Welcome back to another World of Green and Black. The Drid feature seems to have been very popular, so hopefully you all like this new creature just as well. After dealing with the alien people of the Black World, I think now’s a good time to introduce some of the wildlife.

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Name: Bladetail
World: Black
Material: Flesh
Thought Type: Untethered
Species Type: Dog-Like
Habitat: Tropical Rainforests, Black Scrubland, Miscellaneous Isolated Black Environments

Bladetails are one of the most well-known animals of the Black World, existing both in the Drid-filled tropical rainforests that straddle the equator and in the patches of black scrubland that have resisted Green World terraforming, including the Black Canyon. There are differences between rainforest and scrubland bladetails, with rainforest bladetails having longer, more slender bodies and a more flexible central pivot for their centre legs, and rudimentary climbing abilities. Meanwhile, scrubland bladetails are larger, with more stamina and a stronger bite. Both species-types have long, flexible tails with deadly blades at the tip, and use telepathy to conduct elaborate pack hunts.

Scrubland bladetails are the most familiar to Humankind. They are scattered around the world in every pocket of Black World that remain within the Green half of the land. Each population of scrubland bladetails is unique, with coat patterns varying by population, though stipes are most common. One of the most extreme examples of colouring is the population of scrubland bladetails along the Two-World River in Ramparossa. At a branch in this river, which originates in a mountain dominated by Blackworld wildlife, one stream remains in the Black World whilst the other flows into the Green. The bladetails in this area have a dark green coat that helps them avoid detection from human hunters. It is unclear if this coat helps them with hunting, since like all creatures, they derive little to no sustenance from creatures of the opposite world. Scrubland bladetails do however appear resistant to the ill effects of opposite world toxicity.

Due to the actions of scrubland bladetails, the species has a terrible reputation amongst Humankind. These animals are known to attack other predators that are perceived as a rival for their prey, yet they are not intelligent enough to discern that humans and our domestic carnivores like panthas and megasues are no challenge to them. Scrubland bladetails are known to attack Green World animals and leave the carcasses uneaten. There are even many tragic accounts of Humans, including children, being killed. Humans in villages near black scrubland live in fear of bladetail attack, yet there is little recourse for these villagers. Extermination of bladetails from the scrublands leads to an increase of small Black World vermin creatures venturing out into the Green World. Often these creatures are starving to the point they destroy Green world crops. Sometimes, the infestation is so great the borders between the Worlds can shift.

Rainforest bladetails have a much more reputable reputation. They seldom venture into the Green World. Whether this is due to a more agreeable nature, larger territories, or Drid influence is debated. They are one of the most common animals for Drids to telepathically control, and are often compared to the mythical dogs of the stars due to their noble nature and perceived loyalty to Dridkind. (note; see ‘pochein’ for a full recount of the dogs of the stars) They rarely appear striped, however Drids claim that the eyes of most animals do see stripes on them. It must be noted though that due to the prevalence of Drid possession of rainforest bladetails, stories of remarkable and kind interactions between these creatures and Humankind could in fact be accounts of Humans unknowingly interacting with a Drid, so such stories are considered unscientific.

Rainforest bladetails are highly respected amongst Dridkind. They are the largest predator in the rainforests besides sky-dominators, (Note: it is the consensus of most naturalists, both Human and Drid, that sky-dominators are not native to the rainforests and cannot survive without Drid intervention, making bladetails the rightful top predator of this environment. See ‘Sky-Dominator’ for more information.) and are revered both for their role in the rainforest ecology and their utility to Dridkind. It is common for Drids to possess bladetails and take them into battle. Some Forests have even adopted human metalworking techniques to craft armour for their favourite bladetails. The Vynik Queen Marcia IX was known to display a taxidermy bladetail wearing purple armour in her throne room: a gift from the Strongest of the Lower-Stalax-River Forest. This specimen is still on display at the Varican Museum.

The range of bladetails throughout human lands and their importance amongst Dridkind makes them easier than other Black World creatures to study. Indeed, the revelation that all bladetails were of the same species is a recent discovery made by captive breeding experiments. They have however proven to be very dangerous creatures to study, and their association with Drids and resemblance to dogs of the stars can make it difficult to separate fact from myth.

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I am so excited to be sharing more lore from the World of Green and Black. I’ll be back with another featured creature next month.

~ Jayde