Vvrikarani

Vvrikarani are typically described as either plant-like canines or canine-like plants. There is much disagreement as to whether they should be considered flora or fauna, or if they should have a separate classification.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Vvrikarani consist of a wooden exterior body, and an interior made of vines. Roughly in the center of a vvrikarani is its core, which is a mass of vines. This is the vvrikarani's true body, and is protected by the wood that the vvrikarani inherited from its parents, which is the strongest wood in any vvrikarani's body. These vines collect wood and attach it to themselves to form the exterior body. As the wood is collected, the vvrikarani passively uses minor innate magic to fuse it to the vines and shape it into a canine-like shape. The only vines that remain unfused are the core and a few of its stronger vines, which are used as extra limbs through small gaps in the wooden body. If part of the vvrikarani's body is severed, it can reattach it with ease as long as it can reach it. If a part of its body is destroyed, it can regrow the vines and collect new wood. This usually takes some time, but the process can be accelerated if the vvrikarani is in danger. The only way to kill a vvrikarani is to destroy its core.
It is not known why vvrikarani take exclusively canine shapes. There are a few popular theories, however:

• The nature of their magical ability limits them to canine shapes.
• They are capable of taking other shapes but are not capable of having the idea to do so.
• They are the product of a canine creature being merged with a carnivorous plant, and as a result, prefer a canine shape. 

Genetics and Reproduction

Vvrikarani reproduce sexually and are oviparous (they probably aren't technically oviparous, but it is similar enough that most people refer to them as such). Their "incubation" period is three months, and their "eggs" are usually laid one or two at a time. Vvrikarani reproduction involves them literally opening up their exterior bodies and entangling their cores with each other. Because of this, they are extremely vulnerable during this time, and will only reproduce in places where they are completely safe from attack. 
The older a vvrikarani is, the more often it will be chosen by others as a mate.

Growth Rate & Stages

After two vvrikarani reproduce, their "eggs" are formed from some wood from each of their bodies, which will, after three months have passed, be the new vvrikarani's initial exterior body. As the vvrikarani grows, it will need to collect its own wood. The inherited wood will gradually move towards the core as the vvrikarani collects more of its own wood. This inherited wood will always be the strongest wood in a vvrikarani's body.
The age of a vvrikarani can be determined in three ways: size, quality, and the presence of leaves. Vvrikarani start off quite small, and when they reach adulthood, they are usually the size of a large Aevorean dog. After this point, however, they don't age as animals do. Rather than getting weaker with age, vvrikarani get stronger. A young vvrikarani that has gathered enough wood for its inherited wood to move entirely to the core looks like it's made of a bunch of twigs and branches crudely attached to each other, and will have many leaves for camoflauge. At this point, the body is quite fragile. As the vvrikarani ages, its grasp on its magical ability improves, the body becomes sturdier and better looking, and will gradually lose its leaves, since it doesn't need to rely on camoflauge as much. A very old vvrikarani will be entirely devoid of leaves, will look as though it was crafted by a master artisan, and will be incredibly difficult to damage.

Ecology and Habitats

Vvrikarani generally prefer to live in forests, because of the abundance of wood. However, vvrikarani sightings in less wooded areas are not unheard of, especially in places with wooden structures.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Vvrikarani are carnivorous and are somewhat adaptable. Young vvrikarani typically camouflage themselves among plants and strike at small prey that crosses their path. As a vvrikarani gets older, it will rely less on camouflage for protection and hunting, and will instead begin to rely more on speed and strength. As this occurs, it will also start to go after larger prey.

Biological Cycle

The leaves of a vvrikarani change color in the autumn, but they are not shed until winter.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Vvrikarani typically live in packs, with the leader of the pack being the oldest vvrikarani.

Domestication

Domesticated vvrikarani are common in Naraka as guards and pets.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Because their bodies are made of wood and vines, vvrikarani are not typically hunted. However, bounties will sometimes be placed on them when their populations get too high.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The vast majority of vvrikarani are located in Naraka.

Average Intelligence

Vvrikarani are more intelligent than many other animals but are not sapient.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

In terms of normal senses, vvrikarani are generally average. However, in addition to the normal set of senses, they can also detect vibrations in the ground around them if they can plunge some of their vines into the ground. This does technically work if they just rest their vines on top of the ground, but only with extremely limited range, so it's not very useful.
Vvrikarani feel pain in their wood, but it is dulled almost to the point of nonexistence. They feel pain normally in their vines.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Vvrikarani will be targeted by some parasites that target trees, but few can actually survive for long inside of one.

Lifespan

Indefinite, or until they are destroyed.

Conservation Status

Because they don't weaken with age, vvrikarani populations are always high. It is not uncommon for there to be bounties on vvrikarani around cities, especially those located close to forests.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The exterior color of a vvrikarani depends on the type(s) of wood they collect. Their vines are typically green.

Geographic Distribution

• Naraka