Über Bantikor

Bantikor, already infamous for their foul temperaments, seem almost tame beside the monstrous Über Bantikor. Though originally the same species, the Über variant is larger, stronger, more venomous, and significantly more resilient. Where Bantikor quills are purely defensive, Über Bantikor quills are coated in potent venom capable of liquefying flesh within minutes.

They hail from Zahyokov, a war-ravaged world locked in a century-long conflict. Bantikor were originally imported to serve as biological weapons, but every attempt at taming or controlling them failed catastrophically. Desperate, the warring factions released the creatures onto the surface to scourge both the Selaerians and the native Zahyokovan population.

Exposure to rampant Omega Radiation and heavy-handed Gene Splicing accelerated their mutation, transforming standard Bantikor into the far more dangerous Über Bantikor.

Biology

Über Bantikor physiology reflects extreme evolution under constant warfare and radiation exposure. Their jagged black plates can deflect small-arms fire, while their musculature allows them to tear through armored vehicles. Their venom, delivered through both fangs and quills, rapidly degenerates organic tissue and is considered impossible to neutralize with standard antitoxins.

Behavior

Über Bantikor display aggressive territorial behavior and will attack any moving object, including armored units, starships, or hardened bunkers. Their near-sentient intelligence enables them to learn ambush routes, remember troop movements, and adapt to countermeasures.

Ecological Impact

On Zahyokov, Über Bantikor are an ongoing planetary catastrophe. Their presence has depopulated entire regions, forced cities into subterranean shelters, and reshaped military strategy. Efforts to eradicate them have failed repeatedly; they thrive in irradiated and polluted environments where most other species perish.

In Culture

To Zahyokov’s surviving factions, the Über Bantikor are both a weapon and a curse — a reminder of the hubris that spawned them. Off-world, they are whispered about as one of the most dangerous engineered predators in Galaxa.

Trivia

• Their quill venom remains active for up to 80 years after the creature’s death.
• Some xenobiologists argue that if left unchecked, Über Bantikor could out-compete their original species entirely.
• Zahyokov folklore depicts them as “the Black Plague That Walks.”