Dreadmaw

Venari is full of monsters and beasts, but none quite create the same level of jaw-dropping awe and intrigue as Dreadmaw.   The Dreadmaw is a legendary creature which is worshipped by a clan of orcs called The Red Scar Clan and a group of disorganised feral forest goblins who never bothered to come up with a name for their group. During The Great Goblin War both groups declared they were fighting in the name of Dreadmaw, although neither knew the other knew of the beast.   Although no-one has seen the Dreadmaw for centuries, many believe the creature still exists. Others declare that idea to be utterly ridiculous because something of Dreadmaw's alleged size couldn't just hide away up a tree or under a rock.  

Appearance

Dreadmaw is said to resemble a gigantic beetle, which is covered in large, sharp spikes. A quote from a popular The Red Scar Clan book gives an indication as to how the beast is described amongst the orcs:  

"Dreadmaw is magnificent. No blades can pierce her armour. No army is big enough to stop her. She looks just like a beetle, but one that grew as tall as a dozen houses and as long as small street. She is a force of nature - one that woke up and chose violence."

  Almost all Dreadmaw literature describes the beast as "bloodsoaked and proud", as if she wears the blood of those she has slain as some kind of message.  

Natural Armour

Dreadmaw's exoskeleton is inpenetrable by normal weapons, and is coated in a strange substance that has the consistency of phlegm. When it comes into contact with skin, the substance burns and is able to destroy skin, flesh, muscle, and even bone. As no-one has been able to take her down, no-one can be certain on how thick her armour actually is.  

Attacks

Crushing is Dreadmaw's main form of attack, but she does have a few other tricks hidden up her sleeve. In addition to the dangerous substance that covers her carapace, she is also able to spit venom at those she considers to be threats (and anyone she doesn't like the look of).    This account from an ancient orc's journal describes the power of this venom:  

"I was surrounded by goblins. There was so many of them! If it was one on one, I could've taken them on easily - even if it was ten against one, I would have won without breaking a sweat... but there were so many of them. They swarmed me. At one point all I could see was goblin, all I could smell was their stench, and all I could hear were their taunts. I thought I was a goner until I heard the tell-tale booms of Dreadmaw's footsteps.    The goblins were scared - I could see it in their eyes once they all jumped off me. Some of them trembled and some of them ran. Those that stayed were either trampled by Dreadmaw's collosal feet, or they met her venom. I'd never seen her spit before. It was amazing. She roared and some swamp-green stuff shot out of her jaws. It moved at such a speed that it knocked a group of a dozen of so goblins off their feet. When they tried to rise, I noticed something.   Their faces were melting. Skin dripped off their skulls. Their eyeballs fizzed away into nothing but gloop. There was a weird delay between this starting and the goblins screaming. It was like they couldn't believe what was happening to them.    I couldn't either. I just stood there, watching. Soon there was nothing left. Not even their bones survived. Those goblins just became a mess of stuff on the bottom of my boot after I ran through their remains to get stuck into the battle again. Sadly I had to ditch the boots pretty sharpish, as the venom was still working its magic. All hail Dreadmaw! 

   

Origins and life-cycle

As no-one is really sure what Dreadmaw is, it's not possible to be certain what she looked like as a juvenile. Was there a larval form of a creature? Did she hatch out of an egg? Did she have parents or did she just jump into existance one day?    As far as scholars are aware, only one Dreadmaw has ever been documented, but it is possible that multiple creatures could have been witnessed over the years and just given the same name.   

Habitat

From what anyone can understand, Dreadmaw doesn't seem to favour any particular kind of habitat. She is adaptable to almost anything if the texts are to be believed. The only recurring factor in any of the sightings/legends is that she shows up when there is a battle taking place. The Red Scar Clan believe she is drawn to the smell of blood, the taste of despair, and the promise of victory.  

Flight

  Can Dreadmaw fly? This is a question that has been debated by almost all who have discovered her legend. Due to her beetle-like nature, some believe that flight is almost agiven. Meanwhile, others note that her size, shape, and the numerous spikes on her body would make flight difficult, if not impossible.