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{{Info fauna
{{Info fauna
|officialname = Grashobaig
|officialname = Grashobaig
|nicknames = Venomtrail.
|nicknames = Poisontrail
|classification = Mollusc.
|classification = [[Mollusca]]
|habitat = Humid, warm places with large, open landscapes of grass and vegetation.
|habitat = Various
|domesticated = No.
|domesticated = No
|status = Endangered.
|status = Rare
|}}
|}}
The Grashobaig is a large snail found near and around the border between [[Hyarroc]] and [[Daendroc]]. Normally the size of a horse, these slow and docile creatures are seemingly harmless, though their defense mechanism holds a dark and dangerous threat to any who approach with intention of harm. While they grow at fast rates and breed regularly, their numbers are dwindling in the [[Dark Iron Tribelands]] and [[Blood Clan Tribelands]] due to hunting from [[Orcs]] who seek to best one of the grand gastropods as a challenge of skill.  
The Grashobaig are a species of giant and deadly snails. They are slow creatures with a powerful defense mechanism in the form of toxic secretions in their slime trail and saliva. They are typically found along the western coastlines of [[Altaleï]] and [[Westwynd]] and in certain areas of [[Sileria]], slowly moving in an endless quest for new food sources. The gastropod is diverse, from their color to the shape of their shell. It’s these shells, as well as their poison, that have driven the Grashobaig into rarity, as each product can be sold for a hefty price. It has not helped that the regions they are so prominent were recently embroiled in warfare on a scale unseen in over three centuries.


==First Recorded Encounter==
==History==
The Grashobaig was technically first discovered by the Orcs who fled from [[Guldar]] to Daendroc, though the first recorded encounter was not until 221 A.C. after soldiers from [[Metta Telduin]] came across the huge creatures on the borders of their state. At first, nobody bothered to approach one, but one particularly brash [[Talar]] came too close to the snail and was caught by a blast of poison, later dying from a heart attack in the local barracks. It was agreed that these oddities would be left alone, lest others suffer a similar fate.
Grashobaigs have three suspected origins, any of which is anything positive. The first is that they are the descendants of sea creatures that hitched a ride on the great migration vessels of the [[Eronidas]], and perhaps originate from the [[Westafar|Drifting Isles]]. [[Ailor]] and most [[Fin’ullen]] commonly believe this; however, the Eronidas took frequent care of their vessels in their exodus. Others believe that the gastropod’s slime's corrosive aspect makes such a likely transplant impossible. However, others counter that some elements when the creatures arrived in Altaleï then mutated them, making their slime far more acidic. This sub-argument has also spun off into other various theories; the most prominent is the belief that the Grashobaig were not transported by the Eronidas at all. Instead, simple northern sea snails were corrupted by the [[Void]] during the [[Fifth Void Invasion]]. They then moved south, aiding the demonic forces until the [[Cataclysm]], when they moved further south seeking Void-soaked lands. This last detail finally ties to the last theory on the creatures: The [[Kathar]] themselves manipulated Void energy into creating these beasts for the explicit purpose of damaging enemy [[Elven]] coastal terrain. This last belief is often held by the Kathar, who likely originated the theory in the first place, as the glorification of their own skills.  


