Desmodus

Giant Vampire bats.

Abstract

There are numerous species of bats spread across the Aelyrian Empire, yet few are as quite as unique or dangerous as the Desmodus, or as old. Known by many as the "Giant Vampire Bat," the Desmodus are a rather large and unique species that have inspired many dark legends of bloodsucking monsters haunting the countryside throughout the ages. There is some reason to fear these creatures as they are sometimes found in the company of the dark and mysterious, Vysstichi and are bred by the dark Elves for a handful of purposes. Ancient and thought to be one of the last remaining progenitors of the modern bat, the Desmodus is an animal both frightening and awe-inspiring at once.

Physical Appearance

The Desmodus differ from every other species of bat due mainly in size. The average adult Desmodus has a wingspan of 16 to 18 feet and weighs around 300lbs. The Desmodus has a short, conical muzzle and has naked pads with U-shaped grooves at the tip. They also have specialized infrared sensors on their nose which aids them in locating an area on their prey where the blood flows close to the skin. They have small ears and a short tail membrane. Their front teeth are specialized for cutting and their back teeth are much smaller than in other bats. Their digestive systems are also specialized for their liquid diet. The saliva of the Desmodus contains a substance, draculin, which prevents the victim's blood from clotting. They therefore lap blood rather than suck it.

The Desmodus have no tails and their upper parts are dark gray to black with a paler underside. They have pointed ears, a larger thumb and 20 teeth. The Desmodus have no tails and their upper parts are dark gray to black with a paler underside. They have pointed ears, a larger thumb and 20 teeth. Their thumbs are tipped with razor-sharp talons that they use to hold on to their prey while feeding. Their feet also are tipped with similar talons which allow them to anchor themselves to the crevices of stone and other irregular surfaces.

Climate and Terrain

Desmodus tend to live as solitary creatures in almost completely dark places, such as large cave complexes and vast underground caverns. Sometimes a mated pair and a single youngling can be found if there is a large enough food supply in the area. They often roost with the other much smaller species of bat. Although found almost exclusively in warm climates they prefer and are at their greatest health in the cool, moist environment provided by their underground roosts.

Diet

Desmodus hunt only when it is fully dark and do so in near total silence. They feed mostly on the blood of mammals, rather large ones, usually horses, cattle and other large livestock being the most common target. Those living further from civilization will feed on any creature large enough to support its thirst; often following entire herds. These particular Desmodus become rather protective of their herd and fend off any other of their species who may threaten it. They also have been known to attack hunters of various species in order to keep the herd to themselves. Once the Desmodus locates a host, usually a sleeping mammal, they land and approach it on the ground. They are very agile and in addition to walking, run at speeds of up to 6 feet per second. They locate a suitable place to bite using their infrared sensors.

If there is fur on the skin, the Desmodus uses its canine and cheek teeth like a pair of shears to clip away the hairs. Their razor-sharp upper incisor teeth then make a one-inch-long and half-inch deep cut. The upper incisors lack enamel, making it easier to keep them razor sharp. Their saliva is a key element in feeding from the wound. While grooves on the underside of the tongue draw blood toward the mouth, the saliva has several ingredients that prolong bleeding.

A typical adult male Desmodus weighs 300 pounds yet will consume around 3 gallons of blood per feeding (Roughly 1 gallon for every 100 lbs that the Desmodus weighs). This amount demands that the Desmodus either kill a single host or feed from many to survive. This feeding pattern adds another degree of complexity to its anatomy. They feed entirely on blood. Ordinarily this volume of food would make flight after a feeding session impossible. However, the Desmodus has an amazing ability to rapidly process and digest the blood.

Organization

They will almost always have only one offspring per breeding season. When the mating season arrives, the male Desmodus seek out caves large enough to house one of their size and look for females to breed with. This process may take quite some time as the wild Desmodus population is not expansive. When the male does manage to find a female, they often display their most vicious pose complete with hissing and screeching in order to impress their would-be mate. If the female is convinced, the two will mate. Otherwise, the female moves to find another roost; ignoring the male.

The Desmodus need blood at least once every few brightenings to survive. If they can't get blood, and there is another Desmodus present or close by, they'll approach the other whilst roosting, asking for a blood 'transfusion'. The blood is exchanged mouth-to-mouth in a motion that looks very much like kissing. Desmodus can live up to nine eras in the wild and up to 19 in captivity. They reach sexual maturity between 10 and 12 months of age. Gestation lasts almost a full era. The mother gives birth to a single baby which nurses milk for the first four months of life before moving on to regurgitated blood. After roughly six months of age, they forage for blood themselves.

Combat

The Desmodus are not overly aggressive in the wild. If they are awakened from their daytime sleep, they appear groggy and sluggish although if they feel threatened, this state fades quickly, and they will become quite aggressive; baring their teeth and emitting a hissing screech. They are a creature that is aware of their great size, and they have few if any natural predators. When provoked into combat, a Desmodus will usually take to the air if possible and use a combination of its size, teeth and claws to scratch and bite its opponent. Though possessing a moderate amount of strength for restraining their prey while feeding, the Desmodus are otherwise fragile and do not engage in prolonged, close-quarter combat. Their strikes from the air are more for discouraging and driving away threats.

Special Abilities

The Desmodus do not possess any unnatural abilities, although their natural abilities are quite impressive.

Like other bats, the Desmodus emits a sound frequency, inaudible to most other creatures, that bounce off nearby objects and creatures. This ability enables it to discern objects and creatures within 120 feet.

In addition, the Desmodus also has specialized sensors in on its muzzle that allows it to detect places on the body of their prey where the blood is closest and in the greatest quantity. Also, their saliva contains a powerful chemical, draculin, that aids them in feeding as it prevents wounds from clotting or healing quickly. Those bitten by a Desmodus will find the wounds healing almost half as fast as normal.

All Desmodus are capable of carrying half their body weight.

Resistances/Weaknesses

The Desmodus do not have inherent resistances or immunities, although certain types of Arcana have specialized effects against them. Any Arcana that would eliminate sound has proven to effectively negate their ability to navigate, and it has been theorized that the elimination of sound somehow forces them to rely on their weak vision which is little more than 10 feet.

Further Reading: Primer to Arcana

Other Notable Information

The Desmodus, living in underground caverns and cave complexes, have inevitably come in contact with many other underground lifeforms. One in particular, the Vysstichi, have found a few uses for the Desmodus and thus the great bat can be found in servitude to the dark Elves.

Credit

Credit goes to Nydardomond