March Donis - Lianhua and Thulta'marn Anthosuchus

Discuss MagiStream and site-related topics.
Blazen749
MagiStream Donor
Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 1454
Joined: May 25th, 2014, 6:27:58 pm
Gender: Male
Location: Canada

March Donis - Lianhua and Thulta'marn Anthosuchus

Post by Blazen749 »

Year of the Rooster....So a Rooster?

---

ImageImageImageImageImage
Lianhua Anthosuchus
Spoiler
Visitors to Taggelisk may find it odd that even in the height of spring when the marsh is full of beautiful flowers, vendors in the market never seem to sell them. No one is prohibited from picking wild flowers as they please, but throughout most of Taggelisk, flowers are considered symbols of bad luck. Weddings feature gemstones and colorful silks for decoration where flowers would be used in Synara or Voltar, and flowers in the city limits of places like Ageti are viewed as weeds. Most of these flowers are harmless, but one in particular, the marsh lotus, is seen as a sign of imminent danger -- and with good reason. The marsh lotus is a rare plant which requires a symbiotic host, the lianhua anthosuchus, in order to survive. It buries its roots into the outer layer of the animal's skin to receive nutrients from the creature's body, and in return it offers camouflage and an enticing treat for the anthosuchus's prey. The flower is highly sought-after for its medicinal properties, but those who go looking for it without understanding how it grows will quickly learn why the inhabitants of Taggelisk fear flowers.
Spoiler
Unlike many other reptiles, anthosuchus hatchlings are cared for by their mothers much like birds. While their mother doesn't incubate their eggs or feed them directly, she will regulate the temperature of the nest by covering it in sand or leaf litter, and once the babies hatch she will carry them to a small nursery pool where they can learn to hunt insects and small fish. Anthosuchus adults are generally solitary, but learning social skills early in life is important, and as hatchlings they can already emit the high-pitched squeaks and chirps that in adults become grunts and rumbles to communicate. Although they do not hatch with flowers on their bodies, the buds of their symbiotic lotus plants attach to the crocodile's scales within their first week after hatching, and will stay with them for their entire lives.
Spoiler
Many dangers dwell within the swamps of Taggelisk, and while anthosuchus are far from the largest, they are intimidating for their camouflage and raw power. Even those who have lived their whole lives in Taggelisk may have difficulty distinguishing an anthosuchus from a regular log if its flowers are not immediately visible. The crocodiles are surprisingly smart, and will tilt their bodies or encourage their flowers to close their buds when hunting prey that might recognize the plants. Many harmless lotus look-alikes exist in the swamp, and occasionally other flowers will grow on an anthosuchus' back in addition to its symbiotic plants. This can make identifying them particularly difficult, especially during the wet season when most of the flowers are in bloom, which is why most people avoid picking flowers in the swamp altogether.

ImageImageImageImageImage
Thulta'marn Anthosuchus
Spoiler
Few creatures in Calidis wander down to the island's scant rivers alone, especially in the summer when the rivers dry up to become murky pools. The people who built the Ashen temple carved warnings on its walls of the creature they called Thulta'marn, Mouth of the Mud. The images and their accompanying descriptions depict a monster with immense jaws rising up out of the earth and swallowing a variety of creatures, from deer to wildcats, and even dragons. Curiously, all of these depictions featured symbols similar to that of the lotus flower top the creature's back. Until explorers set out to explore the deeper reaches of the island, these images were dismissed as artistic interpretations of volcanoes or earthquakes. However, in the northern scrubland of Calidis, where the seasonal rivers form still pools for part of the year, thulta'marn can be found hidden just beneath the surface of almost every water hole large enough to hide its presence. The adventurers who found it, or at least those lucky enough to have returned from the trip, warn others that no matter how desperate their thirst may be, when wandering the wilds of the island, beware the blue and red lotus.
Spoiler
Thulta'marn anthosuchus hatchlings are immediately recognizable for two reasons; first, they develop a symbiotic relationship with buds of blue or red lotus flowers which camouflage them and help the young crocodiles attract hungry water deer, and second, their mother is usually only a few yards away from them at all times. The curious gray crocodiles of Calidis hatch from eggs the size of watermelons and develop a fierce demeanor early in life. Mothers are highly protective of their hatchlings and will fight rival anthosuchus intruders to the death if they must. The hatchlings are curious but large enough to hold their own against most of the island's smaller predators from the moment they hatch, and their strong toothy jaws certainly don't hurt their chances at survival. Mother thulta'marn anthosuchus look after their offspring until they reach a third of their adult size, at which point the hatchlings disperse to find their own territories and face the remaining dangers of the island alone.
Spoiler
The thulta'marn depicted in the Ashen Temple is thought to be based on a Calidis relative of the lianhua anthosuchus. These crocodiles are the largest of their kind, and were thought to have been long extinct before they were rediscovered on the volcanic island. They thrive in the murky rivers of the dry north of the island as well as the swamps of its the south and east, though the small size of Calidis means that the total population of thulta'marn anthosuchus is restricted to only a few known waterways. Their eggs are exceedingly well-guarded by attentive mothers, and though slow and ungainly on land, in the water almost nothing on the island can best their power. As adults, they can reach nearly fifty feet in length and can snatch young Calidis dragons, though their preferred prey seems to be the large ungulates which roam the island's forests.
Image

