Scorpiox

Scorpiox or hulking scorpions are a species of gigantic scorpions indigenous to the Marrow Desert of Nioa. They are powerful, ancient predators dating back to the Dawn Era and are easily recognizable for their two large grasping pedipalps and their curved, segmented tail which ends in a venomous stinger. Some scorpiox have been tamed by some of the more warlike Marrowmen but most remain wild beasts and most Marrowmen consider them to be vicious creatures to be hunted without mercy.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The body of a scorpiox is essentially the exact same as their non-gigantic counterparts. They have eight legs, two grasping claws or pedipalps, six eyes, a set of chelicerae or mouth parts and a long segmented tail which ends in a venomous stinger. Their entire body is covered in a thick, chitinous exoskeleton. Along their ventral regions, scorpiox boast a set of book lungs which allows them to breath. This is a notable weak point, as it is where the largest gap in their exoskeleton plates can be found.

Genetics and Reproduction

Scorpiox reproduce sexually, and have individuals of a male and female sex.
Sexual reproduction is accomplished by the transfer of a spermatophore from the male to the female. Scorpiox possess a complex courtship and mating ritual to effect this transfer. Mating starts with the male and female locating and identifying each other using vibrational communication. Once they have satisfied the other that they are of opposite sex and of the correct species, mating can commence.
The courtship starts with the male grasping the female's pedipalps with his own. The pair then perform a "dance" called the "promenade à deux". In this "dance," the male leads the female around searching for a suitable place to deposit his spermatophore. The courtship ritual can involve several other behaviors such as juddering and a cheliceral kiss, in which the male's chelicerae – pincers – grasp the female's in a smaller, more intimate version of the male's grasping the female's pedipalps, and in some cases injecting a small amount of his venom into her pedipalp or on the edge of her cephalothorax, probably as a means of pacifying the female.

Growth Rate & Stages

Scorpiox, like scorpions are viviparous as opposed to other oviparous arachnids. The young are born one by one, expel the embryonic membrane, if any, and the brood is carried about on its mother's back until the young have undergone at least one molt. Baby scorpiox are called scorplings. Before the first molt, scorplings cannot survive naturally without the mother, since they depend on her for protection and to regulate their moisture levels. Scorpiox scorplings stay with their mother for up to eighteen months. Afterwards, a mother scorpiox may prey on her young if they are found in her territory.

Ecology and Habitats

Scorpiox are indigenous to Nioa and are found throughout the north of the continent, avoiding the agricultural Mashiq and the woodlands of Kanesh. Scorpiox hunt at night, preferring to hide in earthen burrows during the day. They prefer to hunt in desert and scrublands, though they have ventured into mountainous areas of the Shanindar, where they lurk in caves during the day and then emerge to hunt in narrow valleys at night.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Scorpiox are nocturnal, opportunistic predators. The large pincers are studded with highly sensitive tactile hair, and the moment an insect touches these, they use their chelae (pincers) to catch the prey. Most of the time, their claws are strong enough to crush their prey and immobilize them. However, when dealing with their favorite food, sunblessed scarabs, scorpiox employ their lethal stinger. The venom of a scorpiox is a neurotoxin that paralyzes their prey, allowing them time to rip into the chitinous armor and feast on the creature's insides.

Additional Information

Domestication

Some communities in the Marrow Desert have experimented with taming scorpiox. However, their predatory behavior and aggressive temperament has led most groups to consider them to be more worthy of hunting than domestication.
The tlincali, or scorpion folk consider the scorpiox to be a sacred creature worthy of emulation. While they do not domesticate them, tlincali are known to use scorpiox to set traps and to harvest dead scorpiox for parts.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Scorpiox are feared by all inhabitants of the Marrow Desert. The indigenous Marrowmen sometimes hunt them for their armor and their paralytic venom but such an action is not taken lightly. The tlincali often watch over scorpiox, following them as they themselves hunt for prey too small for a scorpiox.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Northern Nioa (Marrow Desert, Niru River Valley, Ghostdunes, Western Shanindar)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Scorpiox have multiple methods of sensing the world around them. While unable to form sharp images, their central eyes are amongst the most light sensitive in the animal kingdom, especially in dim light, and makes it possible for nocturnal species to use starlight to navigate at night.
Additionally, scorpiox have sensory organs in their claws and legs, allowing them to feel vibrations through the ground as well as changes in the air current.

Origin/Ancestry

Nioan

Lifespan

20-30 years

Average Height

6-7 m. (20-25 ft.) with arched tail

Average Length

10-12 m. (30-40 ft.)