Raht
From ElanVital
Contents |
Physical Description
These small creatures fit roughly in the same category as a chipmunk or ground squirrel. They are similar to a furless mammal with a dull red skin. They have no ears, instead having simple holes and their heads bear three long whiskers over their brows. Tiny claws help them dig for food and create burrows. Their name of Raht is an unflattering reference to their rodent-like appearance despite the lack of ears and naked skin.
Magical Properties
When threatened, they mannifest a strange form of avatar. For a great many years, this avatar was actually believed to be some sort of seperate animal that would attack at seeming random and then disappear without cause. It was not until recent years and the discovery of Avatar that the data was re-evaluated. The avatar almost always takes on a form similar to a large dog, but with a single long tusk jutting from the middle of it's lower jaw and with an extra eye. The mannifestation is always a burning orange color that is all but neon and easily stands out against almost any native background.
Reproduction
Little is known about the mating practices of these creatures, but it is known that a pregnant female will dig a hole under a tree to lay her eggs. She buries this hole once done and never returns. When the next spring season comes, the eggs hatch and strange grub-like creatures tunnel into the tree above. There they tunnel through the inner wood of the tree, feeding on it as they grow. When they are about the size of a hot-dog, they burrow out of the tree and attach themselves to the side of the bark, going into a crysalis stage. This process generally takes until the fall to start and continues into the following spring. At this point the young Raht emerges in it's final form and lives the rest of it's life on or below the ground.
Habitat
Just about anywhere that has grass high enough to hide their bodies and holes for them to live in. They generally require an area with trees due to the nature of their early stages of life.
Danger Level
Low to medium. They are dangerous when using the avatar ability, but are not prone to continuing once they are safely out of harm's way.