I'm more active on the Magistream discord.

4/25 Gifts

LTT/S/B In profile!


Image
User avatar
Namyre
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Herbalist's Guild Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 3249
Joined: September 2nd, 2012, 6:42:33 pm
Gender: Female
Location: Texas

Re: March Donis

Post by Namyre »

I think some sort of clover imp would be cute. Like a little squirrel with collar flaps that look like clover leaves.
BlueBird15599
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 254
Joined: July 21st, 2010, 2:50:21 pm
Gender: Female
Location: running with them wild horses

Re: March Donis

Post by BlueBird15599 »

A white and turqoise angel dragon? Super wispy and flowy with large feather angel wings
Image

ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
User avatar
salt
MagiStream Donor
Member of Society of the Trident Member of Artificer's Association Member of Preservationists Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 8752
Joined: October 20th, 2011, 6:57:03 am
Gender: Female
Location: the dead sea

Re: March Donis

Post by salt »

honestly gunning for tigers this year because only kuras tigers are Not Enough
second choice: flaming chooks

studying HARD MAN
watching: myself procrastinate really hard
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

come shopping at the holy trinity xo

-------
selling lots of stuff | buying SB fire/ice kitsunes
User avatar
JadaNae
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Herbalist's Guild Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 4756
Joined: March 9th, 2010, 12:35:16 pm
Gender: Female

Re: March Donis

Post by JadaNae »

We see dem tonight!!! :woo:
User avatar
Tyrannogon
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Herbalist's Guild Member of Artificer's Association Member of Preservationists Association An icon depicting the element Life
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 894
Joined: January 7th, 2012, 2:00:32 am
Gender: Male
Location: British Columbia, Canada

Re: March Donis

Post by Tyrannogon »

I would love to see some kind of pterosaur, I don't think we have one of those yet.
ImageImageImageImageImageThank you Lazuli for my avatar sprites!
User avatar
RobotChimera
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Dark Brotherhood Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 1749
Joined: January 8th, 2010, 8:21:37 pm
Gender: Female
Location: ...

Re: March Donis

Post by RobotChimera »

Donis posted here. I AM THE OP NOW


ImageImageImageImageImage
Lianhua Anthosuchus
Spoiler
Visitors to Taggelisk may find it odd that even in the height of spring when the marsh is full of beautiful flowers, vendors in the market never seem to sell them. No one is prohibited from picking wild flowers as they please, but throughout most of Taggelisk, flowers are considered symbols of bad luck. Weddings feature gemstones and colorful silks for decoration where flowers would be used in Synara or Voltar, and flowers in the city limits of places like Ageti are viewed as weeds. Most of these flowers are harmless, but one in particular, the marsh lotus, is seen as a sign of imminent danger -- and with good reason. The marsh lotus is a rare plant which requires a symbiotic host, the lianhua anthosuchus, in order to survive. It buries its roots into the outer layer of the animal's skin to receive nutrients from the creature's body, and in return it offers camouflage and an enticing treat for the anthosuchus's prey. The flower is highly sought-after for its medicinal properties, but those who go looking for it without understanding how it grows will quickly learn why the inhabitants of Taggelisk fear flowers.
Spoiler
Unlike many other reptiles, anthosuchus hatchlings are cared for by their mothers much like birds. While their mother doesn't incubate their eggs or feed them directly, she will regulate the temperature of the nest by covering it in sand or leaf litter, and once the babies hatch she will carry them to a small nursery pool where they can learn to hunt insects and small fish. Anthosuchus adults are generally solitary, but learning social skills early in life is important, and as hatchlings they can already emit the high-pitched squeaks and chirps that in adults become grunts and rumbles to communicate. Although they do not hatch with flowers on their bodies, the buds of their symbiotic lotus plants attach to the crocodile's scales within their first week after hatching, and will stay with them for their entire lives.
Spoiler
Many dangers dwell within the swamps of Taggelisk, and while anthosuchus are far from the largest, they are intimidating for their camouflage and raw power. Even those who have lived their whole lives in Taggelisk may have difficulty distinguishing an anthosuchus from a regular log if its flowers are not immediately visible. The crocodiles are surprisingly smart, and will tilt their bodies or encourage their flowers to close their buds when hunting prey that might recognize the plants. Many harmless lotus look-alikes exist in the swamp, and occasionally other flowers will grow on an anthosuchus' back in addition to its symbiotic plants. This can make identifying them particularly difficult, especially during the wet season when most of the flowers are in bloom, which is why most people avoid picking flowers in the swamp altogether.

