Names: Mountainback Drake

Habitat: the heights of the Appalachian Mountain range

Size: 8 - 12 ft long; weighs up to 1,000 lbs

Diet: birds, fish, turtles, rodents, deer, foxes, and other wild game

Reproduction: oviparous; performs a courtship ritual

Society: 1 - 2; short period with young

Lifespan: 6 - 10 years

SURVEYING VIRGINIAN TERRITORY

February, 1774

Fifteen miles into the Cumberland Mountains, Ensign McDonald and his companion, Oliver, were sent to scout ahead of their infantry unit. Hesitant to enter blindly, the bulk of the militia waited near Cover Creek until safe passage was guaranteed by the men.

Reaching a riverbank midday, the pair took a break. They slipped out of uncomfortable boots and thin, sweaty socks, finding relief in the cool, quick-moving water. Irritable in each other’s company, the pair placed several feet between them.

Easily spooked, Oliver’s loud gasp brewed an insult in McDonald, but, once he looked over his shoulder, he choked on his words. A couple hundred paces downriver was a strange, reptilian creature; it opened and closed its mouth like a serpent stretching its maw after a long sleep. Sharing a fearful glance, they slunk away from the water’s edge and quietly into the brush. Viewing the creature as physically and mentally limited, McDonald crept closer, hiding a few feet away from it. They observed the monster for several minutes before heading back to camp. Oliver looked over his shoulder most of the way, fearful it would return with them.

Reporting to their superiors, they described the beast in detail. McDonald noted that it was covered in black and brown scales but its sides were spotted with thin rings of yellow; its head was topped by a white, rocky, striated crest. The beast could stand almost upright on two limbs, stretching 4 ft high and looking to weigh around 300 lbs. Oliver only remembered that it scoured the environment with unnervingly large, fiery red eyes. 

Not entirely believing the scouts, Captain John Beard apathetically ordered his men to kill the beast while they knew where it was. If they didn’t eliminate the threat now, it could catch them by surprise later. They were, however, prohibited from wasting any bullets on it. 

Before the sun made its way to the horizon, the militia arrived at the river. McDonald eyed the Captain smugly when the reptile was right where they left it, atop several boulders parallel to the water. Uneasy, the men were ordered to attack.

Turning its large head lazily, the creature fixated on the figures approaching it. Its eyes widened and a spindly tongue rolled out from its fang-filled jaws. The creature coiled up tightly－ready to strike at any provocation. The men ceased their advance.

After thirty long seconds, a shout from Captain Beard stirred McDonald to make the first move. Walking a circle around the beast, he struck at it with a sword from the shallows, splashing backward in case of a rebuttal. The strike, however, did not touch the beast. Hissing, the creature jumped 8 ft in the air, vomited a red substance upon him, and landed where it first stood. 

McDonald, coated in the sticky fluid, staggered backward onto the rocky bank without a sound. Some of the younger infantrymen retched as his face came into view. The venom had eaten through his eyes, delving past skin and into muscle, bone, and hidden tissue. Thankfully, it seemed to cause no pain, inflicting death almost instantaneously. 

Another hiss, recoil, and spit caused the militia to disperse wildly, ignoring their flustered commander. Startled by so much activity, the drake ran upriver and through a laurel thicket, briefly turning to see if any hunted him. Certain none dared to give chase, the creature spit up the excess mucus it had conjured, deflating its glands. It then continued up the mountain.

Later that night, what was left of Captain Beard’s unit convened in the supposed safety of trees. Those closest to the beast found deep wounds where the spittle had landed on their skin or burnt through clothing－even the littlest of contact caused much destruction, but no pain; in fact, areas touched by the substance never regained feeling. 

The next morning, tracks were discovered heading upriver, towards higher elevations. The first to have seen the creature, Oliver was tasked with writing down everything he and others remembered, wondered, and found. In his notes, he remarked that the animal’s tracks resembled that of a goose’s, inspiring the species’ nickname, “Goosefoot.” 

On their travels, the infantrymen encountered amiable locals who knew of the creature. They agreed that it was a dangerous inhabitant of the mountain: its breath and ichor could kill a man if he did not immediately immerse himself in water－and a lot of it.

