Mossly

Stocky reptilians that stand at an average of 4 meters from claws to horizontal spine. They stretch 6-7 meters from snout to tail. They have a symbiotic relationship with a peculiar type of moss. Shallow roots mix with the capillaries and nerves in the Mossly's thick hide. Mossly tails grow to around a meter long. These thick fleshy tails store excess fat and help counter balance their slightly elongated necks.

The moss, called Atri, is not found anywhere else in nature. Atri grows primarily on the mossly's feet, back, and neck. Moss growth patterns vary on each animal, aiding in inter-species identification. Mosslies are highly intelligent and display an enormous vocal range. Imagine the vocals of a whale unfiltered by water.

The moss provides extra energy through photosynthesis, making the mosser renown for tireless energy. Mossers cover their eggs in moss scratched from their backs. The moss attaches to the eggs and infects the embryos within.

Mossly once migrated between the Crystal Plains and the Sentra Taiga, heading north for the summer. With the creation of the Riven Strait a small portion of the population was trapped on the Northern Continent. Their symbiotic moss does not produce as much energy because of the extended cold, causing Northern Mosslies to spend much time sleeping in lairs.

With the decreased dependency on the symbiotic moss, the Mossly metabolism changes dramatically. Northern Mossers have a more carnivorous tendency than their southern kin, known to eat even Mortals. They can run in bursts, up to 25 meters a second, but cannot sustain this speed for long. They are highly territorial of their lairs and hoard food in them. These lairs can house a Mosser for centuries before it dies of old age.

Southern Mossers retained the omnivore diet, primarily digesting Corly Flies and their enormous, honey filled hives. Low hanging foliage is stripped clean by passing pods of Mossers. Many farmers in the Crystaline Plain use Acorgs, the Mossly's natural enemy, to fend off enroaching pods. Southern Mosslies cannot give their moss a period of dormancy, effectively cutting their life spans in half.

The mossly's tongue can extend to just under 1 meter and is used to grip food and manipulate objects.

Mossly are used as beasts of burden and war. Their large size makes them too cumbersome for everyday use, however, their endless energy is perfect for long trade routes or forced marches.