Name: Furiusus

National Dex Number: #067

Flavour Text: On awakening Furiusus is overjoyed for a few seconds since it can now see the world it lives in. This joy turns to anger when it realises that its ideal dream world no longer exists, something that sends it into a brutal fit of anger.

Species: Angered Pokémon

Type: Fighting/Grass

Height: 158cm (5.2ft)

Weight: 95kg (209.44lb)

Evolution: Komala (Trade holding a Fragrant Twist Root) -> Furiusus

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Shattered Dreams (All attacks are boosted by 20% but at the cost of recoil equivalent to a quarter of the damage done to its opponent)

Hidden Ability: None at Current

Egg Group: Field

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Furiusus resembles its pre-evolution Komala, but evidence of this Pokémon’s burning anger is visible on its face from the permanent sneer of hatred and blood shot eyes it possess. Like Komala, Furiusus is bipedal and its paws end in long claws that are dark brown and almost look as if they are carved from wood. In addition to these formidable weapons Furiusus carves its own battle totem resembling its fondest dream from the wood it once held whilst it slept prior to evolution.

The attachment Furiusus has to this wood is not entirely of its own making however, the burst of energy it gets on evolution causes fungal spores that had been lying dormant in Komala’s log to infest the Pokémon and change both its physiology and mentality, As it evolves, dark brown scales that look like wood cover Furiusus’s grey fur giving the Pokémon a formidable armour that protects it against any enemies it may make during its frequent rampages.

Ecology: Furiusus is a rare Pokémon in Invictia, with most Komala never evolving and thus realising that their idea dream world was simply that, a dream. Most Furiusus prefer to live deep in woodland glades alone, since their arrival quickly scares away any resident Pokémon who’d prefer not to be the targets of their new neighbours aggressive tantrums. Furiusus is an omnivore, and is the only Invictian Pokémon that regularly attacks and kills Komala. Since Furiusus doesn’t eat this particular kill it is theorised that it is due to its pre-evolutions constant drowsing state reminding its evolved form of what it lost.

When not going on rampages, Furiusus carves a totem of the one thing it loved most about its dream world. Each totem is unique, and should it be damaged as Furiusus runs riot, it will immediately set to repairing it. Should the totem be destroyed, Furiusus won’t rest until it finds a Pokémon it wants to blame for the damages, only on this scapegoat’s defeat will it sit down and make a new totem.

Recent research into trainer owned Furiusus shows that this Pokémon may not be completely in control of its action. Tissue samples taken suggest that, while it was Komala, parasitic fungal spores in its favourite log infested the sleeping Pokémon and migrated to the brain. On evolution the spores went into overdrive, targeting the memory centres of the brain, as well as growing across its host’s body to form the armour it wears. Activating memories about its dreams, the fungus triggers Furiusus’s rage, and makes it destroy its habitat, all while the fungal armour it wears puffs out spores onto damaged trees that one day, may be turned into log pillows by Komala.

Trivia

Origin: Furiusus and Komala are both based on Koalas. In addition Furiusus’s armour is based on ancient scale mail worn by legionaries fighting for the Roman Empire.

Name Origin: Furiusus is a corrupted version of the word furious. In addition it could also be a combination of the word fury and Ursus the genus name for a number of bears species.

Name: Mauldoza

National Dex Number: #149

Flavour Text: Mauldoza ruthlessly charges through any obstacle even if it takes more than one attempt to break through. Should said obstacle be too hard to break down, this Pokémon will dig it up and then stomp it into powder.

Species: Demolition

Type: Dark/Steel

Height: 190cm (6,23ft)

Weight: 140kg (308.65lb)

Evolution: No Evolution

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Scorched Earth (On entering a battle, this Pokémon automatically removes any hazards or terrain effects on the field)

Hidden Ability: Sheer Force (Removes additional effects of an attack to amp up the power by 30%)

Egg Group: Monster

Signature Move(s): Uproot (Ground Type Attack - 70BP) This Pokémon rips its target out of the ground and forces them to switch out. Bypasses Suction Cups Ability and Pokémon using Ingrain)

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Mauldoza is a large bulky quadrupedal Pokémon with olive green skin and a ridge of brown scales running from the nape of its neck to the tip of its tail. The tail itself is held arched over its back like a scorpion’s, and is segmented giving it the ability to swing left and right and move back and forth on command. The tip of the tale features a three pronged yellow claw that is strong enough to rip up a tree and crush it into powder.