There are no other recorded encounters with a Cumberland Dragon aside from a 1774 sighting - at least ones determined with certainty to be with a Goosefoot. It is reasonable, however, to assume that at least a small percentage of strange occurrences, missing individuals, and unusual sounds on Appalachian peaks are caused by these cryptids.

Sightings of Goosefoot are theoretically more likely to occur during the warmest part of the day. They would also be most likely to be encountered on sunny, summer afternoons in areas far from running water. It is inferred that these encounters would be of a predatory nature.

Carry water,

stay close to the streams,

else kin of the mountain

will bring you disease.

King of high peaks

will hunt down all fools,

disobedience brings

only molten mewls.

Goosefoot is a type of dragon known as a drake—a small, wingless reptile that has great camouflage. It has a rocky, scaly hide, which sheds each season. They are named for the prints they leave behind, which resemble a goose’s.

This creature is known to sun on rocks and hibernate in caves. Encounters with Goosefoot are dangerous as they spit up fast-acting acid, which eats away flesh at a horrific rate. The acid can be washed off with water, which, coincidentally, the animal fears.

KIND

Terrakes are a type of dragon categorized as a drake — a small, wingless variety with large eyes, two legs, and an elemental nature. Drakes are separated by their elemental type: water, fire, earth, air, light, or a combination of these. Terrakes are aligned with a single element: earth; because of this, they fear water and are drawn to light and fire. Terrakes have scales that change with the season and forms that resemble the landscape and its features. Even with large, scaly bodies, they blend into their environments seamlessly. Generally, this kind of drake is active during the day, at the top of local food chains, and has wide, fang-filled maws. They are often compared to therapods because of the shape of their heads and look of their skulls.

A predator few choose to challenge, Goosefeet live a life doing what they please. Concerned only with hunting, breeding, and protecting territory, they have evolved physiques to fight and blend in. Seasonal molting, bony formations on their body, and squat forms keep them mostly obscured. A unique development not often seen in drakes, Goosefeet have an acid-producing organ to take down difficult prey, or, in rare instances, for self-defense. Truly fearing only the more complex and rare dragons of the Appalachian Mountains, like the Coalsparry, these adaptations work well enough to keep the population thriving.

HABITAT

LOCATIONS DISCOVERED the Appalachian Mountain range

Cumberland Mountain Dragons are only found in the heights of the Appalachian Mountain range. Specifically adapted to seasonal changes and this mountainous, forested region, an altered habitat would be devastating to the animal. Goosefeet require: a densely wooded and rocky environment with ample wildlife, sources of stagnant water, access to sunlight, and access to spacious caves, crags, or holes.

While they could theoretically exist throughout the Appalachian region, these dragons are only known to exist in the mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This cryptid’s population is densest in the Cumberland Mountain range, hence its name. Reptiles, they may be found sunning on rocks, brumating during the winter, or hiding in rocky places, waiting for prey to pass by.

APPEARANCE

Mountainback Drakes have bulky, squat forms like other Terrakes. Like all drakes, they have only two, albeit powerful legs. Tipped with four claws, their deadlier protrusions reside in the mouth; filled with 62 - 75 slender, pointed fangs, once lost, they do not grow back.

All Goosefeet have large, round, red eyes set on the side of their head. Diurnal predators, though they are unable to see in complete darkness, they have apt vision in low-lit settings. The drakes have a limited range of color vision, interpreting views in hues of red, orange, yellow, and green.

Sexually dimorphic, males have broader features, higher weights, and more colorful scales.

DIET AND FEEDING

Goosefeet are carnivorous creatures that may feed on a wide variety of prey. They will hunt and consume any species of bird or fish, in addition to turtles, rodents, deer, foxes, and any other available game; in their early life or in times of starvation, they will consume insects.

Adult Mountainback Drakes creatures will hunt with a mate if they have one. Aggressive hunters, it can be assumed that they will try to make a meal of whatever crosses their path.

TONGUE TRAPPING

Goosefeet hunt primarily by hiding near rocks or amid brush and lashing out with a dangerous tongue. Most days, they need not move more than a couple of hundred feet. In this hunting method, the drake lies still and waits for a potential meal to pass by; it then lashes out with its tongue, which stuns, injures, or (if particularly fortunate) wraps around the morsel and brings it directly into the mouth.

