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Description

RAMARAK & ROKMUTUL

Intro: If there’s one thing that must be made abundantly clear on the matter of Skull Island, it is that the surface ecosystem is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. As has been suspected since the seventies, the island is the epicenter of a unique subterranean matrix, with branching networks of volcanic tunnels, chasms, and aquifers stretching out across the planet like a web. There remains very little insight as to the nature of such spaces, though it has been observed that some notable kaiju (Baragon, Kumonga, Anguirus, etc…) utilize them as secluded lairs or as migratory routes. It is suspected that the ecological health of this Hollow-Earth matrix is closely interwoven with the surface, that it may be home to certain species that are better off never seeing the light of day…

Story: With all on-sight Skull Island facilities destroyed by the newly awakened and fiercely territoral Gaw, FATHOM has been forced to rely on remote observation to monitor the island’s ecological situation. Though often lost to the elements, magnetic disturbances, or areal predators, simple drone-probes make up for their lack of resilience with quantity. What they have collectively recorded, though, is not reassuring…

Over a period of about a week, Gaw was observed patrolling the deep, jagged scars left upon the island’s exposed bedrock by Ghidorah’s visitation in a seemingly curious manner. Infrasonic monitors revealed her movements coincided with anomalous signals, quickly recognized as unknown kaiju vocalizations, emanating from deep below the surface. The maniraptoran monster followed these signals across the island in what was at first assumed to be predatory behavior. But as Gaw began to mimic the sounds herself, some form of communication attempt became the most notable hypothesis. Then suddenly, Gaw’s actions swiftly changed, as if she had come to a decision…

With remarkable coordination, she sent her many loyal Venatoraptor packs on an organized hunt across the island. The raptors sought out herds of various florafauna within the narrower valleys and ravines, and proceeded to harass them to the point of stampeding. All were directed to a particular Boneyard basin from which the unknown subterranean vocalizations were traced as being closest to the surface. In little over a day, the basin was packed with panicked herds, the entrances by which they’d come all systematically blocked off by Gaw herself, trapping them. But she seemed to take no interest in feeding upon them, instead perching upon a rocky outcropping above the basin and emitting shrill calls; now perfect imitations of the underground signals.

Those calls, together with the thundering of thousands of giant footsteps, at last coaxed the devils below into the light.

The first-seen living specimens of their kind, the Skullcrawlers thereafter designated Ramarak and Rokmutul erupted from the basin and promptly began slaughtering and half-devouring all those within. As their feeding frenzy subsided, Gaw approached and once more mimicked the bonded pair’s vocalizations. Though Ramarak was initially aggressive, after a quick battle which saw Gaw victorious, both reptilian kaiju seemed to willingly submit to Gaw’s command.

At this point, the probe that managed to witness this event was noticed by Gaw’s super-sensitive vision, and after brief “hunt/kill” call to Rokmutul, the larger Skullcrawler merely had to flick his tail to end the camera feed…

Abilities: The super-species genus Cranium reptant, commonly designated “Skullcrawlers”, of which Rokmutul and Ramarak are the apex members, are of largely unknown evolutionary affiliation. While displaying convergently reptilian traits, given their long isolation within largely enclosed subterranean biomes, it is possible they are late-surviving stem tetrapod offshoots. The characteristic skull-like facial plates of the creatures are equipped with an advanced sensory-array believed to be an advanced development of the pineal organ, common to most vertebrates. Both Ramarak and Rokmutul have been observed to be extremely aware of thermal and radioactive signatures, tracking specific prey over miles. Rokmutul’s facial mask and feet also seem to be finely attuned to vibrations and infrasonic frequencies detected while moving underground, while Ramarak may employ a form of passive echolocation with with larger and more pronounced sensory pits along her facial mask’s crest.

This sensitivity to heat is taken to such metabolic extreme that it may manifest as a sort of “thermal attraction”, whereby they can actively absorb ambient heat and radioactive energy in high concentrations, similar in some ways to Godzilla. Despite being technical ectotherms, then, they are able to function as highly active predators in an environment as rich in such energy sources as Skull Island.

