#snakehound

“Fordyce’s Monster” © Scots Magazine, accessed at ShukerNature here

[Commissioned by @wannabedemonlord. Because the Loch Ness Monster is a sociological phenomenon more than it is a biological phenomenon, “outlier” sightings occur--those that do not fit the typical plesiosaur-like model favored by print media. Take for example the Fordyce sighting. As pointed out by the Paranormal World Wiki, this beast has more in common with the Magalia snakehound than the typical Nessie.]

Coyerd CR 4 N Magical Beast This humpbacked hairy quadruped has a long neck, on which sits a very small head. Its legs end in bird-like claws.

Coyerds are sometimes referred to as “cameleels” due to their hybrid appearance, although in truth they are related to neither species. Instead, they are highly modified, magical amphibians, something more like a salamander. What appears as rangy hair that grows from their bodies is actually algae and lichen, which coats them and provides them with camouflage. Coyerds are mid-tier predators of cold freshwater systems, feeding on fish, amphibians and birds and being preyed on themselves by magical predators such as aughiskies and dobhar-chu. They can sense electrical fields, making them excellent at rooting out buried bottom dwellers or foraging in murky waters.

A coyerd does not typically view man-sized creatures as prey, but will fight if it feels threatened or during a time of increased stress, such as heat waves or mating season. Their teeth and claws are sharp, and they secrete a slime from their mouths that causes muscle weakness and fatigue. Although this is primarily carried through their bites, they can vomit this secretion in waves when under duress—this is usually a prelude to fleeing from a losing encounter.

A coyerd’s trail cannot be followed through any means except for divination magic—whether this ability developed on its own or was engineered by some ancient meddlers is unknown. This ability makes them valuable to smugglers and bandits as mounts or pack animals, especially in the cool highlands and lochs in which they are found. Coyerds make for difficult and ornery livestock, however, and coyerd trainers would be wise to keep antitoxin and universal solvent on hand.  A coyerd is as comfortable on land as in the water, but it requires cold water to lay its eggs. Coyerd tadpoles look much like ordinary tadpoles, although they are born the size of a cat and grow rapidly from that point.

A coyerd stands about five feet at the shoulder, but its hump can rise a foot higher than that.

Image © Tim Morris, accessed at ShukerNature here

[This only-seen-once cryptid was almost certainly just a poorly glimpsed deer, but that’s never stopped people before, has it? Of note is that this critter is native to Magalia, which was badly affected by the Camp Fire this month. If you can afford to donate, please do. There are people who need your help.]

Snakehound CR 4 N Magical Beast This creature has an elongated head and neck like some sort of snake or eel, but its body is doglike. Its hind legs are longer than its forelegs, giving it a somewhat tilted stride, and its tail is little more than a nub. Its body is covered in a thick, dark pelt.

Snakehounds are fearsome ambush predators that subdue prey with a venomous bite. Their venom is hemotoxic, causing tissue death, swelling and grotesque bleeding wounds. They will often flee from a potentially dangerous foe for several rounds, trusting to their venom to do its work and their sense of smell to track down the slain creature. Especially large kills may attract multiple snakehounds, which vie for scraps in a feeding frenzy.

Snakehounds are typically retiring when not on the hunt, and spend much of their time in repose. They prefer to lair in caves and on cliff-faces, and can scratch-dig small burrows into sandy soil to rest in if these are not available. In the colder ranges of their territory, they hibernate through the winter, and are more tolerant of each other in groups when huddled for warmth. Mating frequently occurs as the hibernal season ends, with females laying eggs shortly after and incubating them for about a month before they hatch. Snakehound mothers are good parents, catching food for their young and teaching them how to hunt. Pups leave their mother after about eighteen months, at which time they are nearly fully grown.