The head of this Pokémon consists of a wide frill with an edge that sticks out a bit and has pointed teeth to help uproot rocks and plants that get in its way. Centred between the fill is a reptilian head with a crushing beck and cold calculating eyes that can be protected from flying debris by reinforced steel eyelids. Mauldoza’s main weapon however, is the steel reinforced lump of bone on the end of its snout that is strong enough to dent the hull of a battleship and topple a building with a friendly head butt.

Ecology: Mauldoza is a Pokémon that inhabits scrub land and open woodland where it lives peacefully grazing on grass and pulling up plant roots to gnaw on. That said it is not unusual to see Mauldoza working on construction sites alongside humans and Pokémon such as Machamp, especially during contracts that require demolition work or the removal of stubborn obstacles. While Mauldoza is happy to help its work mates, and will often make good friends with other Pokémon, its smash first, think later attitude means that it often needs to be watched to avoid any costly mistakes regarding its work.

In the wild few Pokémon attack adult Mauldoza due to its size and aggressive nature. Those that do often find themselves severely injured thanks to the combination of stomps, charges and tail smashes its prey retaliates with. Young Mauldoza are more vulnerable to predation, but because this Pokémon prefers to live in herds, there is usually an adult around to chase away any attackers and punish those that aren’t fast enough to get away from it. In addition to protecting its own kind, Mauldoza will extend its protective services to other Pokémon, in part because it can’t abide bullies and because it’s always willing to test its power against others.

These tests of strength are obvious in autumn when both male and female Mauldoza compete in interspecies jousting to determine which Pokémon is the strongest. The sound of this Pokémon knocking heads with each other is loud enough to be heard for miles around, and when entire herds start fighting, the collective noise can be enough to cause rock slides and avalanches in nearby hills and mountain ranges.

Trivia

Origin: Mauldoza is among the original ten Invictia Pokémon put down on paper in 2011 and is based on multiple real world sources. Bulldozers and other construction vehicles where part of the main inspiration, as where rhinoceros and buffalo (in terms of behaviour). Mauldoza is also inspired by ceratopsian dinosaurs, particularly the genus Pachyrhinosaurus.

Name Origin: Mauldoza’s name comes from a combination of Maul and Doza, a shortened corrupted version of the word Bulldozer.

Name: Tentastra

National Dex Number: #135

Flavour Text: Tentastra drift in the currents around Invictia’s coast scanning the sea-floor for prey with their five eyes. At night this Pokémon flashes a bright red, making the surface of the sea resembled an ocean of blood.

Species: Star Jelly

Type: Water

Height: 56cm (1,83ft)

Weight: 0.9kg (1.98lb)

Evolution: One Stage (EXP triggered)

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Illuminate (Raises the likelihood of meeting wild Pokémon by illuminating the surroundings)/Clear Body (This Pokémon’s see through body prevents its opponents from lowering its stats)

Hidden Ability: Star Field (The turn this Pokémon enters the battle, a wish is made that heals half the Pokémon’s HP next turn)

Egg Group: Water 3

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Tentastra has a pink star shaped bell complete with five blue rings on each lobe of the structure. These rings contains translucent orbs that are actually the Pokémon’s eyes, and can rotate to look above and below the bell (and by extension the water line) when required. At night Tentastra’s body glows red thanks to multiple bioluminescent cells in both its bells and its tentacles.

Beneath the bell, Tentastra has four large tentacles that usually are held slightly apart, and are covered with a sticky membrane that catches any prey that drifts into them. This Pokémon’s mouth is on the underside of the bell, and also doubles as a powerful siphon to help this Pokémon when it needs to move at high speed. At night, when jetting around, Tentastra fold its tentacles together to streamline it, effectively giving it the appearance of a shooting star.

Ecology: Tentastra is a surface dwelling Pokémon that prefers to stay close to shore, although colonies of these ‘Star Jellies’ can be found in the open ocean, particularly after powerful storms when many are either thrown onto shore or dragged out to sea. Unlike Jellicent and Tentacruel, Tentastra prefers to prey on smaller planktonic lifeforms, and only attacks other Pokémon in defence of itself or its shoal mates.

