AJNA | BESTIARY (FAUNA)

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AJNA | BESTIARY (FAUNA)
IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the known fauna of Planet Ajna. Sector-locations are pending the Scouting Mission results.
AJNABOU	■ IS IT A THREAT: Dangerous only when threatened directly, or if young in the herd are startled, the Ajnabou can be domesticated for use as a small-scale plowing animal. They wouldn't be very entertaining, as they always seem rather bored and keen on staying that way. ■ APPEARANCE: Though similar to a caribou, the Ajnabou has a more pronounced rise of the shoulder behind the neck, somewhat shorter and more densely clustered antlers, and smallish tusks that protrude from their mouths. They are perhaps 3/4 of the size of a normal Earth caribou. ■ BEHAVIORS: Diurnal creatures, the Ajnabou are carnivores who hunt in herds, primarily targeting animal burrows, which they attempt to disrupt with their tusks. Favored prey include mammals and related creatures the size of a standard house cat or smaller. Since they are large compared to the size of their prey, a good deal of their lives are spent rooting around and hunting for food. There are no alpha hunters or huntresses--each hunts for itself, with the exception of feeding the young, which is often accomplished in the same manner birds feed their young: regurgitation. They are mostly docile, but if needed, they can take down attacking animals who attempt to pick off their young, a situation which might cause a stampede. They coexist peacefully with anything they're not trying to eat, and naturally just like to leave well enough alone. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: A well-placed shot or a bow could take them down; anything that would work on a standard deer would work on them. They are not generally aggressive but would charge if the injuring party is nearby. ■ RARITY: Common, and they travel in herds of 15+ creatures and live primarily in valleys between mountains that have seen enough thaw for them to be able to root in the ground.
AJNADILES	■ IS IT A THREAT: Dangerous in the water. Can be eaten. ■ APPEARANCE: A water dwelling threat, mostly resembling a salt water crocodile with large jaws capable of snapping a normal sized human in half. Only juveniles and adult males live near the surface and they range from 12 - 22 feet in length. Vestiges of legs hint at an amphibious past but are now too small to allow the creature up on land but they are wicked fast and aggressive in the water. Heavy scaled hide makes killing them difficult but a gun shot to the large eyes or straight into the open mouth will kill them. The meat is edible and wouldn't trigger any particular allergies but is very gamey. The skin can be used to provide rudimentary protective covering for supplies. ■ BEHAVIORS: Though solitary hunters they will converge on a source of prey and territory skirmishes can result. This usually chases away the smaller animals, leaving the large ones behind to take down prey. Any movement in the water is investigated as a source of food and Ajnadiles are relentless in tracking and attempting to take down prey in the water. Most land dwelling animals approach the edges of the large bodies of water with marked trepidation. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Their bodies are heavily armored by their flesh. Easiest way to kill them is a shot through the eye or directly into the open mouth. They are also not picky about cannibalism and will turn to devour any wounded Ajnadile or also carrion. ■ RARITY: Never seen on land, they are pretty populace in the larger bodies of water and will converge, quickly, when the water is disturbed.
AJNA SWIFT	■ IS IT A THREAT: Doesn't pose a threat. Flocks can come down and fly around irritatingly, but cause little to no damage. If caught, it can be caged and tamed. Very little meat on its bones, probably not worth catching for a meal. ■ APPEARANCE: While they appear to have the same aerodynamic body shape of a swift, these creatures actually appear more reptilian than avian. Their "feathers" are actually thin, sharp scales that protect a membrane of skin which forms their wings. These creatures have sharp dinosaur-like beaks containing ridges of "teeth" inside. Ajna swifts are normally a pearlescent white, however they are capable of appearing translucent when in flight by positioning themselves against the light in a certain way. They reach a maximum length of about 20 cm (8 inches) in length. ■ BEHAVIORS: Ajna swifts travel in flocks, and are extremely fast creatures. They are carnivorous, eating any creatures smaller than them, from water-dwellers they can fish out of the water to small herbivores they can pick off the ground. Ajna swifts hunt during the daylight, using the filtered light to make their bodies appear ghostly and almost unnoticeable in the sky. When a predator threatens the flock, or an intruder comes across their nesting grounds, these small creatures attack as a flock to fend off danger. Otherwise, if approached by anything larger than them, these creatures behave shyly and fly off. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: If spotted in the sky, the best bet is to track their movements and fire blindly, and hope you get lucky. (Or to use an infrared visor to see them.) Otherwise, the best way to catch one is to set a cage trap for it. ■ RARITY: Common in forested areas and flatlands, a large flock can be spotted approximately every three or four kilometers (1 to 2.5 miles) in these areas. Rarer elsewhere, and nonexistent in areas that don't have small prey.