===Current Status===
Regardless of which theory is correct, the animals were first known around 25 AC, when Pol and Allorn principality forces began to encounter these creatures. In Sileria, a similar occurrence happened when Kathar and [[Suvial]] began their conflict only to run into the large snails. Grashobaigs were, initially, a fairly common threat encountered along the coastlines of many areas, but over the years and as the Elves recovered their magical abilities, the hunt for these animals became easier. Eronidas, for their part, largely ignored the animal save for when it threatened the terrain of one of their own settlements, a position similarly adopted by the Kathar. However, recent events have seen it reach areas they never before touched. Whether actively assisting the Kathar through some mechanism of [[Magic]] controlling them or driven into new regions as their old areas were disturbed by wars, the animal now has a far greater spread, down the whole western and southern coastline of Altaleï. However, this is a thin spread as this animal population plummeted in the conflicts between the Dread Empire and wider Aloria, resulting in their active hunting and killing by anti-Void forces. Some suspect a large population of the animal to still live quite comfortably underwater, unseen by even the Fin’ullen. This is ultimately unknown. For now, it appears the snail’s days above water are numbered.
The Grashobaig is a valuable creature, given that its ivory-like shell has aesthetic value, and its slimey trail holds a deadly poison. Due to this, the snail has been hunted throughout the years for both challenges and for promise of coin. As a result, the Grashobaig numbers are quite low, especially in the Dark Iron Tribelands. It is said that no more than a thousand are currently left roaming the fields and plains of Daendroc.


==Characteristics==
==Physical Appearance==
On average, the Grashobaig snail reaches the height of a horse, being about 5 to 6 feet in height from the ground. This is not to say they can’t grow bigger, as some have been recorded to be on par with an Orc in height. The actual snail itself however, minus the shell, never comes higher than three feet. In appearance, the Grashobaig has waxy skin which comes in a range of tones from a mellow orange to vivid green, and has four eye stalks upon which sit bulbous red eyes. At the rear of the snail rests its shell, whereas the snail’s actual ‘foot’ is the mouth.  
The Grashobaig is a massive snail, reaching up to seven feet tall and twelve feet long with a weight of over 1000 pounds. The head of a Grashobaig is much like any snail but enlarged, except for its four red, bulbous eyes on long eye stalks that allow them great flexibility. The creature’s body, meaning its skin rather than its shell, is slimy, and waxy, and comes in many tones ranging from a mellow orange to a vivid green. This skin is wrinkled and folded, mainly towards its lower body–or ‘foot’–but is tougher than the average snail’s, giving it the general appearance of wet leather. The shell of a Grashobaig is one of its most infamous features and is notoriously valuable for many reasons. Averaging a diameter of six feet, a rounded Grashobaig shell is almost 20 feet in circumference and therefore makes up the majority of its size, as well as its beauty. The shell has an almost iridescent, pearly coating but can be darker, nearing purple rather than pink, and appearing in either a spiral shape or a conical formation. Their texture is often smooth but can have spikes emerging along and around the base or possess bumps and knobs. The shell of a Grashobaig is incredibly strong and capable of withstanding most blunt attacks, attempted piercing, immense pressure, and even large falls, meaning when a Grashobaig hides in its shell, it is incredibly hard to kill.