That said to said planktonic lifeforms, Tentastra is a nightmare, since this Pokémon release large quantities of a weak psychoactive toxin into the water that effects its prey’s brain chemistry and cell behaviour. Combined with the flashing of its body in low light condition, Tentastra effectively brainwashes its victims into approaching it, with prey willingly blundering into this Pokémon’s tentacles and getting stuck in the mucus that covers them. Despite being formidable predators, Tentastra are often predated upon my larger and more formidable Pokémon.

The light of multiple Tentastra shoals in the evening led to some mariners nicknaming the sea around Invicitia as the ‘Ocean of Blood’. In ancient times, the chiefs of the nation used the distance this light could be seen as the boundaries of their territory. Even today the red tinge of the ocean is used by mariners and migratory Pokémon such as Lapras to help navigate their way to Invicitia, as well as to outline potential dangers such as reefs and sea stacks that could easily destroy a ship.

Trivia

Origin: Tentastra is based on the larval form of the Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) a real life animal whose adult form inspired the Pokémon Jellicent and Frillish to some extent. Tentastra is also somewhat inspired by shooting stars when swimming at high speed due in part to the gleaming ‘tail’ of tentacles dragged along behind its bell.

Name Origin: Tentastra’s name comes from a combination of the words Tentacle and Astral

And we’re back from a fortnight hibernating over the festive season. First of all a warm welcome to all my readers, both resident and migratory and some quick news. IGTA will be moving to Fridays (save for a few date related issues) simply because I envision my future Monday’s being very busy. With that said, let’s get this party started with some festive cheer…drink anyone?

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Issue #154 – Bohemian Waxwing

Kingdom – Animalia

Phylum – Chordata

Class – Aves

Order – Passeriformes

Family – Bombycillidae

Genus – Bombycillia

Species – garrulus

Related Species - The Bohemian Waxwing is one of three species in the genus Bombycillia, the others being the Cedar Waxwing (B.cedrorum) and the Japanese Waxwing (B.japonica) (1)

Range

Greetings from Bohemia

Bohemian Waxwings are medium sized perching birds with a body length of 20cm and a wingspan of 32cm. Both the males and females of this species are cream coloured, with a black and crimson mask round the face and yellow barring on the wing. In addition to these marking, the tips of the Waxwing’s flight feathers are tipped in red, almost giving them the appearance of melted candle wax, thus giving the species its name. Both males and females have these feathers, although they are far more common in older and male birds, then those of females and younger individuals.

Bohemian Waxwings have a largely frugivores diet, which simply means the species feeds almost primarily on fruit and berries, but also catch insects, although these are primarily food for hatchling birds rather than the adults. Like many small birds, Bohemian Waxwings are predated by a number of species including Great Grey Shrikes (Lanius excubitor) and Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus). The main defensive strategy of the Waxwing is to freeze and orientate its head upwards, thus keeping its potential predator under observation at all times. Should the predator spot its prey and decided to risk attacking, the Waxwing will explode from its hiding spot, chattering loudly to warn other bird species in the area that potential predators are nearby (2).

Bohemian Waxwings mate in late winter and early spring, with the male displaying the ‘waxy’ red tips of its feather to the female, and passing her gifts such as food, in order to show that he can provide for her and any chicks they may rear together. Later between April and June, up to six eggs are laid, and are incubated by their parents for a fortnight until they hatch. Chicks are born naked, with purple bands around their red beaks, and fledge within seventeen days of hatching, although they are unable to fly well at this stage.

Five Fun Bohemian Waxwing Facts

The Bohemian aspect to this species name, is down to the nomadic nature of these birds, something that was reflected by the lifestyle of the unconventional lifestyle of the gypsies that lived in Bohemia at the time of its naming.

Because a lot of their diet is fruit, Bohemian Waxwings consume a lot of ethanol (especially when eating fermented berries in winter) which can lead to the birds getting drunk. The majority of Bohemian Waxwings are not killed by predators during the winter, but rather from ‘drunk-flying’, alcohol poisoning and walking off the edge of buildings (3).

That being said, the large liver (in relation to body size) of Waxwings makes them more tolerant to alcohol then almost any other bird species on the planet.

In Holland during the middle ages, Bohemian Waxwings were called ‘Pestvogel’ which translates to ‘Plague Bird’ due to the bird arriving at the same time as seasonal outbreaks of cholera and plague, as well as the birds consumption of Juniper (Juniperus communis) berries, which were traditionally thought to protect a home from diseases (4).

