Hull-Breaker Crab

The Hull-breaker Crab is a diverse creature/family of creatures. Given the wide variety of coloration, dietary habits, shapes and behaviors, as well as their wide range in habitat, particularly in temperature, it is likely they are a family of closly related sub-species. However they are all by and large referred to the same, as if one species. They are impressive creatures, true coastal behemoths, and are unique and interesting beasts. Their name stems from a notable behavioral trait, as they seem to have learned that fishing and whaling vessels in particular, are easy sources of food. Thus they are oft considered a pest or nuisance species in larger port towns and cities, an unfair reputation I would argue. They just trying their best to live their lives. Not the crab's fault we like creating all you can eat buffets for them behind naught but flimsy wooden hulls.

Montague Cuchilian Williamson, aka Mochi, a beloved Naturalist, author, and academic.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Like any species of crustcean, Hull-Breaker's are invertebrates, with no internal skeletal structure. They have an extremely thick exoskeleton which houses their vulnerable flesh. This chitin, as it is known, is extremely tough, an effective armor for the creature, however is not flexible, and they never truly stop growing. As such they regularly have to molt, which is a process wherein their exoskeleton will crack apart and fall off, leaving them quite vulnerable. During this time, it is common for Hull-Breakers to seek deep crevasses and caverns within their aquatic homes to hide in, waiting for their new exoskeleton to form and harden. This process is widely varied depending on the environment, availability of food, temperature and other factors, however it happens generally about once every two to three years that the crab lives. The new exoskeleton hardens and forms after but three to four days, not so long a time, after which the crab will likely immediately take to the hunt, needing sustenance after enduring the energy intensive process of its body forming that new outer layer.

Biological Traits

Hull-breakers are unique in a couple of ways that stand out from other crustceans and even other species as...robust. The first is the unique shape of their claws, with the inner 'mouth' being sharp and pincer like as one may expect, but with the outer structure solid, bumpy, and hefty, a heavy bashing implement. They can move their claws with surprising swiftness and force, capable of cracking holes in other crustcean's shells or even in ship hulls. In territorial disputes these claws will be deployed against one and other if all other methods of show and bravado and aggression to fail to turn one of them away.

The second is their chitin, which has evolved as a smooth but rounded surface, not disimilar to the most effective stylings of plate armor. We shall never know if the initial designs of such robust armors were inspired by such creatures, but one can see the similarities. Angled and rounded for deflection instead of absorption, this chitin is also known for its coloration, that is the wide variety of shades and hues it can come in. This material is also surprisingly lightweight in comparison to metals and their ilk, and in some coastal or island regions, it is not uncommon to see the chitinous shells used for protective garments, armor in their own right.

Genetics and Reproduction

Not a whole lot is known of understood about the reproductive habits of these, or any other, crustcean, given the unique challenges such studies would present. What we do know is that they lay eggs deep in crevasses or underwater cavern systems, protecting them until they hatch, and that the young will generally live within such smaller biomes, competing with each other for the limited food of the smaller fish and other such creatures that may live in such regions of the sea, as well as engaging in some level of cannibalistic and self predation behavior. It is estimated that a clutch of eggs may range from thirty to forty, but only perhaps ten to fifteen will make it to adulthood, being large enough to leave the relative safety of those confined environments to begin life in the wider coastal biomes that these crabs call home.

Growth Rate & Stages

So far as any conventional research can tell at time of my writing, crustceans seem to have no real age limit, being as close to functionally immortal as one may find amongst the normal realm of nature and sciences as we might understand them, that is without any direct interaction or influence from the forces of the arcane or divine. They seem to mature fast enough, within two to three years after hatching, so generally after their first full molting.

Ecology and Habitats

Hull-Breaker Crabs are a fully aquatic species, and a diverse and widespread species encompassing many sub-species that can comfortably make their home in tropical, temperate or even arctic waters. They are hunters and bottom feeders, targeting mostly fish, other smaller crustceans and any parts of larger beasts that sink to the floor. However they also have a penchant for attacking fishing vessels and whaling vessels, seeming to have learned and adopted/evolved this behavior, recognizing the potential easy food source such vessels and their cargo or towed bounties represent.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Hull-breakers are a delicacy worth a great risk in many cultures and coastal regions all across Valerick. This style of crab jigging, with beasts this large is nothing short of dangerous, exceedingly so. Yet many would argue their is no finer a meal than fresh crab meat and that Hull-breakers are the best of the bunch. The chitin also has many uses, the material being hardy, crack resistant, lightweight, and armor like, sees it used in a variety of goods.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Hull-breakers, like many crustceans, seem to have senses we don't fully understand, particularly a sensitivity to motion in their aquatic environment almost. They possess no sense of smell as any humanoid would recognize, their eyesight seems middling at best, and their sense of hearing, such as it is, is quite limited

Hull-Breaker Crab Base Stat Sheet

Scientific Name

Capsi Crustica Herculias

Geographic Distribution

• Continent of Durol
• Continent of Gavis-Lune
• Continent of Wyriel