Flailer

Flailers generally wait until suitable prey approaches close enough to be attacked. Because of their natural camouflage, flailers often surprise their victims. When they attack, flailers do so with their two frontal limbs, followed by their bite, and then by their two middle limbs. The hard, tortoise-like shell of a flailer provides excellent defense against attacks, but the underside of the creature is softer and more vulnerable. In addition to its limb and bite attacks, flailers also boast powerful psionic abilities used to mentally attack their victims.

When not waiting for a victim, flailers live in small caves and crevices characteristic of the rocky terrains of Athas. Flailers feed on nearly any animal, ranging from small rodents to large mammals, such as humans and demi-humans. After a victim has been killed, a flailer will often bring the carcass to its lair where it can enjoy its meal. Born in litters of four to six young, flailers remain with their sire for a period of up to one year. Their solitary existence begins after this first year and ends only when the creatures are near death. At this time, adult flailers seek out mates and bear offspring. Adult male flailers die naturally soon after their yearlong sojourn with the offspring; the females are devoured by the young immediately after giving birth.

The hard shell of flailers is unsuitable for purposes of making armor due to its unusual shape and texture. However, Athasian weaponsmiths have been able to use it to form small bladed weapons such as dirks, daggers, and arrowheads, as well as small, buckler-sized shields.