BANJ	■ IS IT A THREAT: It can be! They're not usually aggressive (unless they're very young, and even then), but they can get pretty big, so if someone wanders into the mouth of a full-grown adult, well...have fun being dinner. Also, they can be temperamental if the branches of their tree gets messed with. ■ APPEARANCE: They're big, hairy beasts. Their white fur lets them blend into their surroundings, and most Banj have a tree growing from their back. They share a symbiotic relationship with this tree. The tree uses the Banj to sustain itself and keep its roots from freezing, and the Banj uses the tree as camouflage. They have flat heads, large teeth, and thick, stocky legs. Their size depends on the size of their tree, which means they can get pretty massive. ■ BEHAVIORS: Banj live in groups, and a herd of them look like a barren, hilly forest. They're slow moving and mostly docile, and as omnivores they eat what they can. Younger ones tend to be faster as their trees are still small, so they can actively hunt for their food (and as such are more dangerous), but the larger the Banj the more they use their surroundings to their advantage. They wait for other animals to wander into their mouths before devouring them. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: They have a thick skin and a lot of fur, so it takes a lot of force to kill one, but they're very susceptible to fire, and the trees on their backs are a weak point. Cut it down and the Banj will bleed out. ■ RARITY: Relatively common.
CHI	■ IS IT A THREAT: Not particularly, but they can be a nuisance, especially in large groups. They're edible, but why would you want to... they'll taste really sour. And fuzzy. ■ APPEARANCE: Like fluffy little white moths. They're approximately the size of a hand, at largest. On average, they're only half that big, though. ■ BEHAVIORS: The Chi primarily operate at night, and are drawn to warm places – they sleep in caves during the day. They're omnivorous, extremely hungry and very curious by nature – they're harmless, but will probably try and chew away at textiles, food, and other digestible substances. You don't want one or more of these hiding away in your rover unless you'd like to find a big hole in your favorite coat the next morning. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Squishing! But they will leave behind a substance that smells really strongly, like sour milk, and it might attract even more Chi. Yuck. Otherwise they are susceptible to other forms of killing like normal moths; extreme heat will also kill them, but it will smell equally bad. They can be picked up too and released somewhere else, but they will probably come back. The Chi are also extremely good at blending in with the icy terrain and bright surfaces. ■ RARITY: Fairly common; it's unusual to find them in groups larger than 3-5. You're more likely to be visited by a single one or a pair.
CODJA	■ IS IT A THREAT: Very dangerous. They are a natural predator, and due to their size, consider most living things to be prey. ■ APPEARANCE: Something like this! They're about the size of a whale, but have four limbs (thick fins) that can be used to drag themselves onto land and the ice. The skin over their back and head is tough and difficult to pierce through with regular weapons. ■ BEHAVIORS: These are solitary animals, much like sharks and leopard seals. It isn't likely at all to find two in the same spot. Since they live underwater, you'll have to actually be on the ice in order to actually encounter one - they can break through and drag the closest person into the water. It won't instantly kill the person, but it will do some serious damage if it manages to get its jaws around them. Its preferred method of killing is to drown first, eat later, so it's not like it's going to swallow you whole or take chunks out of your body. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: The underbelly is the most vulnerable spot for these creatures, but it's hard to get to since it shields this spot by staying in the water and only coming up half-way. You'll have to lure it out of the ice hole. It's neck is long, giving it the reach to stop enemies from trying to get around to its sides and back. Killing it is pretty difficult, but superpowered characters should have no trouble at all. ■ RARITY: Rare. While these creatures will attack anything that crosses the ice, they mostly dwell deep in the water and eat the prey down there. They come up near the surface very rarely.
