Non-Sentient Akorec

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THE MIGHTY

AKOREC

MONARCH OF BEASTS

HOME-WORLD -
BIOLOGY -
DIET -
REPRODUCTION -
AVERAGE HEIGHT -

Trammis III.
Reptilian.
Carnivorous.
Egg-laying.
5-10 meters.

CHARACTERISTICS

The Akorec is a predator native to Trammis III, a planet in the Centrality which is famous for its native reptiloid megafauna, dubbed Dinosauria by academics, and popularly known simply as Dinosaurs. The Akorec is one of the planet's major apex predators, an iconic monster which has become something of a mascot for Dinosaurs as a whole.

Akorecs - first named and described by the Trammis system's original colonists during the Old Republic era - are huge predators of the Therapod order, a subset of Dinosauria which developed a bipedal means of locomotion. Like all dinosaurs, they are broadly reptilian in terms of biology, with certain characteristics reminiscent of avian forms, including certain bone structures and the presence of a primitive warm-blooded anatomy, which allows them to regulate their own body temperature through their metabolism. Nevertheless, Akorecs - and other dinosaurs - tend to be sluggish and ponderous in their movements, interrupted by rapid bursts of speed and activity during combat or when fleeing from danger. This belies a great deal of stamina, which they can lay on when necessary.

Akorecs tend to stand roughly upright when at rest, giving them a better vantage point, but will hunch forward when walking or running, using their massive tails as a counterweight to balance themselves. Flat out, they can move at up to 32 kph, although they are not particularly agile at these speeds. The species will run down its prey, but has also been observed to act as an ambush predator, staying perfectly still in thick foliage for up to hours at a time along game trails and near water sources.

Akorecs have massive, thickly boned skulls and jaws, and have a bite force that ranks among the highest recorded in conventional vertabrates. They have rows of sharp, dagger-like teeth, some up to 30 centimeters in length, capable of rending even the toughest flesh, or - as some poachers can attest - punching through starship-grade durasteel plating.

Akorecs have seemingly vestigial, almost comically small forelimbs. Although not often used, they are surprisingly dexterous and well muscled for their size, and Akorecs have been observed using them as leverage to roll over prey when feeding, or to hold on during courtship.

Akorec hide is tough and scaly, extremely thick and heavily armored, primarily to resist the claws and teeth of rivals and prey. It is notably resistant to blaster fire, being able to dissipate projectiles and beams from most energy weapons short of a heavy rifle or light artillery. These qualities have made Akorec leather an extremely valuable commodity, used chiefly for durable body armor, which is extremely expensive. The few attempts at farming Akorec have come about in efforts to capitalize on the trade of Akorec leather, although these endeavors tend to end in disaster, even in cases where no expense is spared.

In terms of intelligence, Akorecs are sub-sentient, but surprisingly cunning and perceptive, aspects which in addition to their physical gifts make them superb hunters. Infant Akorecs make strong attachments to adults, and more rarely, adults have been observed to make friendships both inside and outside their own species, although this tends not to happen with any creature smaller than convenient swallowing size. It has been observed to happen, however, and Akorecs have been noted to show extreme loyalty toward any creature they hold in such esteem.

Akorec riding is a dangerous, often fatal activity, with a high rate of attrition among those who attempt it. It can be done with a rider and mount who are especially well attuned, but is as likely to get a would-be Akorec jockey plucked off and eaten as not. Trammic legends of ancient war leaders who rode bellowing Akorecs into battle persist, however, and thus there is rarely a shortage of those willing to make the attempt.

Although similar creatures on other worlds tend to be more sophisticated in this regard, Trammis III's dinosaurs - Akorecs included - are notably "crude" in their biology, bringing to mind inaccurate reconstructions of extinct animals. This has caused some speculation as to the origin of the planet's creatures, but thus far no firm conclusions have been reached.

Female Akorecs can grow up to 10 meters in height, with males topping out around 7-8 meters. The species does not brood, burying its eggs - generally clutches of 5-10 - in soft earth and then effectively abandoning them. This is not to say Akorecs are not good parents; mated pairs will remain together for life, and will become extremely territorial during the hatching period, running off most predators large enough to threaten eggs or hatchlings. They will also thoroughly camouflage the area where the eggs are buried. Once hatched, infant Akorecs will instinctively seek out adults, and are protected by them throughout their development; upon reaching late adolescence, however, they are encouraged to leave, going off to seek mates and territories of their own.

Since the collapse of the Galactic Empire and the Centrality's move to independence, the export of most of Trammis III's dinosaur species - the Akorec included - has been declared illegal. This has not stopped legions of poachers from flouting the law, of course, even given that the act of doing so is even more likely to get a being eaten than arrested. Akorecs - chiefly in the form of eggs or very young hatchlings - routinely show up in the illicit pet trade. Adult Akorecs form the centerpieces of public and private zoos on many planets, and they are highly prized as pit beasts, used by criminals and despots to dispose of unwanted visitors and adversaries, or as opponents in gladiatorial matches against armed sentients and/or rival monsters. A certain dwarf variety, which grows to about 5 meters in height, is a favorite opponent for the smaller but smarter and more dexterous Rancor, among other popular fighting beasts. These are known to have a more even temperament, and are easier to train for riding, although doing so is still difficult and dangerous.

INTENT

My intention with this creature is to flesh out the Akorec, a creature from Legends canon that seems meant to be analogues to a Tyrannosaurus rex. I wanted to bring it into our site's fanon because, well, who doesn't want a T-Rex to fight and/or ride in their thread? I also thought that it would be cool to have something other than a Rancor to go on rampages through spaceports and the like.

I made this creature intentionally anachronistic in its portrayal, because honestly, those old-school dinosaur paintings looked really cool, even if they are anatomically unfeasible.
 
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