Ghirusalk

Name meaning: "Charred bones," Infernal
Belongs to: Count Consort Khellan Thriyan
Age: Unknown
Ghirusalk is an infamous beast--the massive, monstrous crocodile owned by the leader of the Rangers Aeskethi and Count Consort of Lockhinge City, Khellan Thriyan (though, both parties would likely argue the term "owned").
Many of the crocodiles from Lockhinge Bask claim to carry Ghirusalk's blood, including Treasure, belonging to Lord Tekhetsio Thriyan. It is rumored that Ghirusalk's ferocity is matched only by his intelligence, and these are the qualities said to be passed down through the Lockhinge Bask's bloodlines. His undying loyalty to Count Consort Thriyan is also well-known, but the Count Consort has said that this is not a trait that one can breed into a crocodile, but is the result of high intelligence plus a tirelessly-developed bond between crocodile and handler.

Appearance

Though Ghirusalk has contributed notably to the stock of the Lockhinge Bask, he has a significant amount of Three Twins Bask blood in him. Thanks to this ancestry, he has a distinctive black/charcoal-grey look to him, which he tends to pass on to his descendants, as well as a ragged and almost thorny look to his longest scutes. Though his hide is almost entirely blackened now, he supposedly had bands of lighter scales scattered throughout, especially over his back, almost like ribs. This coloration and pattern is what led to his name. This is also thought to be where Treasure inherited her own scattering of lighter-colored scales.

History

Just as the truth of the entire Thriyan family's history is impossible to separate from myth, so is Ghirusalk's. No one would argue that Ghirusalk must be an ancient creature, judging by his size alone, but there are both rumors that the old beast met the Count Consort as a young ranger, and that the Count Consort is just as ancient as Ghirusalk and rescued him when he was a new, abandoned hatchling.
The only thing that is known for certain is that Ghirusalk has served the rangers alongside the Count Consort for decades, and the Countess has said on more than one occasion that Ghirusalk has known the Count Consort far longer than she has. She has also said that the crocodile's approval of her had been one of the primary reasons that they'd decided to get married.

Personality

Any of the rangers who have ever worked with the Count Consort and Ghirusalk will attest both to the crocodile's uncanny intelligence, and his almost spiteful unwillingness to work with anyone but the other Sentinels. Not only can the Count Consort use more than simple commands when instructing Ghirusalk, but the two seemingly don't need to converse at all to be mutually understood, sometimes. This gives rise to such things as the crocodile sharing judgements of a situation without being able to speak, and rising suddenly from the waters of the swamp in times of crisis without being called.
This habit of serendipitous interference on behalf is Ghirusalk is especially impressive that he and the Count Consort are often far apart from one another for extended periods of time. While not directly accompanying his handler, Ghirusalk is out living an independant life--defending his territory (and much of the area around Lockhinge, by extension) from crocodiles who rival him in size or challenge him in temperament, and taking out any monstrous threats he comes across.

Current Location

Greymantle Marsh

Species

Greymantle and Lockhinge Crocodiles

Pronouns

He/him

Aligned Organization

Rangers Aeskethi