Ashushum
| Ashushum | |
|---|---|
| Base Information | |
| Classification | Omnivore/hunter |
| Terrain | Unknown |
| Locomotion | Slitherer |
| Size | ? m / ? Kg |
| Speed | 1.2 Kph |
| Strength | Unknown |
| Social Structure | Unknown |
| Weapons | Teeth |
| Armor | Scales |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Vland |
| Multi-world | Yes |
| Canon | Yes |
| Reference | "Bestiary." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society volume 4 116-117. |
The ashushum, which roughly translates as 'leather snake', is a creature native to Vland.
Physiology and Ecology[edit]
This is a serpentine animal outwardly reminiscent of Terran snakes. It is notable for being one of the Vland-native animals whose meat, correctly treated by the Shugilii, is edible.
Life Cycle and Reproduction[edit]
Ashushum change colour as they age, from a brilliant purple through blue, green, yellow and eventually a dull red (centering on the near infrared), moulting once every four months on average and living for about 30 moults. An ashushum that can no longer moult grows within its skin until it crushes itself to death, producing a distinct tough meat akin to jerky, which is usually softened into a delicacy. Ashushum eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet and it is generally believed that their colour change helps ashushum identify potential mates, looking for those not too bright in ultraviolet but not completely dark in that wavelength either.
Ashushum have no poison, but archaeology suggests that they once had venomous kin, apparently exterminated as Vilani spread across their world.
Diet and Trophics[edit]
No information yet available.
History and Background[edit]
The ashushum was one of the earliest domesticated animals on Vland, its food and clothing products well integrated into society before written history and serving as a model for other efforts to make food from what resources were available. Ashushum leather is the standard material for a number of traditional garments throughout former First Imperium space and is more available than Terran cow leather in many sectors. Its eggs have extremely well-known nutritional properties and preparation methods.
A common example of Vilani conservatism is that, while many other domestic animals have been engineered and bred for higher utility, most ashushum today have the exact same genome as those on pre-spaceflight Vland, having never benefited from augmentation beyond selective breeding. Some ashushum farms on Vland have been in continuous operation, providing seed stock for numerous colonies, for over 10,000 years and are quite the sight to behold, with automated food distribution and moult gathering machines poking out of several square kilometres of ashushum pens, which look from a distance like writhing, slithering ground. Many Solomani report a sensation of slight unease when first beholding such an operation.
Derived Products (Goods)[edit]
The ashushum sheds tough skin that can be worked into leather or a flatbread analogue. Its eggs have extremely well known nutritional properties. Older ashushum shed tougher skin, more usable as leather and less edible. Some breeds grow tough beads on their tails that can be ground into spice or fire-hardened to stud the leather.
Travellers' Aid Society Advisory[edit]
No information yet available.
References and Contributors[edit]
- Matthew Sprange. Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society volume 4 (Mongoose Publishing, 2020), 116-117.