[Monster] Aroike [Founder Review]

[Sturlin]

I was thinking that the ones who did the sneaking were probably smaller, while the ones who lurked outside and observed might be larger. The wings aren't actually wings though, so they wouldn't be any more conspicuous than a man wearing a cloak. Same thing if they coiled their tail Though they would need to be stealthy, and i'd wager it would be hard to do in a fortress like sylira.

[Harlequill]

Always up for more feedback and adjustments but this looks as ready as its going to get. Bump.

[Sturlin]

Added picture! BUMP!

A smaller version of the picture will probably be necessary for the wiki. If you've got a guideline size just lemme know and i'll make it happen.

[Dusk]

Edits:

Under WINGS: "None of the species, regardless of size, is unable to glide for short distances." - Change to "All Arioke, regardless of size, are able to glide for short distances." Current wording is double-negative awkwardsauce.

Questions:

1. How do the Arioke communicate between each other, especially if there is variation in speech adaptation and vocal acuity?
2. How do they feed? Do they get it all vampire-style and just suck it out, or do they rip out pieces and chew it like gum, then spit out the meaty parts?
3. Have they mastered fire?
4. How many ARE there? You mentioned that slow mating and dangers of the wild keep their numbers in check, but how many packs are there and how many Kings are wandering around?

Sorry I'm just now getting to this, but I only check WD like once a month. The pic reminded me I needed to read this!

[Sturlin]

Copied edits to the various sections of the Aroike entry, and have pasted them here so you don't have to go back through the whole thing.

Thanks for spotting the wording. I couldn't have done no better myself.

1.The Aroike communicate primarily through body language, grunting, and whooping calls. While some Aroike are capable of speech, the large numbers of Aroike incapable of speech have prevented the species from developing its own language. The members of the species who converse regularly, such as the Aroike Kings, are taught a subset of the common tongue by the Alpha. Being the most highly evolved Aroike in the pack, he is most likely to have learned speech during his lifetime.

2. When feeding the Aroike typically puncture an artery and drink whatever blood they can suck from the victim. Once no more blood is available they tear free fat, muscle, and bone to chew. Upon draining the remaining scraps of their fluid they crack the bones, eat the marrow, and leave the remains on the ground for scavengers.

3. I would believe that they have knowledge of fire, or at least the Kings and a handful of Alphas do. Should I edit that information into the tools section?

4. (edits to the pack, and aroike king sections) There are approximately 70 packs spread throughout the Wildlands, totaling around 910 individual Aroike...It is estimated that at any time there are between twenty and thirty Aroike Kings spread throughout Syliras.

[Dusk]

The fire thing is more a question of whether they can MAKE fires themselves. Like, some animals understand fire but would never be able to make it. The harnessing of fire is a huge step in evolution, and if the Arioke have it it should probably be listed in their tools section. At least that's my opinion. Like, a chimpanzee can probably build a crude shelter from the rain, but I don't think the little monkey bastard could make a fire. It would be just another reason to feeeeeeeeear these things!

Also maybe explain how big a pack's territory is? How likely are they to ever leave it (other than a King)?

[Sturlin]

After being told the rough size of the Sylira region I have upped the number of Aroike to 80 packs, approximately 1040 individual Aroike, and changed it to between 25 and 35 Aroike kings.

Each pack has a territory of roughly 120 square miles, leaving some gaps in the wildlands where the creatures are not found.

Also edited tools to reflect their knowledge of fire.

[Eidolon]

Are you going to terrorize Mizahar with this Sturlin?

[Cayenne]

Alrighty here. Time for picking it over with a fine-toothed comb.

Sener the mad

Sener the Mad

Camoflauged by their valuable hides

Camouflaged

Aroike are powerfully built to a wiry frame similar to that of great apes or overlarge monkeys. They possess retractable claws on both hands and feet. Three distintive features include their face, tail, and 'wings'. Their face has been likened to the face of a bat stretched over the skull of a baboon, tails uniformly reach the size of twice the height of the beast, and what appear to be wings are in actuality flaps of skin which extend from wrist to ankle. Possible colorations include brown, gray, and black.

distinctive.

Also, how big are the claws? Are we talking cat-sized appropriate claws, or are we talking meat cleavers?

When hunting the Aroike will work in groups of two or three, and will co-ordinate their efforts to ambush prey.

When hunting, the Aroike will work in groups of two or three and co-ordinate their efforts to ambush prey.

Both gliding and hanging in wait by a tree-branch are used to ambush their meal and eliminate it quickly.

tree branch

Once an Aroike has captured its prey it will usually attempt to kill it by breaking the creature's neck with its powerful arms and jaws. If this fails then the hunting party will surround its prey and wear it down with blows from fists and attempt to grasp and trip with their tails. Once the creature is too tired to continue fighting the group will move in for the kill.

Once an Aroike has captured its prey, it will usually attempt to kill it by breaking the victim's neck with its powerful arms and jaws. If this fails, then the hunting party will surround their prey and wear it down with blows from their fists and attempt to grasp and trip the intended meal with their tails. Once the creature is too tired to continue fighting, the group will move in for the kill.

Aroike live in packs of ten to fifteen adults, and often twice as many children.

