Somakurina

Somakurina are ghoulish deep sea dwelling piscine wyverns that first appeared in Monster Hunter: Farlands
==Physiology==
Somakurina are distinct among piscine wyverns due to their uniquely frightening appearance and behavior. They possess elongated snouts and severely reduced eyes as they are adapted for hunting in very deep and dark conditions. They are very well adapted to swimming through both open waters and tight undersea caves by using their slender, almost serpentine, body and powerful fins. Covering the body of Somakurina is a series of very fine denticles, these denticles grow larger at the base of the tail and act as a form of rudimentary armor. In addition to hardened denticles and strong fins, Somakurina possesses a select few offensive features. These include spiny barbs on the dorsal fin and tail that deliver a sedative neurotoxin, a retractable set of toothy jaws, and gills that spray out blood to surprise prey and predator alike.
==Behavior ==
Very few people have ever seen a living Somakurina during the day, as they are exclusively nocturnal. During the day they will swim down to the deepest depths of the ocean, and they will only go into shallower waters during the darkest time of night. When they are in the ocean they use their elongated snouts to probe both the abyss of the open ocean and the sea floor for prey. When a potential meal is found their jaws will quickly extend outward to swiftly consume and swallow their prey. In the event that Somakurina becomes the prey, they will typically spray blood from their gills which creates a dark cloud that confuses attackers. 
===Specific Locale Interactions===
* Within the undersea caves of the Crystalline Reef, Somakurina can sometimes be seen dragging its snout through the crystal sediments. On occasion an ancient fish or ammonite will come out of the sand and Somakurina will follow after the creature to eat it. 
* When hunting in the Crystalline Reef, Somakurina will show a preference for cephalopods and ammonites as it actively seeks them out when hungry.
* In the Deepstar Abyss, Somakurina will avoid blooms of bioluminescent plankton and any other brightly glowing creature. Instead they will stick to dark caves or the dark silty bottom of the caverns.
* In both the Crystalline Reef and Deepstar Abyss, Somakurina will seek out tight caves to sleep in as it prefers cramped, dark spaces in deep water.
===Special Behaviors===
*Both underwater and on land, Somakurina can be seen releasing very small splatters of blood from its gills on various structures. This is a form of territory marking and a display to other monsters.
*When near the sea floor, Somakurina can be seen poking and prodding at the silt and sand. When doing this there is a chance for a sea creature to come up from the sand which it will capture and eat.
*Sometimes Somakurina can be seen idly poking around in open water. It does this to detect nearby prey using its long sensitive snout. If it senses a creature nearby it will swiftly swim towards it and capture it within its jaws. 
*When encountering small monsters, both on land or underwater, Somakurina will hiss and flare out its gills as a threat display. 
=== Turf Wars ===
==== Varghana Vs. (Win) ====
(Underwater) The hungry piscine wyvern will begin to hiss at the silt in front of it before the Varghana reveals itself by darting out of the sediment. This pushes the Somakurina back as it is tackled by the marine amphibian. This causes large amounts of blood to be released from the Somakurina's gills, allowing it to escape and attack the Varghana by surprise. The piscine wyvern launches its jaws forward to bite the Varghana's tail several times, in response the Varghana will quickly attempt to turn around. It will bite the Somakurina's tail, only to be quickly hit with its venomous barbs. While both come out injured, the Varghana escapes by digging through the mud leaving the aggressive piscine wyvern only minorly damaged. 
==== Alzoroklis Vs. (Tie) ====
(On Land) The Somakurina will sneak toward the Leviathan to land a stealthy strike on what it sees as an intruder. Noticing the threat, the Alzoroklis will put on a threatening light display while hissing and gargling. The angered piscine wyvern will ignore this display and immediately lunge at the glowing monster's long neck. The Alzoroklis reacts in pain immediately and swings its neck with the biting monster being thrown off. After regaining its footing, the shaken Somakurina will press the attack once more. The Alzoroklis will also charge forth to attack, ending in them both biting and tearing at each other until one of the two monsters concedes and leaves the area. 
==== Devorynx Vs. (Loss) ====
(Underwater) The Devorynx notices the other piscine wyvern and flares out its large jaws to threaten its contender. In response the Somakurina flares out its gills and hisses. The two deep sea dwelling piscine wyverns keep up this display before the more aggressive Devorynx strikes first. The deep black piscine wyvern will wrap its slender body around the Somakurina as it continuously bites and scratches at its attacker. The Somakurina tries in vain to fight back as it wriggles violently and spouts large amounts of blood from its gills. This display gives the Somakurina just enough of an opening to escape, only for its assailant to continue biting at its tail. Soon enough the Somakurina escapes, scarred and battered from its failed attempt at warding off the Devorynx. 
