Native to the northern mountainous and jungle regions of Parlak Arazi, the Dusk Strider comes in two different subspecies. The carnivorous variety that lives in the mountains and an omnivorous variety that lives in the forests that border the Vaha River. Throughout the area they inhabit they are considered dangerous pests that must be eliminated at all costs.
The species as a whole share similarities. Both are nocturnal, preferring to find dark places to sleep during the day, only coming out at night in search of food. Perhaps the more obvious difference between the two is the size of the creatures. The mountain variety measure roughly 1.5-1.8m. from head to end, the jungle variety is larger, often measuring 2.4 – 2.7m. from head to end. The other notable distinction between the two species is the skin of the creatures. The mountain variety has beige wrinkly skin with sparse hair covering while the forest variety is covered in a thicker brown to rust colored hair.
The arms of a Dusk Strider are disproportionately long to the rest of its body, bending at the elbow somewhat folding underneath the creature when it is at rest or walking. At the end of these arms is a three fingered hand with 7.6cm razor sharp claws. Dusk Striders have an opposable thumb that is generally used for grasping food and making navigating around their environment easier. The back legs are like that of many predatory mammalians, giving the creature great power in its movements and massive short bursts of speed.
The head has two frontward facing eyes adapted for seeing in the dark and a very short muzzle filled with teeth that that vary between the two species. Both subspecies have a concave ear structure with no external cartilage, appearing as two small holes on either side of the head. The neck holds a highly complicated larynx that allow the Dusk Strider to communicate with members of its own species with a variety of cries, howls, whines, and grunts.
There are some sexually dimorphic characteristics between the males and females, with females generally being larger and more aggressive than their male counterparts. In dens where Dusk Striders reside, a female almost always holds a dominate position, and keep those under here in line. This female with usually take a single mate, but will find a stronger one should the opportunity arise. Other Dusk Striders are allowed to reproduce, but the offspring of the head female are always given priority.
The most impressive trait by far of the Dusk Strider is their uncanny ability to remain completely silent while moving across most kinds of terrain. This is achieved by microscopic pads covering the bottoms of the Dusk Striders hands and feet. This makes the Dusk Strider a formidable hunter, preferring to stick to the shadows until an opportunity to strike emerges. Dusk Striders tend to hunt in groups of 5 to 10 with most of the pack acting as lookouts for vulnerable prey or threats. Once prey is selected, two Dusk Striders will flank the intended target while a third silently moves into position. This Dusk Strider will charge forward and attempt to quickly slash the throat of the target. Once the initial attack is complete the two flanking Dusk Striders take chase, following the wounded creature until it succumbs to its injuries. Most prey is taken back to Dusk Strider nests for consumption.
As previously mentioned, the forest variety is omnivorous, consuming large amounts of fruit as well as meat. This subspecies tends to keep itself away from civilization, but are dangerous nonetheless. The forest variety is extremely territorial and will track, kill, and consume any intruders they deem a threat. Many victims of these attacks did not know they were trespassing until it was far too late.
While Dusk Striders prefer to hunt the native herbivores of Parlak Arazi, they are not above hunting down the lone traveler in the dead of night. Because of this, people traversing the northern regions of the continent are advised to always travel in groups at night. Dusk Striders have also taken a liking to the domesticated animals raised by farmers and ranchers. Because of these reasons, Dusk Striders are eliminated with extreme prejudice. One can make decent money by joining up with an extermination party.
The fatal flaw of the Dusk Strider is their light bone structure. This structure is present in both subspecies, but more prevalent in the mountain variety. The light weight nature of the bones makes it so that the aforementioned silent movement is even more effective, but they are extremely fragile creatures. Some rural farmers report felling the creatures with a well-placed blow from a blunt object.
idea written and owned by @cynicaltrilobite
