Prickleboggle

The **Prickleboggle** is a large Stoker Class dragon that lives in the desert.

## Official Description

Solitary by nature, the Prickleboggle scours the barren desert for prey, and defends itself from any attackers through numerous means. When struck, the Prickleboggle releases thousands of needles that contain a deadly poison, able to end a life within minutes. Both fauna and humans are smart enough to stay away from these menacing dragons.

## Physical Appearance

### Egg

The Prickleboggle's egg is oval-shaped and has small spikes and ridges circling its circumference. It is usually green in color, but sometimes it will have brown accents or spots on it.

### Hatchling to Adult

As a hatchling, the Prickleboggle will not have any spines. However, their bodies are still covered in tiny needles to ward off predators who try and feast on unwary hatchlings.

Once they reach a juvenile state, their poisonous spines will start to grow in and their body will grow in mass and muscle. Their tail will take shape into a round club, with spines extruding from it.

Once a Prickleboggle reaches adulthood, its spines will grow out to nearly two feet in length - though some can reach up to four feet! Their talons can reach up to 12 inches, and can fatally wound another equally-sized dragon. Its underbelly is made up of spiky plates that are sharp enough to pierce leather armor. Their wings are also colored in a way where it fades from green to brown at the bottom.

Prickleboggles also have four ridged horns, hooked wing talons, and a short snout. Their body is quite thick and muscly, giving them great strength and endurance.

## Abilities

### Firepower

The Prickleboggle has many fire types: a wide stream of fire, flaming projectiles that explode upon impact, and flammable dust.

Its firepower is its secondary means of defense, but when it is forced to use its fire, steer clear of this beast. Its wide stream of fire can burn down a forest in less than thirty minutes. The flaming projectiles that it can fire will explode upon impact, obliterating anything in its path. The flammable dust it scatters ignites when touched by fire, allowing for a wide spread of defense and attack.

### Flammable Dust Scatter

When threatened, the Prickleboggle will let out a flammable dust from its mouth, which will scatter around the area and float in the air. It is then able to light this dust, causing it to explode and maim anything in its path. This is a useful combat method when needing to attack multiple enemies or cover a large area. Although it is a stamina-depleting attack, many Prickleboggles will not hesitate to use it against threats.

### Poison Spines

The Prickleboggle's body is covered almost entirely with long, poisonous spines. Within their spines is a poison that causes internal bleeding. Although there is an antidote, you have no more than an hour to administer it, as this venom usually kills between 30-45 minutes after infliction. It is this reason why Prickleboggles are avoided in the wild, by both humans and dragons.

### Needle Defense

Also covering the Prickleboggle's body are thousands of tiny needles, which can be ejected at any time for defense. When this dragon is struck, it'll release thousands of these needles, injuring its opponent and giving it time to either attack or flee. These needles, however, are not poisonous, although they will take a long time to pick out.

## Personality and Behavior

Prickleboggles are independent dragons, and will rarely be seen around areas with human activity. If a Prickleboggle by chance spots a human, it will flee, or defend itself if the human seems threatening. However, if you are able to gain their trust, they will stay loyal to you.

In combat, it is is known to use its club-like tail to batter enemies, and its powerful bone crushing jaws to bite at nearby attackers. It'll charge into opposing dragons, impaling them with its poisonous spikes to weaken them before going in for the final kill. If challenging a particularly aggressive prey item, they'll use this same method to make a quick and easy kill.

## Training

Prickleboggles are quite wary of strangers, so one much approach cautiously if they are looking to train or befriend one.

To train one, disarm yourself and offer a plant or meat to it. Bow to the dragon, then wait for it to approach you. If you look up and it is bowing back at you, you’ve earned its trust.

Once you gain a Prickleboggle's trust, it'll be loyal to you forever.

## Trivia

* The Prickleboggle's roar is Tetsucabra's roar from Monster Hunter.

## Image Sources

1. Cactus Dragon by Chaos-Draco on DeviantArt