FROSTBROOD	■ IS IT A THREAT: Most definitely. Drakes of the frostbrood are extremely hostile, and will attack any species not their own on sight, regardless of size. ■ APPEARANCE: These creatures are called frost drakes, but they are referred to collectively as the frostbrood. They are usually sighted on the outer edges of Ajna, and thrive in the harshest areas of an already unforgiving climate. Their hide is a tough fusion of scale and crystal, which can be seen glittering from afar in the sky. They are not as clever or resourceful as the shai, however, making them more of a nuisance in groups than when alone. Size-wise, they're about the length of a large mammal, and fairly slender, with long, sinewy necks protected by layers of ice and whiplike tails that can deliver a serious lashing. ■ BEHAVIORS: While some individuals occasionally fly off on their own to hunt, the frostbrood are almost always seen together, scouting their territory in packs. They are very aggressive creatures and often kill their own out of perceived weakness, or just for sport. They are not quite as intelligent as some sentient races and can be easily lured in by the scent of food or by piles of treasure, which they hoard greedily in their deep mountain homes. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Though a lone drake won't hesitate to defend itself, the frostbrood travel together and fight together whenever possible. Their weapons of choice are their razor sharp teeth and claws, as well as their deadly ice breath that can freeze the average human's blood in a matter of seconds. They will generally try to go for weak points first; if this is not possible, they'll divebomb the target into submission and then proceed to feast on them alive. As for killing them, the best way to do is with copious amounts of fire, arrows, or both. Basically, if you can get them on the ground and take away aerial superiority, the battle's as good as won. ■ RARITY: Fairly rare, fortunately. For all their aggressiveness, the frostbrood prefer keeping to themselves, hidden within their lairs. They are most dangerous when they're on the prowl, actively scoping the perimeter.
FURLIX	■ IS IT A THREAT: No. They are docile creatures and with patience can be domesticated, though they wouldn't be able to do much. They are edible, best cooked in their own fat as they're tubby creatures and the fat has the best flavor. Their fat has the same uses as seal and whale blubber and has the same protein levels as well. Their meat is also similar in taste and texture. Their droppings are also good for fire fuel and burns odorlessly. ■ APPEARANCE: They are small, fluffy creatures that have no visible appendages and resemble large puff balls. Their eyes are somewhat recessed and have nictitating lids, pure black with no discernible iris, pupil, or sclera. Their mouths are wide slits filled with small, sharp triangular teeth. They vary in color from pure white to beige to a mottled grey-blue. They vary in size from the smallest and youngest being about the size of hamster to the largest being the size of a large house cat. ■ BEHAVIORS: They forage in small groups, so it's unlikely that someone would come upon a furlix by itself unless it had strayed a bit. Like most polar creatures, they have an excess of body fat and multiple layers of fur; a softer hollow undercoat, and an outer layer of guard fur. They are round, tubby creatures that have developed a method of movement by rippling their body mass in such a way as to roll like balls over any terrain they encounter. As they don't have any appendages, they are limited to the flatlands, though they are capable of 'rolling' uphill, as long as there's nothing barring their way they'd have to climb over. They are mostly out during the day, foraging for both insects and buried plant bulbs, though they're not above scavenging if they come across the kill of something else that's been left alone. Furlixes are non-aggressive and will cluster into a group if intimidated or threatened; the young and injured in the center. They'll try to burrow into the snow to hide, moving in a rapid wiggle motion much like a skate or ray trying to bury itself in the sand at the bottom of the ocean. They are not territorial and move over the expanse of area they're capable of traversing on, continuously moving so as not to wipe out the food supply in any one are. They communicate via trills, squeaks, and purrs. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: The quickest and easiest way to kill a furlix is to stab it between the eyes. That will hit the brain and kill it in a painless manner. Otherwise, they're pretty easy to kill. ■ RARITY: Common. Each 'pod' has around 15-20 members. Think of them like gophers in terms of commonality.