Bohemian Waxwings are one of the few birds not parasitized by the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) or its American counterpart the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). This is partially due to the chicks of the parasitic species inability to survive on a high fruit diet, and partially because Waxwings can easily tell the difference between the eggs of other birds and that of their own species.

Bibliography

1 - www.arkive.org

2 - http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bombycilla_garrulus/#e3f99af1b597fa91c97b34dc8285871a

3 - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141203-drunk-birds-animals-science-winter-global-warming/

4 - Fouarge, Jules; Vandevondele, Philippe (2005). "Synthèse d'une exceptionnelle invasion de Jaseurs boréaux (Bombycilla garrulus) en Europe en 2004–2005" (PDF). Aves (in French). 42 (4): 281–312.

Picture References

1 - https://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2014/06/Waxwing-Bohemian.jpg

2 - http://www.hbw.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/maps/bohemian-waxwing-bombycilla-garrulus-distribution-map.jpg?itok=FFOrX4R1

3 - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2c/ab/e7/2cabe79eb47b101f1fb87e098a23d45f.jpg

4 - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b0/e9/93/b0e99367897fea23d4463543a7b854f9.jpg

Another year, another batch of strange and creepy creatures. Next week we have a fiery issue with a fantastic beard. Until then make sure to critic, comment and suggest future issues as well as making sure you check past issues in Impurest’s Bestiary.

Happy New Year

Impurest Cheese

Want more IGTA? For another cute songbird (no not the one from Marvel) click here to meet the Pied Wagtail. Or for a species with a hidden dark side (no still not the one from Marvel) click here to see the Great Grey Shrike.

Name: Opipoke

National Dex Number: #053

Flavour Text: Opipoke spends all its time inside caves where it scavenges on anything that crosses its path. The bodies of unfortunate campers whose bones have been picked clean by this Pokémon are a potent warning to trainers about the merits of being prepared for an emergency.

Species: Scavenger

Type: Bug/Dark

Height: 62cm (2,06ft)

Weight: 18kg (39.6lb)

Evolution: One Stage (EXP triggered)

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Inner Focus (This Pokémon’s intense focus prevents it from flinching)/Swarm (When below 1/3 health the Attack and Special Attack of this Pokémon is increased by 50%)

Hidden Ability: Overcast (This Pokémon summons a dark layer of cloud that blocks out the sun on entering a battle)

Egg Group: Bug

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Opipoke is a squat arachnid like Pokémon, with a pale brown shell with white bands running around its six walking legs, and the pair of modified claws it holds poised over its back ready to strike. These claws are tipped with a serrated edge, and when rubbed together create a grating sound that echoes around the caves Opipoke lives in. When striking prey, this Pokémon momentarily reveals the white skull like marking on its back, one that is rumoured to cause the death of any trainer unlucky enough to see it.

Opipoke’s face is relatively disgusting with a cluster of six creamy white eyes, set in two banks of three, spread across its head. While these eyes can detect the difference between light and dark, and tell if an object is moving, they are unable to distinguish anything else. Under the eyes are two markings that look like two skeletal human hands, with its protruding fangs in place of a downwards pointing thumb. It’s rumoured that these markings were bestowed on Opipoke after a great disaster from feasting too freely on the bodies of deceased humans that had been sheltering in this Pokémon’s cavernous homes.

Ecology: Opipoke is a cave dwelling Pokémon that rarely ventures out of its underground homes, and then only at night or in the dead of winter. This Pokémon once live outside, but its need for warmth drove it into underground spaces, where at least the temperature remains constant all year long. Due to the scarcity of food in its environment, Opipoke isn’t a fussy eater and will eat anything vaguely organic that crosses its path, and while known as the ‘Scavenger Pokémon’ it hunts more readily then realised.

One of their favourite summer time foods are Zubat pups, which Opipoke attacks when their mother is out of the roost. The pup’s internal organs are often liquidised, with Opipoke draining the vital fluids out of the body at a rapid rate, until only a hanging husk is left. It then waits for the mother Zubat to return, and as she stresses over not getting a response from her errant pup, Opipoke seizes her too and drains her life as well. Because of its slow metabolism, Opipoke eats only when hungry, but when it is it’ll happily tackle prey much larger than itself, as evidence by attacks on Druddigon after the rutting season, with weakened individuals sometimes being overcome by swarms of overconfident Opipoke.

