Fauna
In The Blade, the animals can be just as dangerous as the terrain itself, if not more so. Anything and everything can and will kill an omneuttian if given the chance. High up in the peaks of the highlands, down to the forests and lowlands, and in the rivers, nowhere is safe from those that call The Blade home.
Broiska (broy-shk-sA)
Large and intimidating enough to impose on almost any shani, the broiska is widely accepted as the apex predator of The Blade. They mostly eat the large bugs in the forests and lowlands, but will kill anything in its territory. Shani with magik or in large groups can fend them off. Some shani point to the creatures existence as punishment from Sham’ayn, but others credit the broiska for forcing shani to stick together.
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Brolyk (broy-lihks)
Birds as large as an adult shani, mostly seen in the highlands across The Blade. Their preferred hunting strategy is to chase prey into falling from high places to their death, though they will also glide down from the highlands with their large wings and sink their talons into prey. After they hunt a horzab or an unlucky shani, they hop back up cliff faces one rock at a time rather than flying.
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Horzab (koyr-zAb)
A pack animal that grazes around the lowlands of The Blade; their fur is used by shani for clothes and fabrics. The first ritual to signify a shani has reached adulthood is to procure enough fur to make a wrap for the cold season. This task can be dangerous if the shani elects to kill a horzab rather than wait for enough fur to be shed, as they have sharp horns and use their numbers for safety.
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Haralik (kA-rA-lEks)
About as large as a shani pup, this sub-species is closely related to the hinalik. This animal climbs up trees and sometimes cliffs, then jumps down and uses its weight to crush prey or kick them with their powerful hind legs. The haralik and the hinalik are collectively referred to as Lyka-Ako.
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Hanalik (kA-nA-lEks)
Slightly smaller than a shani pup, this sub-species is closely related to the hiralik. This animal burrows underground and feeds on smaller insects, though their burrowing under shani dwellings can be dangerous. The hinalik and the haralik are collectively referred to as Lyka-Ako.
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Taruciil (tA-rooh-chE-El)
Taruciil are found over most of The Blade, save for the Reigns and Remnants where they have been hunted to extinction for their shells. They live in and out of water, ensnaring prey in their large mouths and thrashing around until the prey ceases to struggle. The serrated edges of their shells can be used for both defense and another point of attack when thrashing about.
