Entry for Duckbricks contest.
Bio: The Species Akutakan are casually referred to as Maw Beasts it is an apex predator. Standing roughly 7-8 feet tall weight unknown and highly intelligent. They possibly even have a rudimentary method of communicating to each other observed during attacks involving more than one where they would flash seemingly patterns using bioluminescent areas to each other. They are mostly solitary predators, but do group around nests they lay in caves carved out from the sides of deep sea cliff walls or old rig structures. They are excellent climbers and incredibly durable. The chitinous shells and armoring are highly sought after for armor and machine plating, but few utilize the material for none are brave enough or foolish to hunt these beasts. Their claws rip though most metals with little effort and their strength is unmatched. Their six eyes allow for incredible night vision and likely other spectrums of light as well. Little is known about these beings diets and the only apparent weakness is bright light which can disorient them or even cause them to flee. Also prolonged exposure to dry climates are generally avoided but they do appear to absorb oxygen in water or the surface equally.
Ocean rigs are now highly dangerous for exploration as these creates have made them homes and nests. Most that encounter the Maw Beasts are killed on sight, but some where dragged down to the ocean depths in the creature’s cutches to an unknown fate. Often appearing during storms survivors would recount a bioluminescent glow rising from the depths, later determined to be emanating for the creatures chest cavity and other portions of the body, and screeching, before an attack.
sailors now sing “Beware, beware oh children of the sea; for the oceans wrath does come for thee; on stormy tides in the dead of night the Maw beasts shall rise so pray you see the next sunrise.”
Extra photos:
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