GOKAS	■ IS IT A THREAT: No. Can be eaten but it leaves a similar effect to eating a small dose of hallucinogenic mushrooms and mild diarrhoea. ■ APPEARANCE: Colour varies between mauve, light blue, white, and that spectrum. Sizes vary, but never larger than a hen. Amphibian-like skin with the exception of its small horn between its eyes and the outer spine that feels like a brittle bone (usually white, but other colours have been sighted). ■ BEHAVIORS: Usually seen in a pack of ten, although it's not unusual to sometimes see one wandering alone. Likes the mornings, and it's not very intelligent. It feeds off carcasses (necrophagous), a good friend of the ecosystem and preventing diseases from spreading - kind of like a vulture. Only becomes aggressive during mating season, but it's not much of a threat to humans because its tiny horn secretes a poison to stunt a small animal. It has twelve teeth around a hole inside its mouth. It eats by sucking huge chunks of meat and grinding it while it swallows. Uses upper "arms" to balance itself. Its "toes" are malleable to quickly move through the ice and snow. It makes squeaky chicken noises. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Quickly pull its outer "spine" for a painless death. Extremely easy to kill. ■ RARITY: High reproduction, so while easy to kill, it repopulates just as easily so they're pretty common.
HOCH	■ IS IT A THREAT: Ostensibly, they're surprisingly docile for such large creatures - they're passive, and won't attack unless attacked. Mostly. Hochs are useful for the meat they provide, which is tough like venison but tastes more beef-like. ■ APPEARANCE: Kind of like this. Hochs have very long legs and stand a good 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) tall. Their bodies are furry like a mammoth, but their torsos are much smaller - they're about the size of a large pony. ■ BEHAVIORS: Hochs tend to frequent the forests - fauna is harder to come by, but they generally break the bark off the trees as a main form of sustenance. They roam both singularly and in herds, herds being rarer as they tend to form like spontaneous wolf packs (loners need company, mating, etc.). They signal nearby hochs by trumpeting (much like an elephant) or by a deafening roar (they sound sort of like a bear, sort of like a whale). They are docile as a general rule, but when their young are threatened or if something happens to attack, they grow violent; they kick with their legs (which are strong, muscled), thrash with their trunks, and sometimes bend and lash out with tusks. Hochs come out during the night when it's less likely to have predators wandering. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Cut off the limbs!! No, seriously - though it is difficult to saw through the bone, the most effective way is to render it immobile and either slit its throat (if you want to brave being near the head, likely in its last, desperate death throes) or gutting it as you might any mammal. Nothing special with the viscera. ■ RARITY: Depends on how much fauna there ends up being. I'm thinking common as a possible food source for those who want to take 'em down, but mostly in wooded areas or places with as many plants as necessary.
ICEMITE	■ IS IT A THREAT: Extreme nuisance; bug-like. Bites, feeds on warmth/blood, the bites leave extremely itchy welts. Can't really kill you unless you somehow end up with thousands on you at once. ■ APPEARANCE: Small, white and like your average mite (as in horrifying under a microscope). Grow no larger than the size of an average human's pinky tip. Their eggs are small and clearish white. ■ BEHAVIORS: Similar to bedbugs/fleas, has large nests and breeds excessively (multiplying by dozens on a daily basis). They feed on the warmth of other creatures, as they are parasitical. As such, they infest areas where warm creatures gather (watering holes, dens, your bed, etc), and prefer sunlight though that won't stop them from hanging out in deep, dark corners where you can't find them. Will bite warm-blooded creatures, and their bites leave extremely itchy welts on skin. They usually don't remain latched to their hosts, instead feeding on them for a short while then returning to their nests. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: For just one, smashing it with a rock usually does it. For infestations (and where there's one there's more), they need to be deprived of warmth, drowned in ice water for a long period of time, set fire to, or exposed to a non-native toxic chemical (like a pesticide) multiple times as eggs are often unaffected, though the nests can be destroyed via much smashing/fire/etc. Impervious to native toxins, as they've built up an immunity. ■ RARITY: Uncommon, but once they infest your things you're sort of screwed and they'll spread.