Aroike live in packs of ten to fifteen adults, and often have twice as many offspring.

Predictably the alpha is often the most evolved Aroike present. There are approximately 80 packs spread throughout the Wildlands, totaling around 1040 individual Aroike.

Alpha. You've got it capitalized in other areas, so you have to follow through.

Many packs have taken to building crude shelters out of wood and furs, as well as weapons and hides to protect their bodies. In spite of these localized living arrangements, each pack claims a territory of approximately 120 sq. miles. While they are only capable of crafting objects out of bone, stone, and wood, it is not impossible to see an alpha wielding an iron weapon. Similarly it is likely that the alpha will wear many suits of chain or other patch-worked armor over his massive frame. Because alphas rarely hunt they are the most likely to wear scavenged and heavy equipment of those who have been eaten by the pack.

Alpha, Alpha, Alpha.

Many packs have taken to building crude shelters out of wood and furs, as well as using weapons and hides to protect their bodies... Similarly, it is likely that the Alpha may wear many suits of chain or other patch-worked armor over his massive frame. Because Alphas rarely hunt, they are more likely to wear the scavenged and heavier equipment of those who have been eaten by the pack.

Packs around Syliras form a loose-knit society which keeps in contact at least once a year, sometimes once a season. If one pack is threatened by outside attack or starvation it is not uncommon for them to barter for aid from another nearby pack. Inter-pack matings are common, as are meetings between alphas to discuss recent events and discoveries by the 'Aroike Kings'.

The packs located around Syliras form a loose-knit society which keeps in contact at least once a year, sometimes once each season. If one pack is threatened by outside attack or starvation, it is not uncommon for them to barter for aid from another nearby pack. Inter-pack matings are common, as are meetings between Alphas to discuss recent events and discoveries by the 'Aroike Kings'.

While size is variable they all possess great intellect, an understanding of speech and its use, thumbs for grasping or tool use, and an insatiable curiosity. It is estimated that at any time there are between 25 and 35 Aroike Kings spread throughout Syliras.

While size is variable, they all possess great intellect, an understanding of speech and its use, thumbs for grasping and tool use, and an insatiable curiosity. it is estimated that at any time, there are between 25 and 35 Aroike Kings spread throughout the Sylira region.

Unless you actually meant they're in the city...

They never travel more than a months time away from the nearest pack, returning to mate and discuss things with their kind as often as possible. Recently they have begun sneaking into cities and settlements to spy on the inhabitants. While they do not come to feed, invariably a prolonged stay in such an area is followed by strange disappearances and bloodless corpses.

They never travel more than a month's time away from the nearest pack, returning to mate and discuss things with their kind as often as possible. Recently, they have begun sneaking into cities and settlements to spy on the inhabitants. While they do not come to feed, invariably a prolonged stay in such an area is followed by strange disappearances and bloodless corpses.


Question about these Aroike Kings. Are they always inevitably male, as their name suggests?

Females cycle every two years, a blessing for the creatures which share land with a pack. The alpha randomly chooses which males mate with which females, and can be found bartering with neighboring packs for mating rights if offspring are unsatisfactory. Due to the erratic nature of the biology of these creatures, it is unlikely to find an alpha which mates with every female. Diversity is something the Aroike seek in mating.

Females cycle every two years, a blessing for the creatures which share land with a pack. The Alpha randomly chooses which males mate with which females, and can sometimes be found bartering with neighboring packs for mating rights if offspring are unsatisfactory. Due to the erratic nature of the biology of these creatures, it is unlikely to find an Alpha which mates with every female. Diversity is something the Aroike seek when mating.

Within one week a newborn is capable of walking, gliding, and climbing. Offspring are sexually mature at one year, and reach full height and maturity at two years of age. Life-expectancy is between twenty and thirty years.

Within one week, a newborn is capable of walking, gliding, and climbing. Offspring are sexually mature at one year, and reach their full height and maturity at two years of age. The life expectancy of an Aroike is between twenty and thirty years.



Some questions I had while reading up:

1. How fast do they move?
2. How many times stronger than a human are they, approximately, on average?

[Sturlin]

Edited for grammar and punctuation as instructed. Below are answers to your direct questions. I edited them into the text, but have copy and pasted them here so that you don't have to try to hunt them down.

(Note: it is mentioned that the claws of an Aroike are never used for combat.)

Also, how big are the claws? Are we talking cat-sized appropriate claws, or are we talking meat cleavers?

In proportion they are slightly smaller than the claws of a cat.

Question about these Aroike Kings. Are they always inevitably male, as their name suggests?

Though they are predominately male as their name suggests, female 'Kings' are possible.

How many times stronger than a human are they, approximately, on average?

Those specimens which are three feet in height possess a strength slightly greater than that of an adult chimpanzee, or twice that of an adult human male. Strength continues to vary based on size until reaching nine feet. At maximum recorded size specimens demonstrate strength slightly less than that of a Jamoura, or eight times that of an adult human male.

How fast do they move?

The stride of an Aroike is considerable. Though the larger specimens demonstrate lesser agility, and the smaller specimens demonstrate greater agility, the average Aroike can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour while moving through the trees. While running on all fours an Aroike can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.