HOME | DD

Description

Varan

Intro: Straddling the border between southwestern Egypt and southeastern Libya lies the dubiously named Kebira Crater. Only becoming known to the general scientific community in 2007, this geological feature’s origin was an ongoing debate for several years. The idea that it represented an undiscovered impact crater has since been largely discredited, yet no definitive explanation was ever offered, perhaps due to its’ isolated locality and relative unimportance. FATHOM, however, has kept a close watch on this location for decades. For it was found long ago that this was no crater, or hydrothermal vent, but a gateway to a realm of creatures more unbelievable than the old Egyptian pantheon…

Story: The whole Kebira region had indeed always been avoided by traveling caravans due to its’ difficult terrain. But there were also many whispered legends of strange phenomena and “elder dessert gods” that had dwelt there long before there were men or gods of men upon the Earth. The event that sparked FATHOM’s interest in the haunted area was the tragic disappearance of a large caravan that passed too close to area’s outskirts, leaving only a few survivors to tell a wild tale of warring monsters.

An expedition was launched in 1958, and successfully documented evidence of an active kaiju within the region. A fully operational research outpost was constructed near the area by 1960. The kaiju in question proved to be very elusive, though, and it wasn’t until later missions deeper into the crater region revealed enough to classify it. It seemed to be a highly evolved type of lizard, specifically of the Varanidae, leading to the creature’s designated name, “Varan”, also derived from an old Arabic term for “dragon” or “lizard beast”.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Varan would be tracked and monitored to the best of FATHOM’s abilities, though true containment would prove impossible due to the kaiju’s ease of movement with the use of his gliding membranes and instinctive evasiveness in the hostile environment. Disparate sightings would also reveal the existence of not one, but two of these creatures, both belonging to the super species Varanus obaki. Both seemed to be growing larger over the years, but each one developed differently. The second specimen would become substantially larger and more heavy-set, eventually losing all gliding abilities. This specimen, later regarded as female, would be given her own designation as “Komodithrax”.

But these two were far from the only kaiju discovered in the Kebira region. Recon teams found remains of what seemed to be an arachnid-based kaiju species along the trails of both giant lizards, and seismology scans would frequently detect patterns that indicated a large, moving epicenter deep below ground. A nearly complete mummified arachnid specimen, the size of a sauropod, was finally discovered in the late 90s and was moved within the desert facility for study. But the creature was not as dead as it appeared…

Shortly after the Caesar incident in Okinawa and the disclosure of more and more FATHOM facilities, the Kebira research station was due for an official government inspection, during which the supposedly dormant arachnid specimen, dubbed Speiga sarcophagus, reactivated. It destroyed much of the facility before Varan arrived and killed it. It was the first time Varan had been observed so far from the crater, and would be followed back by a joint scientific and military operation to expose the deeper secrets of the Kebira Kaiju Biome.

Abilities: Varan has proven to be one of the most difficult kaiju to track and study over the years, even in an area as open and barren as the largest desert on Earth. In all major respects, he and his female counterpart, Komodithrax, appear to be highly derived varanid lizards. Their bodies are mostly conservative, yet extremely adaptable. The specimens’ running, climbing, and burrowing abilities are all most impressive considering their size. Varan in particular also possesses large patagia on either side of his body, supported by flexible, rib-like tendons. Using these, he is able to glide over long distances when launched from a high place, though he has also been seen to take off for low flights from running starts as well.

Though lightly built, Varan is a swift fighter that also employs deadly claws and serrated teeth in battle. He is also able to wield his long, whip-like tail with great accuracy, typically aiming for the eyes and softer joints of opponents. Like other varanids, both he and Komodithrax have been determined to be venomous. Though mildly effective and seemingly meant to slow down larger enemies and/or prey, it is highly infectious and deadly to more average biological life. Fortunately, having tracked the specimens for so long, enough samples have been collected to begin work on a possible antivenom.

Both specimens are more flexible than most other kaiju of their size due to a partially cartilaginous skeletal structure, which can easily regenerate thanks to their highly efficient metabolisms. Varanus obaki seem to derive most of their energy from solar radiation and geothermal heat. They may also somehow absorb kinetic energy directly from strong winds, but this is unconfirmed. The unique elemental compounds in their skin also generate previously unknown types of electromagnetic energy patterns which they use to adhere sand and rock particles to their bodies for better camouflage. These energy patterns may play a role in allowing individual creatures to adapt their bodies based on behavior, calling into question whether the differences between Varan and Komodithrax are the result of sexual dimorphism or behavioral/environmental variation.

