HOME | DD

Description

Monikers: Baragon, Varagon, Baragora, Bhara, Baranodraco rufescens
Initial Report: 08/08/1965
Hyperfaunal Category: II
Threat Level: Jöttnar
Mass: 15,000 tonnes
Length: 150 m
History
The first records of “Baragon” date back to the Edo period. It was described as a yōkai that lived underground and defended Niigata Prefecture from attacks and natural disasters. Reports gradually subsided, until on 08-08-1965, when a “large, flaming thing with russet skin” emerged from beneath the Niitsu oil field. Likely awakened by oil drilling and finding itself covered in crude oil upon surfacing, the creature somehow combusted and laid waste to the oil field in a manic frenzy, before disappearing underground once more. In a first for such an incident, no lives were lost. An investigation into the incident began, and in the following weeks a network of underground caves was detected by a geological survey. As is typical of hyperfauna, “Baragon” disappeared entirely.

On 04-07-1994, with the emergence of “Yamata no Orochi”, the dual awakening of “Baragon” and “Shisa” took place. Emerging from beneath Mount Myoko, the horned creature made its way towards “Orochi” and attacked; some eyewitness reports suggest it held its own for an entire hour prior to the arrival of “Shisa”, whereupon the two proceeded to violently attack the third creature, forcing it to retreat. “Baragon” would follow it underground, and later resurfaced carrying a detached appendage, still writhing in agony. In the years since the 1994 incident, “Baragon” has maintained a consistent surface presence, and some towns provide the creature with surplus livestock.

Biology
Subject “Baragon” is a hyperfaunal non-mammalian synapsid (see Addendum I). Among the few Category II hyperfauna, it is one of a select few species that have evolved a fossorial lifestyle. The glandular skin of its ancestors, though still present, is protected from the elements by two rows of segmented, bony growths. A row of small spines runs from the base of its neck to its snout, culminating in a large defensive horn. For a burrowing creature, “Baragon” bears unusually large eyes. Its ear morphology has evolved to accommodate this, with each possessing a concave notch designed to fit around the horn. When folded, the ears can cover the entire face, providing an added layer of protection when digging. As it is more or less blind when constructing a new burrow, “Baragon” relies heavily on smell and touch for navigation.

Though initially unassuming as a result of its relatively small size, “Baragon” is a formidable adversary. Its armour is solid enough to protect against most blows, though its sensitive, nerve-dense skin puts it at somewhat of a disadvantage. Claws used primarily for burrowing can be put to good use in a fight, switching on a dime from digging appendages to outright meathooks and allowing the creature to inflict horrific wounds. Hyper-serrated teeth designed to tear apart softer prey can also be put to good use on larger opponents, tearing off ribbons of flesh with each bite. A more obvious addition to “Baragon’s” arsenal is the enormous horn atop its head, though its function is unconventional as far as horns go. It serves as an energy storage device, much like the dorsal plates of “Gojira”. Mostly functioning as a strange form of bioluminescence, the horn is capable of superheating the air for roughly 150 m in front of it. Heat can be retained, turning “Baragon’s” horn into a stabbing implement as hot as magma.

As far as hyperfauna go, “Baragon” is unusually benevolent towards humans, even going out of its way to avoid populated areas when possible. Despite initial beliefs, records of it as a self-assigned protector of sorts may not be entirely inaccurate. In certain situations “Baragon” will willingly cooperate with other hyperfauna, notably “Shisa”, perhaps out of common interest. Any creature deemed an excessive risk is dealt with accordingly, and is met with extreme and seemingly uncharacteristic violence. Such brutal displays are often preceded by vigorous posturing and loud, almost thunderous bellows. The majority of vocalizations emitted by “Baragon” are far quieter and softer, sometimes with an eerily human quality to them.

Threat Mitigation
“Baragon”, as with “Mosura”, is one of the few hyperfauna for which a dedicated Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol does not exist. Though proposals have been made, there is simply no need at present.

Addendum I - Taxonomy
Ascertaining the taxonomic relationships of “Baragon” was long regarded as a fool's errand, with initial attempts obfuscated by its possession of attributes from various synapsid clades. Genetic analysis has revealed that “Baragon” is part of a novel clade of basal therapsids that has independently evolved mammalian traits. Some have speculated the involvement of extensive horizontal gene transfer, though mere convergence is more likely.

