confrontation aside from outside threats, like other packs encroaching on her territory or threats to her brood. From repeated attacks and harassment, mudstompers do view humanoids as threats. Albeit edible ones. Coupled with their pack behavior is a fierce territorial instinct. Mudstompers will usually opt for territories away from inhabited areas (most likely due to noise) but may settle into temporarily abandoned human buildings and areas. Once it claims a territory, a pack is exceedingly difficult to dislodge, as the alpha male will not abandon a claimed territory even if the pack mother is killed until his progeny are ready to move so he can search for a replacement mate, while the alpha female will wait until her young are ready enough to leave. As such, reclaiming a mudstomper territory usually requires either killing both pack leaders, causing the pack to scatter, or wiping out the entire pack. Neither is particularly easy.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Although their eyesight is relatively poor, they have light-sensitive cells all over their bodies. They have a good sense of smell and move upstream in search of food following the trail of scent molecules. Smell is possibly their most important sense when hunting. They also have a lateral line similar to those of fish, with which they can detect vibrations in the water.
While they are difficult opponents, their senses can be used against them. Loud noises and bright light, such as that emitted by flares, can be used to deter a mudstomper's advance or even keep it at bay. This makes challenging potential prey who can produce bright lights like Fog-Crawlers and Faries impossible for juveniles and can even give the adults a moment of pause.
Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
Pinkie and Floyd
Pinkie and Floyd are a pair of adult sub-dominant males who both share the genetic condition known as leucism. Resulting in their skin being a pale pink instead of the normal shades of brown. While it is unusual for two bulls to travel together outside of a father and his sub-adult sons, it appears that the two are brothers. Due to their leucistic skin, neither male has been able to successfully court a female and form their own pack. Thus, preventing them from becoming dominant bulls, and so the two travel together on their own. While having such vibrant skin would be a death sentence out in the wild, the dark conditions of the Trench have mitigated what would normally be a disadvantage for the brothers. They behave cooperatively, even while hunting. They frequently engage in kleptoparasitism, as the bulk of their diet is comprised of kills stolen from other predators that they've managed to intimidate into surrendering. If one brother is spotted, the other cannot be far."Black Betty"
Black Betty is a notorious female mudstomper living somewhere in the South Western portion of the Lower-Levels. Identifiable by her atypical large size, heavily-scared, black hide, and a chipped left dental plate. She is believed to have lost her mate while her unborn young were still in utero. The resulting hormonal changes from her pregnancy combined with those from the loss of her mate have permanently altered her body and behavior. Her musculature is grossly swelled, giving her twice the mass of a normal dominant individual of the species and believed by the few scientist remaining to be pushing the mudstomper species' physiology to the limit. The changes also caused her namesake skin to turn to its distinctive charcoal black.
If normal mudstomper parents are comparable to wolves, then Black Betty is a grizzly bear. This tough Mama is infamous for her bad temper and will relentlessly attack even the smallest creature she perceives as a threat to her babies. Her heightened vigilance and aggression even extends to other mudstompers. Acting with hostility to all fellow members of her species who are not her offspring. Which are most often roaming males who've followed her pheromone trail in the futile hope of mating with her. She is fully capable of tossing dominant bulls around like chew toys and readily kills smaller dragons when given the chance. Such is her size, power, and ferocity that creatures of equal power to mudstompers will think twice about challenging Black Betty and even the reckless Lungus Trading Group is known to change its caravan routes based on reports of Black Betty and her young being sighted in the area. It is advisable to steer clear of her.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
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