Predation, indeed, is an activity the Skullcrawlers excel at. Their skeletons are highly cartilaginous, and while this makes them less resilient and somewhat awkward at times when moving on the surface, it affords a degree of flexibility and ease of regeneration that enables them to persist in the acquisition of a variety of prey. Their jaws can unhinge to swallow smaller meals whole, aided by a long and prehensile tongue that can also be used to worm out victims from narrow hiding spaces or to better restrain larger opponents. When facing large prey, both will often utilize their tails in constriction. Rokmutul is especially adept at this given his larger size and the bony rings of spurs lining the appendage. On the rare occasion a chosen prey may offer more resistance than expected, they may also detach their tails, after which the organ will continue to act autonomously for as much as several hours, tightening about the target in a vice-like death-grip, even able to adjust itself with the input of its own tactile and heat reception. With the enemy distracted, the Skullcrawler will either retreat or engage in a new line of attack, their own tail acting as a sort of restraining partner, allowing them another chance at bringing their target down.

Perhaps the most threatening attribute the Skullcrawlers have wrought, though, is the explosion of their population since appearing on the surface. While mating has not yet been observed (possibly taking place underground), Ramarak has consistently produced large clutches of eggs, which are typically deposited within the remains of previous kills. Scavengers and other predators are frightened away with aggressive displays by both parties, allowing the young to hatch and grow quickly upon the already partially-digested remains. By the time other creatures begin to move in, they themselves are often targeted by the hypervorous Skullcrawler spawn. Being apparently resistant to most toxins of surface florafauna, and being distasteful to most surface predators themselves, the spawn face little competition in their newly invaded habitat.

Morphologically, the spawn are quite distinctive from their parents in their reduced limb count. While this may be indicative of a metamorphic life cycle, similar to amphibians, they rarely seem to approach the breeding pair in size, and in fact may breed via parthenogenesis themselves. The population as a whole acts with a loose but uncanny sense of unity, almost in a manner akin to a eusocial society. If this is the case, Ramarak and Rokmutul may represent a dominant/breeder caste of the species.

Character: Among the historical stories and myths of Iwi natives, there has always existed talk of “devils” below the island; a description all too apt in light of the Skullcrawlers’ behavioral profiles. Both primary individuals are highly aggressive in the pursuit of prey and in claiming new territories. Threat displays involving their facial masks or the similarly skull-like markings of Ramarak’s wings are common, though the flying monster is more prone to simple deimatic gestures before heading off for a new hunting patch, preferring to leave the larger Rokmutul to battle the tougher opponents. Rokmutul himself, though, will also usually retreat if a fight begins turning in his opponent’s favor, escaping via swift burrowing skills, leading the enemy on a directionless hunt across the island before the trail runs cold, allowing the Skullcrawler time to begin gorging once more.

Despite their voracious appetites, however, remote scans of their metabolic signatures, as well as the appearance of regurgitated, poorly-digested remains, indicate these creatures are in fact consuming far in excess of what they should naturally need to survive and are in fact poorly-suited to processing many of Skull Island’s surface creatures. It’s been proposed that they simply enjoy the taste of so many new types of prey, and with none of their more natural subterranean enemies to bother them, are gorging themselves more for pleasure than sustenance.

Apart from occasionally teaming with each other, their only real loyalty, at least for now, is to Gaw, having imprinted upon her as an alpha that has provided them a rich new hunting ground. Though she has not repeated her challenge, Ramarak will usually avoid Gaw’s presence when it can be helped, though. Rokmutul, on the other hand, seems to gladly follow hunting directions. Of late, seismic records indicate prolonged voyages through the vast network of chasms radiating out from the Skull Island matrix. Soon after, new sonic frequencies are detected, possibly belonging to other kaiju within the Earth. With the Skullcrawlers a valuable addition to her pack, Gaw seems to be flushing out the unknown horrors of the inner world, sending them on direct collision courses with her overseas enemy...

----------------------------------------------------------
I know it's been a little longer than I wanted, but rest assured, I'm still alive indeed. Things have been a little hectic getting back work lately. Hope the renditions of some of Skull Island's newest terrors are worth it. For those who may not be aware, these six-legged and four-winged versions have taken inspiration from the unused monster concepts for Godzilla 2014, in which the six-legged crocodile-like creature would be Rokmutul, and the four-winged flyer would be...Pterodactyl. I think Ramarak, the official name of the giant Skullcrawler in Kong: Skull Island, is much more original and actually sounds good with Rokmutul, so...yeah, there you have it.