===Notable Physical Traits===
An equally infamous facet of the Grashobaig is its poisonous trail, originating from glands in the snail’s tail and mouth. Like most common snails, this creature leaves a trail of slime in its wake as it travels, but the Grashobaig imbues this slime with the toxin it produces. This means any unsuspecting creature that touches, ingests, or likewise comes into contact with a Grashobaig’s slime trail suffers from the poison's effect. The toxin is incredibly deadly to most animals in [[Aloria]], as well as most Alorians. In high doses, the poison constricts the muscles in the neck and throat, asphyxiating the victim, while in low doses, it can simply lead to fainting or short-term breathing problems. The creature’s trail is not its only source of offense, however, as it is also capable of forcibly “spitting” this toxin through a collection of short tubes in the skin around its mouth. The trail also serves another purpose, as it is corrosive to organic matter, in larger amounts, including fauna, and helps the Gashobaig break down plant matter as it eats. This is also done to animal carrion if the Grashobaig lacks its traditional plant diet. The slime is potent for as much as a day after it has been excreted
The shell of the Grashobaig is notoriously valuable for several different reasons. The Grashobaig will, if threatened, hide within its shell as a means of defense and preservation due to the durability of the shell’s exterior. While appearing frail, a Grashobaig shell is said to withhold the strongest of blows. Furthermore, the shell has an iridescent, pearly coating which is prized for use in jewellery. Most shells are spiral-shaped or conical, though others are known to have spines, spikes, or knobs protruding from them.
===Diversity===
Grashobaig are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both sets of reproductive organs, so there is no gender distribution nor sexual dimorphism. However, this does not mean the species is not diverse as there is instead a large amount of intraspecies variation among all Grashobaig. The main noticeable variation between the species is the shape of its shell (conical or spherical), and its skin tone can also differ from yellows to oranges to greens.
===Life Span and Development===
Grashobaigs who are given the female role during mating lay a cluster of up to ten fist-sized ovular eggs after breeding, setting them safely in tree hollows, rocky holes, or dried tidal pools before leaving. They hatch relatively quickly, taking just up to a week in most cases. The babies that emerge are miniature versions of their parents and grow rapidly. For three years, they develop and share the same area as their siblings but they then move out into the world as the area they live in is unlikely to support such a large toxic group of animals for much longer. They reach full adulthood between the ages of five and ten. Later in life, should two Grashobaig seek to mate, one will take on the role of the male and the other the female (as they possess both sets of organs) before the process repeats itself over again. The only noticeable physical change that occurs when Grashobaig age is their skin tone, which fades each year until their death. When a Grashobaig dies, they also stop secreting their natural poison, and their skin becomes safe to touch. Most Grashobaig corpses are harvested and eaten out of their shells by other animals or those working for collectors and merchants. The shell of a Grashobaig barely degrades through weathering and time even once their owner has died. While most are taken in and used by Humans, some are claimed by the surrounding wildlife and used as habitats for other, smaller animals. The Grashobaig can live for up to 30 years.


In addition, the Grashobaig secretes a poison in its slime. Having originated in the tainted land of Guldar, the toxic atmosphere there provoked the Grashobaig’s ancestors to develop a thick, deadly substance which could be excreted through its slime. This poison proves to be quite formidable, taking down the hardiest of Orc warriors. Alongside the poison released through the slime, a Grashobaig can forcibly ‘spit’ poison` through a collection of short tubes on the snail’s skin, meaning it can ward off predators who come too close. Such poison is clear and watery, and constricts the muscles in the neck if given in strong doses. This eventually leads to suffocation for the unfortunate victim. If in smaller doses then the victim is prone to fainting and having long-term breathing problems.
==Mental Overview==
 
While the Grashobaig is a wild animal and cannot be tamed, many see them as a relatively passive species. Not inherently hostile, the Grashobaig usually only acts in self-defense or passively kills other organisms through their poisonous trail. They are slow, as most common snails are, sleeping for almost twelve hours a day and spending the rest moving around to find grass and other fauna to eat. To many, the species is therefore rather boring, as they are so big they need to preserve energy by sleeping, and when they do use energy, it is only to eat. Being an omnivore, a Grashobaig is capable of digesting both plants and animals as well as sentient [[Races]], but usually only does the last option if no other food source is available. In all cases, the creature breaks down the organism with its toxic secretion first before consuming it. When provoked, the Grashobaig will behave either defensively, offensively, or both, and it is rather unpredictable what it will choose to do. If threatened, especially by attacks outside of their sight range, most hide in their shells due to their almost indestructible properties. Others may begin spitting venom at their attacker or spinning quickly to spread their corrosive slime in a defensive barrier around themselves.  
====Origin and Diversity====
===Territory and Groupings===
Although the Grashobaig originated in Guldar, they were unknowingly transported over to Daendroc during the Orcish Invasion, and developed in what is now the Dark Iron Tribelands, where they can still be found today. There are also flocks of Grashobaig located in the north of Metta Telduin, where they grow unheeded by the threat of Orcs.
The grouping of the Grashobaig changes as they age. Younger and smaller members of the species usually travel in groups of three or four after the age of three. Older and larger Grashbaigs tend to isolate themselves and act more independently, mainly so they do not need to compete for territory or food with others of their species. As the species constantly need to eat, food is often scarce among larger groupings, meaning Grashobaigs occasionally journey in so-called ‘flocks’ of three to ten members to find new, more bountiful pastures.
 
