05. ANIMAL SPECIES

[OASIS]

The animals within the Scorch have changed. They had to, or else they would not survive. They have mutated and gained certain abilities to allow them to handle the deadly wasteland that was once their home. They haven’t changed so much that they are unrecognizable, but they are certainly very different. Any of these animals can be domesticated by someone skilled, though a pet must be purchased in the shop. The animals of the North have not changed.

THE HORSE is one of the animals that has adapted to this harsh environment. In appearance, they are much the same, but inwardly they have changed. Behind their jaw bone, there are small, barely visible pouches where they can store water for long periods of time to keep them hydrated. Their teeth have become much stronger and certainly sharper for their own self-defense. Their hooves are now sharp and have a small scoop shape to them so they can dig deep into the soil in search of water. Their strength, speed, and endurance has increased as well.

THE COYOTE Dogs are next to impossible to come by thanks to these beasts. The coyotes have become one of the more vicious predators of the Scorch, growing to be closer to the size of a small mountain lion. They have grown something akin to a mane to protect their throats, and they have an even stronger nose to be able to find water. They have gained a terrifying ability to imitate the sounds of their prey, including human laughs and cries.

THE HAWK These birds of prey have become something to fear and revere. They have not changed in size, but their hunting ability has intensified. Their eyesight has improved and is stronger than ever, their beaks as sharp as daggers, and their talons are tougher than steal. They have grown joints in their wings and grew claws on them, similar to bats. They can use shrieks and caws to locate each other like bats can as well.

THE BROWN BEAR These are the most powerful and dangerous of the predators in the Scorch. They are short haired, similar to a horse’s short fur so they can stand the heat. Similar to a camel, they developed a large hump atop their shoulders to store water. They are massive in size, towering well over the top of a horse.

THE GILA MONSTER A lizard that was once sluggish and yet still dangerous, it has become a true threat. It has developed incredible speed, and already accustomed to surviving in extreme temperatures, did not have to change much more than that. They survived in volume, practically dominating the desert with their venomous teeth. They are large in size and very quick, difficult to fight off.

THE MOUNTAIN LION These once smaller breed of big cats are now much larger, coming closer to the size of a horse. They are intelligent and solitary, hunting only when they’re hungry and do not go out of their way to encounter humans. They usually only hunt in the early morning when the full heat hasn’t begun in the day. They have been known to break into food stores and steal meet, though no one tries to fight them off due to their massive size.