Character: Regardless of their differences, both lizard kaiju are highly elusive, and at times unpredictable. Based on observations over several decades, Varan seems to mainly patrol the boarder of the Kebira region, while Komodithrax usually sticks around the central uplifts. They are rarely seen together, but they seem to at least tolerate each other, though their exact relationship remains a mystery. Both have a well-documented history of hunting down the giant arachnid species, Speiga sarcophagus, which they seem to pursue with great determination. It should always be remembered that these are opportunistic predators, as Varan himself has been responsible for several fatalities whenever humans get too close. Despite their size and strength, both creatures seem to avoid certain tremors that occasionally pass close to the surface of the KKB…

----------
Varan is copyrighted by Toho

Description

Varan

Intro: Straddling the border between southwestern Egypt and southeastern Libya lies the dubiously named Kebira Crater. Only becoming known to the general scientific community in 2007, this geological feature’s origin was an ongoing debate for several years. The idea that it represented an undiscovered impact crater has since been largely discredited, yet no definitive explanation was ever offered, perhaps due to its’ isolated locality and relative unimportance. FATHOM, however, has kept a close watch on this location for decades. For it was found long ago that this was no crater, or hydrothermal vent, but a gateway to a realm of creatures more unbelievable than the old Egyptian pantheon…

Story: The whole Kebira region had indeed always been avoided by traveling caravans due to its’ difficult terrain. But there were also many whispered legends of strange phenomena and “elder dessert gods” that had dwelt there long before there were men or gods of men upon the Earth. The event that sparked FATHOM’s interest in the haunted area was the tragic disappearance of a large caravan that passed too close to area’s outskirts, leaving only a few survivors to tell a wild tale of warring monsters.

An expedition was launched in 1958, and successfully documented evidence of an active kaiju within the region. A fully operational research outpost was constructed near the area by 1960. The kaiju in question proved to be very elusive, though, and it wasn’t until later missions deeper into the crater region revealed enough to classify it. It seemed to be a highly evolved type of lizard, specifically of the Varanidae, leading to the creature’s designated name, “Varan”, also derived from an old Arabic term for “dragon” or “lizard beast”.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Varan would be tracked and monitored to the best of FATHOM’s abilities, though true containment would prove impossible due to the kaiju’s ease of movement with the use of his gliding membranes and instinctive evasiveness in the hostile environment. Disparate sightings would also reveal the existence of not one, but two of these creatures, both belonging to the super species Varanus obaki. Both seemed to be growing larger over the years, but each one developed differently. The second specimen would become substantially larger and more heavy-set, eventually losing all gliding abilities. This specimen, later regarded as female, would be given her own designation as “Komodithrax”.

But these two were far from the only kaiju discovered in the Kebira region. Recon teams found remains of what seemed to be an arachnid-based kaiju species along the trails of both giant lizards, and seismology scans would frequently detect patterns that indicated a large, moving epicenter deep below ground. A nearly complete mummified arachnid specimen, the size of a sauropod, was finally discovered in the late 90s and was moved within the desert facility for study. But the creature was not as dead as it appeared…

Shortly after the Caesar incident in Okinawa and the disclosure of more and more FATHOM facilities, the Kebira research station was due for an official government inspection, during which the supposedly dormant arachnid specimen, dubbed Speiga sarcophagus, reactivated. It destroyed much of the facility before Varan arrived and killed it. It was the first time Varan had been observed so far from the crater, and would be followed back by a joint scientific and military operation to expose the deeper secrets of the Kebira Kaiju Biome.

Abilities: Varan has proven to be one of the most difficult kaiju to track and study over the years, even in an area as open and barren as the largest desert on Earth. In all major respects, he and his female counterpart, Komodithrax, appear to be highly derived varanid lizards. Their bodies are mostly conservative, yet extremely adaptable. The specimens’ running, climbing, and burrowing abilities are all most impressive considering their size. Varan in particular also possesses large patagia on either side of his body, supported by flexible, rib-like tendons. Using these, he is able to glide over long distances when launched from a high place, though he has also been seen to take off for low flights from running starts as well.

Though lightly built, Varan is a swift fighter that also employs deadly claws and serrated teeth in battle. He is also able to wield his long, whip-like tail with great accuracy, typically aiming for the eyes and softer joints of opponents. Like other varanids, both he and Komodithrax have been determined to be venomous. Though mildly effective and seemingly meant to slow down larger enemies and/or prey, it is highly infectious and deadly to more average biological life. Fortunately, having tracked the specimens for so long, enough samples have been collected to begin work on a possible antivenom.

Both specimens are more flexible than most other kaiju of their size due to a partially cartilaginous skeletal structure, which can easily regenerate thanks to their highly efficient metabolisms. Varanus obaki seem to derive most of their energy from solar radiation and geothermal heat. They may also somehow absorb kinetic energy directly from strong winds, but this is unconfirmed. The unique elemental compounds in their skin also generate previously unknown types of electromagnetic energy patterns which they use to adhere sand and rock particles to their bodies for better camouflage. These energy patterns may play a role in allowing individual creatures to adapt their bodies based on behavior, calling into question whether the differences between Varan and Komodithrax are the result of sexual dimorphism or behavioral/environmental variation.

Character: Regardless of their differences, both lizard kaiju are highly elusive, and at times unpredictable. Based on observations over several decades, Varan seems to mainly patrol the boarder of the Kebira region, while Komodithrax usually sticks around the central uplifts. They are rarely seen together, but they seem to at least tolerate each other, though their exact relationship remains a mystery. Both have a well-documented history of hunting down the giant arachnid species, Speiga sarcophagus, which they seem to pursue with great determination. It should always be remembered that these are opportunistic predators, as Varan himself has been responsible for several fatalities whenever humans get too close. Despite their size and strength, both creatures seem to avoid certain tremors that occasionally pass close to the surface of the KKB…

----------
Varan is copyrighted by Toho