KELSI	■ IS IT A THREAT: yes, but mostly just to its prey. will attack if they or their nest is threatened, but it would be difficult for them to seriously injure or kill player characters. ■ APPEARANCE: like so. pointy beaks, sharp talons, thinnish body. those wings are not decorative. about the size/length of a mediumish 40 lb dog, with their wings being 1 to 2 times the length of their bodies. ■ BEHAVIORS: they're basically like hawks/eagles. they hunt alone, swooping down on small rodent-sized animals or fish and carrying them off to their nests. they nest together in small groups of about 5-6 females with the males being solitary. they usually set up camp at high altitudes, preferring cliff faces. they're EXTREMELY PROTECTIVE of their nests, and will attack anything that remotely threatens them. they're territorial of their nesting/hunting grounds, but that's mostly to keep other birds away from their food. fairly aggressive with animals smaller than them. with larger animals (humans and such), they'll spread their wings to full size and squawk threateningly as a way to ward off danger. if the danger doesn't back off, they'll attack with their talons and/or beaks. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: nothing crazy. long-range weapons are the best way to take them down, as letting them close will probably earn you a lot of scratches and poked-out eyes. ■ RARITY: not uncommon. they tend to congregate near bodies of water (lakes, rivers, coasts).
KHION	■ IS IT A THREAT: They're not dangerous to your health, just disgusting, uncomfortable, and disconcerting. Can, in fact, be eaten. ■ APPEARANCE: Translucent white worms, translucent white butterflies with very large wings. The adults have very small stingers which they use to cleave their way out of the cocoon as well as to penetrate plants with tough skins for feeding. These small stingers aren't of any particular threat to humans due to their minuscule size. ■ BEHAVIORS: The Khion are comparable to the butterfly in that they have a larval state, spend time in a cocoon, and emerge into the world anew. The main difference is that due to Ajna's cold climate they are forced to use live hosts as their cocoon. In their larval state, they will attach themselves to a host and bury under the skin for the period of their gestation. The most common area for this is the back of the neck, where they are least likely to be disturbed. They will spend several weeks inside this safe cocoon before coming back out into the world. The majority of the Khion do not survive, thus they lay very large broods of eggs which can be found in translucent white clusters. It is not advised to disturb them. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Catch and plurk off wings, eat body. ■ RARITY: They use large animals as cocoons, so wherever there are herds of creatures, you can bet the Khion are nearby.
LANDSHARK	■ IS IT A THREAT: GASHUNKGASHUNK. Their meat is edible at least. ■ APPEARANCE: Like a shark with legs. Sometimes it looks as if its flesh is rotting away but that's only because they stay under the harsh cold waters of Planet Ajna for majority of the day. ■ BEHAVIORS: Landsharks like to lurk near the surface of the water, keeping careful watch for any movement on the frozen ice. They like to stalk their prey until its guard is down, and that's when they'll strike — they'll literally smash against the ice and open their big jaws to tear into flesh. They also like to clamp down tight enough to drag their prey underwater, where a group of other landsharks lie in wait to feast upon the unlucky chosen one. They do like the thrill of a chase, so if one happens to zero in on you — run as fast as you can. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Ride it. Stab it. Burn it. Fish it? They're relatively straightforward to kill. ■ RARITY: Common. Can be found mostly in the deeper ends of the sea, but will occasionally swim up to shallower waters if the prey they're after looks juicy enough.
