Bestiary

Xirocusta - by S.A. Robles ©2014 v1.0

Stats Description

Easily described as a gigantic lobster from a distance, Xirocusta are mammoth crustaceans inhabiting the waters of Xirorya capable of easily reaching thirty feet in length and weighing in at over seven-hundred pounds. Their bodies are primarily composed of muscle and chitinous armor, internal organs stretched thinly throughout numerous plated segments to minimize damage dealt to nonspecific locations. Although most are a ruddy brown or red, some rarer Xirocusta are ornamented with brilliant blues and green. ‘Gender’ is difficult to distinguish at a glance, however males’ largest claw is on the right while the females’ largest is the left. The major differentiation from the average lobster is how well-developed their limbs are, strong enough to allow them to move on land.

Lore

Sometimes called the ancestors of the Yiroki and all crustacean life, Xirocusta are living fossils that dwell primarily in the depths of Xirorya’s oceans and sometimes in more scattered bodies of water throughout it. Though far more intelligent than the average animal, the creatures are asocial and rarely congregate outside of breeding, many of which are often violent and involve brutal dismemberment and mutilation to decide who is the dominant male and female. Terrifying as it may be to imagine such battles, their ability to manipulate even the smallest amounts of water adds a whole new dimension to the violence they can unleash. Though unable to speak any known language, they seem capable of understanding body gestures and their aid can sometimes be bargained for with shiny things that they enjoy hoarding to decorate their otherwise drab carapaces.

The worst thing imaginable when facing a gigantic crustacean is the notion it might simply disappear and reappear before one’s own eyes, possibly appearing at an angle where it might lob off said eyes. Whenever fighting in a body of water or in the rain, Xirocusta may opt to liquefy their bodies entirely at a moment’s notice, dispersing themselves throughout raining droplets or ripples in the water. In effect, this allows them a 95% chance to nullify all non-magical attacks directed at them in a round by forgoing all attacks. However, on the following turn they receive a +20% to their melee attacks.

Similar to Dracothar, Xirocusta have an extraordinary regenerative factor when exposed to water--able to regenerate external and internal damage of even a disastrous nature within minutes. In addition to this, Xirocusta carapace is also unimaginably thick and provides protection to even its more lightly armored joints. Xirocusta regenerate from external damage in 1d4 rounds and reconstitute internal damage within 1d6 rounds while within a body of water or heavy rains, and have a -80% overall armor rating regardless of their surroundings.

In addition to having the brute strength to carve through sheet steel with their largest claw, the Xirocusta can perform two additionally destructive tricks. Likely adopted by the Yiroki is the ability to create supercavitation, however unlike them they can do it out of water by uses their primordial power to cluster water particles in the air, allowing them to casually blow holes in solid-shelled prey to feast upon. Xirocusta have two melee attacks at +40% to hit, and may opt to instead make a single ranged attack with a base 75% to hit that completely ignores armor rating by striking with such force they shatter bone behind even the strongest armor.

Primarily used for constructing their warrens, Xirocusta are capable of firing a concentrated jet of fluid -- in reality their own saliva -- with such intensity it can carve through stone and coral with an artisan’s precision. How they achieve this is unknown, but they often make elaborate homes underwater and decorate it with interesting shells and baubles they acquire. Damaging a Xirocusta’s abode is a death sentence for either the assailant for the home’s occupant; there is no way to pacify an infuriated one. This water jet cutter allows them to make a called shot to dismember a single target’s limb from a distance with a +40% bonus to the ranged attack.

Xirocusta Chitin can be substituted for Yirok Chitin for making armor, however upon being killed a Xirocusta’s chinin becomes translucent; this is effectively the same as having it Ether Tempered while still allowing for an additional enchantment. Sometimes a rather inventive individual might use its natural weapons in their inventions, too...