Name: Agnaktor
Pronunciation: ayg-NACK-tohr
Latin Name: Crocodilimorph ignileviathus – "Crocodile-like fire leviathan"
Element: Fire
Weakness: Water
Family: Leviathan
Class: Fiery class
Threat Level: Very High
Physical Description: The Agnaktor is one of the largest Leviathans in the known world. Like most other Leviathans, it has a serpentine body with short, muscular legs, and much of its length is made up of neck and tail. Its snout is long and beaky, possessing a razor-sharp, arrow-headed point on the tip. A long fin runs down the Agnaktor's neck and down to its tail. Its hide is solid black and covered in a substance similar to volcanic rock. Its tail is wide and flat with a fin on the end. Because they spend so much time bathing in lava, their armor tends to glow orange and yellow with heat.
Habitat: Agnaktors and their young, called Uroktor, live exclusively in the Moga region. They are so adapted to molten temperatures that they can only be found in the Mogan Volcano subregion. Sightings of Agnaktors and Uroktors have only been inside of the volcano itself, and not the surrounding area. It is unlikely that this species would be able to adapt to other subregions were it to attempt a migration, and would die out quickly.
Diet: This creature is a true carnivore. In the Mogan Volcano, life is harsh and food is scarce, meaning that Agnaktors must eat whatever they come across. Because their scalding hot hide and voracious appetites would ruin the ecosystem of the forest surrounding the Mogan Volcano, Agnaktors hunt and live out their lives in the volcano where few other creatures can go.
Uroktors, being rather small, can eat whatever they come across. They act as scavengers, often appearing when larger monsters kill another and eat their fill, leaving the scraps for the Uroktors to fight over. However, their relatively small stature means that they are prey to a large number of other monsters.
Specifically, the only creature large enough to serve as prey to the fully-grown Agnaktor is the Rhenoplos. These fiery Leviathans consume Rhenoplos in huge quantities, using their razor-sharp beak to puncture the thick hides of these vegetarians and get to the nutritious meat inside. Only a few creatures would dare hunt an Agnaktor, but there are quite a few monsters that actively compete with them for food.
Biological Adaptations: Agnaktors and Uroktors have a number of great adaptations that allow them to withstand the harsh environments of the Mogan Volcano.
The most distinguishing feature of both the young and the adults is their arrowhead beak. It can be used as both a tool and a weapon – while it is indeed extremely effective in killing prey, these Leviathans most often use their beaks to burrow beneath the rocky surface. The beak's shape and toughness is specifically designed to punch through a thick layer of rock before digging into the much softer layer of molten rock beneath it. Once below the surface, Agnaktors and Uroktors alike are able to burrow with ease through the earth.
When it comes to fighting and hunting, though, the beak of the full-grown Agnaktor is a terrifying weapon. As mentioned, it can easily pierce Rhenoplos hide and crack through stone. Any monster that finds itself on the receiving end of that beak is almost guaranteed to bleed out and slowly die from blood loss.
Unfortunately, Agnaktors have poor eyesight and cannot see very far. However, it has very good hearing and a decent sense of smell, allowing it to effectively track its prey, even from underground.
The fin on the Agnaktor's back consists of an extensive row of dorsal spines that extend out from the Leviathan's backbone. Each of these spines is connected by a thick membrane that is extremely dense. Although this fin definitely looks like something you would find on a water-dwelling creature, its main purpose is to help the Agnaktor burrow through the ground. The edge of the fin is very sharp and can slice right through rock as if it weren't even there. However, the Agnaktor's fin also helps it swim through rivers and lakes of magma. So, in a way, the Agnaktor is an aquatic creature after all. I believe that the fin was kept when the Agnaktor's Leviathan ancestors first emerged from the sea because of this very purpose.
Why the Agnaktor developed the ability to swim through lava is uncertain. However, I can certainly see the benefits of such an ability – it allows the Agnaktor to escape from monsters that it wouldn't risk challenging. In fact, the only monster in the Mogan Volcano that can withstand lava, besides the Agnaktor itself, is the Uragaan. And even then, Uragaans do not compete with Agnaktors for food.
