Arviq

**Arviq** are Fanged Beasts first introduced in the MH Fanon Wiki.

## Physiology

The Arviq shares similarities with various creatures, both aquatic and terrestrial, such as a Ceadeus's serpentine body plan and the snaggletoothed jaws of a Deviljho, these large dolphins are a most terrible sight. Algae green on the topside of their bodies with a soft beige underbelly, their yellow eyes are flanked by the same thorny protrusions that cover their clawed flippers. Small, vestigial back limbs wave flimsily in the current while sets of spikes grow out form their back and dorsal fin. Their melons are bulbous, nostrils peeking out from atop as the long beak below houses around a hundred fangs.

## Abilities

Despite being labelled a small monster, these social predators are dangerous even for their categorization, similarly vicious as Generation 2 Remobra. With hardened flippers, an agile body and mouth full to bursting with sharp teeth, they make quick work of the unwary and foolish.

### **Attacks**

* **Charge:** Common ramming attack. The monster will reel back slightly before thrusting forward, quickly closing any distance between them and the opponent. Typically does minor damage and sends the hunter reeling. 5% chance of causing stun in Low Rank, 5% added for each respective rank above.
* **False Charge:** The Arviq will appear to perform a regular charge move, but in their reeling animation will have one of their pectoral flippers splayed out, signifying it's a false charge. Once the monster charges, it will swerve in the direction it's flipper pointed, smacking the hunter/buddy with the opposite flipper, dealing minor damage whilst sending them reeling. 10% chance of causing stun.
* **Flipper Slap:** A stationary version of the False Charge, where the small monster will simply harshly wave its flipper at an enemy, dealing minor damage but with a very high chance to stun. About 30%
* **Bite:** The monster will attempt to bite whatever's in front of them. The number of bites increases by 1 per additional rank it is fought in, dealing minor damage and inflicting Defense Down.
* **Tailsmack:** If an opponent is around the Arviq's tail, it will spontaneously thrash, sending whoever's closeby flying, dealing minor damage. 15% chance of causing stun in Low Rank, 5% added for each respective rank above.
* **Frenzy:** Whenever the hunter and/or buddy is found stunned, they should be quick to break out of their stun, cuase if they are unable to within the span of 5 seconds, then all Arviq present in the area can and will gang up on the player, rushing them for a good portion of their health in chip damage. Depending on the number of Arviq present, this could well turn into a cart if there are 3 or more. The attack typically extends for 10 seconds if triggered.

## Behavior

Aggressive yet smart, these social cetaceans of the carnivorous side are regarded as the jackals of the sea, in comparison with their larger distant relative's as the Man O' War, the Arluq. While capable of hunting anything from small fish and Ludroth, to the small but defensive pods of Arfeq, they prefer to tackle creatures of truly immense sizes. From the aforementioned Arluq to fully grown Lagiacrus, their main tactic to rush in, sheer off pieces of flesh from the creature they're attacking with their horrid teeth, and then swim away as fast as they strike. They know not to pick fights when it would spell their doom if they did such. Their sociability comes in the form of their pods, with their being at least 2 Arviq in any group, their fellow dolphin are perhaps the only creatures in the sea they aren't immediately hostile to.

## Habitat

Able to live in shallow waters and out in the open ocean, with the only apparent restriction in their range being from freshwater habitats and more polar regions, save the Frost Islands, warm enough to house them and prey they would prefer to seek out, such as the truly massive Monksnail. In regions they are found in, only a single pod would be encountered at any visit.

## Equipment

*For more information, see Arviq Equipment.*

## Notes

### General

* Like Remobra in their introductory game, Monster Hunter Dos, they are able to become a significantly more potent threat thanks to their inflated healthpool, similar to that of an early game large monster, despite they themselves being classed as a small monster.
* They only spawn in pairs or upto groups of 4. One will never find a lone Arviq.

## Trivia

* They follow the same naming scheme as the previous two whale monsters created by Palodromy, even though they themselves are not whales.
* Their designs are not so obviously based on the Brute Wyvern Deviljho.