MADU	■ IS IT A THREAT: Not at all. If anything, all they want to do is play tag with everyone. Maybe steal a couple of things to bury it under the snow. ■ APPEARANCE: The Madu look a lot like fat rabbitmice, only in the size of large dogs, and have grey-spotted white fur. ■ BEHAVIORS: Extremely docile and friendly, Madu would make the perfect cuddliest pet if it weren't for the fact that they attract Shai like moths to a flame. They like to play tag and run after everyone because they've never seen the likes of humans before, or other aliens for that matter. They're also very curious creatures, poking their noses absolutely everywhere they can reach (much to the dismay of anyone who doesn't like being touched anywhere from the waist down). Sometimes they'll swipe things if a character isn't looking, only to dig a six-foot deep hole and bury it. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Anything that kills a rabbit/mouse/dog will kill a Madu. No special methods necessary. ■ RARITY: Not as common as they once were. The only territory they have left is where the recruits have set up camp. That's probably why camp gets overrun with these little guys so often. ■ CREDIT: Madu art drawn by aviekokyre. Thank you! ♥
MISTWOLF	■ IS IT A THREAT: Yes. As long as there is mist, there will be mistwolves. ■ APPEARANCE: Wispy wolf-shapes that flicker in and out of existence whenever the wind blows a little too strongly. Their eyes glow an eerie shade of yellow, often mistaken for lightbugs when they're something much more dangerous than that. ■ BEHAVIORS: The mistwolves travel where the mist goes. They also like to swarm in several packs on unsuspecting prey, and as they blend so well with the mist, this is pretty much overkill on their part. They do not attack for food, but for territory, and are highly aggressive. Packs can usually be found in valleys, low-lying areas, and sometimes of flat ground, especially in copses. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Fire. Other physical-type attacks seem to go right through them. It's essentially a lot like fighting air, so encasing them in barrier-type attacks wouldn't work all that well unless the barrier itself can create a vacuum. With air, you can displace it. Redirect it. But the wolves' densities are even looser so unless you can create a total vacuum — they'll find a way to get to you. Fire essentially triggers a chemical reaction that makes the wolves dissipate. That's why it's the only thing that destroys them. ■ RARITY: Very common.
PELKIN	■ IS IT A THREAT: Aggressive. Dangerous in large flocks and slopes, not a threat in small numbers and plateaus. They're edible, but their meat are hard and slow to cook. ■ APPEARANCE: Small (50-85 cm long), avian creatures with conical bodies. They have short wings and legs that are mostly used for balance, and talons to grab onto rocks. They have beak-like structures protect their long (1 m) tongue-like tubes that end with a small, three bladed jaw. These "beaks" don't open at all, but have a small hole on the tip that's enough for them to shoot out their suckers. They are similar to penguins in shape and leeches in diet and feeding mechanisms. They are essentially penguin vampires. ■ BEHAVIORS: Pelkins live in flocks, near slopes, spires and cliff-like terrain. They don't have distinctive cries. They have good hearing and are easily agitated. They hunt by waiting for their prey from the tops of slopes, and sliding down to gang up on it. Then they shoot their suckers at the prey, slice its skin and sucks some of its blood. They leave as soon as they are satiated, which takes 200-500 mL of blood. Their suckers secrete enzymes that prevent blood clot. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Separate them from one another, or wait for them to climb back up their slopes. They are not very fast. Their suckers can be chopped off but they grow back after a few days. ■ RARITY: There are 20-30 pelkins in a flock and one flock. Highly territorial, if you've seen one flock in an area you won't see another one for another kilometer or so.
PHOTODRONE	■ IS IT A THREAT: Usually docile; will attack if chemically induced; not very dangerous, kind of slow, but covered in spikes. ■ APPEARANCE: They look pretty much like peahats, except light blue from underneath and white from above. ■ BEHAVIORS: A pod of fungal drones are all linked to one fungal tree; they are released during periods of low-intensity weather to fly up to the upper atmosphere and conduct photosynthesis. Usually they don't do much else, but will attempt to dive bomb anyone in the vicinity of a dead tree; they are triggered by chemical signals emitted from its corpse. This is their only aggression trigger. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: They're not very durable, and don't take much more than a hit or two of blade or impact damage; a single Gauss shot would pierce their bodies and continue moving. However, once their aggression response is triggered, they are no longer edible, and become extraordinarily toxic. When they aren't poisonous, though, they're fairly good eating, packed with photosynthetic cells to capture as much of the sun's energy as possible. ■ RARITY: There are about thirty to forty drones per tree, only half of which are deployed at any given time. One might expect to find fifteen to twenty populating a small area directly above the tree.
