Aspitaur

Aspitaur are small Carapaceons found in the Glittering Caverns, they are the younger form of the Tyrant Aspitaur.

## Physiology

Aspitaurs are small Carapaceons resembling Hermitaurs in shape with 4 legs and two claws, they have two large crushing claws that the Carapaceons can use to grab things or slam into the ground, these claws are adorned with lots of blue tipped spines at the base, Its head has two long fluffy antennae and a short jagged nose like horn. Aspitaurs entire body is a black with gold spots dotting the surface in clusters around the back and claws. Other similar Carapaceons use monster skulls to defend their soft shells, but Aspitaurs use a chunk of gold, which along with its body colouration allows it to easily blend in until it grows larger.

## Behaviour

Aspitaur spends most of its time in the wet regions of the Glittering Caverns and wanders around pulling pieces of food out of the sand, they can also be found hidden in the ground, slightly submerged to cover their dark undersides, with only the antennae, eyes, gold shell and claws visible.

Aspitaurs can also walk down into the deep water in order to escape predators or to hunt for fish. Fleeing Aspitaurs are a sure sign of a nearby predator.

## Useful Information

Aspitaur can charge the golden shell on their back with electricity, hitting it with water pods can safely discharge the electricity allowing hunters to continue to attack.

When hidden, Aspitaur will only reveal themselves when they see a threat, approaching from behind allows you to get the jump on them with a surprise attack.

Copper Calappa and the rare Gold Calappa will approach an Aspitaur carcass and take chunks of gold, this is a useful method for accumulating points as well as finding Gold Calappa to capture.

## Ecological Information

### Placement in Food Chain

Aspitaurs sit low on the food chain and mostly feed on small creatures living near the waters edge but will also venture into the water to catch fish.

They are a common prey item to the other large monsters in the area such as Ebony Odogaron and Alaethiana as well as their primary predator Ivory Lagiacrus

### Behaviour Towards Other Monsters

Aspitaur are passive towards most monsters as well as hunters, only attacking back if provoked. If one of them is slain the others may flee from the attacker (unless the attacker is a hunter).

### Special Behaviours

Aspitaur can be found hiding in their environment with their bodies slightly submerged to hide the black colours leaving only the golden parts showing.

## Abilities

Aspitaur are able to camouflage themselves amongst the shiny rocks in the Glittering Caverns by digging into the ground covering up the darker regions, leaving only the gold and blue tipped spines visible.

Aspitaur is capable of producing a weak electric charge with the claw spines as well as tendrils inside the golden shell, it can use this to produce a weak electric pulse and discharge it into the environment. Aspitaurs can also use this to charge the gold on their back as a secondary defence, when charged the gold will shock anything that touches it making it dangerous to approach, fortunately the charge disperses after about 20 seconds.

Aspitaur can also spit a small glob of water causing waterblight and knocking over hunters.

## Attacks

* Charge: Aspitaur builds up electrical charge in its body causing its claws to vibrate, it can then either discharge this or charge the gold on its back.
* Discharge: Aspitaur Discharges the built up charge in a small area around it.
* Gold Charge: Aspitaur diverts the charge into the gold fragment on its back causing it to glow pale blue and crackle with sparks, any attack whilst the gold is charged will discharge the electricity into the hunter causing a lot damage (for a small monster).
* Claw Slam: Aspitaur slams both of its claws into the ground.
* Push: Aspitaur walks forwards pushing its claws towards the hunter.
* Claw Swipe: Aspitaur walks to the side with one claw raised, then swipes upon reaching a hunter.
* Spit: Aspitaur draws in its claws then opens them spitting a large glob of water.

## Quests

 **Client:** Mineral Researcher
 **Notes:**
*A Tyrant Aspitaur will always appear in this quest*

## Notes

* Aspitaur will quickly emerge from the ground if a Tyrant Aspitaur smashes a soiled rock on the ground.