Kingredior- Rainforest Survey

Kingredior Savana (tree walker savanah) and subsequently

Kingredior Silva pluvialis (tree walker rainforest) are herbivorous megafauna living in the jungles of Kiah. Kingredior Savana in true form is functionally extinct. It’s genus has been transformed over time into a genus we now would call Kingredior Silva pluvialis.

Kingredior Silva pluvialis, or simply just Kingredior for the sake of simplicity, seems have stemmed from the plains and savannah of Kiah. These habitats were among the first to be harvested by the Blight as their ground level foliage provided the perfect clearings for landing and starts to strip mining. Kingredior’s tall stature is unusual for its tropical forest environment and often seems to be cumbersome for the creature, however its size makes much more sense on the plains where it’s tall neck and legs would put it well over the grass-line allowing it to see predators from afar. What once were strong legs, met for caring this massive animal across vast swaths of land, have now transformed into long forelimbs used to grab branches and other foliage from trees. They use their prehensile trunk to strip them. This trunk was virtually unseen in Kingredior Savana which favored two 5 inch long tusk used for uprooting small shrubs and plants. Kingredior Savana also featured unique markings and coloration which served it well, including malar stripes under it’s eyes which directed sunlight away from its eyes. Kingredior Silva pluvialis features drastically different coloration, favoring a dappled coat and signature dark, belted, full-body block along its mid. Their long ears also act to obscure their heads as they feed.

Kingredior Silva pluvialis are often slow and lumbering. So much so mosses and similar plant life will grow among their shaggy manes. Some species even seem to have mutuals beneficial symbiosis with these animals as they allow for the spread of spores and seeds more than any singular stationary plant could hope to achieve. This partnership is extremely advantageous for Kingredior as it allows them to blend seamlessly among the trees.

The new evolutionary pressure they face were not without consequences. While the late Kingredior species measured upwards of 14 feet, the present Kingredior is condense. Only the most massive of this species can achieve such heights and most cap at around 12 feet. This seems to allow for better traversal. Their front limbs have also changed significantly. A semi-aposable finger allows them to pull down branches and with a hooked claw they maintain a good grip so their trunks can strip branches. They must eat upwards of 70 pounds of plant matter a day to support their large body size.

Their diet consist of mostly leaves, mosses and other green grasses however they will strain to balance on their back legs to reach sugary fruits, flowers and sap. Supplementary, they will also eat bark and even mud- which we believe is for the mineral content.

Surveys show us their numbers have dropped. This megafauna could only thrive in a stable in environment. The lifestyle change is a hard one and, while they make do, they were very obviously never ment to thrive in this environment. Never less the physical adaptations present are fascinating.

Kingredior are highly social creatures, with bands consisting of mothers and their young, kips. They seem to have long gestation periods, upwards of a year and won’t give birth to more than 1 kip at a time. The bands raise young as a community, taking great pains to teach young how to eat and survive. It seems they have very rudimentary self awareness and thus awareness of others. Even seemingly able to distinct  between individuals, predators and food by “name”. Each band uses unique “whistles” that emit from their trunk. In which, pitch and length determines indication and intent. The bands are lead by one head mare. She may not be the mother to all Kingredior in the band however her word is law. She protects the others fiercely and can always be seen watching for danger.

Kip rely on their mothers too feed them as they are not yet tall enough to reach the best leaves. They display a lighter coat their their mothers that darkens over a number of years. Kips will stay with the band up to 12 years before maturing enough to mate. When they hit this maturity they may even leave to start their own band, or seek to join another. Male kips will be driven out by the matriarch if they try to stay longer. Young kip can often been seen comparing their height by stretching out on two legs and pulling on low branches. They are particular versatile in emotion awareness and display everything between jubilance to depression.

Adult male Kingredior are solitary year round. They sport thicker necks and are often larger than females. When two bulls meet they will often raise themselves on their back legs comparing height, the smaller of the two will back down. However if two bulls meet over a band of females fights are common. If the intimidation display dose not crown a winner they will whip one another with their necks to establish dominance. The crack of two bulls necks clashing can be heard for miles. This behavior is particularly dangerous to either Kingredior as a misswing can have disastrous effects. Urged on by the possibly you mate bulls will continue to fight until the matriarch of the band declares a winner, or until the lesser male retreats. With the rare chance to breed bulls will exhaust themselves to death if they must.

Breeding season for Kingrediors takes places in the late winter and spring months of the year. After the breeding season bulls may stay with the band for some time however with the birthing of new kips males are chased out as mothers become extremely protective over kips. So much so getting too close to a band would cause all adult Kingredoirs to stare in your direction. The message is clear, any animal foolish enough to stray too close will be trampled.

Kingredior display fascinating behavior and one lucky enough to be witnessed is mourning. Kingredior will mourn their dead. This ceremony seems to be held not only for other Kingredior but anything deemed important to this animal. They put themselves in a kneel, a very  vulnerable position and will stay for a few hours before moving on. Some bands seem to ritualistically do at the edge of the rainforest. Perhaps it’s ingrained in their collective memory to honor their plain homeland.

Kingredior Silva pluvialis is truly fascinating in both its evolution and it’s tenacity. I believe as a surveyor that if this majestic beast lives on in the jungles of Kiah there is hope for restoration of its habitats. This concludes my observations thus far.