_ New Logbook Begun _ User: Marshall R. Ebott _ Logbook Name: U.S.O-02 (Boss Monster) _ Logbook Type: Written _ First Updated: 4/25/2123 _ Last Updated: 10/7/2124 _ Displaying Entry
Species Name: Mountain Chimaera (Chimaera monsincola) Habitat: The Ruined Catacombs, City of Stone Average Height: ~5 ft/1.53 m (at the shoulder), ~9 ft/2.75 m (standing upright) Average Weight: 700-800 lbs/318-363 kg Diet: Roots, root vegetables, fungi, nuts, insects, gastropods, salamanders, reptiles, small mammals Temp. Regulation: Endothermic Abilities: Heightened senses, unusual strength, fire breath, pyrokinesis, prehensile forelimbs Disposition: Protective Threat Level: 8
A large chimeric organism that resembles a cross between a long-eared goat, a lion, and a polar bear. They sport a dense coat of white fur, curved horns, oversized upper canines, and cat-like eyes that can be either brown or deep red. The males have a golden mane and much larger horns than the females, presumably for the purpose of attracting mates. They appear primarily quadrupedal but can stand and move on their hind legs for an extended period of time, using their front paws as “hands” to grab things or even use tools. Intelligent and strong. Regard with caution.
Only two members of USO-02 have ever been observed; an older female in the Ruined Catacombs and an older male in the City of Stone. While I am unable to gather more data on the female due to the Ruined Catacombs now being inaccessible, the male is at least able to be actively observed. I do have to be extremely careful with this specimen, however, as it appears to hold the highest hierarchical position among all other species in this ecosystem and any perceived danger to it would certainly lead to a target on my back. My drake attempts to hide me whenever it is near, suggesting that perhaps even the sight of me would create a dangerous situation?
It thankfully does not seem to recognize my disguise as human, at least from afar. …Perhaps finding a way to cover my scent would allow for closer observation?
[UPDATE- 10/7/24] I have a theory that this species may not have developed within this underground ecosystem, but rather evolved to live on the mountains surrounding it. On multiple occasions I’ve witnessed both specimens being unable to easily access certain areas due to their horns and/or overall size, and despite having several evolutionary traits consistent with living in a cold climate both live nowhere near Snowdin Forest. It makes no sense for a species that big to reasonably move around in a space like this, much less find enough food to sustain itself on its own. If they really did evolve to survive outside of these caverns, however, that begs the questions as to why this species was never discovered by humanity before now, how they ended up trapped down here, and why the subsequent generations of this species never truly adapted to their new environment. Maybe there were no subsequent generations? …No, that’s impossible. All of these other species show evolutionary patterns consistent with several centuries of natural selection, and they can’t have lived for that long, right? Regardless, given their current numbers and having no recorded sightings of these creatures anywhere else on Earth, it’s safe to say that this relic of another time should now be considered functionally extinct. How lucky am I, then, to witness the last Chimaera?