Destridahn

ORIGIN

The origin of these creatures is unclear. The few scholars that are familiar with them debate over whether they are a magical experiment, or a naturally evolved aberration formed from the raw magic of the underdark. Because of their odd vulnerability to good magic, it has been postulated that destridahn may owe their origins to a strange fiendish experiment. With the neutral component to the destridahn alignment, this experiment has been attributed more to the yugoloths, rather then the chaotic tanar'ri or the lawful baatezu.

RELATIONS

As powerful and sly ambush predators, destridahn are naturally secretive. Destridahn prefer to attack only when it is sure of victory, and have few compunctions about retreating. And while a destridahn can be vindictive and spiteful, it will rarely return to harry a group that has forced it to flee.

Some denizens of the underdark, such as mind flayers and beholders, are quite familiar with the creatures. Illithids favor them as guardians and pets, but only when properly broken and tamed. Destridahn prove to somewhat resistant to mental domination, and prove to be extremely vindictive and vengeful should such magical control be lost.

Beholder-kin, as is their nature, find destridahn to be little more than pests to be exterminated. For their part, destridahn rarely attack beholders. They fear the vast array of combat powers the beholder possess, and loath the taste of beholder-kin flesh.

Other denizens of the underdark, such as the drow and duergar, have legends of the creatures. However, they typically attribute the stories to more well-know monsters. Several well documented cases are often attributed to the work of multiple hook horrors working together, rather then a single destridahn.

REPRODUCTION

Roughly every three years, a female destridahn will experience a rather severe case of estrus, in which her instincts force her to find suitable mate, preferably a decade or so her senior (younger males are typically weaker, and the female wants the strongest of mates). She enters his territory and begins to coat the tunnels with her own descriptive markings. If interested, the male will track her down and accept the invitation. If not… that female is likely doomed.

Destridahn mate for as long as a week, in which time they produce up to 16 viable eggs. The two destridahn care for the eggs in turn, sometimes hunting together to keep up their strength or to protect their eggs from direct threats (such as basilisks, who seem prenaturally aware of destridahn eggs, and quite fancy the flavor). Upon hatching the young remain in a larval state, practically helpless, and regularly given still-living creatures to feast upon. When the larval destridahn have reached maturity within six weeks, they depart the nest, seeking their own territory. It is rare for more then four or five of the sixteen siblings to survive the full six weeks, whether due to starvation, malnutrition, or sibling cannabilism.

Once the young leave the nest, the male typically tries to drive the female from his territory. If weaker, she typically leaves without much posturing. If the stronger, she slaughters the male and takes his territory.

COMBAT

Destridahn are all about ambush. They carefully watch their prey for hours, if not days, simply for the perfect moment to strike. They come out of dark places, striking their foe, and moving swiftly back into the shadows. A mating pair will strike in a staggered pattern, keeping their opponent off balance.

Destridahn typically open with a single bite before dashing away, seeking to inflict their poison on the target. Rarely will a destridahn drop its defenses to grapple a foe, preferring quick movement at all times. If in serious danger, a destridahn will retreat quickly, perhaps to take revenge later.