Linnorm

Linnorms are ophidian beings of impressive size, massive predatory snakes who traces the lineage of their kind back to the goddess Maya. Imbued with divine power from birth, linnorms are terrifyingly good predators with a mind for ferreting out the weakness of anything they decide is prey. Which is a lot of things. They are still sapient, however, and can make for valuable allies and hunting companions. They tend to go with their needs when making decisions and it would not be incorrect to say they often seem to think more with their stomach or genitals than with their brain.
When engaging in combat, linnorms bring an arsenal of deadly weapons to bear. And they prefer to use as many at once as they can, enveloping their prey in their coils with tearing into them with venom-laced teeth. Against flying or ranged opponents, they will use their divine powers to compensate.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Linnorms have the body of giant snakes, with a head in one end followed by a massive, long body covered in thick scales. Their mouths feature not only two prominent fangs for injecting venom, but also rows of sharp teeth perfect for shredding prey. Linnorms are blessed by their creator deity Maya with immunity to all poisons and venoms. Similarly, they share their deity's ability to customize the venom of their fangs depending on circumstances, meaning conventional protection against such things fail roughly half the time to do anything. Of great health, they heal quickly from most injuries, their bodies rapidly reknitting itself.

Genetics and Reproduction

Linnorms reproduce through sexual intercourse. The impregnated female will carry two to three eggs in her womb for about two seasons before laying them. It takes another two seasons for the linnorm young to hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Linnorms are capable of locomotion and basic hunting at birth, but very feral of mindset. As such, the parents will usually care for them for the first ten or so years as they grow. Due to their effective metabolism, they physically mature very quickly over this period.

Ecology and Habitats

Linnorms have considerable appetites and live in areas with plenty of food, such as forests and plains. They act as macropredators and in forested areas create pathways through the vegetation with their massive bodies.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivores. Linnorms use a mixture of venom, constriction and the strength of their jaws to subdue their often large and dangerous prey. Smaller prey is usually just swallowed whole.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Linnorms are semi-social. They live in small clutches, but the need for food often mean they claim vast areas of space for personal use.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Linnorms are a common species and found in many spheres

Average Intelligence

Linnorms are a sapient, but very feral species. They tend to act on instincts, seeking to eat, sleep and mate as the mood takes them. Faced with anything requiring greater attention, they do show capability for problem solving and analysis, especially when it comes to figuring out how to down a stubborn prey. Still, they are less intelligent than your average human.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Linnorms have eyes and a nose. They have internal ears and thus sounds come off as a bit muted compared to humans. Their forked tongues can catch smells thanks to a special organ in their mouth and they are skilled at using it to track things.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Linnorm names tend to vary heavily from region to region, but tends towards powerful sounding consonants

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Mayan Faith: Most clutches of linnorms revere Maya as their creator deity and follow her edicts.

Common Taboos

Waste: Derived from their largely Mayan faith, linnorms considers intentional pollution, waste of ressources and similar to be offensive sins.

Scientific Name

Magni Anguis

Lifespan

200 to 300 years

Average Weight

110 to 120 tons

Average Length

17 to 18.5 meters