RAKKA-RAKKA	■ IS IT A THREAT: Not really rofl. Unless you get dragged into the water trying to fish one up, but they're not all that strong to begin with. ■ APPEARANCE: An large, hefty, ribbon-y fish that resembles the giant oarfish. Can be anywhere from a metre to seven metres in length, they are dark, musty gray in colouration, and have three sets of scaly fins. Notably, they lack eyes and are blind, and their jaws are fused open. They're not the prettiest animal out there. ■ BEHAVIORS: Rakka-rakkas swim around the oceans navigating by sensing movement with specialized, long fin-shaped organs situated on the underside of their gills, and they swallow prey whole. They're not very intelligent. While their scales are hard, their meat is very rich in proteins and can be consumed raw. The larger ones are very heavy, however, and those trying to fish them up run the risk of being dragged down into the water with them. Typically they swim alone, or in small schools of four or five fish. They feed primarily on smaller fish, and almost never on land creatures. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: While they put up a good struggle in the water, they are useless on land. Like all fish, a blow to the head is fatal. ■ RARITY: Relatively common! They have a tendency to swim for the ice's surface when avoiding bigger and faster predators down below.
SHAI	■ IS IT A THREAT: They are considered to be the apex predators of Planet Ajna. Extremely dangerous. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. ■ APPEARANCE: The Shai, which can grow up to three meters, have bulging muscles and small heads, are incredibly fast, have very hard exoskeletons. Their females (grey one) can fly, and have wingspans that extend up to seven meters at the widest. ■ BEHAVIORS: Extremely aggressive, and on the cusp of self-awareness. The Shai have developed nesting colonies and are protective of their eggs, often chasing and challenging other Shai into battle when they feel their nests are being threatened. They are carnivorous, and prefer the Madu over all other prey; they will track Madu for miles and miles until the poor thing tires out, before descending on them, crushing the head first before flying up in the air and dropping the carcass to the ground to break the bones. The Shai do not have beaks; their method of killing Madu is assumed to be for easier eating purposes, as they eat even the bones. The Shai are also capable of projectile vomiting, which they use to stun their prey. They can expirate stomach contents at high velocity, and being vomited on has the same force and effect as being hosed by a firetruck. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Any way you can. ■ RARITY: Abundant. The Shai have infested the entire planet, and preyed on the Madu to near-extinction.
SNOW SNAKES	■ IS IT A THREAT: Yes. Causes frostbite. ■ APPEARANCE: See image. ■ BEHAVIORS: The snow snake evolved to blend with its environment completely—it is utterly transparent, taking on the color of its surroundings. A solitary predator, it ambushes prey unfortunate enough to stumble upon it in the snow. The venom the snow snake produces is a liquid nitrogen compound, which rapidly cools its prey's core temperature. Once the prey's sluggish enough, it will swallow them whole. The snow snake's still dangerous to prey it cannot swallow, as its venom causes frostbite if not treated. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Fire is the most effective. Chopping off or shooting at its head works too. ■ RARITY: Uncommon—more prevalent in sparsely vegetated, snowed-in areas. Rarer in snowfields. ■ NOTES: Venom can be harvested.
TAKK	■ IS IT A THREAT: Incredibly dangerous | Inedible, but the tail makes for a good campfire story. ■ APPEARANCE: Takk are bulbous and covered in thick, leathery skin. They grow up to 5 meters in height and their weight varies, but lingers around 400-600kg. Their coloration covers a spectrum of grays, muted greens, browns, and blacks and they are often covered in growths that are stone-like in appearance. Takk tails are long and slender with a slight widening at the very end and a hardly noticeable seam in the middle of that. When encountering prey, this seam splits to reveal row upon row of barbed teeth covered in clear slime. ■ BEHAVIORS: Takk will never hunt in groups and are found fairly far apart from one another (they are able to keep track of one another via a distinct pheromone that will reach their sensitive olfactory glands from up to 50 miles away.) Burrowing deep into the undergrowth of forests or making a home inside of large, dark ice caves, the Takk is a patient hunter. Emitting a soft, whining sound (not unlike that of an injured Madu). It’s incredibly long tail, which when rocked back and forth subtly creates this noise while simultaneously creating the illusion of something small and harmless. When prey is close enough, the tail splits into a thin, slimy maw with rows of hooked teeth that will grab onto whatever is closest and proceed to drag it into it’s mouth for eating. The slime coating its teeth is a paralytic. Takk will eat almost anything that comes their way. If it moves and is made of meat, it will patiently lure whatever/whoever towards it. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: If you encounter a Takk on your own, your chances of survival are slim. However, Takk are incredibly sensitive to light and therefore it is possible for you to blind them briefly, cut/shoot their tail off and escape before the paralytic fully kicks in. They will not give chase so once you are away from their burrow/cave you are in the clear. Cutting off a Takk's tail will ultimately result in its death as they have a strange "pride" they appear to uphold, remaining in the cave or burrow that they have made their own until they die (they are also, again, very sensitive to any and all light). You can tell when a Takk is nearby due to the soft whining noise it creates, dead or dying undergrowth near it's burrow (if in a forest), or a distinct rotten apple smell (who knows why). ■ RARITY: Uncommon, can be found in mountain caverns and dense forests where the undergrowth is thick.
