Avalinax

Avalinax are arctic Brute Wyverns introduced in Monster Hunter Strike.

### **Physiology**

Avalinax are slender, medium-sized Brute Wyverns. They have icy black talons, scaled skin and a slim body frame. Their color pattern is a cold blue with hints of mint. The most prominent detail of an Avalinax, however, is their two sails, one on their heads, the other along their spines. They use these sails to cut beneath the snow of the Verglas Mesa.

### **Behavior**

Avalinax are predators by nature, though tend to only attack when recognizing a foe or on the hunt. They often target Wulg as their main prey, though Anteka are a common substitute. They are often oblivious to hunters’ presence, though will retaliate immediately when provoked, rather than attempting to intimidate their target with a roar first.

### Tracks

Avalinax can leave Snowslits, Sail sashes or Decaying carcasses in their wake.

### Specific Locale Interactions

Avalinax has no specific locale interactions

### Interactions with Other Monsters

Avalinax and Beotodus will often duel, disregarding previous engagements, if they encounter one another.

### Turf Wars

#### Against Barioth

The Barioth roars at the approaching Avalinax, who snaps at the Flying Wyvern. The Barioth dodges, leaving a tornado in its wake, pulling the Avalinax up from the snow. The Brute Wyvern quickly recovers and torpedoes itself at the Barioth, leaving both damaged. Result: Tie.

#### Against Glacial Agnaktor

The Glacial Agnaktor burrows far beneath the Avalinax’s capabilities, only for it to launch up from below, knocking the Avalinax over. The Agnaktor follows with two beak slams, completely stunning the Avalinax. Result: Glacial Agnaktor Win.

#### Against Goss Harag

The Goss quickly rushes ahead at the unburrowed Avalinax, who slips under the snow and dodges. However, the Goss Harag reaches down and pries the Brute Wyvern from the snow by pulling its tail. The Goss creates an icy blade and damages the Avalinax, who is unable to fight back. Eventually, the Avalinax is launched away, the Goss bored. Goss Harag then always leaves the zone after this Turf War. Result: Goss Harag Win.

#### Against Beotodus

The two monsters roar at each other then submerge, rushing at each other. The Beo strikes with his head, missing just enough for the Avalinax to dodge and attack the Beotodus’ side. The two spin around each other, attacking frequently but missing just as often. The Avalinax eventually lands a kick to the Beo’s stomach, knocking it down. Result: Avalinax Win.

## **Abilities**

Avalinax mostly relies on physical strength against foes, using its agility to its advantage. It can zip around while submerged, sometimes lobbing large snowballs at foes. When aboveground, their claws, jaws and legs can be used to surprising effect, likely due to their smaller size than other Brute Wyverns.

## **Ecological Information**

### Ecology

Avalinax and Beotodus, likely due to their convergently evolved lifestyle of living and swimming in the snow, are arch-rivals to one another. Beotodus schools, usually made up of two or three individuals, will often kill Avalinax who have made a nest in an area the Beotodus have claimed. On the flipside, Avalinax often hunt lone Beotodus as prey. Sometimes, Avalinax have even been seen hunting Beotodus for sport, though the species’ lack of intelligence may hint towards a different conclusion. Bizarrely enough, Beotodus often mistake Avalinax Hatchlings as their own young, caring for them until their Sails become prolific enough for the Piscine to notice a difference.

### Habitat

Avalinax are native to icy tundra and glaciers where they are capable of submerging in the snow and ice. During an unauthorized experiment, a captured Avalinax was deposited in the Silver Grotto, which is a Taiga environment, and observed. The Avalinax never left the spot it awoke in, only venturing to the water’s edge for a drink every once in a while. However, the Avalinax was soon mauled by a Wengitirgo who was hunting in the nearby Bamboo Forest. The researchers involved in this experiment were swiftly demoted.

### Ecological Niche

Avalinax are mid-stage predators in the Verglas Mesa. While not as powerful as the apexes such as Goss Harag, they can hold their own against even Barioth. Avalinax control the Beotodus and Wulg populations near the water's edge.

### Biological Adaptations

Avalinax’s sails are specifically made for survival, serving dual purposes. They aid in travel, cutting through snow like butter, as well as absorbing whatever sunlight pierces the blizzards that coat the Verglas Mesa.

## **Cutscenes**

Setting Sail along the Frozen Coast: Verglas Mesa: Area 1:

The Hunter(s) arrive(s) from the camp-boat that delivered them from Panos to the Verglas Mesa. They step onto a small plateau overlooking the Glacial Seaway, witnessing a Beotodus in pain. They leap down to investigate, only to find the Beotodus still in the shallow water. The killer, an Avalinax, emerges from behind it’s quarry, blood staining its maw. It roars and the hunt begins.

## **Game Data**

### Rage and Tired States

* Rage State: Sail flushes with pine greens and icy blues
* Tired State: sail becomes pale blue

### Interactions With Unique Statuses

Avalinax have not yet been seen affected by any Unique Statuses.

### Mounts/Clutch Claw Effects

#### Mounting

Avalinax has a somewhat frantic mount, where it dives in and out of the snow in an attempt to knock you off it.

#### Clutch Claw

Avalinax cannot be Clutch-Clawed due to the lack of the Clutch Claw in MHS.

### Breakable parts

Avalinax’s head, tail and legs can be broken.

### Physical Damage Effectiveness

 Cutting Damage
 Blunt Damage
 Piercing Damage

### Sharpness Damage Effectiveness

 Head
 Legs
 Body
 Tail

### Elemental Effectiveness

#### Fanon

 Star Count

Note: Earth has no rating due to the lack of the element within MHS.

## **Theme**

Glacial Shifts--The Verglas Mesa (Fanmade DnD music)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdDvDbMzGr4&list=LL&index=7

## Shiny Item Drops

#### Material Items

An Avalinax talon will drop from breaking the legs and a Tooth will drop from breaking the head.

#### Slinger Ammo

No Slinger ammo is dropped via Clutch Claw attacks.

## **Equipment**

Avalinax Armor Set Bonus:

* Avalinax Snowstride: Grants the effects of Ice Defense and Polar Mobility

## **Notes/Trivia**

* Avalinax is based on Altispinax, a close relative of Concavenator and the general ideas of Dinosaurs inhabiting the rare arctic environment. It’s colors were inspired by penguins and other arctic birds.
* Avalinax’s gimmick of burying under the snow, while similar to Beotodus, was originally inspired by the mod for ARK: Survival Evolved mod, ARK Additions, specifically their Concavenator. Said Concavenator was the primary inspiration for Avalinax’s desert subspecies.
* Avalinax's art was traced and modified from the ARK Additions Concavenator dossier art. Credit for the original art goes to the artist Dave Melvin.
* Avalinax was originally conceptualized backwards, as the idea for the subspecies came first. Conca Avalinax, at the time going under a different name, was thought up first, and normal Avalinax was going to be the Subspecies. This was changed during development of the creature.
* Avalinax’s name comes from Avalanche and Altispinax