Male Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Wadjet Parabuthid
Birthday: Thursday, June 1, 2023
Owner: WerewolfGuinn
Element: Neutral
A wadjet parabuthid hatches in a cool, moist alcove alone, and is unlikely to ever encounter its mother or siblings. They grow quickly but remain far smaller than their ankh counterparts, making them vulnerable to predators. As such, wadjet parabuthids usually prefer to hunt at night, taking advantage of the cool, damp air to keep their delicate joints from growing stiff. The hatchlings are born with a potent venom used for protection and to capture prey. As it grows, a wadjet parabuthid's claws grow more robust and become its primary means of bringing down prey, allowing their venom to become less potent. An adult's sting is painful, but no more deadly than a bee sting. The venom is designed to be painful, rather than deadly, allowing creatures who try to make a meal of a wadjet parabuthid to learn from their mistake and avoid the colorful creatures in the future. Some people actually consider it lucky to be stung, considering the creatures' reputations.
Parabuthids are venerated inhabitants of the Etain Desert, though it is rare to come across one these days. The ancient civilizations of the desert raised scorpion hatchlings in the safety of special temples and milked their venom for use in life-giving potions. The toxin of ankh parabuthids was especially prized, given the name of "ichor ambrosia" in old inscriptions, and widely reputed to be a key ingredient in the fabled elixir of life. The venom of both species of parabuthid can be used in a variety of ways, and though the wadjet parabuthids are generally considered weaker than the ankh, they are still revered as symbols of protection and good luck.
Sprite art: Jrap17 (hatchling) | Description: PKGriffin