Hellodile
by AI generated using Nightcafe
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Hellodile species have 6 large muscular legs that they use to propel themselves either on the surface of the ice, or the depths of River Styx. They have a very wide, flattened tail that they can use to swim at incredible speeds while in the water. An armored plate with two large horn like protrusions sit on top of its head that it can use to break through the ice and grab unsuspecting prey. With 4 eyes, 2 of wich are used for normal sight and darkvision while the other 2 having truesight, the Hellodile can locate even the stealthiest of prey. They have a specialized breathing organ that allows them to breathe underwater completely without the need to surface for air like crocodiles and alligators on the material plane. They generally have a much larger and more muscular build than the average alligator or crocodiles found in timeuria.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Hellodiles mating ritual involves a display of dominance among the males, vying for the right to procreate with the females in their respective territories. A single male that is strong might mate with as many as 20 females or more in one mating season. This process ensures that the strongest genes get passed down to the next generation and that the species has a greater chance of survival.
The hellodile reproduce via eggs that they lay to be hatched. They have been known to lay their eggs both above and below the water, just depending on what is the most favorable location near their territory. They will generally kill some sort of prey and then lay the eggs in its carcass so that the newly hatched hellodiles will have a meal immediately upon being born. This keeps most of them from fighting or eating each other as they have a readily available food source. The eggs take roughly 2 months to hatch once laid and the baby hellodiles are small and succeptible to the vast array of dangers waiting for them in the River Styx as well as in the wastelands of the Outlands.
Once the eggs are laid by the mother, they are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. A cold reality that mirrors the icy depths of the 5th level of hell. This allows the mother to regain strength quickly and get prepared for the next mating season. There are 2-3 mating seasons per year from what has been reported from various sources, but this is unconfirmed at this time.
Growth Rate & Stages
The egg stage of the Hellodile is the most vulnerable, although the mothers generally try to pick a safe location to store the eggs until they hatch. They are defenseless until that day comes.
The next stage which are hatchlings aren't out of the woods yet. They must eat their way out of the carcass left by their mother and gain strength and size quickly and avoid any larger creatures until they get bigger. This stage usually lasts a few weeks.
The Juvenile stage sees them grow tremendously in size over the course of 6 months until they reach the early stages of adulthood. At this stage they can begin to fend off some larger predators but its still best to avoid them to ensure survival. With their keen senses they learn to move around silently through the depths, maneuvering around would be preadtors.
Finally the adult stage starts around 8 months, and can go as long as 300 years if reports are to be believed. When they first reach this age they are anywhere from 15-20 feet long and weigh around 1500-2000 lbs. The largest recorded adults measuring up to 50 feet long and weighing over 10,000 lbs.
Ecology and Habitats
The optimum habitat for this creature is one where they can hide and wait for their prey in silence and ambush when they least expect it. Most of them have chosen Stygia over the millennia, however they have been known to travel to other planes via the River Styx and have found success in those as well.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They need to eat nearly constantly to maintain their extreme size, and as such they traverse and protect very large territories in order to survive. As far as their exact diet, they have been known to eat just about anything that they can kill, regardless of size. Once they've reached full adulthood there are very few natural predators that are a threat to them so all other creatures are fair game, including humanoids.
Behaviour
The Hellodiles are a ruthless and highly specialized killing machine. They have been known to hunt and eat members of their own species at times, especially if they trespass into their territory and food is scarce. For the most part they are solitary animals, except during mating seasons.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Hellodile has incredible heightened senses including, truesight, blindsight, and the ability to smell prey for up to 1 mile away even through 1 foot thick ice.
Civilization and Culture
History
Born near the time of creation of Timeuria, these creatures have existed on this world for eons. They spawned their much smaller crocodiles and alligators descendants that we see on the material plane today. Due to the lack of larger prey the ones on the material plane shrank in size over time, favoring significantly smaller builds.
It is unclear where exactly these creatures spawned from, whether from primordial beings or a creation of Astriel himself, but one thing is clear. They are utterly terrifying.
Scientific Name
Crocodylidae Infernalis
Lifespan
250-300 years
Average Weight
> 10,000 lbs
Average Length
> 40 ft
Geographic Distribution
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