The tongue is not only used to strike adversaries, but to smell the air and seek prey, like a serpent, and to protect itself when used with a special substance - the animal's greatest offensive and defensive measure: a deadly acid.

FISHING

Goosefeet are fearful of running water. They only drink from stagnant sources and will not dare to even wade in the shallows of a creek. If placed or thrust into moving currents, they drown. Yet, they will hunker down into stagnant pools (as long as their snout can remain above water) to hunt. 'Fishing' usually only occurs in the summer, when the beasts need to cool themselves.

Posing as a boulder or jagged rock, when birds draw too near, the drake whips them with its tail and pins them down. The animal also feeds on fish who drift in their shadow, swallowing them up with a quick snap of their jaws.

CHARGE AND JUMP HUNTING

With incredibly powerful legs, Goosefeet can rush forward or jump to unexpected heights - snapping up fleeing prey or those hiding in the trees. During a charge, the reptile lowers its spiky head and runs at prey; throwing all of its weight at the target, it hopes to pin, harm, or kill it. When chasing after agile meals, upon closing a gap they will leap and tear into flesh with 4-8 inch teeth and claws, bringing down most game. Even if escape is had, cuts from the drake are prone to infection, felling victims later. Juvenile drakes may follow bitten prey far from their resting grounds; the taste of blood keeps their spirits high - they know their perseverance will pay off.

ACTIVITY

Mountainback Drakes are most active on sunny, warm days, as they do not need to spend as much time sunning. Though, in the summer heat, Goosefeet may surpass optimal temperatures; for these times, the drakes must rests near a puddle, pond, or shade trees to hydrate and cool.

If these reptiles experience poor hunting is poor, they will wander near running water, knowing more wildlife is drawn there. Though they will never cross streams or rivers, they may walk up to their banks.

Reproduction

As paired and single females travel throughout their sprawling territories, they leave their scent behind; after a meal, they also spit up some of their acidic fluid on trees, shrubs, and rocks. In females, the ichor has an additional chemical that denotes their readiness to raise a brood. Near the end of autumn, they begin traveling towards mountain peaks, clearings, or high elevations in their range; if they are coupled with a male, they are a mile or less behind them at all times - but, by winter, solo males are also following, hoping to steal them away. Once they have reached their wintering dens, the female brumates with her mate or waits for a suitor.

Bachelors spend most of the season looking for a mate. The longer it takes to find a partner, the more aggressive they will become; a spike in hormones, an active lifestyle during the cold months, and a steep decline in food and sunlight will contribute to males' foul mood.

Breeding occurs in the winter. During courtship, males stretch and twist their bodies; standing tall with necks elongated, their crests and brightly colored scales glisten in the sunlight. If a female is pleased by their appearance, she will strike the ground with her tail and dig at the dirt; if she is offended by the offer, she will utter a deep growl or strike at the male. If she is simply unimpressed, she will wait in hopes of something better. Nonetheless, if an additional male shows up to court, the two will fight by headbutting, tail whipping, and biting; a winner is declared when the opponent is pushed over on its back, then chased away. A male can be contested for his mate at any time, even while raising a brood.

In the summer, female Goosefeet lay their young. Eggs are internally incubated for four out of the seven months they need to develop. Nests are built near the drake and her mate’s preferred sun-rock and by ample sunlight; they are also roughly dug into the dirt by the couple. Offspring have been discovered being raised in fields, near riverbanks, or on hilltops and always in the open, but beside thick cover or rocky terrain. Eggs are frequently monitored for temperature corrections. If they become too warm, one of the creatures will cover them in a layer of dirt; if they become too cold, they will take turns warming the nest with their large bodies.

Females may lay as few as two eggs and as many as five 7-inch, tan, black-speckled, oblong eggs. they are lain in a dirt nest, dug by the drake’s powerful, four-toed feet. The mother and her mate protect their young while they incubate for three months, both near the nest at all times, taking turns to find drinkable water. Interestingly, these nests are put out in the open as if to lure ovivores (and later, small predators) to them.