Description

RAMARAK & ROKMUTUL

Intro: If there’s one thing that must be made abundantly clear on the matter of Skull Island, it is that the surface ecosystem is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. As has been suspected since the seventies, the island is the epicenter of a unique subterranean matrix, with branching networks of volcanic tunnels, chasms, and aquifers stretching out across the planet like a web. There remains very little insight as to the nature of such spaces, though it has been observed that some notable kaiju (Baragon, Kumonga, Anguirus, etc…) utilize them as secluded lairs or as migratory routes. It is suspected that the ecological health of this Hollow-Earth matrix is closely interwoven with the surface, that it may be home to certain species that are better off never seeing the light of day…

Story: With all on-sight Skull Island facilities destroyed by the newly awakened and fiercely territoral Gaw, FATHOM has been forced to rely on remote observation to monitor the island’s ecological situation. Though often lost to the elements, magnetic disturbances, or areal predators, simple drone-probes make up for their lack of resilience with quantity. What they have collectively recorded, though, is not reassuring…

Over a period of about a week, Gaw was observed patrolling the deep, jagged scars left upon the island’s exposed bedrock by Ghidorah’s visitation in a seemingly curious manner. Infrasonic monitors revealed her movements coincided with anomalous signals, quickly recognized as unknown kaiju vocalizations, emanating from deep below the surface. The maniraptoran monster followed these signals across the island in what was at first assumed to be predatory behavior. But as Gaw began to mimic the sounds herself, some form of communication attempt became the most notable hypothesis. Then suddenly, Gaw’s actions swiftly changed, as if she had come to a decision…

With remarkable coordination, she sent her many loyal Venatoraptor packs on an organized hunt across the island. The raptors sought out herds of various florafauna within the narrower valleys and ravines, and proceeded to harass them to the point of stampeding. All were directed to a particular Boneyard basin from which the unknown subterranean vocalizations were traced as being closest to the surface. In little over a day, the basin was packed with panicked herds, the entrances by which they’d come all systematically blocked off by Gaw herself, trapping them. But she seemed to take no interest in feeding upon them, instead perching upon a rocky outcropping above the basin and emitting shrill calls; now perfect imitations of the underground signals.

Those calls, together with the thundering of thousands of giant footsteps, at last coaxed the devils below into the light.

The first-seen living specimens of their kind, the Skullcrawlers thereafter designated Ramarak and Rokmutul erupted from the basin and promptly began slaughtering and half-devouring all those within. As their feeding frenzy subsided, Gaw approached and once more mimicked the bonded pair’s vocalizations. Though Ramarak was initially aggressive, after a quick battle which saw Gaw victorious, both reptilian kaiju seemed to willingly submit to Gaw’s command.

At this point, the probe that managed to witness this event was noticed by Gaw’s super-sensitive vision, and after brief “hunt/kill” call to Rokmutul, the larger Skullcrawler merely had to flick his tail to end the camera feed…

Abilities: The super-species genus Cranium reptant, commonly designated “Skullcrawlers”, of which Rokmutul and Ramarak are the apex members, are of largely unknown evolutionary affiliation. While displaying convergently reptilian traits, given their long isolation within largely enclosed subterranean biomes, it is possible they are late-surviving stem tetrapod offshoots. The characteristic skull-like facial plates of the creatures are equipped with an advanced sensory-array believed to be an advanced development of the pineal organ, common to most vertebrates. Both Ramarak and Rokmutul have been observed to be extremely aware of thermal and radioactive signatures, tracking specific prey over miles. Rokmutul’s facial mask and feet also seem to be finely attuned to vibrations and infrasonic frequencies detected while moving underground, while Ramarak may employ a form of passive echolocation with with larger and more pronounced sensory pits along her facial mask’s crest.

This sensitivity to heat is taken to such metabolic extreme that it may manifest as a sort of “thermal attraction”, whereby they can actively absorb ambient heat and radioactive energy in high concentrations, similar in some ways to Godzilla. Despite being technical ectotherms, then, they are able to function as highly active predators in an environment as rich in such energy sources as Skull Island.

