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Description
Readers of my work should know that I have constantly brought up the fact the Underworld is not some endless labyrinth of fire and brimstone. So often people think that this land is just like the purgatory it shares its name with, but that is quite far from the truth! That is why I always make a point to talk about their unique biomes and rich habitats, to help spread information and get people to think of this land in a different light. However, this entry is a bit different. Though I have been saying this for a good long while, and will continue to do so, I must point out that never did I say that they didn't have fire and lava. They totally do, it just isn't as prevalent as many people believe. Indeed, there are regions of the Underworld that have rivers of magma and temperatures so hot that I can't even visit them without bursting into flames! These are places only the demons and shades can inhabit, as many surface dwellers could not withstand the sheer heat! These two species, however, are not the only life found in these natural infernos! It is incredible to see (from a safe distance)! What swims through the molten streams, what basks upon the white-hot shores! A common sight you will find in these fiery places are the groups of Flastrix that lay near the burning rivers, soaking up the intense heat as if it was simple sunbathing!

The Flastrix are peculiar creatures, especially when you try to determine what they are. With armored plates, tough hides and spiky growths, many are quick to call them reptiles. See how they bask in the heat and warmth, just like any other lizard! However, studies have shown that these beasts may actually be more related to amphibians, rather than reptiles. Despite lacking many of the characteristics associated with these creatures, the few connections they have are strong and hard to ignore. Some believe they are earlier members of this group, or perhaps a primordial offshoot. Regardless, the Flastrix dwell in the Underworld, and are frequently found in these smoldering regions. Obviously they lack the moist skin amphibians are known for, instead sporting hard plates and a leathery hide. Short limbs let them climb across the jagged rock, and this tough skin keeps them from getting carved up from it! The long head can give the impression of a beak, but it bears more resemblance to a highly modified salamander skull. But what really catches folks' attention is the tall flat sail that sprouts from their back. This impressive structure is supported by elongated vertebrate and tough cords of cartilage, allowing it to stick straight up, but still have some flexibility to it. Stretched between these posts is a thin skin that seems to flow with bright colors, like liquid fire trapped within a pane of glass! When you watch them bask near the molten shores, you will see how the colors of these sails swell and boil, rapidly changing and dancing within the sweltering air. Surely this show is just an illusion, or perhaps created by mere pigments, much like a chameleon! This is not the case, as the answer is much more fascinating.

When living in a world of fire, some must wonder why the Flastrix bothers to sit and soak up the heat. These places are always hot, so why would they need to waste time to take it in? This is because the heat isn't just for the Flastrix! While the sails are made with skin, they are not the only component. Squished between two thin layers is a jelly-like substance, flattened to such a degree that is barely thicker than a piece of paper! It is in this gel that something incredible happens! It appears this layer is actually home to some living reaction that we cannot fully perceive (or at least not yet)! Something within this gel soaks up the extreme heat and uses it to fuel itself, which then creates a byproduct that is directed towards the Flastrix. It seems they gain nutrients from this system, allowing themselves to be fed by mere heat! So by warming themselves up, they get a meal, as well as a rush of energy! However, this is not enough to sustain them. As a dryad, I know what they are going through. This passive method of feeding can sustain a being, but only if they are ones that don't do a whole lot. Normal plants do just fine with photosynthesis, but once you add in moving and fancy organs, it isn't enough. For the Flastrix, they must add to this nutrition by the tried and true method: eating stuff. When not soaking up heat, they are hunting for tasty bugs and worms to feed on. Some of these critters can be found in the hot regions, while others need a cooler place to live. This causes the Flastrix to regularly wander away from the fiery rivers, in search of tasty prey. Eventually, though, they will return, because they will need a recharge!

Nutrition isn't the only thing they gain by basking in the extreme heat. While it takes a whole lot of heat for the process to run, the end result is still pretty toasty! A boiling hot, gooey substance is created and stored in special organs, unleashed in times of need. Though the beasts that roam the fiery lands are not intimidated by hot spit, a lot of creatures outside of this realm are not equipped to handle it. When roaming to cooler regions of the Underworld, the Flastrix will barf up this substance whenever they are threatened. What comes out is essentially magma snot, which clings to an opponent and burns hotter than a flame! Sounds pretty terrifying to me, though that just might be my plant side talking! This weapon is quite useful, as they travel to these cooler areas not just for eating, but also for laying their eggs. It is a good way to keep predators at bay, but it is not bottomless. After frequent use, its temperature will drop and the ammo will be depleted. They must return to the lava shores to charge it back up again.

For the people of the Underworld, the Flastrix is a rather unassuming creature that gets lot of attention. It seems their ability to feed off heat and flame has garnered interest, and it is the reason it is well-studied by the denizens of these regions. Some think they have a connection to Pyrogohna, the Goddess of Fire. Perhaps these creatures received a blessing from her, and are now fueled by her eternal fire. Certain groups are convinced that the unlocking the way to harness such a "gift" is key to reaching the Gods Below. If one can find a way to make their bodies grow and thrive off of the beloved flame, then they may be closer to descending (Remember, in the Underworld up is bad and down is good) and achieving their true potential. So far, none of this has bore any fruit, but that isn't to say it is a dead end! I personally don't think this will lead to the creation of some higher (or, lower) being, but I think incredible knowledge can be harvested from it. How does this process work, what is responsible for it? Can we recreate this same reaction ourselves, or is it only for nature to wield?

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------

About time the Underworld got some fiery monsters! This fellow here is based off of...uh...it uh.....hmmmmmmm (quick Google search) the Platyhystrix! Totally didn't forget what this was supposed to be!