====Life Span and Development====
A Grashobaig usually lives for around ten years, the first one of which is spent in the nesting area to grow and mature. By their final year, a Grashobaig usually fades in skin tone, and upon death it is known to dry up completely, leaving only the shell behind. For reproduction, a Grashobaig will lay a cluster of orb-like eggs after breeding with a mate, setting them safely in hollows or holes until they are ready to hatch.  
 
===Mental Overview===
Despite being a wild animal, the Grashobaig is not a hostile creature, only resorting to poisoning its foes when feeling threatened or under attack. Nonetheless, it cannot be tamed or domesticated. Grashobaig are, in fact, very docile and relaxed creatures who sleep for twelve hours a day, and spend the rest slowly sliding along in search of grass and flora to eat.  
 
====Territory and Groupings====
‘Safety in numbers’ applies to the Grashobaig, for these hulking molluscs are more often than not found in groups of anywhere from three to ten, making their journeys in so-called flocks. These journeys across country are in order to find fresh food, a necessity for the Grashobaig seeing as they’re easy pickings for large packs of predators. However, these journeys tend to take weeks of the Grashobaig’s time to even reach a new pasture as a result of how slowly they move.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Given the clear and water-like consistency of the poison, it has become a popular weapon for dark dealings in recent years, but one which is extremely difficult to attain due to the poison’s short lifespan.
*Grashobaig shells and flesh are almost as valued as the animal’s poison. Ithanians, who remain quite partial to many odd meals, will often pay top prices for the flesh of this large snail. At the same time, its shell can be broken up (though with some difficulty) and used for all manner of decorative, artistic, or practical purposes.
*A simple trap for the Grashobaig was discovered in 253 A.C., when an Orc managed to temporarily blind the great snail with fire. Proceeding to cut off the eyestalks, it was then an easy task to drive a spear through the snail’s flesh. These tactics are still used today.
*A simple technique for killing the Grashobaig was discovered in 113 AC when an Eronidas managed to temporarily blind the great snail with fire. Proceeding to cut off the eyestalks, it was then an easy task to drive spears through the snail’s flesh.
*The name Venomtrail is in reference to the poisonous qualities of a Grashobaig’s slime, whereas the name Grashobaig is Orcish for “Big Slime Killer”.
{{fauna}}
 
{{Accreditation
{{Fauna}}
|Writers = HydraLana
----
|Processors = MantaRey, FireFan96
====Accreditation====
}}
----
[[category:Fauna]] [[category:Mollusca]] [[category:Sileria Fauna]] [[category:Altaleï Fauna]] [[category:Westwynd Fauna]]
*Written by [[User:0romir|0romir]].
*Processed by [[User:Missmaggy2ur|Missmaggy2u]], [[User:Terence29|Terence29]] and [[User:Shayin|Shayin]].
[[Category:Fauna]]

Latest revision as of 13:41, 24 November 2023

Grashobaig
Noimg.png
Fauna
Official Name Grashobaig
Common Nicknames Poisontrail
Classification Mollusca
Habitat Various
Domesticated No
Current Status Rare

The Grashobaig are a species of giant and deadly snails. They are slow creatures with a powerful defense mechanism in the form of toxic secretions in their slime trail and saliva. They are typically found along the western coastlines of Altaleï and Westwynd and in certain areas of Sileria, slowly moving in an endless quest for new food sources. The gastropod is diverse, from their color to the shape of their shell. It’s these shells, as well as their poison, that have driven the Grashobaig into rarity, as each product can be sold for a hefty price. It has not helped that the regions they are so prominent were recently embroiled in warfare on a scale unseen in over three centuries.

