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| Vlomm Mole | |
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| Fauna | |
| Official Name | Vlomm Mole |
| Common Nicknames | Stone Mole, Dwarven Mole |
| Classification | Mammal |
| Habitat | Ellador and Dwarven settlements |
| Domesticated | Yes |
| Current Status | Uncommon |
The Vlomm Mole is a burrowing creature equal to, if not sometimes exceeding, the size of a cow, with slow motions but a great durability. Its durability comes from its unique “plating;” patches of rocky growths along the vital parts of their bodies for defense. The Dwarves were the first Race to tame them long ago, though since the collapse of the Dwarven nation beneath Ellador, the ancient tunnels and caves now contain wild members of the species once again. Still, plenty Vlomm Moles remain in the care of the Dwarves, and can be found in their settlements, influencing the craftsmanship and artistry of this stout people.
History
Vlomm Moles have a long history with the Dwarven people, and some believe their link to be a bond forged by higher powers. The truth will likely never be clear now, due to the ravages the Dwarves have suffered, but their ruined cities speak to a long, and deep connection. Great Holds feature architecture perfect for Vlomm movement, and ancient scratches, scant bones and more show their presence in these places. What history remains recorded by the Dwarves, claims that while technology and hand labor were common among their people, there was always a place for the Vlomm Mole to use their special skills and digging prowess to get the job done. It is believed that by the time of the Dwarven conflict with the Dakkar, the Vlomm were finally nearing their end of use in the field of mining and transportation, as their ancient tunnels are often old, and lack the “modern” upgrades of other areas. Instead, they were for use in sport and games, or for spars between warriors. However, when the Dakkar were awoken, the Vlomm were called upon and were ridden into battle with great ferocity as they had been in years long past. Ultimately, the Vlomm were pushed from the Great Holds like their masters were, and some became feral, returning to the wilds deep under Ellador while others were retained among the Dwarven populations which spread across northern lands. Vlomm Moles continue to be seen with great respect by the Dwarves, and even outsiders admit the creatures are formidable in the field.
Physical Appearance
Vlomm Moles are considerably large, reaching between eight and ten feet long, six feet tall, and possessing a great weight which can approach a ton on the older, more sedentary members of the species. Vlomm Mole faces are often called “just a nose” though this is misleading. Indeed, the animal’s nose is prominent, bright and pink or pink with tan speckling, and features a minor star shape to its end, though these minor bumps are only a star in that they are a symmetrical distance from one another, one sitting on the top front of the nose and the other four spreading around the conical structure. The animal’s eyes are, ironically, easier to see than on other moles, due to the presence of the animal’s well known “plating.” This plating is a dense, durable growth of scale-like armoring on the animal’s body which helps it withstand damage. Such plating sits around the animal’s dark eyes, as well as down the top ridge of the Mole’s nose, allowing it to be protected. Their head finishes on a large sharp-toothed mouth, though such teeth are developed to crush and devour invertebrates. Their head smoothly transitions into the rest of the animal’s thick body, with barely a neck to speak of. Four large limbs with thick clawed paws allow the animal to dig through the earth and break weakened stone, and these limbs too are augmented by the unique plating found across the Vlomm Mole. Existing in a patch on their forward shoulders, along their back and flanks, the plating is also thought to play a role in tunnel digging, where the brittle growths can be scraped until smoothed down, while also wearing away at rock and other underground minerals. Their body ends in a short, thick tail. Their entire body is colored in dark brown or black fur, while their plating is a universal dark gray hue.
Diversity
Vlomm Moles have limited sexual dimorphism, appearing almost identical to one another aside from minor differences in the color of their hair. Their population numbers, meanwhile, favor male members of the species by a small margin. The only unique aspect to each Vlomm Mole are the various striations and formations of their plating based on the damage they have sustained, or the scraping against their surface over the course of months and years.
Life Span and Development
Vlomm Moles are born in litters of two to four pink, near-hairless pups by their mother. The animal grows rapidly, gaining their velvety black coat of hair within three weeks, and already beginning to dig by the end of one month. Vlomm Moles in the wild often separate from their mother after two months, but this is extended to six months for growing domesticated Vlomm, who are more used to other members of their species existing in close confines with them. At the two month mark, they begin to rapidly grow in size, often due to eating more out in the wild, but for those domesticated, they are fed accordingly to help the body grow. By six months, they will have reached young adulthood, and are nearly their physical adult size, though this takes an additional year to finalize and set in. Elderly Vlomm Moles, something really only seen in domesticated circles, can grow fat and gain yet more weight and size, though without much muscle, and often struggle to move if this goes too far. Vlomm Moles can live for between thirty and fifty years.
Mental Overview
The Vlomm Mole of the wild versus that of the Dwarven paddock are starkly different beasts. Those of the wild are aggressive, especially against members of the same sex within their species, often getting into fights which shake caverns and send creatures fleeing. They are also solitary and fairly cold, females caring for their children but only for a short period of time, with males playing no part in the rearing of children. Those of Dwarven civilization meanwhile, are far more amicable. They are able to tolerate other members of their species in small groups, and are overall more social with rubs and mutual snuffling common between friendly species members, alongside the wagging of their tails. They have a greater calmness about them as well, not constantly on the search for food and aware of when it may come or not. The animal is also, greatly deferential to the Dwarves, while loathing the Isldar, but otherwise reacting rather neutrally to other Races.
Territory and Groupings
Vlomm Moles are found both in the depths of Ellador, the remnants of those not corralled during the chaotic evacuations by the Dwarves as their civilization fell, and in the modern settlements of the Dwarves. Vlomm Moles of the wilds are solitary and only meet during the mating season, while those in domesticated surroundings are more open to interactions, and can live in groups of between six to ten individuals before getting antsy.
Trivia
- The greatest of the wild Vlomm encountered by the Dwarves was Old Ommnor, a suspected veteran of conflicts with Dakkar due to several serious burns along his skin, and the loss of an entire shoulder plate.
- Vlommen Armor is a well-known style of Dwarven armor with visuals and design elements drawn from the Vlomm Mole. The most common elements are an unusually restrictive helmet structure with narrow eye holes, and broad shoulder pauldrons.
- The diet of Vlomm Moles was a great help to the early Dwarves, as many strange and hostile underground insects stood in their path, with many now extinct or critically endangered, barely surviving the Dwarves only to have the Dakkar and their extreme heat finish many off.
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