Description
Readers of my work should know that I have constantly brought up the fact the Underworld is not some endless labyrinth of fire and brimstone. So often people think that this land is just like the purgatory it shares its name with, but that is quite far from the truth! That is why I always make a point to talk about their unique biomes and rich habitats, to help spread information and get people to think of this land in a different light. However, this entry is a bit different. Though I have been saying this for a good long while, and will continue to do so, I must point out that never did I say that they didn't have fire and lava. They totally do, it just isn't as prevalent as many people believe. Indeed, there are regions of the Underworld that have rivers of magma and temperatures so hot that I can't even visit them without bursting into flames! These are places only the demons and shades can inhabit, as many surface dwellers could not withstand the sheer heat! These two species, however, are not the only life found in these natural infernos! It is incredible to see (from a safe distance)! What swims through the molten streams, what basks upon the white-hot shores! A common sight you will find in these fiery places are the groups of Flastrix that lay near the burning rivers, soaking up the intense heat as if it was simple sunbathing!

The Flastrix are peculiar creatures, especially when you try to determine what they are. With armored plates, tough hides and spiky growths, many are quick to call them reptiles. See how they bask in the heat and warmth, just like any other lizard! However, studies have shown that these beasts may actually be more related to amphibians, rather than reptiles. Despite lacking many of the characteristics associated with these creatures, the few connections they have are strong and hard to ignore. Some believe they are earlier members of this group, or perhaps a primordial offshoot. Regardless, the Flastrix dwell in the Underworld, and are frequently found in these smoldering regions. Obviously they lack the moist skin amphibians are known for, instead sporting hard plates and a leathery hide. Short limbs let them climb across the jagged rock, and this tough skin keeps them from getting carved up from it! The long head can give the impression of a beak, but it bears more resemblance to a highly modified salamander skull. But what really catches folks' attention is the tall flat sail that sprouts from their back. This impressive structure is supported by elongated vertebrate and tough cords of cartilage, allowing it to stick straight up, but still have some flexibility to it. Stretched between these posts is a thin skin that seems to flow with bright colors, like liquid fire trapped within a pane of glass! When you watch them bask near the molten shores, you will see how the colors of these sails swell and boil, rapidly changing and dancing within the sweltering air. Surely this show is just an illusion, or perhaps created by mere pigments, much like a chameleon! This is not the case, as the answer is much more fascinating.

When living in a world of fire, some must wonder why the Flastrix bothers to sit and soak up the heat. These places are always hot, so why would they need to waste time to take it in? This is because the heat isn't just for the Flastrix! While the sails are made with skin, they are not the only component. Squished between two thin layers is a jelly-like substance, flattened to such a degree that is barely thicker than a piece of paper! It is in this gel that something incredible happens! It appears this layer is actually home to some living reaction that we cannot fully perceive (or at least not yet)! Something within this gel soaks up the extreme heat and uses it to fuel itself, which then creates a byproduct that is directed towards the Flastrix. It seems they gain nutrients from this system, allowing themselves to be fed by mere heat! So by warming themselves up, they get a meal, as well as a rush of energy! However, this is not enough to sustain them. As a dryad, I know what they are going through. This passive method of feeding can sustain a being, but only if they are ones that don't do a whole lot. Normal plants do just fine with photosynthesis, but once you add in moving and fancy organs, it isn't enough. For the Flastrix, they must add to this nutrition by the tried and true method: eating stuff. When not soaking up heat, they are hunting for tasty bugs and worms to feed on. Some of these critters can be found in the hot regions, while others need a cooler place to live. This causes the Flastrix to regularly wander away from the fiery rivers, in search of tasty prey. Eventually, though, they will return, because they will need a recharge!

Nutrition isn't the only thing they gain by basking in the extreme heat. While it takes a whole lot of heat for the process to run, the end result is still pretty toasty! A boiling hot, gooey substance is created and stored in special organs, unleashed in times of need. Though the beasts that roam the fiery lands are not intimidated by hot spit, a lot of creatures outside of this realm are not equipped to handle it. When roaming to cooler regions of the Underworld, the Flastrix will barf up this substance whenever they are threatened. What comes out is essentially magma snot, which clings to an opponent and burns hotter than a flame! Sounds pretty terrifying to me, though that just might be my plant side talking! This weapon is quite useful, as they travel to these cooler areas not just for eating, but also for laying their eggs. It is a good way to keep predators at bay, but it is not bottomless. After frequent use, its temperature will drop and the ammo will be depleted. They must return to the lava shores to charge it back up again.

For the people of the Underworld, the Flastrix is a rather unassuming creature that gets lot of attention. It seems their ability to feed off heat and flame has garnered interest, and it is the reason it is well-studied by the denizens of these regions. Some think they have a connection to Pyrogohna, the Goddess of Fire. Perhaps these creatures received a blessing from her, and are now fueled by her eternal fire. Certain groups are convinced that the unlocking the way to harness such a "gift" is key to reaching the Gods Below. If one can find a way to make their bodies grow and thrive off of the beloved flame, then they may be closer to descending (Remember, in the Underworld up is bad and down is good) and achieving their true potential. So far, none of this has bore any fruit, but that isn't to say it is a dead end! I personally don't think this will lead to the creation of some higher (or, lower) being, but I think incredible knowledge can be harvested from it. How does this process work, what is responsible for it? Can we recreate this same reaction ourselves, or is it only for nature to wield?

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------

About time the Underworld got some fiery monsters! This fellow here is based off of...uh...it uh.....hmmmmmmm (quick Google search) the Platyhystrix! Totally didn't forget what this was supposed to be!