Gray Render
Basic Information
Anatomy
With dense muscles and thick bones, gray renders are hulking, powerful masses. They walk on two feet, but they are hunched over, and their extra long arms drag along the ground. Even with such a posture, they reach about 2.7 m. Their broad shoulders are four feet across.
A gray render's body is hairless. They have sharp claws on their hands and powerful jaws full of black teeth. Perhaps most unique is a render's eyes; it has six of them. They are small and yellow-colored and are in two rows along its sloped forehead.
Genetics and Reproduction
Gray Renders reproduce asexually. At the same time, the species has a lot of genetic variation. Gray Renders have a special organ found in the pelvic region. This organ actually allows the creature to steal genes from consumed creatures. When the body finds a gene that could be useful for the future generation, it cuts a strand of DNA from the meal. It is then brought from the stomach to this special organ, which emits a high-powered electric charge to fuse it into one of the creature’s one hundred six chromosomes.
This ability allows an almost infinite number of allele combinations, an ability unprecedented in asexual creatures. Exactly what starts this process is unknown, but it is not a conscious decision made by the Gray Render. Once this process is completed, the reproductive cell is moved into the pouch, where it grows into a newborn Gray Render over the course of sixteen months.
Growth Rate & Stages
The adult Render spontaneously grows a bud or cyst-like nodule (sometimes colloquially called a poppler) on its chest or internal cavity. The offspring develops as a direct genetic clone, which means it will share the exact same bone patterns and traits as the parent. The baby remains inside a temporary pouch on the adult's body, where it nurses for about 6 months.
After nursing for half a year, the young Render breaks off from the parent to begin life on its own. Although they leave the parent, they grow rapidly into voracious predators. Despite lacking intelligence, their natural instincts allow them to survive in the wild, constantly hunting to sustain their huge appetites. Even at a young or adolescent stage, the Render is driven by an obsessive urge to pick a single intelligent creature (or group of creatures) and adopt them as their "master".
An adult Gray Render is a massive, bulky beast that stands 2.70 m tall and weighs roughly 2,000 kg.
Ecology and Habitats
Gray renders are native to remote wilderness areas, primarily thriving in temperate forests and swamps.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They are messy eaters, ripping prey limb from limb and sometimes consuming it before it's dead. However, their masters do not need to worry about feeding them; they forage and hunt for their own meals. When they bond with a creature, they routinely bring freshly killed meat back as "leftovers" or offerings for their masters.
Behaviour
Gray Renders have an overpowering, innate psychological need to bond with an intelligent creature. Upon selecting a "master," they will follow them everywhere, attempt to protect them at all costs, and bring daily offerings of meat. o declare its loyalty, a Render will scratch at the earth and sing a weird, warbling cry to its chosen master.
Once combat begins, they work themselves into a fearless, destructive frenzy. While they will never attack their bonded master, they can be a hazard to any allies. Their minds are completely alien. They are prone to unpredictable, sometimes destructive distractions, such as spontaneously chasing birds through walls or acting out on instinct. Renders are strictly solitary creatures and actively avoid the company of their own species.
Additional Information
Domestication
Once bonded, the Render will follow commands, protect its master to the death, and even bring them daily offerings of meat.
Average Intelligence
Despite their monstrous appearance, their intelligence drives them to exhibit dog-like behaviors such as following commands, burying treasure, and even "singing" to a potential master. Their intelligence is entirely governed by raw survival and instinct, making them act more like giant, wildly protective beasts rather than sentient beings.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Gray Renders have the strength of giants. Some rangers reported that they can rip three-foot-diameter trees out of the ground with their mouths and claw them apart in minutes.
Gray Renders have a keen sense of smell and their eyes are especially perceptive, being able also to see in the dark.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
1500 years
Average Height
2.70 - 3.50 m
Average Weight
2.000 - 3.500 kg
Geographic Distribution
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