Planet Zar: Nexus

General

Udraku are massive amphibious dragons sporting the typical hexapodal body-shape of 4 legs and 2 wings. They are significantly longer than they are tall and grow continuously throughout their lifespans. While they do the majority of their growing in their first couple years of life, reaching sexual maturity at 2, as long as there is food in abundance, an Udraku will continue to grow. At sexual maturity, both males and females reach around 8' to 15' at the shoulder.

Udraku tend to be fairly drab in color, consisting of a variety of greens, browns, and greys, with brightly colored markings and lighter underbellies.

While Udraku are capable of both verbal and telepathic speech, their vocalizations are very low and rumbling. They tend to extend vowels and roll 'r's as they speak.

Udraku are obligate carnivores and very accomplished hunters. Despite their massive size and dietary requirements, Udraku are  highly social and rarely display territorial aggression. Clutching females and parents with new offspring are the exception, as they are viciously protective of their offspring and will swiftly dispatch any threat.

Reproduction & Development

Udraku hatch out of leathery, football sized eggs, that are guarded fiercely by their parents. While udraku do not require bonds, their strong desire for social connections often has a parent seeking potential bondmates while eggs are incubating. Parents are cautious when picking bondmates and put potential candidates through rigorous interview and trial before allowing them to stand at their clutches. Bonding typically occurs at hatching, but some young may choose to withhold until nearing adulthood. An udraku can technically form a telepathic bond at any point in its life, but the link is easiest to form when the udraku is young.

Udraku  hatchlings are only about 1-2 feet in length, practically minuscule compared to their gigantic parents.  They are voracious and grow rapidly within the first year of life, spending the vast majority of their time eating and sleeping. Wings in hatchlings are underdeveloped and the udraku cannot fly until it reaches sexual maturity. Wing strengthening exercises are important for proper development.

Both sexes appreciate displays of strength when choosing a suitable mate. Males and females will perform ritualized wrestling with one another in lieu of a mating "flight" (although this wrestling can take place on land, underwater, or in the air for particularly daring udraku). The 'chaster' takes hold of their desired mate's head or neck with his jaws and the pair attempt to pin the other. Jaw strength is immense in the udraku, so suitors must be careful not to damage their potential mate. This is both an exercise in strength as well as one's ability to keep themselves in check to prevent injury.

Females lay large clutches - sometimes up to 50 eggs, depending on the age and size of the dam. These are buried in peat or moss and guarded carefully by both parents. Parents are in continuous communication with their egg-bound offspring via telepathy.

Abilities

Communication: Telepathy, Verbal Speech

Breath Weapon: Smoke. The udraku can emit black smoke from the mouth and nose, as well as any brightly colored markings. This smoke causes eyes and mucus membranes to burn and can prove blinding. If inhaled, choking and burning will occur rapidly.

Breath Weapon: Light. Udraku can emit clouds of soft red light from the mouth, nose, and any brightly colored markings.