Human beings who enter caves are no exception to Opipoke’s all-inclusive diet, and while most humans remain unmolested by this Pokémon, trainers who get lost or who run out of food often find themselves targeted by this Pokémon. As such it’s recommended by the Invictia Tourist Board that trainer’s keep some kind of powerful torch with them at all times, since Opipoke detests bright light with a passion. That said, there are many skeletons picked clean by this Pokémon, of trainers who failed to heed this warning scattered around the caverns of Invictia.

Trivia

Origin: Opipoke’s appearance and predatory nature is based on a number of arachnids such as cellar spiders and cave harvestmen. The markings on its face are based on the ‘thumbs down’ gesture used to show dissatisfaction.

Name Origin: Opipoke’s name comes from the words Opilones (the family name for a group of arachnids known colloquially as Harvestmen) and Poke

Name: Arbok

National Dex Number: #038

Complete Dex Number: #024

Flavour Text: The flesh destroying venom of Mega Arbok is so concentrated that its toxicity damages the Pokémon that created it almost immediately upon being exposed to a Mega Stone.

Species: Cobra

Type: Poison (Poison/Dark upon Mega Evolution)

Height: 350cm (11,06ft)

Height (Mega Evolution): 420cm (13.77ft)

Weight: 64kg (143.3lb)

Weight (Mega Evolution): 61kg (134.49lb)

Evolution: Ekans (L22) -> Arbok (Holding the Arbokite Mega Stone) -> Mega Arbok

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Intimidate (The fearful visage of this Pokémon lowers the attack stat of its opponents upon switching into battle)/Shed Skin (By shedding its own skin, this Pokémon can heal any malignant status conditions that effect it)

Hidden Ability: Unnerve (The grim visage of this Pokémon prevents its opponents turning their attention to any berries they may be holding)

Ability (Mega Evolution): Swift Strike (This Pokémon has a one in three chance of striking at lightning speed and moving first within its priority bracket)

Egg Group: Field/Dragon

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Upon Mega Evolving, Arbok’s body grows longer and changes colour from dark purple to black, possibly to reflect its new partial Dark typing. One of Arbok’s most prominent features, the face on its hood, is retained (although the formally black markings are now blood red), but strangely the fake eyes seem to move by themselves, and the Pokémon moves as if it can see through this patterning. This evidence is backed up by Arbok’s real eyes, which have become covered by a white film of dead scales, effectively blinding the Pokémon and forcing it to relay on its other senses.

The cause of this blinding is likely the ongoing battle between the enhanced toxins of Mega Arbok’s venom and the hyper efficient immune system that all Poison type Pokémon possess to keep themselves from being poisoned by their own toxic secretions. This battle has had a disastrous effect on Arbok’s skin, especially along the back where the skin and muscle has rotted away, and has left sections of its vertebrae exposed to the elements.

Ecology: Mega Arbok is not a naturally occurring Pokémon as such this section refers to Arbok in its normal form.

Considered to be one of Invictia’s deadliest hunters, Arbok is a fairly rare Pokémon that only occurs in the costal heathland along the nation’s southern shores. An obligate carnivore, Arbok hunts a wide variety of Pokémon, but prefers rodents as its main source of food, with Glisgloss and Sandshrew top of its menu list, especially in the early part of summer. As winter approaches, Arbok’s diet shifts towards larger prey, mostly to give it the energy to survive its winter hibernation.

While large and formidable, Arbok does have a few predators of its own, with Trapinch being among the most formidable thanks to its homemade arena that prevents even the deadliest of Pokémon from escaping. When threatened, usually by humans and human owned Pokémon, Arbok will always attempt to scare away threats by displaying the patterns on its hood and rearing up to show its strength and size off. Only when this fails, does Arbok strike, and usually it prefers to dose its attacker with a low potency venom, rather than risk a fatal strike and waste all its toxins, although such bites are becoming more common, especially among tourists who fail to recognize this Pokémon’s warning signs.

As summer becomes autumn, and on the back of a large meal, Arbok will tunnel into the south facing side of a dune devoid of vegetation and ready a nest for hibernation. When the temperature drops below 5°C (usually in early October), Arbok enters a torpid state relying on the fat stored it accumulated over the summer to survive the winter. On occasion, it will awake from hibernation during the winter months on particular warm days, but it does little besides bask in the winter sunshine, and rarely stays out for more than a few hours before retreating back into its burrow.