==== Lagiacrus Vs. (Loss) ====
(On Land) The agitated piscine wyvern will hiss and spray a small amount of blood from its gills as a threat display. This does not deter the Lagiacrus however, as it quickly responds by biting down and tackling the Somakurina. While gripping its foe in its jaws, the Lagiacrus will swiftly roll over and begin thrashing its foe in its mouth as it locks it in a death roll. After this, the Lagiacrus will quickly leave to the nearest underwater area, leaving the Somakurina stunned and flopping on the ground.
(Under Water) Both monsters will roar at each other before attempting to strike. The Lagiacrus is able to dodge and swim away from the Somakurina for a moment. The frightened piscine wyvern looks around hoping to press the attack, before it is struck with a blast of electricity from below. This stuns the Somakurina and causes it to flail aggressively. Coming back up, the Lagiacrus will grasp the writhing piscine wyvern in its jaws, during which they will both thrash causing both monsters to take minor damage. Afterward, the Lagiacrus lets go of the Somakurina as it produces a large dark cloud of blood to cover its escape. The Lagiacrus will remain in the area and assail any spectating hunters it sees. 
==Ecological Information ==
===Habitat===
Somakurina can be found primarily in the deep sea, however they will come up to shallow waters and even on land during the night time. They are common in the deeper depths of the Great Sea and they can be sighted on the shores of the New World. Sometimes Somakurina will rest within caves when venturing onto land or into shallower waters. When they find a cave they will typically stay in these caves during the day and come out to hunt at night until they are pressured to return to the open ocean by predators or other needs.
===Ecological Niche===
Somakurina are mesopredators in oceans filled with monsters. They tend to feed primarily on cephalopods such as squids and ammonites, however they will also strike some fish and in even rarer circumstances they will attack small leviathans. Their generally slow speed and weak bite force indicate that Somakurina are predominantly ambush predators that sneak up on their prey as opposed to chasing them. While these piscine wyverns tend to be the scourge of many fish and cephalopods, they will rarely fall prey to larger sea creatures such as Abyssal Lagiacrus. Smaller or weaker individuals are also regularly cannibalized by larger individuals, this occurs so frequently that some researchers speculate that larger females regularly feed on their smaller mates. 
=== Tracks===
Somakurina can leave Wet Footprints, Broken Denticles, Blood Stains on the ground and Slime Stains on walls and rocks.
==Abilities==
Somakurina are not particularly strong monsters, so they primarily hunt by ambushing their prey. When hunting their most effective abilities are venomous spines and retractable jaws that they use to capture and consume prey of all sizes. The venomous spines also come in use when defending from attackers, as they inject a neurotoxin that can put victims to sleep. The Somakurina's most notable ability is used to both defend themselves and hunt, this being their ability to spray excess blood from their gills to create a deep red cloud that confuses assailants and prey alike.
===Attacks=== 
*Chomping Combo- Jaws extended, Somakurina lunges forward, chomping its jaws rapidly until it hits its target or runs too far.
*Heavy Bite- With its jaws extended, Somakurina will swing its head diagonally to its left, before following up with another diagonal swing in the opposite direction.
*Extended Bite- Somakurina will suddenly extend its jaws forward and immediately retract them.
*Delayed Bite- Somakurina will hiss with its jaws extended and hold its head in the air for a moment before swiftly swinging its head down to bite.
*Drooling Bite-When enraged, Somakurina can deliver several bites in rapid succession as it slobbers all over its prey and flings wet drool all over the surrounding area.
*Tail Sweep- When hunters are behind it, Somakurina will swing its tail back and forth to either put them to sleep or at least deter hunters from sticking to its back.
*Tail Spin - Similar to raptorial bird wyverns, Somakurina will rapidly spin itself around to swing its tail at its opponent.
*Belly Flop (Land Only)- When hunters are underneath Somakurina, it will jump and flop down on top of them.
*Serpentine Slide(Land Only)- Similar to the Belly Flop, however, hunters do not need to be under it and it will be followed up with a fast, forward slide.
*Hip Check(Land Only)- When hunters are at its sides, Somakurina will slam its hips into them. Unlike its close relative Plesioth, the force of its hip checks is quiet weak.
*Water Burst (Land Only) - Somakurina will reel back for a moment before spitting out a blob of water that can be fired multiple times in rapid succession.
*Lunging Bite (Underwater Only)- After reeling back, Somakurina will launch itself forward with its jaws extended and wide open.
*Encircle (Underwater Only)- Similar to a Sharq, Somakurina will rapidly swim around its prey to confine them into a small area before lunging in to bite down on them.
