Traveling a few hours into the plains, Arthur couldn't help but marvel at the incredibly diverse wildlife.
Early in their trip, Arthur was made audience to a pack of canine(dog-ish)-like beasts mid-hunt. They had whitish-greenish fur that hung on tightly to moderately built physiques. Sharp fangs filled their mouths while thick metallic protruding spikes ran from the base of their heads and along their backs to a thick barbed tail.
However, what made Arthur pay special attention to them was the fact that when they traveled, they didn't use their legs. Rather they traveled by rolling themselves into wheels. And even more fascinating was the fact that their metallic spines were actually movable as they used them to change direction, accelerate and decelerate.
Continuing his observation, Arthur noted that the pack was actually led by a larger one of their kind.
[Name: Hycor]
[Type: Beast]
[Varient: Alpha]
[Rank: DDD]
[Threat Level: Very High]
[Description: Hycors are a common species found in plain biomes across Pandora. They live in packs led by an Alpha and/or Omega. Commonly known for hunting large prey and exhibiting high levels of tenacity and agility. They are also extremely poisonous and venomous.]
[Remarks: Although usually very intelligent, there are just some moments that make you question this.]
At the time of Arthur's observation, the hycors were hunting a secluded Bovidae (bison-ish)-like beast.
The blackish Bovidae-like beast stood approximately 4 times the size of the Hycores. It was graced with a thick horn on its nose, two thicker ones at the sides of its jaws and even thicker ones protruding forward behind its ears. All the while, a thick mane acted as a natural armor for its neck areas while a thick, hairless hind protected the rest of its body.
[Name: Biorni]
[Type: Beast]
[Rank: EE]
[Threat Level: Low]
[Description: Biorni are temperate beasts of the plains biome across Pandora. Like many beasts whose diet consists of mainly plants, they evolve through extracting a slain beast's bloodline essence through a similar method of how plants absorb energy. Thus having no need to consume a slain beast's carcass. They are also typically found in herds, but it isn't uncommon to find lonesome ones due to their poor eyesight.]
[Remarks: Big and blind, a combo for success right there.]
The hunt ended rather quickly as the Alpha Hycor wheeled right through the Biorni's neck, ignoring whatever defense its mane provided it. The pitiable beast didn't even react until the Hycor had already made contact.
Fascinatingly after felling the Biorni, the Alpha Hycor made a few sounds prompting the other Hycors to surround the body as they prepared to transport the carcass.
However, as the Hycors bit into the corpse, rather than pull the carcass in the same direction, they were pulling it in various directions. Which would have been smart if they were pulling apart carcasses to split it up for ease of transportation. But just the Bironi's limbs alone were too big for an individual Hycor, much less the actual torso.
'Moments of questionable intelligence, huh.'
…
Moving forward the party's journey was quite peaceful for the following few days, with the only exception being a slight detour around Zarla's Den.
As Arthur had observed from afar, the Den was a large area at the forest and plains biome border. It was dotted with large crystals that reached higher into the sky, sparkling with every ray of light that came in contact.
However, the most interesting thing was a thick bluish mist enshrouding the area. Seeing the mist, Arthur was a bit surprised since the mist was just a very dense concentration of RE and was ever so slightly pulsing like a heartbeat.
Nevertheless, thinking to himself, Arthur asked, 'just what was Zarla?'
If only he knew…