What would YOU make?

[.:Fawn:.]

It's no secret that Brian Jacques tends to make up some creatures for his stories sometimes, such as the Wearat and the Marlfox.

If you could make up your own species for the Redwall Universe, what would it be?

Personally, I would create some kind of uber-beast that's a mix between a Wolverine and a Badger (( Because Over-Powered characters are fun to play! ))

Species Name: Berserker
Latin Name: Gulo Terris
(Glutton of the Earth)
Subspecies of Gulo Gulo
Weight: 25 - 35 lbs (Some larger males may reach up to 40 lbs)
Height: (In comparison to a Badger and a Wolverine) Middle-range. Males are usually half a head taller than an average male badger, but the females of both species tend to be closer in size.
Status: Neutral. Can be considered an enemy to both sides.

Information:

Berserkers often have similar coloring to wolverines, adopting the longer, coarser fur and the very thick, snowshoe-like feet. However, they tend to sport either a solid black face or a lighter brown face with black stripes spaced similarly to that of a badger's. Their overall coloring is dark brown to black, with the occasional white on their chests and paws. Some Berserkers may even have incomplete striping around their faces, or a little white on the bridge of their noses. Their claws are not retractable, but they are capable of bearlike movements (i.e, walking on hind legs, and climbing trees), and their diet is rather diverse, though they have a noticeable affinity for meat.

Because of their compact size, large feet and ungodly stamina, Berserkers are quite fast and capable of hunting their prey all day if need be. Legend has it that when a Berserker decides to hunt you, they will not stop until you are found and killed -- going days without a meal even if just for the sake of 'the one that got away'. Their relenting behavior during the hunt does extend into their territorial, highly aggressive nature. Berserkers are known to hold extreme grudges, and have difficulty abandoning the chase or leaving a fight, whether they're losing or not. Berserkers will usually fight until they drop or die, and even a downed Berserker will growl and crawl and tear as long as there is breath in their body.

Berserkers, interestingly enough, mate for life. If their partner has died, they will not take another mate. Ever. Berserkers can usually have roughly 1-4 cubs per litter, and being extremely solitary and territorial, even with their young, most (if not all) Berserker offspring are chased out quite early.
Young Berserker males (called Dogs) are usually kicked out of the family den first, under strict orders that they cannot return to their parents' territory ever again, unless willing to attack and take it from them.
Any offspring trying to return to the den (especially males), are usually attacked by their sire and occasionally their dam.

It is not unheard of, however, for male Berserkers to come back to the den after a number of years and some territory of their own, to kill/subdue their father and take his territory.
Berserker law states that if Son or Daughter challenges Father or Mother, no one can intervene, even if it seems evident that one side is losing. Berserkers (unless a mated pair) do not fight in groups, or with the aid of other creatures. Berserkers do not usually have friends of any sort, though they may occasionally be seen in the company of a wolverine or badger, they generally leave others alone and are left alone in return.


Habitat: The Gulo Terris usually resides in the highland regions, though occasionally ventures far up north (think the Land of Ice and Snow) where they face competition with wolves, wolverines and bears. The Gulo Terris has an aversion to the heat, and will not venture south without very good reason.

Gruesome Fun Fact #41: Berserkers eat some mammals by turning them inside out, leaving the inverted skin uneaten (particularly hedgehogs and rabbits). ._. don't look at me like I'm weird, European Badgers actually do this (according to Wikipedia, at least).

Gruesome Fun Fact #28: Berserkers do not wear armor. Whether it's because it causes a reduction in speed or a matter of pride, Berserkers prefer to soak themselves in blood (this practice is not as readily applied to females as the males. Females tend to apply only a little rather than coating themselves in it), and either wait for it to dry, or just fling themselves upon the enemy.
They may occasionally use their own blood, but prefer to use the blood of a former enemy (as a warning to their next opponent).

Extra Info: Berserkers are oftentimes called "Earth Bears" because of their bearlike tendencies.

How to bring down a Berserker:

Always aim for the chest. Aiming for the Berserker's skull isn't going to do you any good, and shooting them in the back will be even less effective. If using a sword, the removal of their head is your best option. Setting them on fire may work, but because of their extremely high tolerance for pain, they might run at you screaming, kill you, and THEN worry about their current state of...burning.
Pushing them off of cliffs works. Adder venom may work, but it might take more than one bite to cause any permanent damage (or fatality). A larger adder, another wolverine, a wolf, or even a very large badger could more than likely go toe to toe with the berserker.
Berserkers are not strong swimmers, though they can survive in icy water for hours so long as the current isn't too strong.

If you can't cut off a Berserker's head or reach their heart, your best bet is to stab it in the neck or between the eyes. Then set it on fire for good measure, but done be too surprised if, even after all that, the Berserker still gets up, bites your head off and then dies.
There are a few unfortunate souls who may even have the Berserker haunting them still at Hellgates or the Dark Forest.

