Rahkatari

[Rah-kah-tar-ee]

Application Only, Sightings must be approved by the Lore Team

Description

The Rahkatari are a distant cousin of the deep ocean Naga, likely those whom migrated during the early cycles of their evolution onto the land instead of their seaborne cousins. These beasts lack any gills akin to their distant brethren, and have fully adapted to the harsh, desert conditions as opposed to the deep oceans upon which they used to roam.

With glistening scales that lay uniform across their body, the Rahkatari carry a unique trait that allows unparalleled control of their body heat in the desert sands. They are capable of changing the colors of scales from black to white at will, depending on if they need to take in heat, or retain heat respectively. While each Rahkatari carry unique patterns that remain regardless of scale color, they are purely birthmarks and have no other effect.

Perhaps the most recognizable detail of these beings is that they entirely lack a spine. Because of this, they are typically seen trailing through the sands akin to a snake, albeit far faster because of their larger muscle mass. This allows extreme flexibility in nearly every situation, and allows them to adapt to every obstacle they come across.

Specific marks tend to vary per individual, though a good few things stay the same. From head to tail, the Naga from head to toe can stand a mighty 10 feet, varying from that to up to 14 feet in total. The heads of these beasts most commonly are seen similarly to the King Cobra, and their two fangs drip with a paralyzing venom. Unlike normal snakes however-two arms lay at the side of the Rahkatari, both of which carry a good amount of strength that can rival a humans.

Rahkatari eyesight is extremely proficient, as they can see perfectly during both day and night. Replacing the gills on the side of their bodies are pit organs which allow them to see infrared sight, an adaptation due to no longer needing to breathe underwater. Rahkatari have short slits that emulate a nose by the end of their faces, which carry an average sense of smell.

Distribution

Rahkatari are a nomadic, loner species. Though sapient-they tend to live independently, and only interact with their kind to mate and spread their young. Though they are very spread out and rather rare to spot in groups, when clans tend to form, they create massive underground nests that are akin to mazes.. though this is extremely rare.

Habitat

The Rahkatari are seen exclusively in the desert, often times within its center and away from civilization as a whole, forging their own portable homes to stay on the run and out of sight.

Diet

The Rahkatari eat exclusively meat-like proteins, and are unable to digest other types of nutrients. They typically have a preference for the eggs of any types of creatures and will often go out of their way to secure such in their grasp. It often takes a fair few days to digest their food, as they are unable to chew and instead just swallow things whole, making them lethargic and rather lazy while they do. Despite this however, they need not eat for cycles on end because of it.

Relations

Due to a long history with mankind of all forms, the Rahkatari are extremely hostile and difficult to speak with and even find to any race that they encounter, sometimes including even one another. They are usually seen as lone hunters, but can form small civilizations together with a common goal in mind: survival.

Mechanics

• Above average strength and extreme mobility, letting them move across the sands with exceptional speed and grace.
• Near-Perfect Daylight, Night and Infrared vision.
• Capable of shifting their scales to black or white depending on if they need to take in or retain/repel heat.
• Sapient, Extremely Intelligent hunters.
• Rahkatari scales are skin to the strength of chainmail, and an undamaged set can be used as a substitute if one can gather enough of it.
• Rahkatari carry a paralyzing venom in their bites that can paralyze a person for 4 OOC hours if they are totally bitten by them. Scrapes and only partial bites tend to only cause reduced reaction in that spot for a total of 5 to 10 OOC posts respectively.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier