Chiton

The beetle beasts of Torrezon

One of our greatest assets as the people of Torrezon would definitely have to the the Chiton. In a land thats two thirds desert with savage beast tribes around every hill and dune, and a southern tip so hibid its said fish swim through the air, what more could you want than a massive beetle creature with just enough brains to know to protect its rider to the death? ~ Arannis Aloro of House Aloro, Fifth in line to the House of Aloro

Several hundred years after the founding of The Valcoran Empire , a secret sect of priests came to the then Empress Joba Elmahdy. They spoke to her of their discovery and worship of the God Nessumonthu and requested it be added to the Pantheon. To help secure his placement, they gave to her a gift from the Great Wurm, twelve large eggs. After hatching, these large beetle like insects great to massive stature and were used personally by the Valcoran Empress as royal steeds, who eventually gave them back to Priests of Nessumonthu and charged them with breeding the creatures and providing them to the people of the Empire.
Due to the lack of large mammals to domesticate in Torrezon, Chiton are used in place of horses, oxen and such as beasts of burden and mounts.

They are also considered, far superior to those creatures in that they not only live much longer, but also have the ability to understand speech and follow commands once taught. They are fiercely loyal to their trainers and owners, often acting like a large dog instead of a massive beetle, and will protect them to the death without a moments hesitation.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Chiton are large insect like beasts, they have six legs, and thick chitin exoskeletons. They can be either horned, or hornless. While all possess wings, only the very young are able to fly, as they tend to be to heavy to lift themselves off the ground as they grow.

Biological Traits

Chiton tend to live 60 years, but in rare cases have been recorded to live as long as 200 years. They start small, but at maturity they will stand between 8 and 19 feet high at the highest part of their shell and be easily 23 ft long, weighing well over 2000 lbs.
While rare, Chiton can sometimes grow to be massive beasts standing 30 to 40 ft high and weighing twelve tons, towering high above nearly everything else on the Continent of Torrezon.

Genetics and Reproduction

Chiton reproduce by laying eggs. The Silf (female) will lay eggs in a cluster of 10-20, in a open nest, either dug out of the ground or made of plant matter every 2 months. The Churl (male) will then deposit semen, coating the eggs in the substance and making a thick hard protective shell. This not only fertilizes the eggs, but also provides them with protection from the elements.
The eggs take three months to gestate, before the young Chiton chew their way out of the egg shells and emerge. They are roughly a foot long and weigh 10 lbs.

Growth Rate & Stages

Chiton start small, being about a foot long and high and weighing 10 lbs when they hatch as fully developed beetle like creatures. They grow slowly, reaching maturity at around age 15.

Ecology and Habitats

While Chiton are completely capable of surviving on their own in the wastelands and desert plains of Torrezon, they prefer to live with and in populous city centers and villages, where they can can be around humanoids.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Chiton are mostly herbivores, but do have the ability to eat and digest meat, as it is part of the training they receive when becoming war mounts.

Biological Cycle

Chiton, unlike most insects, grow their chitin exoskeletons with them as they grow bigger, never shedding it.

Additional Information

Domestication

The Chiton were created by Nessumonthu to serve the Valcoran Empresses, who in turn gave them to the people of the Empire as well seeing their great usefulness. While they are in no way slaves, they understand they were made to serve, and rejoice in role and importance within the Empire.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Chiton eggs are roughly the size of melons, making them a delicious dietary meal, rich in protein.

Average Intelligence

They have a spark of sentience, enough to understand language and follow commands, but not enough to speak themselves.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have limited tremorsense, an excellent sense of smell, and somewhat poor sight.

Lifespan

60 years.

Conservation Status

The Chiton are such a vital part of the people of Torrezons daily lives that specific measures are taken to prevent they continue to exist

Average Height

8'-19'

Average Weight

~2000-4000 lbs

Average Length

15'-30'

Average Physique

Massive

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They tend to be in varied shades of browns, blacks, and reds.