Trivia

Origin: Arbok’s design is seemingly based on the Indian Cobra. It is also said that both Ekans and Arbok are based somewhat on the mythical Basilisk, and is the reason behind their former signature move Glare (へびにらみ or Snake Glare in Japanese) and their inclusion in the Dragon Egg group

Name Origin: Arbok is a corrupted version of the word cobra that has been reversed.

Name: Dagteryx

National Dex Number: #041

Flavour Text: Dagteryx spends most of its days hiding in a nest surrounded by thick brambles with venomous thorns. This Pokémon is not a strong flier due to its undeveloped wing muscles, preferring instead to hunt on foot.

Species: Metal Feather

Type: Steel/Flying

Height: 40cm (1,3ft)

Weight: 19kg (41.9lb)

Evolution: Dagteryx (EXP w/Steel Wing) -> Skarmory

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Keen Eye (Prevents the users Accuracy from being lowered by any attack and ignores any increase in Evasiveness)/Weak Armour (A physical attack on this Pokémon chips away a piece of armour, lowering its defence as well as sharply increasing its speed)

Hidden Ability: Razor Edge (This Pokémon inflicts damage with the razor sharp edges of its body when an attacker makes contact with it)

Egg Group: Undiscovered

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Dagteryx is a small armour covered bird Pokémon with well-developed legs and short wings tipped with sharp curved claws. These claws are used in combination with the sickle like hook on its foot to help climb the crags of its home, and also to pin and rip apart any prey that they catch themselves. Like its evolved form Skarmory, Dagteryx has a few dark red feathers which can sometimes be found shed from its body on winding paths that lead through the mountains.

Dagteryx also has the notched tails of Skarmory, although it is far larger and used for balancing when running and jumping rather than as a rudder to help turn. It does lack the slight ridge head of its evolved form and has a long snout filled with sharp teeth that are used for pruning in addition to subduing prey.

Ecology: For much of its early life Dagteryx spends its time in the nest of its parent Skarmory who brings it scraps of meat and any berries it finds to feed on. A typical Skarmory clutch consists of up to eight eggs, but generally there is only food for one or two of the chicks, and as such Dagteryx is always aggressively competing with each other for food. Eventually Skarmory decides which chick is the weakest and kicks it out of the nest to perish on the mountain side, a process it repeats until it only has the amount of chicks it can effectively rear.

Eventually even these favoured chicks have to leave their nest, but by this time the metallic covering of Dagteryx’s body has hardened as have the claws on its hands and feet. Prey is mostly hunted on foot in the crags of its mountain home, with small bug Pokémon and carrion making up the bulk of its diet. While the top predator in this montane habitat, Mightyena, does kill Dagteryx on occasion, it is competition for resources from other Dagteryx and bird Pokémon such as Rhapsapen that prove the hardest challenge to overcome.

Falls from height are another danger, and with its underdeveloped wings, Dagteryx is generally unable to fly to gain altitude. What it can do is flap its wings to slow its descent and steer towards an outcropping of rock. From there it can crawl on all fours back up to where it fell from using the claws on its wings and the hook like talon on its foot as ad-hoc ice picks which can gain a purchase on even the most vertical of rock faces. During the summer, Dagteryx’s moults, and both humans and Pokémon gather the shed feathers due to the relative scarcity of this Pokémon, and their robustness and gleaming coloration.

Trivia

Origin: Dagteryx takes inspiration, not only from its evolutionary form Skarmory, but also from ground birds such as the Seriemas of South America, and with small Troodontid dinosaurs such as the genus Anchiornis

Name Origin: Dagteryx’s name comes from a mixture of the words dagger and teryx (the Latin word for wing or wings)

Name: Varanasti

National Dex Number: #021

Flavour Text: The fang like structures hanging from Varanasti’s mouth are actually dried trails of toxic spittle. This Pokémon’s bite is so filthy that it causes violent infections to spread through its victim’s body, effectively making their organs rot while they are still alive.

Species: Toxic Tongue

Type: Poison

Height: 28cm (0,9ft)

Weight: 15kg (33lb)

Evolution: Varanasti (L33) -> Komodred

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Stench (This Pokémon’s unpleasant body odder can cause its opponent to flinch when attacking)

Hidden Ability: Poison Touch (When striking an opponent this Pokémon has a chance to poison its target)

Egg Group: Field/Dragon

Signature Move(s): Toxic Claw (Poison Type Attack - 70BP) This Pokémon attacks with claws loaded with poison. This attack has a high critical hit ratio and a 10% chance to badly poison the target.