After hibernation, Mountainback Drakes are weak and nearly starved; easy, frequent meals help the animals regain their strength and weight, while also allowing them to stay near their offspring. Unless one is sunning or sleeping, both are watchful on opposite sides of their nest. When an animal attempts to take or consume their eggs, or simply draws too near, both drakes attack from opposing directions. If they are met with violence or cunning, they spew acid on the trespasser; this is a final resort, however, as it renders the creature mostly inedible - dissolving all fat and most of the flesh. If a predator successfully evades them, the beasts will only follow for a few hundred feet, returning to their nest. Some drakes may follow farther earlier in the season, their stomachs dominating their decision-making; pack animals take advantage of this, luring the beasts away so others may steal the eggs.

Brumation

In the winter, Goosefeet are predominantly motionless to preserve energy. They hide with their mate and offspring in caves, deep ditches, or pits that receive some sunlight. Occasionally, they leave these resting spots to capture prey for themselves or their family; as their heart and metabolic rates drop, they do not need as much sustenance to survive. Females need more, however, than others in the den, as they are incubating fertilized eggs.

Vulnerable to attack in the cold months, they camouflage themselves in dirt, leaves, and other debris in their lodging after mating. While temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they are sluggish in body and mind. Only warming temperatures will fully rouse them from foggy heads and deep sleep. Coupled Cumberland Dragons may enter brumation before the first snowfall.

Once temperatures rise, the couple leaves their den and roams the mountainside. They sun, sleep, and hunt together as long as they are coupled. An aggressive pair, they make a meal of whatever crosses their path, even sharing moderately-sized catches.

Development

The life of a Mountainback Drake begins in late spring or early summer. As the coolness of the season wanes, small insects, amphibians, fish, and birds thrive; they pay little notice as an egg trembles in a wide, shallow, dirt pit. Cumberland Dragons develop in eggs for 200 - 225 days.

Breaking the membrane with a pointy nose, part of the flimsy shell caves in. Taking a rest after each shift of weight, each attempt to break free, the hatchling diligently works its way from the egg: head first, then torso, and legs, the tail easily sliding out. The body slick with albumen, the newly hatched reptile is exhausted. It may, however, briefly explore its nest’s confines, its broken shell, and other eggs or drakes. Eventually, all will rest in the sunlight, drying their pale scales. The movement and scent of these halflings may attract predators, like birds. Those attempting to eat the eggs or youths are snapped up by their hiding parents.

Once mountain drakes hatch, they grow rapidly and are always hungry. Attracted by their loud squeaks for food, the number of attacks on the youths increase. Parents get less rest at this time, but are well-fed enough to provide ample meals for their young. Reserving most small catches for their developing young, the older drakes drop prey whole into the nests; young may fight for meat, pulling it into several directions. The growing reptiles will eat every scrap of food brought to them with vigor, growing larger every day－and less satisfied. Starting life no more than 7 inches long, they will grow to be 8 - 12 ft long from snout to tail-tip and weigh up to 1,000 lbs; they will continue to grow until they die. The drakes enter adolescence at 10 - 12 months of age but do not set out on their own until they are one year old.

After one year, the youths are chased out of the nest and their parents' territory. They must learn to hunt and fend for themselves. Most of these younglings will not make it to adulthood; instead, they will be eaten by larger, more dangerous beasts.

In autumn, Gooesfeet excessively eat to prepare for the winter. Their scales darken and develop orange and yellow rings to blend into autumn foliage. By this time, even those on their own for the first time have mastered trapping and hunting prey.

Sexual maturity is reached at 13 - 14 months. During their first breeding season, solo females leave their scent behind as they travel towards mountain peaks or clearings; solo males follow to court them.

While these creatures continuously grow in size with age, this becomes more of a hindrance later in life. Older individuals require more food to sustain their mass, exert more energy to carry out daily activities, and put more stress on their organs and joints; large Mountainback Drakes are able to overcome smaller rivals and prey with ease during quick encounters, but tire faster and give up a chase/concede a fight sooner. Additionally, older drakes are more aggressive and irritable, often starting fights they neither want nor can finish.