ImageImageImageImageImage
Thulta'marn Anthosuchus
Spoiler
Few creatures in Calidis wander down to the island's scant rivers alone, especially in the summer when the rivers dry up to become murky pools. The people who built the Ashen temple carved warnings on its walls of the creature they called Thulta'marn, Mouth of the Mud. The images and their accompanying descriptions depict a monster with immense jaws rising up out of the earth and swallowing a variety of creatures, from deer to wildcats, and even dragons. Curiously, all of these depictions featured symbols similar to that of the lotus flower top the creature's back. Until explorers set out to explore the deeper reaches of the island, these images were dismissed as artistic interpretations of volcanoes or earthquakes. However, in the northern scrubland of Calidis, where the seasonal rivers form still pools for part of the year, thulta'marn can be found hidden just beneath the surface of almost every water hole large enough to hide its presence. The adventurers who found it, or at least those lucky enough to have returned from the trip, warn others that no matter how desperate their thirst may be, when wandering the wilds of the island, beware the blue and red lotus.
Spoiler
Thulta'marn anthosuchus hatchlings are immediately recognizable for two reasons; first, they develop a symbiotic relationship with buds of blue or red lotus flowers which camouflage them and help the young crocodiles attract hungry water deer, and second, their mother is usually only a few yards away from them at all times. The curious gray crocodiles of Calidis hatch from eggs the size of watermelons and develop a fierce demeanor early in life. Mothers are highly protective of their hatchlings and will fight rival anthosuchus intruders to the death if they must. The hatchlings are curious but large enough to hold their own against most of the island's smaller predators from the moment they hatch, and their strong toothy jaws certainly don't hurt their chances at survival. Mother thulta'marn anthosuchus look after their offspring until they reach a third of their adult size, at which point the hatchlings disperse to find their own territories and face the remaining dangers of the island alone.
Spoiler
The thulta'marn depicted in the Ashen Temple is thought to be based on a Calidis relative of the lianhua anthosuchus. These crocodiles are the largest of their kind, and were thought to have been long extinct before they were rediscovered on the volcanic island. They thrive in the murky rivers of the dry north of the island as well as the swamps of its the south and east, though the small size of Calidis means that the total population of thulta'marn anthosuchus is restricted to only a few known waterways. Their eggs are exceedingly well-guarded by attentive mothers, and though slow and ungainly on land, in the water almost nothing on the island can best their power. As adults, they can reach nearly fifty feet in length and can snatch young Calidis dragons, though their preferred prey seems to be the large ungulates which roam the island's forests.
Last edited by RobotChimera on March 1st, 2017, 1:24:55 am, edited 9 times in total.
User avatar
Que
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Dark Brotherhood Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 6113
Joined: January 18th, 2010, 2:42:21 pm
Gender: Non-binary
Location: The Veil
Contact:

Re: March Donis

Post by Que »

OMG IS THIS WHAT I THINK IT IS
Image
Because I've heard it said that every mushroom cloud has a silver lining...

(But I'm always undermining too deep to know...)
They/Them.
User avatar
Greirat
MagiStream Donor
Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 502
Joined: October 31st, 2016, 8:49:56 pm
Gender: Male
Location: In A Cave...

Re: March Donis

Post by Greirat »

Looks like this is based off of an extinct crocodile.
Very cool!!
Can't wait to see what these guys turn out like as adults!
Image|Image|Image|Image|Image|Image| Image All Artwork Is Made By Me

LTB Creatures
[ Updated: 3/09/17 ]
"We don't just walk around all stabby, stabby you know."Image
User avatar
RobotChimera
MagiStream Donor
Member of The Dark Brotherhood Member of Artificer's Association
CreaturesTrade
Posts: 1749
Joined: January 8th, 2010, 8:21:37 pm
Gender: Female
Location: ...

Re: March Donis

Post by RobotChimera »

All images added to my post.
Post Reply

Return to “Community Discussion”