Like almost all Leviathans, Agnaktors have a streamlined, serpentine body shape that is extremely hydrodynamic, allowing them to slither across the ground or slip through lava flows with ease. Their hide is incredibly tough and heat-resistant, allowing them to withstand the scorching temperatures of the magma they swim in.
The Agnaktor is coated in a very thick layer of armor that is reminiscent of volcanic rock. When this armor is solid, it is nearly impossible for anything to break through it. However, when the Agnaktor is exposed to lava – which it is when it burrows or swims – or some other form of extreme heat, its armor will begin to glow and become runny, giving the impression that the Agnaktor is cloaked in magma. This form of armor, while certainly less durable than its solid armor, gives off so much heat that it is unbearable to any monster except for Uroktors, other Agnaktors, and Uragaans.
While the Agnaktor's legs are very small, like other Leviathans in its family, they are strong enough to propel the creature across land at surprising speeds, much like a crocodile. Because Agnaktors are adapted for life on land, they are much better walkers and runners than other Leviathans.
The Agnaktor possesses a powerful weapon that it uses only if an enemy is not deterred by its size, armor, and sharp beak. Inside of its body is a sac that stores magma, and this sac is so strong that it prevents the magma from burning through and killing the Agnaktor from the inside. Whenever the Agnaktor is about to stimulate this sac, it clacks its beak loudly in order to warn the attacker, giving them one last chance to flee. If they don't, the Agnaktor will then release an immensely destructive beam of pure lava from its jaws, which is more than capable of killing anything that dares to drive it this far. Needless to say, the heat given off by this lava beam is enough to make the armor around the Agnaktor's chest and beak to melt and grow hot. Juvenile Uroktors possess a weaker version of this special sac, and are able to spit fireballs.
The moral of the story is, if you manage to tick an Agnaktor off so badly that it starts clacking its beak, get out of there immediately and you might live to tell of it.
Behavior: Before the monster war started all those hundreds of years ago, Agnaktors were actually quite peaceful around humans. They were also much rarer back then, so whenever a human traveler came across an Agnaktor in the Mogan Volcano, they would leave it alone. Because of this behavior, Agnaktors were often almost grateful to the humans for leaving them in peace and not doing anything to mess with the limited population.
However, Tartu's people – the same tribe that later started the war – held the Agnaktor in high, practically godly, esteem. The reason for this was discovered many years later. Apparently, this barbaric tribe considered the Agnaktor to be a physical incarnation of one of their gods, Agunakotol. Because of this similarity, they believed that the Agnaktors were the children of Agunakotol, and deserved to join him in whatever spiritual realm the god resided in. Thus, the tribe slaughtered any Agnaktor they came across, believing that they were doing the species a favor. Because of this, the Agnaktor population took a huge dive, prompting the Leviathans to become much more hostile towards humans.
Thankfully, the tribe didn't target the juvenile Uroktors, on the grounds that they must first reach their full adult glory before joining Agunakotol in the afterlife. Whatever they say…
Coincidentally, the start of the monster war happened at about the same time as an Agnaktor population boom. It is most likely this sudden increase in numbers that saved the Agnaktors from going extinct entirely.
Today, the Agnaktors still have not forgiven Tartu's tribe for needlessly killing off most of their species in the name of Agunakotol. They are now incredibly hostile and will attack any human that approaches them too closely. However, they will not unleash their heat beams on sight – they treat humans like they would any other predator, which means a traveler will get plenty of warning before the Agnaktor in question blasts them into smithereens.
As far as other monsters are concerned, Agnaktors have always treated them with aggression. If a large monster encroaches on its territory, the Agnaktor will likely hear or smell them and come rushing out of the lava to fight them off. Because of their boiling hot hides, clacking beaks, and lava blasts, only the stupidest or most desperate monsters will stay and fight.
