Grleth

Grleth
Physical Characteristics
Average Height	2.7 - 3.2 m
Average Weight	240 kg
Regions
Commonly Found In	Enhpune United Oprax Tribes Urushee

The Grleth are a species of massive, hulking lizard-like beasts, known as the apex predators of Erra's western continent. They are characterised by their prodigious size, 4 arms, long claws, and muscle mass. Following The Collapse, there have been reports of some Grleth attaining sapience, and the treatment of these individuals remains a controversial topic.

Evolution

The precise origins of the Grleth are unknown, but their existence has been documented many centuries back - Even as far as the first few decades of recorded time on Erra, such as basic documents dating from year 73. At first they were known as simply being dominant, destructive forces of nature, with civilizations often having difficulty effectively defending themselves from Grleth hunting parties. Much of the legends of early defense from Grleth involved that of encroachment on the territory of Dragons that would dispose of them, either to protect their realm or nearby settlements.

As the concepts of Magic started to form among civilisation, individual settlements were able to protect themselves better from the threat of the Grleth, with skilled Magi able to single handedly dispatch of one of the creatures if they were to pose a threat. However, this would display an alarming trait of the Grleth species - A remarkably accelerated process of evolution and adaptation. First recorded in 412, Grleth had begun to display considerable resistance to many of the common Magical elements that would previously ward them off, once again becoming a dominant hunter species that required highly organised efforts to take down. These evolutionary traits would display themselves many times throughout history; For example, developing much stronger and harder scales to combat ballistic weaponry with the invention of gunpowder.

Post-Collapse & Sapience

The Grleth were one of the most significant predator species of the Erran ecosystem to be relatively unaffected by the advent of The Collapse. Indeed, contrary to many their position in the food chain was actually bolstered - With the complete lack of Magic to oppose them, and many civilisations falling to ruin, it became significantly harder for the scattered survivors to defend themselves from Grleth attacks, resulting in a significant increase in species population - Particularly in Urushee and Enphune.

In the centuries that followed, there have also been rumours of Grleth evolving once again to have significantly higher levels of intelligence. Why exactly this adaptation occurred Post-Collapse is unknown, but it is additionally believed there may be members of the species that have achieved sapience and grown beyond their original nature. I have yet to meet one such creature myself, and reports on their existence are unverified at best. Theoretically, a Grleth could disguise itself with a large cloak or other obscuring clothing, and pass them off at a glance as any number of pre-existing large races or Monster Species that have joined settlements.

Biology

Grleth have a distinct silhouette, standing on two legs with a hunched over back and large, thick neck that smoothly transitions between its body and head. A Grleth has two large, Minotaur-like horns that curve upwards, and large protruding teeth. The species possesses 4 long, bulky arms, each having sturdy claws that measure at about 30cm in length, which while not especially sharp on their own are pointed and strong enough to impale victims.

Additionally, a Grleth can be characterised by an exceptionally high level of muscle mass, easily overpowering every other bipedal species - A large portion of its average recorded weight comes from this muscle density. The exterior of a Grleth comprises of rough, thick scales that are easily capable of shrugging off smaller attacks with relative ease.

In terms of senses, a Grleth is known for their acute senses of perception, capable of tracking creatures through hearing and smell at distances similar to those of hunting dogs and wolves.

Ecology and Behaviour

Limited numbers due to needs and size

Social Behaviour

Live in packs, Alpha relationship

Hunting & Diet

Hunt primarily larger creatures Require large amounts of sustenance to self sustain, resulting in the limited numbers

In culture

-Need Poison to effectively deal with them extremely feared sapient members are met with much hostility and fear due to race reputation grleth meat is a delicacy, taste was particularly favoured by dragons