UAK	■ IS IT A THREAT: Unless you're a fish, probably not! They are somewhat territorial and could do some damage if provoked, but they're not a real danger. Difficult to domesticate due to their anti-social behavior; I wouldn't try it. ■ APPEARANCE: Similar in size and build to an emperor penguin, only they are pure white in color due to the relative scarcity of airborne predators and the omnipresence of ice. That ice has also led them to develop a very large, hard beak, similar to that of a parrot, which they use to break holes in the surface of the ice. Their fins are broader and longer than that of a penguin, and their eyes are larger. ■ BEHAVIORS: Lives in small colonies of about 20-30 individuals. They are non-cooperative and have no dominance system; rather, they all nest together for safety's sake, protecting their own nests fiercely. They have a long, spearlike tongue coiled up in their beaks which they use to catch fish. Typically they live in pairs, with one mate foraging for food while the other guards the nest and/or eggs. They are fairly approachable and ignore humans for the most part, although some might be curious. They will only attack if they feel their nest is threatened (or themselves). The main danger is their sturdy, tough beak, which is strong enough to break through Ajna's thick ice. But if you actually got killed by an uak, people would probably laugh at you. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: They're extremely fast while in the water, but on land, their round, blubbery bodies are easy targets. Shoot away. Very fatty and not very tasty, but it will do good in keeping you alive. ■ RARITY: Common on rocky coasts; rarely found inland, since there's no water.
VANSHA (WIND WISP)	■ IS IT A THREAT: Dangerous-docile. Inedible unless you want to eat jellied snow and blood. ■ APPEARANCE: See image; it will be completely translucent when not full of blood. After having fed on something, they stand out as gross, dark red spots dotting the snow. The tentacles are about the length of a wolf and the head is about the diameter of a small tire. Its biology is similar to an Earth jellyfish's, but less slimy and squishy, and more dry and airy. ■ BEHAVIORS: Vansha are odd creatures that spend a lot of time lying around. They can be found in any sort of terrain (if you can see them), and will sit motionless, preserving energy. Vansha are fairly docile in this state and won't attack anyone or anything that walks by them, as they wait for gusts of wind to carry them around. Lacking almost every sense, they rely on heat signatures and electromagnetic waves traveling in the air to seek out prey. Upon finding a target, an airborne Vansha will attempt to land on it, latch on with its tentacles and pierce the skin with a foot-long serrated proboscis from the middle, draining blood. The real threat lies in the fact that Vansha tend to cluster together in groups, trying to travel together and thus take down prey easier. They're incredibly difficult to see in snowy wind. They do not exhibit intelligence aside from the rudimentary pack behavior. ■ METHODS OF KILLING: Stabbing it in its "head" and tearing it apart is the best bet, but the biggest potential damage will be dealing with a bladed proboscis jammed inside you. They have incredible grip strength so it's a bad idea to try to tear it away, though simply chopping the tentacles off is a (time-consuming) option. ■ RARITY: Not common enough to be a constant threat, but seeing as groups as large as twenty (20) tend to stake out in the windiest areas of the map they aren't exactly rare. Beware of long expanses of plains.