Stoneback

The Stoneback is a large and heavy herbivore strongly resembling the earth of its native home in the Senholdo Region. Its most prominent feature is the massive dome-like shell. Sharing both the texture and sturdiness of a boulder, it is the namesake of the Stoneback. From beneath the shell, its long neck and head extends outward. The forehead is rounded with the Stoneback's brows jutting past the height of the middle of the head with two large eyes on each side. Its nose is flat with its mouth lying just beneath the nostrils. The inside of the mouth is lined with small pointed teeth. Its four legs and feet all extend from beneath the shell similar to the neck. Each leg is thick and and ends with four large toes covered in even thicker nails. At the Stoneback's rear, a small tail is visible, though its purpose is not apparent. Finally, the Stoneback's skin is covered in scales much like a reptile's.

The Stoneback is an Oviparous animal. It has been observed creating burrows within the mud nearest to ponds or streams at the bottom of the Senholdo's canyons, where they make their homes. The Stoneback then covers the eggs with the mud for protection. The parents then leave the eggs to carry on with their lives.

A Stoneback is responsible for its own survival from the moment they are born. Once hatched, they must climb their way from beneath the mud. (This seemingly arduous task becomes all the more demanding during dry spell, hardening the mud.) Being buried next to bodies of water enables the newborn Stonebacks to quickly reach a source of nourishment in the water as well as the vegetation growing nearby. From birth until its 5th year, the Stoneback will keep close to the area where it was born. It is considerably softer during this time than after reaching adulthood. The Stoneback youths take advantage of this to quickly bury themselves beneath the mud to avoid predators. After the 5th year, Stonebacks are considered adults. Their shells and hide becomes hardened and they now move on to other parts of the Region for a mate. One interesting note of the Stoneback's life, is the fact that vegetation will often begin to grow all over its body. Most commonly, moss will cover whole parts of the Stoneback's body which, the Stoneback will then eat in the event that food becomes scarce. It will even share what growth they have with other Stonebacks as well!

The Stoneback is found exclusively in the Senholdo Region. More specifically, they are only found at the bottom of the canyon walls where they thrive in what little water and vegetation resides in the desolate Region. Newborn Stoneback are prey to the Blackfoot-Heron that are common in the area and occasionally the Canyon Condor which are mostly found soaring above the canyons plateaus.

Stonebacks are herbivores and survive by eating what little vegetation grows at the bottom of the Senholdo Region's cliffs.

Observing the Namunians, Stoneback shells seem to be utilized as bowls or containers for everyday life.

One can usually estimate the age of a Stoneback by the growth of mossy foliage around the neck. known as a beard, the green vegetation grows along the entire length of the neck.

Exclusive to the Senholdo Region. It was discovered that these animals are a primary source of food for the Namuh people. Preparing a meal from this sturdy creature has yet to be shared outside of Namunian customs.