The sun was setting over the dunes of Ahza. Mio was sitting outside, near the riverbank in Devara, where everything was a bit more bearable. The unsettling heat of the day was finally wearing off and the cool breeze of the evening was lifting everyone's spirit. Kittoms were playing in the shallow waters near the waterfalls, while the adult nins chatted away and got everything ready for a late dinner at the Inn. Someone mentioned cactus flower salads and freshly grilled fish and roots. Sounded delicious!
Mio had a big book between his paws on a blanket and was flipping through the pages. It was a new edition about newly discovered fauna in Eyre. During the last few years, a lot of noble Elnins reached further and further and explored a lot more areas. Now, the scribes finally put everything together and made new books about everything the Nobles found.
Particularly the section about his current region - Ahza - peaked Mios interest. One critter was especially fascinating to him and he wondered if he would ever get the chance to see one in the wild.
“The Oasis Mirage Lurker is a small to medium-sized mammal, about 1 to 1.5 feet in length, with a compact and cylindrical body. Its shape allows it to navigate tight spaces, dig efficiently, and conserve heat. Its fur is short, dense, and covered in a unique pattern of iridescent, water-mimicking scales. The scales glisten under sunlight, making it blend in with the surrounding desert landscape and the shimmering waters of oases.
The small mammal has long, dexterous forelimbs equipped with sharp claws, enabling it to dig burrows, excavate roots, and access underground water sources. Mirage Lurkers are expert burrowers. They create elaborate underground dens that serve as both shelter from the elements and protection from predators. Their diet is primarily herbivorous, consisting of desert plants, roots, and tubers. These little survival experts are well-adapted to extract moisture from plant matter, allowing them to thrive in water-scarce environments.
It was also discovered that they are solitary animals but occasionally form loose-knit colonies around a particularly abundant oasis and communicate through scent markings and vocalizations.
Lurkers are primarily nocturnal, venturing out under the cover of darkness to forage for food and water. This behavior helps it avoid the scorching daytime temperatures. To mitigate the desert heat even more, they have specialized sweat glands that help them excrete excess salts and conserve water. Their unique fur pattern also reflects sunlight, reducing heat absorption. Furthermore, it possesses an extraordinary sense of smell and can detect moisture in the air. The Oasis Mirage Lurker can pinpoint sources of water, including underground aquifers, riverbanks, and oases, by following said scent trails.
[...]”
Mio studied the pencil sketch, loosely colored with watercolors and special, iridescent ink. The little creature looked intriguing and he wondered if Nico or Greywind ever saw one during their journeys in Ahza. Maybe Shimmer as well? He knew she and Greywind had traveled all the way up to the stormlands at least once and had spent quite some time crossing the giant desert. He decided to ask them later, once they returned from the market, and he wondered if they would spend some time in Bejali soon. Mio had heard all about the Eldertree of Ahza, who sat on top of a giant dragon skeleton and he still wasn’t sure if that was true or just a colorful tale the adults told the kittoms.
Either way, he wanted to learn more!