Berserkers do not normally carry weapons, but if the occasional oddball did, they'd carry a sword or a battle axe, and probably no shield. When attempting to challenge a Berserker, it is best to challenge the youngest one there. While Berserker offspring tend to start showing that terrifying aggressiveness sometimes when they're as young as 6 years old, they have not yet honed their skills and are prone to making mistakes.
Just remember: the older the Berserker is, the quicker they can dig your grave.
(or they might just eat you. Who knows?)

~*~

There, that was my obnoxiously fun personal exercise. xD Please remember, you don't have to write as much as I did, or even follow the same format. A one or two sentence line telling me about your cool new creature is more than enough!

^^ I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

~Fawn~

[Django]

Species Name: Ciper
Common names, nicknames: CatSnake, SnakeCat, Ferpentine, Snat, Catsss, ViperCat, etc.
Latin Name: Felus Vipera 
Weight: 12-16 lbs (though some males have been known to get up to 20 lbs or more)
Height: (at the shoulder) 6-10 inches

Status: Neutral. They have been known to disappear during times of conflict/hardship

Information: CatSnakes, or Cipers as they are most commonly known, vary in both coloring and general stature, but are usually built rather light, like a domestic cat. They can be thought of as somewhat of a genetic experiment gone wrong (in 2011 terms, anyway) as they resemble the tail of a snake stuck onto the body of a cat. As a result, the tails are quite thick, about as thick around as the body. The bodies are muscular and lithe, rather long compared to that of a normal cat. The legs are short, and the paws are dainty. The bodies are covered in a mixture of snake scales and cat fur. The scales begin at the base of the skull and continue down the back in an ever-widening line to the snake tail. More scales are also apparent on the front of all four legs, and on the bridge of the nose. 

The faces hold characteristics of both feline and serpent. The eyes are starkly tapered, with scleras that are always yellow, no matter what color the irises are, which can range from acid green to sky blue. Pupils can dilate and slit at will and to adjust for lighting. Cipers see in infrared, so to speak. The eyes read heat waves off other objects around. Ears are wide and pointed, and noses are charcoal black, except in the cases of albino/blind individuals, in which case the nose fades to pale pink or tan. 

Paw pads have a distinctly scaly texture, though no scales actually exist on the skin. Claws are retractable, thin and needle-sharp, ranging in color from bright silver to black. Tongues are rough, wide, and forked, like a serpent's, and are capable of 'scenting the air'. A pouch of venom exists behind the gums, and the two front canine teeth are hollow, used to inject the venom into prey. The teeth cannot fold back like a normal serpent's, and are in fact much thicker in that they feel like a normal cat's tooth. The venom potency varies from individual to individual, and hatchlings do not develop any potency to their venom until adolescence. 

Fur color and scale color differ so much from individual to individual that there is no one Ciper that could represent the entire species. However, most domestic individuals have a tabby coat and a basic green or brown scale color. The fur patterns and scale patterns blend well, so that faint stripes are apparent even in the tail and faces scales. More exotic specimens sport lynx spots and rattlesnake diamonds, or tiger stripes and cobra hoods, or even leopard spots and emerald viper scales. 

Habitat: Cipers prefer mild climates due to their cold-blooded bodies. They tend to stick to forests in temperate climes as they make their nests in the hollows of trees or in the soft soil depending upon the type of shelter available. 

Behavior: Felus Vipera is a solitary animal, rarely coming in contact with others even of its own kind save during mating season. Despite this, they make great pets, and are known to be extremely affectionate and playful. When they come across another Ciper, they have somewhat of a sizing-up session, where each one stares at the other for a long moment. Then they proceed to almost dance around each other, climbing trees and chasing the other's tail within a perfectly circular radius of about twenty feet. It is unknown whether this practice is mere play, or used for some other purpose. Both genders participate in it, often with those of the same gender, although no more than two Cipers participate at one time. 

Cipers have a strange way of walking. They move by walking on all four legs and using their large snake tails as an extra means of forward motion. Their long bodies seem to curve in 'S' shapes as they move, since their spines are extremely flexible. 

When confronted with a potential threat, such as a rival Ciper or a large predator, Cipers will rear up on their long tails, much like a cobra does when threatened. In this position, they will hiss and spit venom until the threat is driven off. If this does not work, they will attack with tooth and claw until the threat is either nullified or is run off. If the predator still persists, the Ciper will make its escape by climbing a nearby tree.

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I'd like to add more, but I can't really think of much more to add, heh. Besides, it'd get complicated, I think, because of the whole mammal/reptile thing. Yeah, I'm done.
Also, for those who'd like to know what character inspired these things, it's this guy here: Cade T. Muntz
God bless!
Jan