Since I'm having a snip of writer's block I decided to catalogue the major fauna that appear in the KH Storm world. Keep in mind that I of course can't catalogue every single critter in the world but I'll cite the ones that either appear or are mentioned…or are just downright fun. I also reserve the right to introduce other critters not mentioned in this bestiary. Now as a warning, most of my critters are based on various fauna and mega-fauna that actually existed at one point or another in earth's history, so if something looks familiar…well I wonder why? So yeah, in the hopes that this gets my creative juices flowing bear with me. I'll start with the most obvious critter; can you guess what it is?
Chocobo: these animals are found across the Northern Continent. They are the dominant predator in most of their habitats. Depending on the clime they are found in, they can be solitary or gregarious, all known chocobo sub-species are carnivorous but they are known to eat fruits, nuts, and berries as well. Despite the wide variety of sub-species, they have certain characteristics that are shared throughout their family: bipedal, large powerful beak, powerful taloned legs, and compact wings used predominantly for display though some larger species use them in assisted jumps. If domesticated from a young age or born in captivity they are very loyal, loving, and intelligent companions and are used for a myriad of jobs, from war mounts to pack animals, even as pets. They are frequently brightly colored, and combinations of various color patterns have been noted in the wild. Chocobos range in height from 7-13 feet tall and weigh between 500-800 pounds. Their size depends largely on their habitat and diet; birds in forested or mountainous regions tend to be smaller than their plainsland and desert brethren. Those that eat meat also tend towards a larger size than those that eat fruit and nuts. In captivity most breeders feed their birds a meat heavy diet to encourage size and power as these are the most desirable traits. In the wild they have been known to attack and kill humans and formerly domesticated birds if exposed to their wild brethren or allowed to actively hunt can become increasingly violent even towards their owners. (the two named chocobos in Stormrise story are Baast and Red. Red is a nine foot bird that strangely remained domesticated despite being allowed to hunt. Baast is a much larger and heavier animal at twelve feet tall and also has a much larger head and beak than Red)
Sickle-Moon Shark: these sharks are found in the tropics around the MediSea, they are not pelagic animals though they have been sighted migrating great distances, presumably in search of food or mates. Unusually these animals mate for life and the young are raised by both parents much like many bird species. This behavior has led to their nickname Silver Nurse, however once the young reach maturity the parents can become violent and even cannibalistic towards their offspring. They are dark gray in color with silver stripes running the length of their bodies; their caudal fin is large and shaped like a slivered moon or sickle, hence their name. They are known man eaters and are considered highly dangerous, especially given their adult size of 19 feet and their tendency to live in tropic and sub-tropic waters where swimmers are common. In rare cases however, it has been observed that solitary Sickle-Moons will actually protect humans from other marine predators and in a few isolated cases may even become semi-domesticated and allow humans to hand feed them. This practice however is not recommended as there is no guarantee that the animal will not eventually see its feeder as food in time. (for those that don't remember, this is the species that Sora nursed back to health when he was living in the Destiny Isles)
Pliodon: these are marine reptiles that are found throughout the world's oceans, there are numerous species and they have been observed in every climate from artic to tropical. They share some basic traits, they have short necks, and their heads are roughly a third of their total length and they have four paddle-like fins that they beat up and down in alternating motion to propel them through the water; their bodies end in a short tail that in some smaller species is also paddle-like in shape and is used for bursts of speed. Being reptiles they require air, though some species have been known to dive for up to three hours or more. These creatures come in all shapes and sizes, with the largest being a record breaking 80 feet in length and the smallest being a mere 6 feet. They can be found in shallows, open ocean, continental shelves, and it is assumed in almost any aquatic environ. It should be noted that most species seem to be able to deal with both salt- and freshwater equally well. Despite having a ferocious reputation as the ultimate predators of the sea, pliodons are not all actively carnivorous; many are filter feeders, gliding through the ocean eating tiny animals and lack teeth entirely. The largest species in fact are filter feeders though there have been reports of large carnivorous pliodons these are considered genetic flukes as the largest confirmed carnivorous species rarely exceed 60 feet and 40-50 feet is far more normal.
