O_O D8

Another beautiful Archaian. This time it is an Arctic. They are extinct in the wild and only found in South Whie trade. As with all the ancient Archaians they have the scruff ring, or mane on their neck, just like the Arxaine and the Ettaili (Both went extinct before humans saw them, thus their lack of english names).

Archaians have five special glands in their neck. The two largest glands produce a strong smelling chemical that by itself is harmless- two smaller glands create a trigger protine that turns this harmless chemical into a highly deadly and valuable venom. The final gland produces a silvery liquid that holds the two together. Now, today very few things can threaten an Archaian, but this venom (which many have forgotten how to use) is an ancient trick, used to deter Marx, Vur, and Fyrn. It has a powerful amonia-like scent that is unbearable to most, and burns when touches the skin. If one were cornered and alone it could spit this poisin onto its enemies to make an escape. Problem being that the glands are so small, they can't produce a lot at one time.

"Quicksilver Tears" was the descriptive term used to describe what one of the first human explorers saw when he came across a pack mourning a loss.
When an Archaian "cries" the large gland that combines the chemicals produced by the two other sets of glands is squeezed- the way it would be if an Archaian were trying to activate the venom, but since the vessle to the other glands are not open, it leaks to the tear ducts and combines with the salty tears, making it look shiny and thick, like mercury, or "quicksilver."


I worked on this on and off for the past few days, but I'm super happy with the result! ^-^

... and yes, it is raining blood.