Predation, indeed, is an activity the Skullcrawlers excel at. Their skeletons are highly cartilaginous, and while this makes them less resilient and somewhat awkward at times when moving on the surface, it affords a degree of flexibility and ease of regeneration that enables them to persist in the acquisition of a variety of prey. Their jaws can unhinge to swallow smaller meals whole, aided by a long and prehensile tongue that can also be used to worm out victims from narrow hiding spaces or to better restrain larger opponents. When facing large prey, both will often utilize their tails in constriction. Rokmutul is especially adept at this given his larger size and the bony rings of spurs lining the appendage. On the rare occasion a chosen prey may offer more resistance than expected, they may also detach their tails, after which the organ will continue to act autonomously for as much as several hours, tightening about the target in a vice-like death-grip, even able to adjust itself with the input of its own tactile and heat reception. With the enemy distracted, the Skullcrawler will either retreat or engage in a new line of attack, their own tail acting as a sort of restraining partner, allowing them another chance at bringing their target down.

Perhaps the most threatening attribute the Skullcrawlers have wrought, though, is the explosion of their population since appearing on the surface. While mating has not yet been observed (possibly taking place underground), Ramarak has consistently produced large clutches of eggs, which are typically deposited within the remains of previous kills. Scavengers and other predators are frightened away with aggressive displays by both parties, allowing the young to hatch and grow quickly upon the already partially-digested remains. By the time other creatures begin to move in, they themselves are often targeted by the hypervorous Skullcrawler spawn. Being apparently resistant to most toxins of surface florafauna, and being distasteful to most surface predators themselves, the spawn face little competition in their newly invaded habitat.

Morphologically, the spawn are quite distinctive from their parents in their reduced limb count. While this may be indicative of a metamorphic life cycle, similar to amphibians, they rarely seem to approach the breeding pair in size, and in fact may breed via parthenogenesis themselves. The population as a whole acts with a loose but uncanny sense of unity, almost in a manner akin to a eusocial society. If this is the case, Ramarak and Rokmutul may represent a dominant/breeder caste of the species.

Character: Among the historical stories and myths of Iwi natives, there has always existed talk of “devils” below the island; a description all too apt in light of the Skullcrawlers’ behavioral profiles. Both primary individuals are highly aggressive in the pursuit of prey and in claiming new territories. Threat displays involving their facial masks or the similarly skull-like markings of Ramarak’s wings are common, though the flying monster is more prone to simple deimatic gestures before heading off for a new hunting patch, preferring to leave the larger Rokmutul to battle the tougher opponents. Rokmutul himself, though, will also usually retreat if a fight begins turning in his opponent’s favor, escaping via swift burrowing skills, leading the enemy on a directionless hunt across the island before the trail runs cold, allowing the Skullcrawler time to begin gorging once more.

Despite their voracious appetites, however, remote scans of their metabolic signatures, as well as the appearance of regurgitated, poorly-digested remains, indicate these creatures are in fact consuming far in excess of what they should naturally need to survive and are in fact poorly-suited to processing many of Skull Island’s surface creatures. It’s been proposed that they simply enjoy the taste of so many new types of prey, and with none of their more natural subterranean enemies to bother them, are gorging themselves more for pleasure than sustenance.

Apart from occasionally teaming with each other, their only real loyalty, at least for now, is to Gaw, having imprinted upon her as an alpha that has provided them a rich new hunting ground. Though she has not repeated her challenge, Ramarak will usually avoid Gaw’s presence when it can be helped, though. Rokmutul, on the other hand, seems to gladly follow hunting directions. Of late, seismic records indicate prolonged voyages through the vast network of chasms radiating out from the Skull Island matrix. Soon after, new sonic frequencies are detected, possibly belonging to other kaiju within the Earth. With the Skullcrawlers a valuable addition to her pack, Gaw seems to be flushing out the unknown horrors of the inner world, sending them on direct collision courses with her overseas enemy...

----------------------------------------------------------
I know it's been a little longer than I wanted, but rest assured, I'm still alive indeed. Things have been a little hectic getting back work lately. Hope the renditions of some of Skull Island's newest terrors are worth it. For those who may not be aware, these six-legged and four-winged versions have taken inspiration from the unused monster concepts for Godzilla 2014, in which the six-legged crocodile-like creature would be Rokmutul, and the four-winged flyer would be...Pterodactyl. I think Ramarak, the official name of the giant Skullcrawler in Kong: Skull Island, is much more original and actually sounds good with Rokmutul, so...yeah, there you have it.