*Polaris Breach (Underwater Only)- If Somakurina is under a hunter it will quickly swim upward and attempt to capture its opponent in its jaws. If it succeeds and is in an area of open water, it will breach the surface of the water with the hunter in its jaws. If it is in a cave it will simply swim up to the top of the cave.
*Death Roll (Underwater Only)- After successfully hitting a hunter with a Lunging Bite, the hunter will be grabbed and Somakurina will roll over several times. This can tear hunters to shreds and leave them stunned if they do not avoid the initial lunge.
*Blood Cloud (Underwater Only)- After doing any other attack, Somakurina can release a cloud of blood from its gills. This makes the water extremely murky and it becomes very difficult to see potential threats.
*Sanguine Frenzy (Underwater Only)- When near death or otherwise severely threatened, Somakurina will release a large quantity of blood from its gills. This will cloud the majority of the water in the area, causing visibility to be extremely poor. Taking advantage of this, Somakurina will swiftly snap at hunters that are stuck in the cloud. It will repeatedly lunge in and out of the cloud until the cloud dissipates or the hunter lands an attack. 
*Tail Slicer (MR, GR only) (Land Only) - Similar to some Brute Wyverns, Somakurina can slam its barbed tail down in a slicing motion. Despite the softness of its fins, this attack can be dangerous as its barbs are likely to inject its sedative venom.
*Blood Burst (MR,GR only)- Similar to its water burst attack, however the Blood Burst can be used on land and in water as it is a glob of congealed blood as opposed to a spurt of water.
*
===Rage and Tired States === 
*Rage State - When Somakurina becomes enraged its jaws will remain extended, its eyes become a dull silver color, and its gills will stay flared out. While being flared out, its bright red gills will also drip blood and take significantly more damage. All of Somakurina's fins will be flushed a bright red color as more blood flows through its body. 
*Tired State - When exhausted, Somakurina will seek out food or shelter as its gills and jaws are retracted and its fins display a pale greyish-pink color as opposed to the typical red. Additionally, Somakurina will drool a clear fluid from its gaping mouth.
*
==In-Game Data==
===Hitzones===
 
 
===Breakable Parts=== 
*Head: When broken the snout and head will be covered in cuts, particularly near the eyes. Some teeth will also be crooked or missing as well. 
*Fins: The fins will appear tattered and torn, with cuts extending up the length of the fleshy parts of the fins.
*Back: Severe damage can be seen on the back as many denticles are missing and the flesh is lacerated very deeply. 
*Tail: The tail can be severed and the remaining stub will show the piscine wyvern's flesh and cartilage. 
===Monster Drops===
====Shiny Drops==== 
* Wyvern Tear
====Material Items====
* Somakurina Scale/Shard/Lamina
* Somakurina Fin/Grandfin/Bloodfin
==In-Game Description==
==Carves==
<tabber>
|-|Low Rank=
Material	Material 	Description 	Drop Rate	Drop Type
 	Somakurina Scale	A small dark scale carved from a Somakurina. These scales are sharpened to aid in defense. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Shell	A hardened spike from a Somakurina. These numerous large scales give Somakurina a formidable appearance and a strong defense to boot. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Fin 	A dull red fin carved from a Somakurina. The webbing of this fin would course with blood in life, however it is now faded. 	★★★ 	Carve Fin Break
 	Somakurina Fang 	A fang taken from a Somakurina. It is incredibly sharp so it may snatch and pierce unsuspecting prey. 	★★ 	Carve Head Break
 	Somakurina Tail 	The long slender tail of a Somakurina. The barbs at the end of the tail are used to inject venom that can put anything to sleep. 	★★ 	Carve Tail Carve
 	Somakurina Plate	A highly valuable Somakurina Plate. This large cluster of hardened scales and spikes is dangerous to touch due to its extreme sharpness.	★ 	Rare Carve
 	Sleep Sac 	A monster organ that contains a highly toxic compound capable of inducing sleep. 	★★ 	Tail Carve Quest Reward
|-|High Rank=
Material	Material 	Description 	Drop Rate	Drop Type
 	Somakurina Scale+ 	A deep dark scale carved from a Somakurina. These scales are hard and sharp, giving Somakurina chainmail like armor. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Carapace	A rough and hardened spike from a Somakurina. These enlarged denticles give Somakurina a formidable set of spiked armor along its back.	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Fin+ 	A dark red fin carved from a Somakurina. Even if it is drained of blood, the fin still presents a deep red color. 	★★★ 	Carve Fin Break
 	Somakurina Fang+ 	A sharp fang taken from a Somakurina. The fangs of Somakurina are extremely sharp so that they may pierce almost any prey. 	★★ 	Carve Head Break
