Nox Dreah

Basic Information

Anatomy

A tall bipedal lizard with long horns. They have short ridges of sharp scales along their backs and arms, and their bodies resemble more dinosaur or dragon-like beings. They are taller than the average human, with shorter legs than arms. They use their long arms when walking in their hunched posture, to clamber over rocky terrain. Their heads are covered in a protective plating, but the scales below are more cosmetic, for intimidating opponents. They have two large, spike-like horns, and crocodile-like snouts. The plating on their heads resembles a skull-like mask, and is made of keratin. The stomach of the nox dreah is a cauldron of acid, as they produce a chemical that causes them to have constant acid reflux. The noxious gas produced is one they use to knock out prey, and if too much time is spent in the gas, it can corrode organic matter. They are immune to this acid, as the lining of their stomachs and mouths contains a protein that breaks the acid down to its more harmless components when it comes in contact.

Genetics and Reproduction

A nox dreah will only lay one clutch of eggs in a lifetime, usually anywhere from 2-7. These eggs will be fiercely guarded by the male while the female hunts.

Growth Rate & Stages

A young nox dreah is unable to produce the toxic chemicals of an adult because their internal organs have not yet developed their immunity to the corrosive quality, so they are fed with scraps of the parents' kills. When they reach adolescence their acid glands begin to produce the chemicals, and the father will bring live animals to the child so that it can practice using its gas to kill them. Once they are adept with the expulsion of this gas, they leave their parents side, usually traveling with their siblings until they reach full adulthood and part ways.

Ecology and Habitats

Like kyn dreah, the nox breed sleep in caves at night, and spend large portions of time sleeping after meals. However, nox dreah live high in rocky mountain ranges, usually on the border of volcanic valleys, where there are natural gas pockets. They inhale the gases expelled from the earth to help produce their own chemicals.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The nox dreah will wander from its cave in search of large mammals, typically yaks, antelopes, or other even toed ungulates. They typically approach prey slowly when they are grazing in herds, and frighten the group to isolate one creature in the chaos. Because they are not especially sturdy, they must rely on the strength of their noxious breath to knock out large prey, which they drag back to their caves to eat over the course of days or weeks. If another dreah challenges them for their kill, they will take turns expelling gas into each others' faces until one falls unconscious. If the gas is strong enough to kill one of them, the victor will take the kill and the loser's body to eat, but they will never take a living loser. The gas can also corrode bone and natural armors, meaning creatures that would normally have defense against predators are at risk from nox dreah.

Biological Cycle

In the colder months of their high altitude habitats, the nox dreah will grow a second skin layer to insulate themselves, which is a darker color to absorb more heat from sunlight. When the warm months return, to avoid over heating, they shed this second darker layer.