Meridon: these are massive sharks; they are considered the second largest carnivore to swim in the ocean, only the largest pliodons are bigger. Despite their impressive size at 40-60 feet, they actually have a weaker bite than their reptilian stable mates though considering that a grown man can stand upright in their mouths this is little comfort. They have been known to attack small ships, normally they ignore humans, but dense groups of swimmers can attract their attention. Their pups are not raised by the parents as they are solitary animals and the mother will sooner eat her pups than tolerate them. While the adults stay in the open ocean, the young live in close to shore lines and they are one of the few shark species that can challenge the Sickle-Moon Shark for number of attacks on humans. Though unlike the Sickle-Moon these attacks are due to all out aggressiveness rather than simple proximity or opportunity; young Meridon have been known to pursue fleeing swimmers up onto beaches, going so far as to beach themselves to try and get their intended prey.
Armored Fish: this name is actually applied to nearly half of known fish species, many of which are only distantly related to each other if at all. The name is in tribute to the external structure of hardened scale and bone that covers the frontal two thirds of the fish's body. The most notable member of this broad group is the Dunkliops which are 27 foot monsters that will eat anything and everything they come across. Not all armored fish are this dangerous as some are no bigger than a human hand. They are considered a staple to any fishing community given their numbers.
Seabats: (also known as Stingrays, Skates, and Kites), this species covers a large range of animals that vary in size from no bigger than a soccer ball to animals with 24 foot wingspans. They are carnivorous though they do not attack humans unless threatened, in which case they use potent venom found in a barb on the tip of their tail. Some species are so venomous that a pinprick from these barbs can kill. Despite this, most species are docile and even friendly, going so far as to be playful; it should be noted that the smaller the species the more skittish and aggressive. They eat small cephalopods and crustaceans, larger animals are filter feeders and filter sea water through their mouths to strain out microscopic plankton and krill. Like sharks and other similar animals, they belong to the cartilage fish group, the smallest group of fish in terms of number, but perhaps the most successful.
Xerinax: the king of all fish, these are ] monsters that can be up to 200 feet long when fully grown and can live for over a thousand years if they can survive. Though their size would make them seem invulnerable it actually makes them a floating buffet and these gentle giants make up the primary food source of many of the ocean's top predators. Everything from carnivorous armored fish, to Meridons, to pliodons prey upon these massive animals mercilessly, frequently eating an individual alive as it tries to swim away. Given their vulnerability to these predators they have evolved a unique family structure in which younger, smaller and more nimble animals defend the massive adults that in turn provide shelter for the adolescents during their constant migration. They belong to the third species of fish, the unarmored-bony group that comprise roughly half of the fish in the sea.
Angelfish: this is another species of cartilage-fish that are distantly related to sharks and Seabats. They appear to be an evolutionary mash-up of their two cousins because while they have the long sleek and streamlined bodies of sharks with the dorsal and caudal fins that are absent in Seabats, they also have wing-like fins that mirror the structures found in Seabats. They are a varied group, with some being up to 30 feet in length with 10 foot wingspans while others are barely a meter long with even shorter wings. They are also varied in their diet, some species hunt actively and larger animals may even attack humans while others are casual filter feeders. The most recognizable fish belonging to the former group is the Saw-Angel; a 20 foot specimen that has an extended structure protruding out from its nose lined with teeth-like saw blades that it uses to slash at its prey. It should be noted that very few species of Angelfish bear this unique structure and this is the only species known to use it in attacks on humans.
Sabercat: these are one of the two species of feline found on both the Southern Continent and the so-called Lost Continent. There are various types of these animals and they vary in size from large animals 5 feet at the shoulder and 7-8 feet long too much smaller animals. The one thing they all share is the two, or four in some species, saber-like canines that they use to sever their prey's windpipe and jugular. These canines can be a foot long in larger species though they are not particularly strong when compared to a normal tooth.
