Yakdash

Basic Information

Anatomy

Yakdash bear has a vaguely humanoid, skinny form. Diamond shape scales cover this skeletal being whilst long, sharp claws adorn its hands and feet. Perfect for fighting and climbing. Yakdash's blood is dark green but it rapidly discolours when exposed to air, decomposing in the same quick way as their bodies when dead.  Rigor mortis sets in immediately upon death and the corpse will rot rapidly, often within a few hours. Yakdash also significantly vary in colour, with their eyes being a variety of red and orange shades and with scales that vary between green and blue in hue.

Genetics and Reproduction

When two Yakdash mate, it is a loud and obscure scene that cannot be described in detail as all those who have seen it up close promptly died. The female Yakdash begins to gestate a clutch of eggs over the course of 2 months before laying them in their nest which they have occupied. After this point they often abandon the eggs and move on to another nest while the eggs spend another month hatching.  The new-born Yakdash instinctively know to start feasting upon the food their parents left for them in the abandoned nest. Once this food is consumed their childhood has finished and they will then begin migrating to new nests.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gestation - After the Yakdash mate, a clutch of 3-7 eggs forms, spending 2 months developing within the female Yakdash before being birthed. The birthed eggs are then placed in a warm part of the nest by the female Yakdash before being abandoned. After spending a month alone in the nest, exposed to predators, the few surviving eggs hatch revealing the baby Yakdash, hungry to devour the food left by their parents.
0-6 weeks - Driven to survive by their base instinct, the baby Yakdash begin to stumble around their nest, slowly learning to balance, walk and fight. By pouncing on smaller critters and each other they practice their predatory and defence skills ready for the big world. They gorge themselves on the finite food supply left behind in the nest without realising it isn't endless. After learning how to walk, the bickering amongst the clutch leads to the Yakdash learning how to fight, now lightly wounding each other and killing bigger creatures. They advance quickly getting stronger and more skilled.
1-3 months - By now, the food supplies have already begun to run out, forcing the Yakdash to hunt and adapt, only the strongest and quickest to learn will survive. Their survival is on the line so they fight amongst themselves, challenges for food inevitably lead to an Alpha asserting itself as leader, although who is Alpha can change numerous times. The Alpha extorts food from the smaller, weaker Yakdash who are made to either comply or be cast out into the world. Eventually, the infighting loses all meaning as the Yakdash's attempt to find food ends.  They now have to make the choice to leave the area which is now empty of food and fallow as the Yakdash are forced to travel their separate ways, seeking out new sources of food elsewhere or starve trying.
3-12 months - Desperate to find food and a nest, the Yakdash are drawn into conflict, attacking and fighting people and creatures alike who they see as either  means to feed or a competitor for what little food there is to find. Many dye in their grand pilgrimage to a safe haven. When they eventually find a nest, the Yakdash relish in their sanctuary, gorging themselves on food and prey as they mark their nest with destruction. They are now free to rest and hunt, at least whilst predators are not near.

Ecology and Habitats

Having travelled long distances through thick and thin, Yakdash nestle themselves in dark, warm places filled with food, loving to occupy places such as cellars, pantries and abandoned buildings, destroying and devouring in a carnal power trip.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Deceptively frail, Yakdash hungrily gorge themselves on an omnivorous diet of anything they get their hands on, happily devouring fatty meats wherever available but are willing to eat spoiled food if times are hard, survivalism overriding luxury desires.
Growing hungry, a Yakdash begins by prowling its nest, quietly slinking through the darkness to devour blissfully unaware prey and snack on any remaining food stores, long abandoned by any previous occupants when the Yakdash took over. When a Yakdash comes on hard times, without a nest or food, it begins a desperate hunt, seeking prey and a nest in a primal effort to survive, going days without sleeping to achieve its goal.

Biological Cycle

Through a combination of injuries and age, a Yakdash sheds it's spines free, making room for newer, sharper spines to grow along it's back, head and limbs.

Behaviour

Aggressive creatures, Yakdash counter attempts to domesticate or pacify it, violently attacking people or creatures that approach it. When cornered, the Yakdash fights with a primal fury, desperation leading to a frenzy that can overpower even the most powerful fighters, striking fear into the unsuspecting and veteran alike. If, however, someone is lucky enough for the Yakdash to see an escape, it will focus upon it, self-preservation guiding it to safety.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Although most of a Yakdash's body becomes useless due to their rapid decomposition, the spines of a Yakdash are praised for their medicinal properties if prepared correctly.

Average Intelligence

Yakdash lack sapience but they have a. understanding of pack dynamics as well as basic tactics, capable of coordinating short plans in small groups to achieve their goals.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Yakdash have an exceptional ability to see in the dark, meaning they are able to see even in almost pitch black. Giving them a significant advantage as other creatures struggle to make anything out of such darkness. This advantage makes them formidable and extremely dangerous in darker environments.

Lifespan

7 - 9 years

Conservation Status

Yakdash have no special protection and global efforts are made to curb their numbers.

Average Height

0.5m - 1.5m

Homebrew

Yakdash CR: 2

Small to Medium beast,

Armor Class: 14 (Natural Armour)

Hit Points: 30hp (6d8+6)

Speed: 40 ft , climb: 40 ft

STR

13 +1

DEX

17 +3

CON

8 -1

INT

5 -3

WIS

6 -2

CHA

2 -4

Senses: Darkvision 120ft

Challenge Rating: 2

Last Stand: When below 50% health, the Yakdash can make one extra Claw attack on every one of its turns until combat ends.

Actions

Multiattack: The Yakdash makes two attacks; one with its bite and one with its claws, or two with its claws.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Usually filled with scraps of rotting leftovers and debris from whichever place the Yakdash has made home, its lair is a dank, smelly environment that provides shelter for a variety of smaller creatures such as rats and spiders.

Appearing similar to a less decayed form of ghoul crossed with a lizard, the Yakdash is a nocturnal beast that seeks out a warm, mostly dark place to nest, feasting on food and people alike. Usually, the Yakdash travel alone but occasionally they travel in small packs. An interesting quirk of the Yakdash is the dark green colour of its blood, that rapidly fades to a brownish green when exposed to the air for a few minutes.