History

Grashobaigs have three suspected origins, any of which is anything positive. The first is that they are the descendants of sea creatures that hitched a ride on the great migration vessels of the Eronidas, and perhaps originate from the Drifting Isles. Ailor and most Fin’ullen commonly believe this; however, the Eronidas took frequent care of their vessels in their exodus. Others believe that the gastropod’s slime's corrosive aspect makes such a likely transplant impossible. However, others counter that some elements when the creatures arrived in Altaleï then mutated them, making their slime far more acidic. This sub-argument has also spun off into other various theories; the most prominent is the belief that the Grashobaig were not transported by the Eronidas at all. Instead, simple northern sea snails were corrupted by the Void during the Fifth Void Invasion. They then moved south, aiding the demonic forces until the Cataclysm, when they moved further south seeking Void-soaked lands. This last detail finally ties to the last theory on the creatures: The Kathar themselves manipulated Void energy into creating these beasts for the explicit purpose of damaging enemy Elven coastal terrain. This last belief is often held by the Kathar, who likely originated the theory in the first place, as the glorification of their own skills.

Regardless of which theory is correct, the animals were first known around 25 AC, when Pol and Allorn principality forces began to encounter these creatures. In Sileria, a similar occurrence happened when Kathar and Suvial began their conflict only to run into the large snails. Grashobaigs were, initially, a fairly common threat encountered along the coastlines of many areas, but over the years and as the Elves recovered their magical abilities, the hunt for these animals became easier. Eronidas, for their part, largely ignored the animal save for when it threatened the terrain of one of their own settlements, a position similarly adopted by the Kathar. However, recent events have seen it reach areas they never before touched. Whether actively assisting the Kathar through some mechanism of Magic controlling them or driven into new regions as their old areas were disturbed by wars, the animal now has a far greater spread, down the whole western and southern coastline of Altaleï. However, this is a thin spread as this animal population plummeted in the conflicts between the Dread Empire and wider Aloria, resulting in their active hunting and killing by anti-Void forces. Some suspect a large population of the animal to still live quite comfortably underwater, unseen by even the Fin’ullen. This is ultimately unknown. For now, it appears the snail’s days above water are numbered.

Physical Appearance

The Grashobaig is a massive snail, reaching up to seven feet tall and twelve feet long with a weight of over 1000 pounds. The head of a Grashobaig is much like any snail but enlarged, except for its four red, bulbous eyes on long eye stalks that allow them great flexibility. The creature’s body, meaning its skin rather than its shell, is slimy, and waxy, and comes in many tones ranging from a mellow orange to a vivid green. This skin is wrinkled and folded, mainly towards its lower body–or ‘foot’–but is tougher than the average snail’s, giving it the general appearance of wet leather. The shell of a Grashobaig is one of its most infamous features and is notoriously valuable for many reasons. Averaging a diameter of six feet, a rounded Grashobaig shell is almost 20 feet in circumference and therefore makes up the majority of its size, as well as its beauty. The shell has an almost iridescent, pearly coating but can be darker, nearing purple rather than pink, and appearing in either a spiral shape or a conical formation. Their texture is often smooth but can have spikes emerging along and around the base or possess bumps and knobs. The shell of a Grashobaig is incredibly strong and capable of withstanding most blunt attacks, attempted piercing, immense pressure, and even large falls, meaning when a Grashobaig hides in its shell, it is incredibly hard to kill.

An equally infamous facet of the Grashobaig is its poisonous trail, originating from glands in the snail’s tail and mouth. Like most common snails, this creature leaves a trail of slime in its wake as it travels, but the Grashobaig imbues this slime with the toxin it produces. This means any unsuspecting creature that touches, ingests, or likewise comes into contact with a Grashobaig’s slime trail suffers from the poison's effect. The toxin is incredibly deadly to most animals in Aloria, as well as most Alorians. In high doses, the poison constricts the muscles in the neck and throat, asphyxiating the victim, while in low doses, it can simply lead to fainting or short-term breathing problems. The creature’s trail is not its only source of offense, however, as it is also capable of forcibly “spitting” this toxin through a collection of short tubes in the skin around its mouth. The trail also serves another purpose, as it is corrosive to organic matter, in larger amounts, including fauna, and helps the Gashobaig break down plant matter as it eats. This is also done to animal carrion if the Grashobaig lacks its traditional plant diet. The slime is potent for as much as a day after it has been excreted

