Marlot

The Marlot are a sub-species of the shaktar, along with the Shoag and Zeti. They are believed to be currently extinct with the last known sighting during the Return of the Gods.

During the early ages the Marlot built small settlements in the foothills of many mountain ranges and along large river valleys. These settlements were a series of concentric rings in which the Marlot slept. Although very intelligent they have very little need for tools and therefore did not pursue any metallurgy or carpentry. Instead, they were able to work stone and earth using only their hands.

FOr all accounts the Marlot were a peaceful, but secluded culture. They would attack and drive off any other species that attempted to settle in their territory, but would not attack others to expand their own lands. Their interest in artistic bits of metal and woodcraft lent them to naturally trade with nearby dwarven and elven communities. Both would consider the Marlot good, but dangerous neighbors.

The last known contact anyone has had with the Marlot was during the Age of Empires when an Irillian legion was nearly destroyed by several large scaly monsters that rose up from the ground as if it was water. Several scholars have visited the area were the legion was attacked, but have found no sign of any such creatures. Most believe it was simply an elven war party using pits to ambush the soldiers.

The Marlot language consists not only various vocal sounds, but heat patterns and what can only be described as a mental aura as well. The Marlot are capable of rudimentary telepathic communication. They cannot send actual words, but instead project flashes of emotion and very simple thoughts.

The Marlot are the largest members of the shaktar species. They are warm-blooded and give birth to live young. They are very intelligent with a large and well-developed brain.

Voracious omnivores, the Marlot will eat nearly anything that crosses their path when they are hungry - except carrion. Interestingly enough, they are also capable of eating stone and earth to sustain themselves.

Believed to stand over 12 feet tall when they are fully upright, a position they are rarely in. Instead they prefer to move around hunched over and leaning forward so they can fully use their powerful legs for movement.

When walking or at rest the Marlot keep their hands on the ground and move about as a typical quadraped. When running a Marlot will partially rise up and only use their legs for movement and their tail for balance. At a full sprint they can reach speeds of 20 mph.

When on all fours and measuring from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail an average adult Marlot will reach about 25 feet in length and 7 feet at the shoulders A fully sized adult male will weight over 1800 pounds, with an adult female about 100-200 pounds less.

Unlike the shoag, the Marlot have an oversized head and short neck. The position of their neck gives them a better view when moving on all fours, rather than in a fully upright position. Their faw is filled both with sharp teeth for tearing mean and flat for grinding vegatables.

The Marlot have a very simply for a telepathic sense that complements their other senses. They are not fully capable of communicating telepathically or even sending emotions over long distances. Instead it seems to provide them with a “sixth sense” within a range of 30 to 40 meters. Within this range they can send violent thoughts to frighten enemies or read the intentions of strangers.

The Marlot are currently extinct, but when they lived they built settlements in old growth forests, along river valleys, and in rocky foothills. Abandonded villages can still be found by the large number of stone rings that they formed in which to sleep.

The Marlot where not just an ancient race, but very long-lived as well. Records indicate that Marlot were known to have lived over 300 years, with at least one believed to have lived into her first century. Because they are extinct there is no way to verify these records.

The Merlot have dry hard scales along their backs and legs. Only the front of their trunks are covered with a soft and leathery skin. The scales above their spine can grow especially large, sometimes resembling short fins or armored ridges. These ridges are patterned by the blood vessels that run through them, giving each Marlot a distinct ridgeline. When angry or excited they can “flush” their ridge to warn off rivals or attract a mate.

They are known to be able to bend stone and earth to their will. They do not chip or carve stone, but instead seem to be able to shape and meld stone as a potter shapes clay. They can hardened earth as strong as steel and shape it into any form that they desire.

The Marlot were considered great artists among the dwarves and elves whom they traded. Marlot stone works were highly prized by both peoples. Even the simple sleeping rings were individually decorated with complex bas relief imagery.