Description

Monikers: Baragon, Varagon, Baragora, Bhara, Baranodraco rufescens
Initial Report: 08/08/1965
Hyperfaunal Category: II
Threat Level: Jöttnar
Mass: 15,000 tonnes
Length: 150 m
History
The first records of “Baragon” date back to the Edo period. It was described as a yōkai that lived underground and defended Niigata Prefecture from attacks and natural disasters. Reports gradually subsided, until on 08-08-1965, when a “large, flaming thing with russet skin” emerged from beneath the Niitsu oil field. Likely awakened by oil drilling and finding itself covered in crude oil upon surfacing, the creature somehow combusted and laid waste to the oil field in a manic frenzy, before disappearing underground once more. In a first for such an incident, no lives were lost. An investigation into the incident began, and in the following weeks a network of underground caves was detected by a geological survey. As is typical of hyperfauna, “Baragon” disappeared entirely.

On 04-07-1994, with the emergence of “Yamata no Orochi”, the dual awakening of “Baragon” and “Shisa” took place. Emerging from beneath Mount Myoko, the horned creature made its way towards “Orochi” and attacked; some eyewitness reports suggest it held its own for an entire hour prior to the arrival of “Shisa”, whereupon the two proceeded to violently attack the third creature, forcing it to retreat. “Baragon” would follow it underground, and later resurfaced carrying a detached appendage, still writhing in agony. In the years since the 1994 incident, “Baragon” has maintained a consistent surface presence, and some towns provide the creature with surplus livestock.

Biology
Subject “Baragon” is a hyperfaunal non-mammalian synapsid (see Addendum I). Among the few Category II hyperfauna, it is one of a select few species that have evolved a fossorial lifestyle. The glandular skin of its ancestors, though still present, is protected from the elements by two rows of segmented, bony growths. A row of small spines runs from the base of its neck to its snout, culminating in a large defensive horn. For a burrowing creature, “Baragon” bears unusually large eyes. Its ear morphology has evolved to accommodate this, with each possessing a concave notch designed to fit around the horn. When folded, the ears can cover the entire face, providing an added layer of protection when digging. As it is more or less blind when constructing a new burrow, “Baragon” relies heavily on smell and touch for navigation.

Though initially unassuming as a result of its relatively small size, “Baragon” is a formidable adversary. Its armour is solid enough to protect against most blows, though its sensitive, nerve-dense skin puts it at somewhat of a disadvantage. Claws used primarily for burrowing can be put to good use in a fight, switching on a dime from digging appendages to outright meathooks and allowing the creature to inflict horrific wounds. Hyper-serrated teeth designed to tear apart softer prey can also be put to good use on larger opponents, tearing off ribbons of flesh with each bite. A more obvious addition to “Baragon’s” arsenal is the enormous horn atop its head, though its function is unconventional as far as horns go. It serves as an energy storage device, much like the dorsal plates of “Gojira”. Mostly functioning as a strange form of bioluminescence, the horn is capable of superheating the air for roughly 150 m in front of it. Heat can be retained, turning “Baragon’s” horn into a stabbing implement as hot as magma.

As far as hyperfauna go, “Baragon” is unusually benevolent towards humans, even going out of its way to avoid populated areas when possible. Despite initial beliefs, records of it as a self-assigned protector of sorts may not be entirely inaccurate. In certain situations “Baragon” will willingly cooperate with other hyperfauna, notably “Shisa”, perhaps out of common interest. Any creature deemed an excessive risk is dealt with accordingly, and is met with extreme and seemingly uncharacteristic violence. Such brutal displays are often preceded by vigorous posturing and loud, almost thunderous bellows. The majority of vocalizations emitted by “Baragon” are far quieter and softer, sometimes with an eerily human quality to them.

Threat Mitigation
“Baragon”, as with “Mosura”, is one of the few hyperfauna for which a dedicated Anti-Hyperfauna Protocol does not exist. Though proposals have been made, there is simply no need at present.

Addendum I - Taxonomy
Ascertaining the taxonomic relationships of “Baragon” was long regarded as a fool's errand, with initial attempts obfuscated by its possession of attributes from various synapsid clades. Genetic analysis has revealed that “Baragon” is part of a novel clade of basal therapsids that has independently evolved mammalian traits. Some have speculated the involvement of extensive horizontal gene transfer, though mere convergence is more likely.