Tiroma

Tiromas were small, aggressive predators native to the moon of Domel. They were relatively harmless to groups of humanoids, but they had a habit of eating anything that could fit in their mouths, which were quite large for an animal of its size. They were known as pests, due to their high reproduction rate and curiosity. They were also hardy, able to survive the rough environment of the forest moon of Domel, and hold their own in large groups. Probably for this reason, a handful of cannok specimens were transported to Oafal by the Lorundans of Anannis Station during the years following the civil war and industrial takeover to assist in the restoration.

Biology and appearance

Tiromas were squat, bloated creatures of a dull yellow-green color that stood about half a meter high. The creatures stood on four, broad, tridactyl feet, which ended in tough spatulate claws, meant possibly for digging. They had short, stubby tails, and a thick, bony ridge traveling down their back, from which thin, fleshy spines protruded. Their head was rather fishlike, with an upward-facing jaw connected low on the skull and thin, sharp, needle teeth jutting from the lower jaw and over the upper lip. Their eyes stood on short stalks, a sheath of skin cupped the end of their eyes. The eyes moved independent of one another, giving them a wide range of sight, though their vision suffered. Their hide was bumpy and wrinkled, though not scaly, and was covered in a thin film of mucus.

History

Tiromas were originally found on Domel, where they were one of the high rungs on the food chain, beneath both the amosses, sevirs and the mighty uakys. Particularly tough tiromas could often scare away amosses, but the uakys frequently dined on the abundant creatures. Hunters often killed all they came across, though the numbers of the quickly-reproducing species never seemed to diminish. Though aggressive, the pests were fortunately easy to kill despite their slightly tough hide.

The carnivorous creatures also caused trouble by frequently eating anything and everything they could fit into their large mouths when no one was looking. This tendency was the most frustrating aspect of their behavior.

During the restoration of Oafal, several tiromas were brought to the surface of Oafal to balance the ecosystem, keeping the herbivore numbers in check so they did not destroy all of the remaining plant life. Tiromas were chosen for this task because of their ability to adapt and because of their connections with Idon - around which their homeworld Domel orbited - which was aiding in the restoration effort. However, the plan went awry, as the tiromas soon took over and ate all of the herbivores, leaving them hungry and easily agitated.

Characteristics

Tiromas were ornery creatures who commonly formed packs or groups to hunt together; these packs were usually formed of three or more tiromas, though single antagonists were not unheard of. The creatures were not easily frightened, and were unafraid of fire. They would not disturb large parties or settlements, though smaller groups were frequently attacked. When attacking, they usually bit their prey with their large, sharply-lined mouths or head-butted their victims, both probably in an effort to bring creatures larger then they were down to their level.

When undisturbed, tiromas tended to react along a set pattern. While walking in their slightly high-stepped gait, they commonly stopped and looked around by moving their eyestalks around in a wiggling motion that was described as comical. As a group, they were each assigned a small, roughly circular area to patrol, all within eye contact of one another. Tiromas emitted only a husky kind of grunt.