Elancul (Ee-lan-cue-el)

Elancul are large, elk-like creatures that roam the plains and forest edges of Varenval, Konard, Anwer, and Daendar. Elancul are considered to be crepuscular, though elancul show no apparent need for sleep and thus can be found at any time. Elancul have been responsible for the death of many people throughout the eochs, including wiping out a small mercenary settlement in Anwer around 60 eoch ago.
While the origin of elancul is unclear at best, many assume that they are a byproduct of warring Godlings from their Eochon. Attempts to cull elancul populations have been completely unsuccessful, largely due to a lack of understanding of elancul breeding and the potential for elancul "resurrection" if proper slaughter processes are not followed. Additionally, as no benefits have been discovered from elancul corpses (with no meat to speak of and highly porous and brittle bones), there is no other incentive to kill elancul aside from protecting settlements. Instead, many people have simply opted to settle outside of elancul territory.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Elancul are large, elk-like creatures with powerful front and rear legs (four limps total) as well as a large skull with branching antlers. Despite a typical need for muscular structures to enable movement, elancul have no such muscles and are instead nearly entirely comprised of porous bone, though occasionally elancul can be seen with sloughing fur and cartilage.

Genetics and Reproduction

No one understands how elancul reproduce, except that limited studies have shown that elancul are likely not diseased or otherwise afflicted elk or deer. Elancul seem to be a wholly different species that is able to reproduce, in some way.
Based off of observed regeneration of elancul when the antlers are not sufficiently destroyed, it may be that different segments of antlers, if left too far apart, will each regenerate into two seperate elanculs.

Growth Rate & Stages

All elancul that have been recorded are approximately the same size, with no available indications of age or life stages. While some have speculated that elancul with "dangling" fur and cartilage may be younger than those without, thinking that perhaps they are borne like normal elk before deteriorating, no one has ever been able to prove this.

Ecology and Habitats

Elancul largely occupate similar ranges to elk, though they do not seem more susceptible to cold or heat beyond any other species and could, potentially, live in any environment. Elancul have very little impact on their environment except that they consume other living creatures and leave dried, husk-like corpses after they have eaten. Anecdotal accounts also speak of elancul absorbing moisture from plants or water sources, but these have not been verified or confirmed.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Elancul seem to exclusively hunt living creatures, goring them with their horns or trampling them and then absorbing the moisture and liquids out of their body through prolonged contact between the elancul's bones and the dead creature. Elancul seem to have little preference for specific prey, and they can go for long periods of time without killing any prey at all. An elancul that was trapped in a cave in Daendar was said to have lived for 35 eochs with no food at all, save for the hunter it killed before it was trapped in the cave.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Elancul possess no eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or skin to drive sensory perception. However, elancul often behave as though they possess all of these facets, and their "eyesight" and sense of "smell" are especially keen. However, local groups who have lived near elancul populations instead attest that elancul senses are magical in nature and that blocking all magical senses can incapacitate an elancul for a limited time.

Origin/Ancestry

Eochon of the Godlings

Conservation Status

Elancul are actively hunted to try and eradicate them.