“If you encounter an igneous crawler, be careful in case it expl- BOOM!”

Igneous Crawler

Native to the volcanic Ashlands are igneous crawlers; small creatures related to turtles with thick, heat-resistant shells and hardened, clawed flippers that aid them in traversing their hostile environment. Most often, they can be found near hot springs, basking by hot geysers, or on the edges of calderas.

The shells of igneous crawlers are extremely heat-resistant, providing them protection from the sweltering temperatures of the Ashlands and effectively making them flameproof. However, this protection comes at a cost: as crawlers age, their bodies become hotter over time and pressure begins to build in their shells. After around 80 years, the natural lifespan of an igneous crawler comes to an end in a rather explosive fashion— this rupturing can be very dangerous, not only causing their immediate surroundings to be scarred, but also for fragments of shell shrapnel to be scattered around the area.

Scavenging these fragments is one of the simplest ways to obtain igneous crawler shells, as harvesting them from the source can range from illegal to downright dangerous. Culturally, robbing a crawler of its shell is only acceptable when performing certain Fireborne rites. Whole shells and shell fragments are both notoriously difficult to work with, requiring a special forging process that Fireborne locals developed over centuries of history. Forging even the smallest trinkets with shells can take many, many days, as the process involves crushing the shell fragments into as fine a dust as possible, then slowly and carefully introducing it to metal in an evenly distributed manner. Oftentimes the fragments are used in jewellery or worn as ornaments with symbols etched into them, as the superstitious believe these items bring protection, especially against foes of flame and fire.

Igneous crawler eggs are made of a similar, softer mineral shell. They are much more fragile, but this thinner shell allows the egg to incubate at incredibly high temperatures without immediately bursting. Crawlers do not raise their young and leave their clutches of eggs once laid. If an egg is disturbed significantly enough, it will crack and burst, resulting in a small explosion and the release of steam hot enough to burn flesh. Smugglers have been known to carefully steal developing eggs, selling them on the black market as perishable weapons.

Written by ShinyBlue and electric, contributions from Reedie and Book