Behir
The deep caverns under the mountain ranges of Varda are home to all manner of deadly creatures, and one formidable apex predator that is counted amongst these is known as the Behir. These creatures have been long feared by Mountain Dwarves and other cave-dwelling cultures, owing to their immense size strength and cunning hunting techniques. Typically a Behir will be a solitary creature, holding dominance of a large region of mountainous terrain.
Anatomy
A Behir closely resembles a colossal serpent, often reaching 40 feet in length. Their muscular form is supported by twelve legs, each tipped with sharp claws. Despite their size, Behir' move incredibly fast, and are more than capable of scaling almost vertical walls. They are covered in thick, protective scales that are periodically shed as they grow.
The colouration of a Behir is typically blue, although shades can vary. In the gloomy darkness beneath the world, this provides a natural camouflage, perfect for blending into its environment for an ambush or protection.
The head of a Behir is long and sleek, almost crocodilian. Sharp, translucent teeth cover its jaws, and these are highly prized for jewellery and alchemical components. As a Behir grows, various black horns will spout from its head. This can often be used to identify both the sex and age of the Behir, with females typically having smaller horns. If these are used in any form of mating rituals or disputes, no evidence has yet been gleamed.
Behaviour
Being a solitary creature, Behir' rely on ambush tactics to catch their prey. Spending hours and sometimes days laying in wait for a victim to pass close by, a Behir will strike quickly with overwhelming force. Its first instinct is to wrap its form around its potential meal, constricting and crushing it until it is ready to be consumed. Once subdued, a Behir will eat its meal whole, and then quickly retreat to its lair. The process of digestion is long and drains a Behir of energy, so it will seek safety to enjoy its meal.
Despite its fearsome reputation, a Behir is not some reckless killer and typically only attacks when it is hungry or threatened. It will also choose its meals wisely, knowing full-well that an opponent that is likely to put up a fight is often not worth the risk.
Although its hunting tactics are fairly common, a Behir does have a unique ability that still baffles many academics. It has the ability to spit or spew forth electric energy from its mouth, often referred to a a lightning breath. How it does this is unknown, but it has been noted that it seldom uses this ability to hunt. Instead, it prefers to utilise this in defence, such as when being cornered or escaping after it has swallowed a meal and still under threat.
Reproduction
For most of their lives, Behir' remain solitary creatures, and will only come together for mating. A female Behir will typically lay a clutch of 1 to 4 eggs, usually in a safe and secluded area deep within their territory. There is some dispute as to the intubation period of Behir eggs, with some scholars claiming the eggs will hatch within 3 to 4 weeks and others stating up to 8 months.
A newly hatched Behir will be lethal and fully self-sufficient immediately, despite being only 2 feet in length. They will quickly leave their nest and seek territory of their own. Infant Behir grow quickly, at approximately 8 feet per year, and will be nearly fully sized within a decade. A fully grown adult reaches around 40 feet in length, although ancient remains have shown gargantuan sized Behir that surpass even the size of a Dragon.
Behir' live between 50 and 60 years, with some reaching greater ages. As they age, they grow larger and more formidable, becoming legendary figures in certain regions.
Variations
A variant from the typical region can be found n more tropical locations, such as the Goldorisia Jungle and the Calidian Islands. Behir in these locations prefer volcanic peaks and highland jungles rather than the under-dark of mountains. Instead of blue hues, they are coloured red, ranging from dark crimsons to fiery oranges. They tend to hunt towards the twilight hours, remaining hidden in a nesting cave during the day.
These types of Behir also do not possess the ability to generate electricity from their mouth, but instead appear to have specialised glands akin to a Dragon to breathe out fire instead. Like their blue cousins, this also seems to be used primarily for defence, although it can have devastating effects in the tropical jungles they inhabit.
Type
Huge Beast (disputed. Monstrosity)
Location
Underground regions of Mountain Ranges
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