Death due to age-related illnesses occurs at age 6 - 10, females living longer lives than males on average. About 60% of Mountainback Drakes are born male. Out of those that survive incubation, only 30% make it to adolescence, with 60% of adolescents reaching maturity. An astoundingly high number, 90% of mature females lay fertilized eggs each year they are alive.

Cumberland Dragons that do not perish due to age-related illnesses suffer from: drowning (28%), an injury suffered during a rivalry conflict (23%), unsuitable body temperatures (19%), other neck injuries (12%), and starvation (8%), all other causes making up >1%.

ANATOMY

This organism is a large reptile primed to persevere and overcome adversaries in order to procreate. Though it is very vulnerable early in its life, if maturity is reached, the animal becomes a threatening apex predator. The species as a whole has a great defensive range, above-average reptile intelligence, and a specialized form for mountainous, temperate forest life.

Figure A Molting

When the drake senses a seasonal change, its body goes through one major transition: molting; this process allows the dragon to continue to grow and rid itself of parasites. Over time, the hide darkens and changes color. In the spring, its new skin is a light shade of tan with hints of green; in the summer, it is bright green with hints of dark browns; in the fall, it is mostly brown with some oranges and yellows; however, during the winter, it does not camouflage itself (as it is mating season), donning black, brown, and bright yellow scales.

Sheets of shorn, dry hide will falls off on their own, or are scratched off on foliage.

Figure B Mountain Caps

Running along the drake’s spine, above the eye, and following the cheekbones are calcium-rich growths; in the light, their lined texture causes them to be mistaken for tufts of fur. These coarse caps grow from the skeleton and are comparable to ivory. On top of a male’s head, crests are spikier and may grow up to 4 ft tall; the growths are used to fight for mates, for courtship, and defense. The vertebral column is prominent, bony, and its curve looks like a stretched, squashed, and bumpy dorsal fin. Most of these skeletal formations are hidden by sediment while resting; the tallest of these vertebrae resemble rocks following a ridge on the lake bed. These bony knobs may also make the animal more difficult to be eaten by predators (especially when combined with their armored belly), allowing them to escape or survive an attack.

Figure C Heat Regulation

Under the lower jaw, there are 3 - 5 black, stick-like prongs; these measure heat and help the drake regulate temperature and other bodily processes. As an endothermic creature — a being that relies on outside influences to regulate body temperature— the Cumberland Dragon suns on rocks and clearings, spreading its feet wide, exposing lengths of thick webbing to absorb the sun’s heat; the beast moves in and out of the sun’s rays as needed to maintain a constant temperature.

Figure D Digestive System and Acid Bladder

The tongue is Goosefoot’s greatest offensive and defensive measure. The drake’s digestive tract, mouth, and exterior are composed of a slick kind of scale/lining that is unaffected by its acidic concoction. Above and connected to the stomach is a foul organ that produces a sticky, red substance; after a meal, some of this acid is deposited into the belly, breaking down bone and other hard-to-digest organics. When the substance is spewed for defensive/offensive purposes, it takes two days for the organ to be engorged once more; when replete, the organ may hold as much as one gallon.

The thick liquid is squirted from two tubes located in the bottom jaw; these tubes also branch off into tiny tendrils that incessantly secrete the ichor along the tongue’s entirety; when vomited forth, it splashes out of the mouth, coating targets and any lashed with its tongue. The acid eats through almost anything fairly quickly, except metal, which only heats up when in contact with the substance. Creatures that come into contact with the liquid feel no pain, oftentimes not even noticing its presence; those that do feel it note that it is sticky and warm, before losing all sensation in said locations.

The Cumberland Dragon’s reddish-brown tongue bunches up inside its mouth, thickening when not in use; when stretched out, this forked muscle is nearly 4 ft long, though some drake’s tongues vary slightly in length

TOURISTRY

Cumberland Dragons are dangerous creatures and should not be sought after. If a tracker did, however, want to find one, they should look for signs of shed skin matching their description, old nests, and their unusual tracks. It is important to have copious amounts of water on hand in case of an acid attack, as well as a route planned across running water. If the dark circle near the end of the creature’s jaw (where the ear resides) is punctured, it will perish, but not instantly or calmly.