Gargoyle

Straddling the line between elemental and animal, gargoyles are statuesque beings. They are renowned as beings of eternal patience, perfect ambush predators who use their stony form to blend in for entire cycles until prey is within reach. They are also naturally in tune with the animistic forces of the world, which allows them to physically interact with the spirits of the realm. This ability is often used to hunt or ward off spirits, which has given the rocky beings a reputation as guardians and protectors.
When not hunting, gargoyles do engage in a number of leisure activities, stonework being a popular choice. Different groups of gargoyles have their bodies composed of different types of stone, and they seem to have a natural gift for shaping the same type as what they're made off. In fact, gargoyles seem to impart some of their own power into any stone object they make and they serve as natural amulets against the influence of spirits.
Battles with gargoyles usually starts with them attacking from ambush, using their natural camouflage to score a devastating first strike. Should that not be enough to down their prey, they'll follow up with a combination of melee attacks and spells.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gargoyles have a bipedal build, with two arms and two legs, though their statue is hunched and they often huse their knuckles for support. From the back sprouts a pair of wings with which they can fly. Their claws and teeth are sharp and some of them also sport horns. Their skin is heavily infused with minerals to the point of basically being a flexible layer of stone. This elemental synergy protects them from earth based attacks. Furthermore, its hardness makes it difficult to stab or cut through, though blunt force works just fine. Their internal organs are also partially elemental and gargoyles do not bleed. They have an innate connection to the world of spirits and they are protected from the workings of the beings who live there or anyone who calls upon them. This also means they can physically interact with spirits, who otherwise often enjoys a degree of immunity to physical matter. Gargoyles are rightly often compared to statues and they use this as a natural camouflage in regions rich in décor. They can sit still for many cycles without moving without it having any negative effect on them. Their bodies are also highly morphic. Over the course of a many cycles, gargoyles adapt to whatever environment they live in. However, they can also push this adaptation to rapidly adapt in an emergency. Thisi s highly taxing and gargoyles a loath to do it too often out of a genuine concern that it might kill them.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gargoyles reproduce through sexual intercourse between male and female gargoyles. Ten to twenty cycles later, the female gargoyle lays a small rock, which for all intents and purpose functions as an egg. Over the course of about a year, the lifeforce imbued in the rock shapes it into a young gargoyle.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once they have taken shape, gargoyles possess full control of their body, though their minds still take about six to eight years to fully mature. Their eat a lot of mineral rich diets, including straight up eating rocks, in order to rapidly grow. Gargoyles are considered full adults by their ninth year on average.

Ecology and Habitats

Gargoyles have become a very urban species and can often be found congregating on tall buildings and fortified structures. They are often welcomes as guardians, as they eat many species considered pests, such as rats, and can protect the area from hostile spirits. In return, they are often paid with slabs of stone to eat. Gargoyles in the wild often live in mountainous areas with plenty of mineral rich deposits.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Gargoyles need a mixture of minerals and meat in their diet. The former is often dug from the earth itself. The latter is acquired through ambush hunting, sitting still until curious prey wanders too close to get away when the gargoyle pounces.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Gargoyles often gather in small group numbering five to ten individuals, with most being related in some way. They don't interact as much socially as other species might, be find accompanying each other to be very soothing.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Gargoyles are found in a wide number of spheres

Average Intelligence

Gargoyles are as intelligent as your average human. They are known to be very imaginative, which helps pass the many hours they spend sitting absolutely still.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gargoyles have very sharp eyesight and can see unhindered in the dark.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Gargoyle names tend to be very guttural and rough sounding, sometimes combining with words that references various types of stone.

Courtship Ideals

Gargoyles who develop a liking for another usually try to position themselves close by while they lay in ambush, so that they may bask in each other's presence during the long hours they spend standing still. The surest sign of these feelings not being reciprocated is the other gargoyle breaking stealth to move away.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Derkomai: While not born with knowledge of it like many primal beings, many gargoyle groups do use it.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Spirits: Gargoyles have a slightly antagonist relationship with spirits. Their natural abilities make them well-suited as protectors against and hunters of spirits, and many a gargoyle clan has served in this function. That is not to say gargoyles and spirits can't get along, but it is usually a rather tense alliance.

Scientific Name

Statuam Cogitandi

Lifespan

About 200 years

Average Height

2.4 -2.5 meters

Average Weight

270-300 kilo