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Varanasti is a quadrupedal lizard like Pokémon with rough scales and a pair of recurved tooth like structures embedded into its shoulders. This Pokémon advertises its toxicity with the yellow bands round its legs and the yellow streaks under its eyes, although the latter is simply just spittle that has dried when the Pokémon has been salivating over the thought of food. In addition to these streaks Varanasti also has fang like structures hanging from its mouth that are also formed from torrents of dried (and very toxic) spittle.

This spit often drips off of Varansasti’s bright yellow forked tongue as it flicks in and out to taste the air for signs of prey, and on the rare occasions that this Pokémon opens its mouth when not feeding, it reveals rows of small, but very serrated teeth running to the back of the jaw. To help catch prey, Varanasti has hooked claws on all four feet, capable of pinning and ripping its prey to pieces in very short order.

Ecology: Varanasti is a Pokémon that is often encountered in scrub land and dense forest travelling along well-worn paths in the search of prey. This Pokémon is quite unfussy in what it eats, and will consume anything it can overpower with its talons, teeth and toxic secretions it produces. Any prey lucky enough to escape the initial attack are often infected with a venom that painfully rots away living tissue. The screams of agony attract every Varanasti in the area, and soon whatever was unlucky enough to be initially attacked finds itself tailed by multiple hungry Pokémon until it drops dead of sepsis.

Despite its toxic nature, Varanasti does have predators of its own, and particularly fears Gumshoos, due to this Pokémon’s tenacity and cunning. Indeed, most Varanasti have been attacked at least once by Gumshoos, which left two teeth in the reptilian Pokémon’s shoulders, something that leaves Varanasti in almost constant pain. In addition to being highly venomous, Varanasti’s toxins cause it to stink like rotting flesh, something that keep most potential predators far away from it as possible.

Despite being deadly predators, Varanasti tolerates its own kind, although it prefers to do as little interaction with its fellows as possible. If food is scarce it will fight to protect resources, using only its talons to avoid wasting precious venom. During winter, Varanasti will retreat into a cave since it can’t stand the cold, and often form piles of Pokémon, sharing its body heat with others who are hibernating over the long winter months.

Trivia

Origin: Varanasti takes inspiration from both monitor lizards (particularly the Komodo Dragon) and the Gila Monster.

Name Origin: Varanasti is a combination of the words Varanus (the genus name for all extant monitor lizards) and nasty. It is also a play on the phrase ‘very nasty’ something that relates to its bad temper and toxic saliva.

Name: Yanymph

National Dex Number: #085

Flavour Text: Yanymph dreams of becoming a spectacular dragon from its underwater home, yet it knows it has no way of becoming what it’s always wanted to be. This causes it to develop a mean streak and attack the Pokémon it lives with.

Species: Water Bug

Type: Bug/Water

Height: 70cm (2,3ft)

Weight: 38kg (83.3lb)

Evolution: Yanymph (L16) -> Yanma (EXP w/ Ancient Power) -> Yanmega

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Swift Swim (When soaked by the rain, this Pokémon’s Speed Stat Doubles), Compound Eyes (This Pokémon’s keen vision improves attack Accuracy)

Hidden Ability: Frisk (Upon entering battle this Pokémon can check what item one of its opponents is holding)

Egg Group: Undiscovered

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Yanymph is a large brownish red segmented insect with six robust legs attached to the second section behind the head. On the back is a large hump like structure with two short clear appendages that later becomes this Pokémon’s wings when it evolves. Right at the end of the tail section is a single spike, and a pair of folding flaps that can be held under the final segment of this Pokémon.

The head of Yanymph is similar to that of its evolved form Yanma, although its large green compound eyes lack the two black pupils. In addition Yanymph also has a bladed structure where its mouth is, that is extends using water pressure to capture its prey and grab hold of water weed when its caught in a fast moving current.

Ecology: Yanymph is a benthic living Pokémon that prowls in well stocked lakes, river beds and even large ponds. A dedicated carnivore, Yanymph stalks any smaller Pokémon that gets close to it, and happily feasts on anything from Aqualotal to Magikarp, using its barbed extendable mouthparts to grab the prey and rip off the fins and limbs to effectively immobilise its victim. Yanymph can even target prey off the bottom by slotting the two tail fins on its rear segment under its body, positioning its head upwards and catapulting itself towards the surface. That said Yanymph has to be wary when attacking like this, since larger predators like Basculin are all too ready to take advantage of exposed prey in the water column.

