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Animals living in Calay are bigger and meaner for unknown reasons. The horses (Calaen Horses) are twice the size of normal horses and have fangs, the wolves (Island Hounds) are as big as normal horses and hunt Eahgles which are huge birds big enough to carry a human on its back. The only animal not bigger than its original form are the cows (Cloven), which are smaller, but far more deadly than all the rest.
Miscreations, or demons, live in various pits of hell and are vaguely humanoid while also being very much not human. It's unknown how they reproduce or how they evolved because any scientist who would care is also not well equipped to deal with the eldritch horrors that are miscreations. Miscreations are capable of destroying entire towns singlehandedly and often require a specialist to take them down.
Aberrants, or ‘Shadow Things,’ come from the Cloud; which is believed to serve as a bridge between the human world and the Aberrant world. Although Aberrants are incapable of straying out of the Cloud for too long, if one were to consume enough beings from the human world, it would gain the ability to survive outside of the Cloud.
Many believe that Aberrants feed not for hunger; if they even experience it; but rather to strengthen their connection to the human world.
The process known as ‘Surging’ is a point where when an Aberrant has a strong enough connection to the human world, it sheds its shadowy image and takes on a more natural form. Although an Aberrant that has Surged presumably loses the ability to travel to the Aberrant world, it no longer needs to stay within the range of the Cloud.
Most Aberrants are blind, and usually rely on sound to hunt. Some are only capable of sensing movement. Few are able to see clearly, and one specimen was able to see through solid objects.
The Khoxuots is an extraterrestrial being of unknown origin (meaning, it is unknown how certain specimens ended up on earth).
The species begins life as aquatic, unable to take in air but more than capable of surviving underwater as long as it avoids potential causes of death (such as getting eaten) for the first few years of its life. The first five years of the Khoxu’s live are its most vulnerable. From that point on, as the Khoxu matures, it becomes harder to kill - and thus, more advanced weaponry is often needed to kill it.
Males of the Khoxu usually stop growing at a certain size, usually a little over 10ft. Females, on the other hand, are capable of growing forever; but as they get older the time that they grow at gradually slows down. They cannot die from old age.
A matured Khoxu is semi-aquatic, capable of surviving on land or in the water.
Khoxu are carnivorous. They cannot live on anything other than meat.
Most Khoxu have a body covered in a layer of fluid that stays around for the body, as long as they aren’t exposed to extreme heat. The fluid is unknown, but it’s said to be somewhat thick, and not exactly much of a fluid - more like a slime. Without the fluid, the Khoxu’s scales are rough. The fluid is fatal when consumed - presumably, the Khoxu use this as a defense for animals who dare to bite them. The Khoxu are immune to it.
They are capable of releasing an intoxicating pheromone, that induces hallucinations. However, some people are immune to it, and it isn’t something that can be used freely.
Khoxu are immensely powerful in terms of physical strength. Their hands (of the matured females) are larger than a human skull, and if you were to high five them with the normal strength you’d put into one (theoretically) you’d surely end up with something broken or fractured.
The Khoxu have an inner jaw.
They are rarely capable of speech, though some subjects have been observed to do so.
When starving, they resort to cannibalism.
They generally live in groups, not necessarily together - but if you know your Khoxu, another one is bound to be in the area. When injured, they involuntarily release a scent to alert other Khoxu.
Though only observed in one individual (nicknamed the ‘Queen’) they seem to have a basic understanding of human society. The Queen has a more in depth understanding, however.
Khoxu are bold, unafraid to face dangers. They do not hesitate to move into human towns or cities, often forcing the existing population out in the meantime.
Their species takes a long time to mature. As children are vulnerable for a few years, their chances are lowered when they do not have the protection of other Khoxu. However, Khoxu of their respective hives are extremely defensive of their respective offspring.
The Queen is capable of a variety of calls that she uses to control other Khoxu, or give them information over long distance.
Though the Khoxu are overall fast, males are usually faster and more agile due to their smaller size. They also make up more of the population than the females.
The Queen, when extremely distressed, can release a vapour, and then another unknown gas from her mouth. When both gasses touch, they ignite into wild flames. The vapour is known to cling to objects for up to days, and is extremely flammable either way. It is unknown if it is an ability limited to her.
Males of the hive are usually the primary defense and attack of an established hive. They serve as scouts, alerting the hive of trespassers. Males are more likely to work in pairs, as opposed to females, who usually work alone. Females may lead a group of Khoxu every now and then, though.
Females often stick closer to the heart of the hive (where the Queen rests). Females occasionally come outside to defend. They serve as the inner defense. Females defend the nursery (where eggs are laid, then hatched) and help expand the hive, with the guide of the males (who scout out areas safe to dig in).
Hives are usually dug underground. Notably, by an underground water source. Khoxu may build their hives into buildings abandoned by humans.
The Ulzel is the natural predator of the Khoxuot.
Ulzels are a rare species, not yet encountered on Earth (which may be why the Khoxu were able to overpopulate so quickly). Notable for its thick, armour like skin that covers its entire body, and lack of sight, the Ulzel spends most of its time where it can easily reach the water. The powerful armour of the Ulzel is enough to withstand the flames of the Khoxu, temporarily. However, their senses may suffer.
Although it is a superior fighter when in the water, the Ulzel is still good above ground. It may not have a mouth full of sharp teeth like the Khoxu, but it does have blunt teeth to crush, and matching it a powerful bite. In extremely close range, it deploys a similar method of attack to a death roll (more like exactly the same I should say)
Ulzel do eat meat most of the time, but they have been known to take advantage of fruit or edible vegetation when offered.
They mostly get around through hearing and vibrations detected in the area. They also use a form of echolocation, releasing a sound barely audible to human ears.
They can hold their breath for up to 1 hour and thirty minutes on average.
Though large and intimidating, Ulzels are surprisingly docile. They’ve been known to take care of other species’ young, or protect them. The only species they’re known to be immediately aggressive to are the Khoxu.
They are immune to the deadly fluid found on the skin of the Khoxu.