Diversity

Grashobaig are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both sets of reproductive organs, so there is no gender distribution nor sexual dimorphism. However, this does not mean the species is not diverse as there is instead a large amount of intraspecies variation among all Grashobaig. The main noticeable variation between the species is the shape of its shell (conical or spherical), and its skin tone can also differ from yellows to oranges to greens.

Life Span and Development

Grashobaigs who are given the female role during mating lay a cluster of up to ten fist-sized ovular eggs after breeding, setting them safely in tree hollows, rocky holes, or dried tidal pools before leaving. They hatch relatively quickly, taking just up to a week in most cases. The babies that emerge are miniature versions of their parents and grow rapidly. For three years, they develop and share the same area as their siblings but they then move out into the world as the area they live in is unlikely to support such a large toxic group of animals for much longer. They reach full adulthood between the ages of five and ten. Later in life, should two Grashobaig seek to mate, one will take on the role of the male and the other the female (as they possess both sets of organs) before the process repeats itself over again. The only noticeable physical change that occurs when Grashobaig age is their skin tone, which fades each year until their death. When a Grashobaig dies, they also stop secreting their natural poison, and their skin becomes safe to touch. Most Grashobaig corpses are harvested and eaten out of their shells by other animals or those working for collectors and merchants. The shell of a Grashobaig barely degrades through weathering and time even once their owner has died. While most are taken in and used by Humans, some are claimed by the surrounding wildlife and used as habitats for other, smaller animals. The Grashobaig can live for up to 30 years.

Mental Overview

While the Grashobaig is a wild animal and cannot be tamed, many see them as a relatively passive species. Not inherently hostile, the Grashobaig usually only acts in self-defense or passively kills other organisms through their poisonous trail. They are slow, as most common snails are, sleeping for almost twelve hours a day and spending the rest moving around to find grass and other fauna to eat. To many, the species is therefore rather boring, as they are so big they need to preserve energy by sleeping, and when they do use energy, it is only to eat. Being an omnivore, a Grashobaig is capable of digesting both plants and animals as well as sentient Races, but usually only does the last option if no other food source is available. In all cases, the creature breaks down the organism with its toxic secretion first before consuming it. When provoked, the Grashobaig will behave either defensively, offensively, or both, and it is rather unpredictable what it will choose to do. If threatened, especially by attacks outside of their sight range, most hide in their shells due to their almost indestructible properties. Others may begin spitting venom at their attacker or spinning quickly to spread their corrosive slime in a defensive barrier around themselves.

Territory and Groupings

The grouping of the Grashobaig changes as they age. Younger and smaller members of the species usually travel in groups of three or four after the age of three. Older and larger Grashbaigs tend to isolate themselves and act more independently, mainly so they do not need to compete for territory or food with others of their species. As the species constantly need to eat, food is often scarce among larger groupings, meaning Grashobaigs occasionally journey in so-called ‘flocks’ of three to ten members to find new, more bountiful pastures.

Trivia

  • Grashobaig shells and flesh are almost as valued as the animal’s poison. Ithanians, who remain quite partial to many odd meals, will often pay top prices for the flesh of this large snail. At the same time, its shell can be broken up (though with some difficulty) and used for all manner of decorative, artistic, or practical purposes.
  • A simple technique for killing the Grashobaig was discovered in 113 AC when an Eronidas managed to temporarily blind the great snail with fire. Proceeding to cut off the eyestalks, it was then an easy task to drive spears through the snail’s flesh.

Accreditation
Writers HydraLana
Processors MantaRey, FireFan96
Last Editor HydraLana on 11/24/2023.

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