Hiraeth Creature #1183 - Taziltyva“Hiraeth’s forested wildernesses can feel like expanse

Hiraeth Creature #1183 - Taziltyva“Hiraeth’s forested wildernesses can feel like expanses without end, where grove after grove greets wanderers strolling under an ocean of leaves. In stretches of woodland, one may seek solitude to reminisce or meditate on their journey in peace, but a traveller is never truly alone — many critters hide just out of sight, while small flying creatures dart from tree to tree. Often missed while it lounges in dense, vibrant flora, one could easily be in the presence of a Taziltyva sprawled out across the forest and never realize it. Their long bodies wrap around the entirely of the glades they rest in, but even older individuals may have their tail at one end of the wood while their head is miles away. Many only catch a glimpse of their tail winding away without ever even seeing the creature’s face, often striking anxiety in unwary travellers, unsure if they have just disturbed some sleeping leviathan. Thankfully, Taziltyva are very peaceful and very lazy creatures, often only holding ill-will to those who actively hunt them or those with cumbersome footsteps who stomp on their sleeping form. On sunlit days where they can catch some warmth, Taziltyva have been known to wrap themselves around trees and rest their head on the canopy, soaking in as much sunlight as they can. Sometimes their need to rest outweighs their need to hunt, and they’ll resort to plucking herbs and shovelling mineral-rich soil into their large maws to abstain from chasing down prey. When the need for a proper meal finally sets in, they will go to rivers to catch fish or snap up entire insect hives. Despite their lax nature, Taziltyva have a very lethal side: a strong poisonous breath they use to pick off insect swarms or to dissuade hunters stalking after them. So dangerous is their breath that it can often waft in the air for hours, felling smaller creatures or knocking out larger ones if they get a whiff. A Taziltyva will usually dispel their own miasma by lashing their tail to create powerful wind, or they will swallow the toxic cloud to prevent it from travelling through the woods. Many folk appreciate their relaxed nature, as a sprawled-out Taziltyva can make for a useful bridge across rivers and ditches as long as one tiptoes over them slowly and daintily. Barbarians used sleeping Taziltyva for more nefarious purposes, often feeding the beast a plethora of meats and honey to distract them, and then lifting the rest of their body to use as natural rope to sneak into walled-off kingdom encampments, thieving away valuables or setting ambushes. While they may be a bit too relaxed, Taziltyva are a reminder that we should all take it easy once in awhile, whether it be to take stock, find peace of mind, or just simply take a nap.” -- source link

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