Belligerus [Creature]

[Slimcreeper]

Belligeri are magnificent creatures, most commonly found in the higher, and consequently, cooler mountain ranges, as well as areas further to the north. They have two large flippers towards the front and thick, tubular bodies that taper to a smaller pair of hind flippers. Their round, blunt heads seem to be attached without the convenience of a discernable neck, and sport huge tusks that thrust downward like spears. The males can grow to be more than 20 feet long, with torsos as thick as a human is tall. They are massive creatures, and the fact that they fly seems impossible. However, they have several bladders that contain a gas that is lighter than air. This, combined with the elemental air naturally woven into their bones, allows them to literally float on the air. They have a truly astonishing level of control over their buoyancy, able to rise and fall with a thought. Another of their adaptations is a thick layer of blubbery fat that protects them from both the cold and physical damage.

Groups of Belligeri are called huddles. Typically there is a single great bull Belligerus and up to a dozen Belligerus cows, along with 4-5 calves, in a given huddle. They eat a wide variety of foods, including birds, reptiles, and a sort of aerial crustacean about which very little is known.

Because of their remote habitat, Belligeri rarely come into contact with Namegivers. When they do, it rarely goes well. Male Belligeri are extremely territorial, and sometimes regard encroaching airships as challengers. Female Belligeri are extremely protective of their young. They will often consider hikers and climbers potential threats. Belligeri initiate a conflict with dramatic threat displays, bellowing and slamming their bodies into the sides of the mountain. If the intruders do not flee quickly enough for their tastes, they will charge. Some mountain troll moots organize yearly Belligeri hunts, prizing them for their meat and tusks.

Belligeri are particularly hostile towards creatures that attack them with fire. If a pod is threatened by a creature with fire abilities, the smaller cows will try to get the calves to safety, while the other adults will do their best to drive away or kill the creature. Even dragons are a bit wary of provoking this response. The reason they react so dramatically to such creatures is that the gas that provides part of their buoyancy is flammable. Powerful attacks with flame can ignite one or more of their gas bladders.

Belligeri are suitable as animal companions, but they cannot abide the climate away from their frozen mountain tops.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gz_ ... sp=sharing

[Slimcreeper]

edited to boost the bull's offensive capability