Puma: the second of the two feline species found in the Southern and Lost continents, they are generally much smaller than their saber bearing cousins and are also far less aggressive in their disposition. They are also more common, though like their cousins they are found in all environments. It is assumed that the two species of cat out-competed the carnivorous chocobos that are only found on the Northern Continent as fossilized remains have confirmed the presence of chocobos in ranges now occupied by these two feline species.
Moab: these are distant relatives to the chocobo and are found on all three continents; they are strictly herbivorous and are much more heavily built and larger than any chocobo species. Unlike their distant cousins, they have found success on all three of the continents and are found in great numbers in all their habitats. They are extremely shaggy animals, covered in a down-like feather coat similar to wool when touched. They have no natural defense aside from numbers and all species travel in large groups to defend each other. Many are kept as farm animals where they are sheared for their feathers and butchered for their meat, their eggs, some the size of soccer balls, are also valued for obvious reasons.
Black Constrictor: this species of snake is aptly named, they are 20-30 foot snakes that patrol the jungles of the Lost Continent, their massive size makes them more or less immune to any predators and they have been known to attack and kill virtually every other species in their habitat. Though their name implies a black coloring, they are frequently brown or green with black patterning. This coloration assists them in hiding from their potential meals.
Goldenhood: this species is the other large snake found on the lost continent, unlike the constrictor this hooded snake, though equally massive, relies on venom which it can spit from two fangs that extend from the roof of its mouth; the stream can reach up to 30 feet, roughly the length of the snake's body. The venom can cause paralysis if it enters the bloodstream and blindness if exposed to the eyes. These brightly colored animals tend to rear up and spread a flap of scaly skin behind their heads when they feel threatened, the underside of this hood is brightly and ornately colored and is assumed to play a role in their courtship as well as warn off any attacker.
Gorgis: these massive hairy animals are found only on the Lost Continent and are gentle giants that can be 10-15 feet tall and weigh in at a ton. They are kept for their fur and rich milk as well as their meat. Uniquely, they shed their outer layer of fur, along with their fatty muscle; the meat literally falls off along with their fur. This has made them a staple food source as the animal does not need to be butchered to enjoy a steak. They are herbivores that spend their time wandering slowly through the dense underbrush, carving massive trails through the jungle. When threatened they rear up and use massive fore-claws to slash and gut their attacker. Their only known predators are Goldenhoods and Black Constrictors though groups of pumas and sabercats have been known to attack them.
Sea Scorpion: a form of arachnid that bears an eerie resemblance to land based scorpions, hence the misnomer of their name as they are not true scorpions. They vary in size from about 3 feet to 10 feet and are universally carnivorous and highly predatory. They will attack anything, even things that are many times their weight and size with a frenzied zeal though in many cases this ends in the scorpions' death. They are equally at home in and out of the water and should be avoided whenever encountered.
Rok: these are massive birds that originated in the Southern Continent and spread across the sea to the Lost Continent, they are large enough to carry off an adolescent gorgis though they prefer to prey upon the flightless and easier to bring down moab. Though not generally considered a danger to humans, they have been known to attack lone humans and even small groups when hungry. They should be given a wide berth whenever they are sighted.
Triblatytes: this species ranges across the world's oceans and shores, they are found everywhere in the billions and it is estimated that in numbers alone they outnumber any other large species on the planet. They are distantly related to craps, lobsters, and shrimp. They have a rich meat that is similar in texture to their relatives and are a staple food source for coastal communities. Despite their world wide range, all of them seem exactly the same as every other member of their species. To date there has been no variation found anywhere in the world accepting size, with tropical species being larger with thinner shells and artic species having thicker shells but smaller sizes.
Okay, I think I got a little out of control with that, but the good news is that I do indeed feel like I can write now, so expect the first chapter and possibly the second and third to arrive this weekend. I hope you enjoyed the bizarre creatures of the world of Storm and forgive me for having an active imagination and a love of nature.