On the Nature of Jadinkos
Scientific name: Vitis lacerta
Common name: Jadinko (as named by 'Papa Mambo', former shaman of Shilo Village)
Habitat: Southern Karamja, around the Jade Vine.
Description: Similar in appearance to a velociraptor, but with a much smaller head and two vines protruding from the upper back. Precise characteristics differ between subspecies, of which there are many - the common jadinko (Vitis lacerta communis) is of a similar colour to the Jade Vine, and is presumably the closest of the 'hunter' jadinkos in genetic relation. Most subspecies have a similar body structure to the common jadinko, with variations ranging from a black colouration (as seen on the shadow jadinko, Vitis lacerta tenebris) to a stone-like outer shell (the igneous jadinko, Vitis lacerta molaris) and, according to the locals, divine favour (the Saradomin, Zamorak and Guthix jadinkos, all of which have so far evaded observation and therefore classification). These 'hunter' jadinkos are the only ones that have been sighted above ground level in recent times, and are tasked with gathering food in the form of plant matter and nectar. They are particularly fond of flowers and berries grown from the vine itself, but they appear to value the nectar and flower of the marasamaw plant above all other food sources. Since the marasamaw plant is somewhat cannibalistic, it will frequently snap shut on a jadinko trying to take its bounty. Any would-be jadinko hunters are advised to take advantage of this trait.
In addition to the 'hunter' jadinkos described above, there are two other varieties present in the area, though only underground. The first is divided into two categories - 'breeding' and 'infertile'. The smaller of the two, the 'breeding' jadinko - termed the 'male', due to the nature of jadinko reproduction, though jadinkos have no true sex, being plants - is the only kind of jadinko able to pollinate, and can be identified by its vibrant colouration and large frills. The larger, the 'infertile', serves as a guard for the nest.
Finally, the jadinko queen (Vitis lacerta regina) is the most important part of the jadinko nest. The queen is functionally immobile, being the only jadinko to be rooted in place, but is by far the largest variety, usually over 15 feet tall above ground. Furthermore, the queen is linked directly to the Jade Vine via a series of large roots. It is unclear whether the Jade Vine is an extension of the jadinko queen or vice versa, but the life of the jadinko queen is tied to that of the Jade Vine. The jadinko queen is responsible for spawning new jadinkos, as one might expect - a pouch at the base of the queen's roots contains seeds which germinate and mature at a rapid pace upon contact with the pollen of a 'male' jadinko. In fact, this occurs at such a rapid pace that one must wonder where all the 'baby' jadinkos go - none are known to be found outside the queen's chamber so far.
ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS: I have discovered the location of many of the aforementioned 'baby' jadinkos. I have found, in fact, that many jadinkos have become corrupted in some fashion, becoming extremely violent and almost impossible to damage for someone with little experience in slaying strange creatures. This is extremely concerning, as the only possible source for the corruption is the Jade Vine itself. Given that this is the last jadinko colony in the known world, I fear greatly for the continued survival of the species.
