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Zou concept sketches Introducing species: Zou/ Zeu

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Introducing a new species known as Zou(Singular) or Zeu(plural).

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Zeu are a species of dragon which has very distinct phases of life. Evolutionarily, a Zou has evolved to the point that its face would permanently be covered by a shell hardened by mineral metals and fluorite. In the beginning phases of its life, Zeu are born from small polyp like eggs which resemble small mushroomlike Myxomycetes. usually born in hordes of thousands, these hatchlings are brought upon the world carried by the wind. Without having taken a full form yet after having been born, most Zeu spend the beginnings of their lives as airborne zygotes. Most Zou do not develop past this point as the elements of weather or temperature differences would cause premature decay in their bodies. Once having matured, Zeu bare an extreme uncanny resemblance to dragons. From just a few inches in diameter, they mature into sizes ranging from 0.3 to 1 ft. Occasionally. some specimen become even larger then your average Aegurathi (main dragon species). In terms of cognition and intelligence, a Zou has higher functions in the earlier phases of its life, know how to communicate. However this cognitive function continuously decays as they age. In the later stages of their lives, a Zou will seek a mate, and through the ‘kiss of death’. Both would coil up with each-other and let their bodies decay together. Through time, their bodies would seep into the ground and form an extremely tough shell around its body. Imagine in the shape of a barnacle. For the rest of its life, the Zeu would combine into one single barnacle like being baring polyps and feeding on straggler animals or insects. since they do not move, a Zou may survive for months on end without any form of food. A Zou spends most of its life lodged in the ground with its life-mate. It is completely unmoving unless it catches prey (think Venus fly trap).

A. Side view of a Zou.  B. Top Down View  C. Cutaway look of the inside of a stationary Zou

D. Occasionally Zeu would form honeycomb like colonies thus increasing their chances of sustenance. They may also merge their bodies into a full singular ‘colony’ of Zeu.

E. As a stationary Zou is always comprised of two Zeu, they can spawn eggs whenever required. The success of a breeding would spawn sometimes thousands of polyp like egg Myxomycetes.

G. A near-mature Zou ranges in size from 0.3-1ft in length. It is worth noting that not many Zeu make it this far in life, as most of them are tarnished in zygote stage known as Windfall. 

H. All Zeu mature with wings, and most if not all of Zeu spend their lives airborne (high above cloudtops).

I. Note, before any Zeu may fully mature, it must find a mate. As soon as two Zou, find a mate, they will perform an act which is notoriously also known as the ‘The Kiss of Death’. The mateship of two Zou occurs when both partners join mouths in a ‘kiss’ before both complete a dance which can last hours and eventually tangle their bodies together. and ‘Die’. This is the first stage to transition the full maturity of both Zeu. In which they technically die, as their bodies decay and metamorphasize at the same time. Both mates join as one, as their bodies turn into primordial sludge and begins reshaping their shell and husk into that of the barnacle shape. A Zou will always retain its thick shell like head after it undergoes metamorphasis. The mateship of Zou is what allows both to mature into one.

J. Male version of a Zou. They are inherently mute and blind, often the most fragile of both sexes. To Distinguish a male Zou, just make sure that it does not have an eye. For the reason that males do not have eyes, they need to rely solely upon the help of female Zeu.

K. Female Zeu are known to have inner curving horns, and most notably, they bare an eye. They often act as the ‘seeing eye’ of male Zeu. Where they decide on who is mateworthy. a Zou deeming a male as unworthy would often leave the male Zou for dead, as a male Zou is unable to defend itself nor sense, see anything.

L. Male Zeu are also known for their black curls under their necks. These curls are a result due to the males ability to form extremely hard shells from metals. Sometimes almost inpenetrable. During metamorphose, the male Zou will use its synthesis to forge sturdy shells. Natural selection almost always depends upon how well a male Zeu can weave its shell.

M. Whereas female Zeu are known to bare fangs all over their bodies. During metamorphose, the female Zeu will form the ‘jaws’ of the matured Zou. 

N. Eye study of female Zou.

O. After the maturing of both Zeu, they forge and become one Zou.

Tldr: Immature (Male Zou + Female Zou) = mature (colonial) Zou
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MoonKoiDragoness's avatar
Beautiful species! Also the info about this species is very interesting ^^