Helscarper

Helscarpers are vicious pack-hunters who live in some of the more volatile regions, preferring to hunt in scorched desserts and places riven with vulcanic activity. They are well coordinated and fight like a well-oiled machine, surrounding prey and attacking from blind spots. Despite fierceness, they are very playful and nurturing amongs themselves, outside competitions for mates and leadership.
The origin of helscarpers is suspected to be less than natural, especially given their taste for divine flesh. Some suspect demons to have bred them to get rid of meddling divine agents, a popular enough theory that it influenced their name. Other suspects dragons of having bred them, to help strengthen their dominion by destroying divine beings that would challenge them. As helscarpers answer neither to demons or dragons, some think it might just be that nature itself had a hand, perhaps because of a once overabundance of divine beings in the area they originated in.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A helscarper has a somewhat canine body, walking on four feet. Their stocky bodies are covered in a thick layer of black fur. Bony spikes protrude from their back and their head is crowned by a pair of curled, heavy horns. Their maws are filled with sharp, serrated teeth, perfect for tearing chunks out of prey.
Helscarpers are not completely fireproof, but can exist in conditions of tremendous heat without discomfort. Most larger predators avoid eating them, as the spikes can make consumption of them painful. The smell of ichor, divine essence, causes a reaction in them that increases their body's production of adrenaline and testosterone, almost always leading to a attack.

Genetics and Reproduction

Helscarpers enter a rut after a period of succesful feeding. This is especially true if they've feasted on flesh rich in ichor. Males court females, usually fighting each other to show strength and power. Females show the yare ready and willing by standing still, allowing the male to mount her with minimal risk of being gored by her spikes. The males then impregnate the female through sexual intercourse. The litter, numbering one to three pups, take about half a year before they are born.

Growth Rate & Stages

Helscarper pups are born with only their parents and spikes as protection. Over the next season, they begin to walk, playfight and after the second season, are capable of hunting alongside their pack.

Ecology and Habitats

Helscarpers prefer high-temparature areas. Deserts, volcanic ranges and similar. Such areas tend to be left without a hint of divine magic, as the helscarpers ferociously hunt it down wherever they find it.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Helscarpers are carnivores. They hunt just about any creature, though avoid those that are significantly larger, even with a notable numbers advantage. They are not afraid to attack species such as humans.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Helscarpers live in mixed gender packs that usually are comprised of multiple family lines. These group are lead by a couple, usually the oldest and most experienced, though this is not always the case as the leading couple must be able to defend their position with force. Helscarper packs split and merge depending on availability of food. When packs merge, the leading helscarpers duel with their horns to establish a hierachy.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Helscarper fur makes for good materials in fire resistant clothing.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Helscarpers have managed to spread to a large number of spheres

Average Intelligence

Helscarpers are clever packhunters, capable of making coordinated attacks which allows them to prey even on larger creatures with success. They have a well developed social intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their eyes can take in minimal light, making them skilled at hunting even by nightlight. Helscarpers also have sharp senses of smell, that allows them to pick out prey even with smoke and ash in the air. They are especially adept at sniffing out anything with a hint of divine magic.

Scientific Name

Blasphemas Bestia

Lifespan

25 years

Average Height

1.2 meters

Average Weight

60 kilo

Average Length

1.6 meters