 	Somakurina Tail 	The long slender tail of a Somakurina. The barbs at the end of the tail are used to inject venom that can put anything to sleep. 	★★ 	Carve Tail Carve
 	Somakurina Gem 	A rare and valuable Somakurina Gem. This gem was cultivated in the flesh of Somakurina, and it exudes a stench like blood and fish. 	★ 	Rare Carve
 	Coma Sac 	A monster organ that contains an extremely sedative compound. So much as smelling it can induce a coma. 	★★ 	Tail Carve Quest Reward
|-|Master Rank=
Material	Material 	Description 	Drop Rate	Drop Type
 	Somakurina Shard 	A heavy black shard taken from Somakurina. It is made up of several smaller hard sharp scales. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Cortex 	One of several enlarged spikes that adorn the back of Somakurina. These spikes make for ideal materials in armor crafting. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Grandfin	A fully intact fin from Somakurina. Some blood still pulses through this fin, giving it a saturated red color. 	★★★ 	Carve Fin Break
 	Somakurina Ripfang 	A fang taken from the jaws of a Somakurina. these sharp fangs can tear any sea creature big and small into shreds. 	★★ 	Carve Head Break
 	Somakurina Lash 	A well cut tail fin of Somakurina. The tail fins are all well adapted to swimming through the deep sea, despite their tattered appearance.	★★ 	Carve Tail Carve
 	Somakurina Mantle 	Pristine scales and plates gathered from a Somakurina. Every inch of its flesh is covered in spikes of varying sizes. 	★ 	Rare Carve
 	Torpor Sac 	A monster organ that contains a sedative compound so strong it is supposedly capable of instantly knocking out a raging monster. 	★★ 	Tail Carve Quest Reward
|-|Grandmaster Rank=
Material	Material 	Description 	Drop Rate	Drop Type
 	Somakurina Lamina 	A sharp black scale taken from Somakurina. The scales of Somakurina are sharp and hard, almost like obsidian. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Hard-Plate 	A pristine denticle plate collected from a Somakurina. This spike is hardened to perfection and ideal for armor crafting. 	★★★ 	Carve Back Break
 	Somakurina Bloodfin 	Blood still pulses within this fin giving it a deep red color. This fin was collected in perfect condition and still displays a raging red. 	★★★ 	Carve Fin Break
 	Somakurina Shredderfang	A fang taken from the jaws of a Somakurina. In its life time, a single Somakurina will lose and regrow hundreds of these sharp fangs 	★★ 	Carve Head Break
 	Somakurina Tailwhip 	A well cut tail of Somakurina. The barbs on this long slender tail are sharp to inject a massive dose of venom. 	★★ 	Carve Tail Carve
 	Somakurina Core 	An ancient treasure of the deep sea. This core has grown within a Somakurina for several decades, now it glistens with a ghastly sanguine shimmer. 	★ 	Rare Carve
 	Deep Torpor Sac 	A monster organ containing an extraordinarily powerful soporific compound that is supposedly toxic enough to make an Elder Dragon slumber for years. 	★★ 	Tail Carve Quest Reward
 	Tempered Carapace 	A sharp and hardened carapace coming from a monster that has been tempered through surviving the harsh trials of nature. The monster this came from has grown very formidable, and will only continue to grow stronger.	★★★ 	Quest Reward
</tabber>
==Roar==
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==Notes and Trivia==
*Somakurina's name comes from a combination of Phrynosoma and Mitsukurina, these names belonging to the Horny Toad and Goblin Shark respectively. 
** Originally Somakurina was named Mitsurioth, which was a combination of Mitsukurina and Plesioth. This name was soon rejected however as it sounds fairly unoriginal and I wanted to distance Somakurina's association with Plesioth. 
***Plesioth was originally going to be in Monster Hunter Farlands and it was going to be a rival to Somakurina, however, Plesioth was dropped as it was deemed unimportant and generally a poor fit for the game.
* The drastic range between Somakurina's Large Gold Crown and Small Gold Crown sizes are based on the massive size difference between male and female goblin sharks, as well as other fish. Female sharks tend to be significantly larger than male sharks and the same is true for Somakurina, so Large Gold or Silver Crown individuals can all be assumed to be female.
*Note the line "Very few people have ever seen a living Somakurina during the day". This is because Somakurina and other deep sea monsters wash up on the shore and are found during the day as globsters. 
**Somakurina in particular was first discovered by the Guild in the Old World as it washed up on the shore as a globster. This could imply that its range extends as far as the entire planet's oceans, however, this remains to be studied. 
*
Category:Monster Creation
Category:Piscine Wyvern
Category:Water Element Monster
Category:Sleep Monster
Category:Blindness Monster
Category:Lillid0ptera
Category:4 Star Level Monster