Rotgoroth, Tunnel Horror
The Rotgoroth or Tunnel Horror is a very rare Ivashu, it resembles an enormous multi-legged insect. The Tunnel Horror has a segmented body with a tough hide that is covered in heavy chitanous plates. The head is armored with a large forward facing horns that it uses to knock rocks out of the way. The Rotgoroth uses its enourmous forelegs with heavy shovel like arms to burrow into the earth and grab and hold prey. The shorter rear legs are brush like with spike like hairs that it uses to sweep earth out of the way. Rotgoroths are between six and eight feet long and stand about about thee feet high.
The Tunnel Horror burrows into the ground where it awaits passing prey to burst forth upon. It attacks with its fore limbs grabbing its prey, spraying it with enzymatic base, then stuffing it into its toothy maw. to be quickly consumed. The thick hide makes it hard to pierce its back and sides but the joints and belly are vulnerable. If it sense it is losing a fight it will burrow into the earth, it can dig very quickly.
Farmers particularily hate Tunnel Horrors, as they find livestock to be easy prey. Interestingly, the Rotgoroth is equally hated by the Gargun, Rotgorth find Gargun nests to be a particular delicacy.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A large insect, long and low to the ground. The head is armored with forward-facing horns that it uses to dig and knock rocks out of the way. The Rotgoroth has sixteen limbs, six articulated fore limbs they walk upon and ten brush like rear limbs that are used to sweep, soil, rocks, and debris behind itself when burrowing. The have a thick chitinous exoskeleton, internally supported by a lattice of strong cartilage which allows for their extraordinary size. The two front legs are shovel like and which they used to dig. Their segmented body's hard plates make them difficult to damage, however their underbelly and joints are vulnerable. They breath through techea on the sides of the body, near the front.
Genetics and Reproduction
Like all Ivashu the Rotgoroth is sterile.
Growth Rate & Stages
Rotgoroth start medium sized about 3' (1m) in length but grow very slowly. They can eventually grow to about 8' (2.4m), but most adults are about 6' (1.8). They molt when the grow leaving a chitnous husk with they consume.
Ecology and Habitats
Found mostly in hilly regions accross the north central harn from Peran to foot hils of the Sorkins.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Although the Rotgoroth receives much of its nutrients from consuming organic materials from the soil through which they burrow, but must supplement their diet with fresh meat, especially calcium from the bones. The Tunnel Horror is an ambush predator, it digs into the earth and awaits passing prey, when it senses their virbrations they burst forth and grab thier prey with their forelegs, and pull them into its maw where in addition to crushing and grinding their still struggling prey it secretes acidic digestive enzymes partialy liquifying its victim for easier digestion, as a defensive measure it can spit these enzymes at foes.
Biological Cycle
They grow slowly molthing once every few years.
Behaviour
Tunnel Horrors have animal intelligence and are driven by the need to feed, they generally move slowly but can put on bursts of speed
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Animal
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Rotgoroth is mostly blind but is highly sensitive to vibrations, it uses its feet to stamp on the earth and create vibrations to 'see' and navigate their surroundings.
Origin/Ancestry
Ivashu
Lifespan
Unknown
Average Height
2' - 4' (60cm - 1.3m)
Average Weight
200# - 450# (90kg-200kg)
Average Length
4' -8' (1.1m - 2.4m)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dark brown top with tan under belly.
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