Kaiju - Reptiloid

The emergence of Kaiju not only reshaped the ecosystems by introducing new wildlife and plants, it also seemed to have an effect on the climate and the geography of our world - it reshaped the very face of the Earth. Immense tectonic activity, strong magnetic fields and even gravitational anomalies raised, lowered or shifted entire swaths of land. Entire cities got swallowed up by the ground, new islands rose from the oceans and deep chasms reach down into the bowels of the Earth. The gigantic trees growing around derelict skyscrapers like strangler figs are home to a plethora of introduced wildlife - reaching from microscopic to gigascopic. Dead organic matter falling from the gigaflora amasses on the once busy streets, swallowing up rusting cars, kiosks and other signs of human existence in layers of soil, creating a fertile footing for more flora. 

Despite the immense changes, not all native wildlife became threatened or extinct... some managed to survive and even thrive in this new world. Living Kaiju are a banquet for countless parasites as well as animals picking them off their skin, the mountains of rotting flesh from a dead Kaiju are almost an entire ecosystem in themselves, providing sustenance and shelter to a myriad of scavengers and opportunists. Especially herbivores profit from the increased abundance in vegetation, although they now have worse predators to fear.

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Apep - sharing its name with the Egyptian Lord of Chaos, this small Kaiju is a relentless and vicious killer that seems to take pleasure in killing. Armed with venomous teeth and a snapping organ that resembles bear traps and venus flytraps both in appearance and function, it is also able to constrict larger prey with its muscular body. It usually lies hidden within the desert sands, relying on its keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations in the ground to detect victims. Even when there is no need for food, it has been observed killing animals just because they came too close. 

Lau - stalking the swamps and wetlands of northern Africa, Lau is a comparatively small Kaiju. Don’t let this fool you though, as a combination of speed and camouflage makes it a deadly hunter. It is able to blend in with its environment, changing the coloration and texture of its skin until it’s almost invisible, patiently waiting for its moment to strike. Two clawed oral arms as well as a pharyngeal jaw help pull prey down its gullet while often still alive and in one piece.

Ngoubou - this almost unstoppable force is built like a battering ram and armed with countless horns and a strong beak. It is highly aggressive, almost immediately charging at any perceived threat - no matter what that might be. Due to its poor eyesight and seemingly low intelligence, these perceived threats often turn out to be plants or structures, making Ngoubou a leading factor in changing the ecology and appearance of its habitat. Because of its temper, it is generally avoided by other Kaiju and only rarely gets into actual fights. 

Hakawai - like its eponym from Maori mythology, this giant flyer only descends from the skies at night. Despite its size, it is an elusive creature that is rarely seen but often heard. An intricate vocal organ within its large crest enables it to create a wide array of sounds including roars loud enough to instantly deafen and incapacitate anyone and anything that had the misfortune of being too close to it. Not much is known about Hakawai, as it spends most of its time high up in the upper atmosphere but there have been reports of it raiding human settlements at night and eating the inhabitants.

Akupara - slow but incredibly powerful, this Kaiju is a gentle giant. Often basking on the shores of India, it shows acceptance and even compassion towards the human species, letting them approach and even sometimes helping them. Believed to be the world turtle by some, it has become the center of many beliefs, being worshipped as the protector of humanity and a bringer of peace and prosperity.  
Dragging its shelled body across the floor with its powerful front legs and four flippers, it is quite cumbersome on land. Even when in water, it usually moves relatively slowly but is able to accelerate to high speeds should the need arise.

Cipactli - a ravenous giant, Cipactli spends almost every waking second eating. While it is mostly herbivorous, it does not spurn the occasional animal snack every now and then. Investing most of its energy of its leisurely everyday life into eating, it is a rather passive Kaiju. While it can be a threat to humans, it usually ignores them as they are too small to sate its neverending appetite. Should any other Kaiju ever try to keep it from eating, Cipactli is more than able to stand its ground, dishing out shattering blows with its muscular arms, legs and tail, its armored skin protecting it from damage. After the fight is won, it will make up for the lost time by devouring its slain assailant.   


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