Rissator Hekrib Ke

Gunship Schrimp

The phrase ‘Giant shrimp’ does not in anyway describe these creatures, nor do them justice. A more correct phrase would be “Possibly the most feared animal ever encountered” at least if you were to ask any sailor on the Circled Sea. They are shrimp and they are giant. The smaller Rissator average a mere five to eight meters long, while the larger and more common Rissator average a moderate 15 to 23 meters in length. The Rissator are born in the deep depths of the Circled Sea where they spend all of their juvenile lives. As adults, as hunters, they range the entire sea, it’s deeps and shallows, for prey. Brotherhood records show that for a long time the Rissator did not have a favored prey and seemed to hunt each other as opportunity permitted. They did not hunt merchant ships, but some 13,000 years ago they started to understand, somehow, that merchant ships where good prey. Brother Nory-Ald the Green has proposed the interesting theory that the Rissator just treat merchant ships like dumb Rissator. “Hard on the outside, but very tasty on the inside.”

Basic Information

Anatomy

Rissator typical shrimp anatomy. The head of the Rissator in the front with all of its sensory organs, compound eyes on stalks, whiskers, and rostrum (beak). Limbs are found underneath used for swimming and shredding crippled prey. A thorax immediately behind the head contains gills, and other vital organs, and this leads to the tail, being the most lethal part of the Rissator. All of this, covered in a thick, practically impenetrable iron organic carapace shell.

Genetics and Reproduction

Mature Rissator cycle through two biological sexes during their life. Young adults are male and older more deadly adults are female. Rissator die females and are born males. At some point in the female’s life, typically several times, they will dive deep to the bottom of the sea (or close to) to deposit an lay eggs. Sometime later, a male will discover them and fertilize them. They are left and approximately three months later baby Rissator are born fully developed at two meters in size.

Growth Rate & Stages

The typical Rissator will reach adulthood in one year. It remains an adult male for an average of five years and then moves into its female stage for its remaining years.

Ecology and Habitats

The entirety of the Circled Sea.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Rissator are meat eaters. They require a significant amount of calories to maintian themselves and will often wait along trade routes that have been established for high calorie prey such as cargo ships or passenger ships. If this is not possible they will then hunt other animals or their own species. Many ship captains understand that if trade wasn’t so vigorous on the Circled Sea, the Rissator would most likely stop attacking ships, but of course, what captain would stop sailing?

Additional Information

Social Structure

None? Citizens have attempted to determine if the Rissator have a social structure, but it has never been a priority.

Domestication

Nope. Not at all. Every attempt has failed, in general very badly.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The meat is a delicacy and highly valued due to the risk involved in its acquisition, and of course the iron organic carapace is also valuable. The carapace can be used to repair ships or in general construction. Some specialist also use the carapace for other more unique uses.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are only found in the Circled Sea and are uncommon. Historically, records show that they were once rare.

Average Intelligence

Moderate Animal and highly aggressive.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Vibration Sense, Sonar and lowlight vision are all exceptional. They also use their sense of smell to track injured animals.

Lifespan

Approximately 15 yrs

Conservation Status

Jade List - Least Concern

Average Height

3 meters

Average Weight

2-3 tonnes

Average Length

8 - 28 meters

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Rissator have varied in colouration. Colouration that allows them to blend into the waters of the Circled Sea are common. Deep greens, light blues and variations are typical. 
Rissator do have brightly coloured highlights which they can bio-illuminate. Ecologists and specialist citizens have many theories regarding the purpose and use of these highlight markings.

Geographic Distribution

• Sèk Tela Hringhafi

Danger Level:
Deadly. Really deadly. Seriously.
Speed:
Faster then most boats.
Armour Class:
Very good. In some cases exceptional. These guys are really tough.
Attacks each round:
1 at range - cavitation bubble of super heated water which will rip a hole in almost everything. A big hole which would really mess up your boat. You know tear it apart.
4 melee - nasty claw attacks designed to rip prey into small bite sized portions. So painful. So sharp. Why are you in the water with this thing?
Reach:
Range - 60 meters
Melee - 4 meters
Special Qualities:
Water dweller.
Practically silent.
Almost impossible to surprise.
Treasure:
None. Where would they keep it?
Unless you count the large amount of meat that can be taken if the Rissator is killed.
Tactics:
Rissator are ambush hunters by preference. They wait motionless in the water for days until prey comes in range of their attack. Their first attack is always a cavitation bubble, and they continue to attack from underwater until the prey is crippled or out of range. They will pursue.
They are solitary and will likely attack each other than not.