Besides Basculin very few Pokémon prey on Yanymph, mostly due to its bad attitude and the fact it likes to hide in forests of water weed. Other Yanymph are a danger however, this species has no loyalty to each other, even if they come from the same clutch of eggs, and will happily eat each other if given the chance. To avoid its cannibal siblings, the weaker of the two Yanymph will propel itself away and hope its rival doesn’t follow or that it doesn’t get intercepted by another predator. Those Yanymph living in fast flowing rivers rarely eject into the water column, and are often found clutching the more robust parts of its habitat to avoid being swept away.

As it gets older, Yanymph’s disappointment that it seemingly will never soar through the skies grows, and it becomes more and more brutal in its attacks. In a fit of anger it will even try crawling out of the water under the light of a full moon, in attempt to realise its dream but often falls back into the depths when it faints from lack of oxygen. Eventually, after many attempts Yanymph’s fledgling wings grow and this Pokémon evolves into Yanma, its childhood dreams somewhat achieved and ultimately forgotten by the time dawn arrives.

Trivia

Origin: Yanymph is based on the immature stage of real world dragonflies and damselflies

Name Origin: Yanymph comes from the Japanese word Yanma (large dragonfly) and Nymph.

Name: Boveal

National Dex Number: #070

Flavour Text: Boveal loves nothing more than to run wild across fen and field. It is said that seeing this Pokémon playing during the spring can soothe the hearts of even the toughest of trainers.

Species: Calf

Type: Normal

Height: 41cm (1,3ft)

Weight: 22kg (48.50lb)

Evolution: Boveal (Male) -> Tauros, Boveal (Female) -> Miltank

Both evolutions require Boveal to reach max happiness

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Guts (When afflicted with a status condition this Pokémon’s attack stat rises), Scrappy (This Pokémon can hit Ghost Pokémon with both Normal and Fighting Type Attacks)

Hidden Ability: Sap Sipper (Provides Immunity to Grass Type Attacks, Raises Attack one stage when hit by a Grass Attack)

Egg Group: Undiscovered

Signature Move(s) - None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Boveal’s is a small quadrupedal Pokémon that is covered with brown fur and black spots (pink in the females). The species has short horns and long drooping ears that hang down across the cheek and sometimes obscure its eyes. Both male and female Boveal have a pair of short tails, tipped in a small tuft of fur.

Male and female Boveal do differ slightly, especially in relation to their head ornamentation. Male Boveal have a small bump on its forehead, while female Boveal have a pink diamond shaped marking, with both features carrying over into Tauros and Miltank respectively. The hooves of this Pokémon differ with gender as well, with the nails of the female Boveal spread out of create a cloven effect, while those of the male are a single bladed nail that envelops the entire bottom of the foot.

Ecology: Boveal is a Pokémon that prefers open areas such as fields and fells as their habitat, although they will tolerate scrubland habitat as long as there is sufficient grass for them to graze on. The species is a herd Pokémon, and generally prefers the company of its own gender, although it will not only tolerate but thrive if kept in mixed groups. Indeed Boveal will happily live with similar Pokémon such as Mudbray and Kiddash where their ranges overlap, just as long as these Pokémon can tolerate or even join in with Boveal’s boisterous play.

When not grazing, Boveal like to chase each other and engage in play fighting to ready itself for when it evolves. Because of the youthful energy it gives off when paying, it is said that this Pokémon can soothe the hardest of hearts and even awaken the inner child of their trainers or people who spend a long time in this species company. Despite its playful nature, Boveal will fight when attacked, and any potential predator has to be cautious when targeting this species as entire herds will rally to the defence of any affiliated individual. As such only a group hunter such as Mightyena readily attacks this Pokémon and has a decent chance at bringing down an individual.

As Boveal gets closer to evolution, its nature becomes similar to that of its evolved forms, with males becoming more boisterous and females becomes more interested with grazing in preparation for milk production upon evolution. That said a Boveal that is friendly towards people will continue to be friendly when it evolves into either a Tauros or a Miltank, just as one that is completely wild will become uncontrollable on evolution.

Trivia

Origin: Boveal is based on the calves of real life species of cattle. In addition it has features of both its evolutionary forms Tauros and Miltank

Name Origin: Boveal is a combination of the words Bovine and Veal.