General Information
Name: Lurker Predator
Class: Beast
Type: Ambusher
Threat Level: 3
Size: Medium-Large
Height: 1.8 m
Description: The Lurker Predator is a terrifying creature built for brutal ambush and swift, lethal strikes. Its body is covered in a dark, almost obsidian-colored, plate-like exoskeleton, providing heavy protection. Long, spiky limbs with razor-sharp claws are adapted for high-speed charges and deadly leaps. With pair of weak eyes possibly seeing only outlines, rather relies on its Scout partner and acute hearing to detect movement and prey. The core of its body houses an armored organ capable of ejecting an oily, flammable substance at range. The creature's joints harbor vulnerable weak points. Lives solely in underground tunels or in cave systems, doesn't expose itself to light. If starved out, may lurk outside at night in close proximity to its territory.
Behaviour: Highly aggressive, patient and territorial, the Lurker Predator relies on stealth and ambush tactics. It cooperates with the Lurker Scout to isolate and overwhelm prey, using its long limbs for powerful leap attacks and precise executions. Despite its heavy armor, it is surprisingly fast, light and capable of calculated retreats if wounded. Its hearing makes it highly sensitive to sharp sounds.
Combat notes
Weaknesses: Direct damage to exposed joints paralyzes limbs. Soft area on neck hosts spinal connections, when punctured deep enough immedietly fatal. Loud or sharp noises and intense light disorients it. With open mouth, the oil-spitting organ can be ignited and causes near-lethal internal damage, making it a safe way to kill, but ruins the organ for any further purposes.
Strategy: Avoid fighting alone! Fake initiating on the baiting Scout, which will provoke the predator, then charge the ambushing predator with loud shouts and light to suprise it. Aim to isolate and finish quickly. Always keep an eye out on the Scout. If aiming to fight with open fire, only use it when in close proximity, as the oil-spit would otherwise be deadly. When preparing to spit, opens mouth widely and produces low groaning sound, use as warning. Its exoskeleton renders ranged attacks useless.
Alchemical aid: Exposed joints, direct damage paralyzes limbs. Soft area on neck hosts spinal connections, when punctured deep enough immedietly fatal. Loud or sharp noises and intense light disorients it. With open mouth, the oil-spitting organ can be ignited and causes near-lethal internal damage, making it a safe way to kill, but ruins the organ for any further purposes.
Field Extraction
Valuable parts
Oil gland: Very valuable organ, slowly continues to produces Lurker Oil for three to four hours post-mortem. Combusts at very high temperature in contact with fire and turns to ash quickly.
Extraction: The armored oil gland must be carefully extracted post-mortem. Extraction requires careful cutting around the rib-like plates and possibly cooling to prevent accidental ignition. Store extracted gland in cooled Rimeleek clay pot big enough to carry two litres of oil. Used up gland can be stored in dry place and used as igniter.