Ruinstalker

The Ruinstalker is perhaps one of the most dangerous creatures plaguing Apoc-Earth. Their origin is unclear, although rumors persist that the Ruinstalkers were a High-bred experiment gone terribly wrong. What is clear is the impression these creatures leave on any who come across it, fear. The Ruinstalker is an unusual combination of snapping turtle and ape. While reptilian in appearance, the Ruinstalker has several mammalian qualities, including self heating. The Ruinstalker, while not sentient, does possess a rudimentary intelligence, similar to that of chimps.

Ruinstalkers are bipedal movers, but when idle will squat, not capable of standing erect for long periods of time. Ruinstalkers, both male and female, stand around 5 to 6 ft. in height, and can weight anywhere from 100 to 300 lbs. The Ruinstalkers back and shoulders are covered in a thick, spiky, shell-like hide, that hardens and becomes less flexible with age. This hide is similar to the shell of a snapping turtle.

The Ruinstalker also possesses another physical similarity to the snapping turtle in its beak-like mouth. This beak is incredible strong, and capable of ripping all but the strongest muscles off of a bone. Ruinstalkers live in small troops or family units, usually composed of 10-15 individuals. A troop will usually have one dominant male and one to two sub-males. Ruinstalkers do not keep mates and will change mates every breeding season. Ruinstalker young are raised communally, with males being forced to leave the troop at the end of adolescence.

The Ruinstalker gets its name from its chosen area of habitation, the vasts amount of ruins of ancient cities and towns on Apoc-Earth. Ruinstalkers often pick the largest, sturdiest building they can find, turning the upper level into nests. From these buildings, the Ruinstalkers can watch for potential prey or rival troops. Ruinstalkers, just like chimpanzees, will patrol their territory, but never stray more than a few miles from their center nest.

The Ruinstalker is a vicious predator. With its extremely developed hands and arms, the Ruinstalker is capable of scaling trees and even buildings. Ruinstalkers have been a bane for Apoc High-bred and Churls both, often stalking Churl tribes for days on end, only to ambush the tribe in the middle of the night, and take victims. Ruinstalkers also have a reputation for "raiding" High-bred bases, breaking into barracks and buildings, kidnapping victims.

Tactics: The Ruinstalker is an ambush predator, attacking its victim from above and from cover. While Ruinstalkers usually hunt and travel in troops, the occasional young or rogue male can be encountered. When engaging Ruinstalkers in groups, be careful not to pursue them if they begin to run, as they will often send a smaller party to attack prey and then lure them out into a larger ambush. Rogue Ruinstalkers should be handled with extreme caution as they are often looking for food or mates.