Despite their aggression, Agnaktors are far from stupid and will only fight if their territory or their food supply is threatened. When faced with a powerful foe, these Leviathans will usually pretend to fight, feinting with their beaks until they find the opportunity to escape. Uroktors aren't as smart and will team up to rob a larger monster of its kill, but the adults are wise enough to catch their own food.
When breeding season arrives, male Agnaktors attract females by snapping their beaks loudly. Usually, the loudest or most persistent males have the fortune to find a mate during this time. Newly-mated couples will undergo an interesting ritual in which they climb or swim the long and challenging path up to the summit of the Mogan Volcano and fire their heat beams into the air. This sight can be seen for miles around, and is reportedly quite fascinating to watch.
Female Agnaktors, interestingly, give live birth. A full litter of Uroktor usually consists of 10-20 individuals. The young are on their own from the minute they become strong enough to walk, and they stick together for safety until their beaks harden and they are able to burrow. Their mother occasionally brings them food during this brief period.
Ailments: When an Agnaktor's hide is molten and runny, any physical blow it strikes will cause Fireblight. This ailment causes a hunter's armor to catch fire and slowly burn away.
Some people ask me if their lava beams inflict the Fireblight ailment as well, and I tell them that it doesn't. After all, there's no need to worry about Fireblight when you're a pile of ashes on the ground, is there?
Relatives: The Agnaktor, as mentioned previously, is part of the Leviathan family of monsters. All Leviathans are their distant relations, but one of their closest is the aquatic Lagiacrus. Both of them are of a similar size, and they share the same serpentine body plan. The Frontier Leviathan known as Kuarusepusu is thought to be a close relative to the Agnaktor as well, since it also lives entirely on land and can burrow through rock.
The Agnaktor's closest relation of all is its subspecies, the Glacial Agnaktor. This breed inhabits the cold north of the Moga region, in start contrast to its cousin's blistering hot habitat.
How to Approach: Keep in mind that Agnaktors see the human species as a powerful enemy and will attack them on sight. If you are a researcher that has been assigned the Agnaktor as a subject, be extremely cautious and make sure you are well hidden before studying it.
If you are a traveler, however, there is absolutely no need for you to seek out an Agnaktor. Ask around and find out from the locals if there have been any Agnaktor sightings in the Mogan Volcano recently. If there hasn't, there is a good chance that you won't encounter any Agnaktors and can traverse the Mogan Volcano without worrying about the Leviathans. However, nothing is ever guaranteed, so exercise caution at all times.
If you do encounter an Agnaktor by accident, or have been stalking one and are spotted, run away as fast as you can in the opposite direction. Try to head down the slopes of the volcano instead of up, as Agnaktors do not like the relatively cooler temperatures near the bottom.
If you are cornered by an Agnaktor, there is no choice but to fight. Water is their worst fear, so if you have a Water-element weapon with you, use it to chase the Agnaktor away a safe distance before you flee.
Summary: Agnaktors are fiery Leviathans that have adapted to the harsh environment of the Mogan Volcano. They are coated in rock-hard, heat-resistant hide and possess extremely powerful beaks that they use without mercy against prey. Able to fire deadly lava beams and swim through magma with ease, Agnaktors view the human species as a threat and are aggressive as a result. Their young are called Uroktor and attack in packs. They are one of the most dangerous monsters in the Moga region, so be careful when traversing the Mogan Volcano.
-.-.-.-.-.
Agnaktor is a monster that you can fight in any of the 3rd Generation games – Monster Hunter Tri, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, and Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate. It's an immensely fun and challenging monster to hunt.
In this chapter, I decided to give the species a bit of ancient history, since they look like they belong in an Aztec temple in my opinion. "Agunakotol" is actually a Romanized version of their Japanese name, Agunakotoru.
Also, Tartu is a villain in my Monster Hunter Destiny trilogy.
Did I do a good job with this chapter? Review please, and I'll see you soon!
Next chapter: Akantor (no, not Agnaktor again)!
