The First Daughter
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a Sithspawn pet to act as a test for Sith Acolytes
- Image Credit: http://wartbook.ru/web-art/xenomorph-rex-art-3d-model/
"Xenomorph Rex" by Unknown Artist on wartbook.ru - Canon: N/A
- Links: None
- Name: Maelridae
- Designation: Semi-sentient
- Homeworld: Dantooine
- Language: Hisses and shrieks
- Average Lifespan: 40 years
- Estimated Population: Rare
- Description: The Maelridae resembles a large bipedal reptile, much like the base Tythonian raptor it was created from, and is covered in black armor plating. No eyes are visible on its head, but its teeth are always visible in what some would consider a permanent snarl.
- Breathes: Type I
- Average height of adults: 3 meters
- Average length of adults: 3 meters
- Skin color: Black
- Hair color: No hair
- Distinctions: Its most notable traits are the large spikes that run along the creature's back and tail, ending in a sharp blade at the end. The talons of the creature are also extremely sharp, and hooked to allow it to grasp onto to something with both its arms and feet. Black armor covers the entire body of the creature, giving it an intimating appearance when combined with its bared teeth.
- Races: No other races
- Strengths:
- Extremely fast - As requested by the a Lord of the Circle, the Maelridae are extremely fast, able to run at speeds approaching 250 km/h on flat ground.
- Armored - The armor plating is light enough to not impede on the Maelridae's ability to run fast, however, it can withstand attacks on par with quality seven armor
- Easily controlled - A sufficiently strong dark side Force user can easily dominate and bond with these creatures
- Sharp talons, blade tail, and teeth - The Maelridae's talons, teeth, and blade tail can go through armor up to the quality of five
- Complex sensor - Much like an earlier project, the Rupterer, the Maelridae have a complex sensory organ to detect vibrations and motion.
- Weaknesses:
- Blind - The Maelridae are completely blind, only being able to sense vibrations and motion.
- Light side of the Force - Direct applications of the light side of the Force will either kill them or sever the link between them and their master.
- Feral - If the connection to their masters are severed, the Maelridae will go feral and attack anything and everything around them, including their master until a stable link can be established again.
- Talons, blade tail and teeth - While they can go through quality five armor, they can't go through anything of a higher quality.
- Crashes - When running at full speed, the Maelridae can't really change directions easily. If they attempt to do so at the command of their masters, they will trip and crash.
- Diet: Straight carnivore, vegetation will cause it to become sick and die.
- Communication: Hisses and shrieks among themselves, but understand telepathic commands from their masters
- Technology level: No technology level
- Religion/Beliefs: No religion or belief system
- General behavior: When bonded with a master, they are loyal and obedient servants, much like a dog. Almost completely subservient to their wishes, they will attack anything their master sends them after and will attempt to protect their master from being harmed. When not bonded, they are pack creatures, usually residing in a den between four and six individuals. As a pack, everything is shared among them, but the pack leader, usually the biggest and strongest of the pack, will have the largest portion of any meal. Their dens are usually found in caves brimming with Force energy, possibly a leftover part of the base Tythonian raptor.
At the quiet request of Circle Lord Krest, Eldaah began designing a creature that could act as both a test for Sith Acolytes and as a pet for those who survive such a trial. Spiriting away several Tythonian raptors to a small facility on Dantooine, Eldaah began the creation process under the watchful holo-observation of her Master for the creatures dubbed Maelridae.
The first thing she focused on in the adaptation process was giving the Maelridae enhanced musculature to allow it to run at top speeds of 250 km/h. However, when running at such speeds, the Maelridae are likely to trip, crash, and injure themselves if they attempt any sudden turns or stops. Eldaah, with help from her Master, also began growing the spikes and armor on the creature's body, making it tough enough to withstand attacks much like a quality seven armor but light enough that it could still run at top speeds.
Eldaah then began modifying the teeth, talons, and a bladed end to the tail sharp enough to go through quality five armors, however they cannot damage anything beyond that. The talons were also modified to be hooked to allow the Maelridae to grasp onto any prey or enemy.
The final part of the directive given to Eldaah and her Master was to make them obedient to a strong enough dark side Force user, serving as a test for acolytes to try and bond with the creatures... or die. The bond allows the Maelridae's master to telepathically give it commands, but if the connection is severed, the creatures will revert into a highly frenzied feral state that can and will attack anything and everything.
Because of the extensive modifications done to it, the creature was rendered blind, but taking lessons from when they created the Rupterer, they introduced a similar sensory organ to allow the Maelridae to sense vibrations and motion.
As with other Sithspawn, they are weak to direct applications of the light side of the Force, which can either kill them or sever the connection to their masters. Quietly, in case they might be used against her or her Master, Eldaah introduced the same secret pheromone control included in the Slythghoul creation so they could override any Maelridae that might be sent against them.
