Teskis

/'tɛskɪs/ (TEH-skees)
Teskis are large demon-like creatures that live in the ice caves of Kreshniva⁣. They live alone, only meeting with other Teskis to mate.
They also hunt alone. When a mother Teski has offspring in its den, the mother will go out hunting and bring back food for its offspring.

Attacking

These creatures have very strong front legs, allowing them to strike with terrifying strength. They are also able to use simple spells, the main two being ice and death magic.

Reputation

The reputation of the Teskis depends on who you ask.
Most Kreshmen⁣ will tell you that, while they're definitely a threatening creature to be reckoned with and feared, they're not something to be constantly worried about unless you're stupid enough to walk into their den. There are Kreshman folktales, though, that say the Teskis are born from the nightmares of Kreshmen children.
Non-Kreshmen, however, see the Teskis as being a sub-species of the Demons⁣. To them, the Teskis are horrifying monsters that will tear apart their victims as soon as they lay eyes upon them. Non-Kreshmen folktales tell of a northern ice demon that steals away children in the night to dine on their flesh and soul.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Teskis have six legs, each having sets of talon-like claws. Their neck joints are like owls', in that they're able to swivel around 270 degrees.
Their skeletons are very wiry, and most of their body is made up of muscle. This is in turn covered by small scales, with tufts of fur between them.

Genetics and Reproduction

A mother Teski will lay a cluster of eggs, often 8 to 15. These eggs have become a Kreshman delicacy, as have the young.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hatchling

Hatching to 3 months
While a hatchling, baby Teskis are fed by their mother, and are generally defenseless without her. This state is a delicacy for Kreshmen, and is what many hope for if they discover a nest.

Youth

3-7 months
Once a Teski's claws begin to grow, they are considered youths, and are taught to hunt by their mother. While youths are weak in comparison to any other active stage, they are hard to see and unpredictable. Youth Teskis are generally considered the most dangerous for these reasons, and have killed the largest numbers of travelers and explorers, on their own or through the summoning of their mother.

Pridelings

7 months-1.5 years
After around 7 months, the young Teskis have generally gotten down the basics of hunting, and no longer need to rely on their mother. As such, they begin to leave their nest, and wander in search of their own cave territory to call home. After a prideling has left its mother, the mother no longer considers them as a youth, and will not hesitate to attack and eat them, just as she would to any other Teski.

Adult

1.5 years-death
After having found and claimed their own territory, Teskis are then old enough to fertilize eggs and reproduce. While little is known about the reproduction process, due to the inability to domesticate Teskis, it is assumed that in some way, the male Teskis, once in heat, search for the nest of a female who has laid eggs. The males would then fertilize the eggs, and attempt to sneak back out of the nest, as to not get caught and eaten by the female who made the nest. Another theory suggests that female Teskis may leave their eggs out of their nests, near male territories, in order to get them fertilized. Once fertilized, the eggs would be brought back to the nest and kept until hatching.

Ecology and Habitats

They primarily live in ice caves, especially those found in the mountains.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Teskis are carnivores. Their primary prey is Actreines⁣, though they have also been known to eat other Teskis. It's assumed that Teskis also hunt other animals when they aren't able to catch an Actreine or another Teski.
Often, if a Teski eats another Teski, it's either a weaker Teski or an offspring that has overstayed its welcome.

Biological Cycle

The temperature of their cave causes changes in the Teski's body. If the cave is warm, they will have less fur between their scales. If the cave is colder, they will have more fur. Similarly, due to living in caves, their internal clock is based on the presence of magic in the cave, rather than the sun. As such, they tend to alternate between waking and sleeping at intervals of 6-10 hours, depending on conditions such as food supply, present dangers, and hatchlings.

Additional Information

Social Structure

None whatsoever. Teskis live on their own, and will not hesitate to attack or eat other members of their own species.

Domestication

There have been no successful attempts at domestication. Adults could barely be taught, and the ones raised by Actreines could be taught but wouldn't reproduce.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Both eggs and young Teskis are seen as delicacies in Kreshniva.

Facial characteristics

Teskis are known for having five eyes, one of which is located beneath the mouth. It is assumed that this eye is used to keep its footing while chasing the shapes of prey. Protecting this eye while hunting and eating are two rows of teeth on top and bottom. Each tooth measures approximately .8 inches, in addition to the roots. Each row has approximately 28 teeth, and as such the teeth are extremely narrow. Oddly, the teeth tend to be used only to kill the prey, not to tear it apart and eat it, as their lower jaw is able to dislocate itself, opening the mouth far enough to swallow most prey whole. It is theorized that the rows of teeth function much like sharp rocks or sandpaper, grinding down their prey as they swallow, though no tests or examinations have been able to provide conclusive results.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Primarily within Kreshniva's ice caves, as the mountain range prevents easy migration to anywhere else.

Average Intelligence

Intelligent enough to learn from experience (for instance, areas often frequented by their prey)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sight - Teskis have very poor vision. They instead use echolocation to be able to navigate and "see".
Touch - Teskis are able to feel changes in temperature around them and in familiar places, allowing them to feel the presence of their prey.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Symbiotic Species

There is a species of bush that Teskis often use to make their nests.

Parasitic Species

Not plagued by any parasite in particular

Additional Details

The word "Teski" comes from Kreshnei⁣ words meaning "cold" and "hunt".

Translations:

tɛgbɶl - Cold
ʑɔ - Hunt

Other Names:

Northern Ice Demon, Kreshman Ice Demon, obnoxious cave trolls

Lifespan

25 years

Conservation Status

Teskis are actively hunted when encountered.

Average Height

1 yard

Average Weight

500 kg

Average Length

10 feet

Average Physique

Teskis tend to be rather thin in shape, made up of primarily bone and corded muscle, giving a slim form. Each leg extends from an oblong torso, bending at each of their three knees, before ending in a talonlike claw-covered foot. These feet, along with the excessive number of joints, allow for Teskis to climb walls in their caves, giving them a relatively free range of movement in their nests. The torso has three legs per side, spread evenly along its 8-foot form. One end of the torso carries the head, while the other bears a large sack of sorts, used for the laying or fertilizing of eggs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their scales are usually a rocky brown, with the fur being either black or brown.
The fur will sometimes turn silver for older Teskis.

Related Articles

Kreshniva⁣
Kreshmen⁣
Demons⁣
Actreines⁣