Alias: None
Origin: Inland Thazvaar (deserts)
The Duststalker was an extinct, large predatory creature native to the deserts of Inland Thazvaar, known for its ambush tactics in the Infinitude Deserts. Its stealthy movements and ability to blend into dune systems made it a lethal threat to early explorers and fauna alike. Eradicated during the Fracture era (~2,000 YBM) due to imperial campaigns to secure desert routes, it was historically revered by Thazvaari tribes as a symbol of cunning and survival. Its presence once indicated stable dune ecosystems, but its extinction altered desert food chains, leaving fossil records as the primary evidence of its existence.
Duststalkers inhabited the Infinitude Deserts of Inland Thazvaar, thriving in vast, migrating dune systems shaped by stalled jet streams and Zhaerys’ magnetic field. They favored sandy, hardpan terrains for ambushing prey, avoiding coastal zones or humid lowlands where their camouflage was less effective.
Found at low elevations, typically from sea level to 1 km. They were rarely seen above 1.5 km, as higher altitudes lacked the sandy substrates and heat necessary for their hunting strategy.
Inland Thazvaar’s desert climate averages 30–50°C during the day with nighttime drops to 10–20°C. Zhaerys’ influence maintained consistent aridity, ideal for dune-based ambushes. Wetter or colder regions were unsuitable.
Adapted to frequent dust storms and heat displacement. Used wind-driven sand for cover during hunts. Seismic activity could disrupt ambushes by destabilizing dunes. Rare monsoons forced temporary retreats. Stellar disruptions (Izhara’s plasma storms) occasionally scorched habitats.
Lived 20–40 Geban years, with rapid growth in the first 5 years and peak predatory activity thereafter. Reached maturity at 10 Geban years before eradication.
Mature individuals stood 2.4–2.8 meters at the shoulder, with elongated bodies extending 5–6 meters in length. Juveniles (under 5 Geban years) ranged 1–1.5 meters at the shoulder and 2–3 meters in length.
Estimated at 4.2–4.7 tonnes, reflecting a robust, muscular structure optimized for ambushing in desert environments.
Eradication during the Fracture (~2,000 YBM) stabilized desert routes but disrupted Inland Thazvaar’s food chains, leading to overpopulation of smaller fauna. Fossil sites remain valuable for ecological studies but are hazardous during seismic events due to unstable dunes. Expedition teams should use sensors to detect buried remains and avoid excavation during dust storms. Range was limited to Thazvaar’s deserts, restricting ecological impact to arid biomes.