Galgan

The Galgan is a sightless creature found in the Duat. Galgan can refer to both plural and singular galgan. There is no group-noun for Galgan, other than possibly incomprehensible screaming.

Physiology

Galgan can grow up to seven feet long. They have six articulated limbs with solid bones. Marrow is found only in sacks within the rib cage, next to the lungs.

The Galgan's abdomen includes a heavily-armored exo-skeleton made of a thick, chitinous material. Its head is small and has long, insect-like feelers covered in fine hairs. The neck is 'S'-shaped, and able to withdraw the head into the exoskeleton.

Joints are fully bi-directional and the muscles in the limbs are very strong.

Intelligence

Though behavior has not been carefully studied, anecdotal evidence suggests that Galgan may be highly intelligent. They have been observed communicating with each other, and use pack-like strategies when hunting. This has led to speculation of canine intelligence, if not higher.

Diet

Galgan eat exclusively basilisks, and are found only in cave systems which contain a large infestation thereof.

Habitat

Galgan are excellent tunnelers, but cannot break through solid rock. They prefer natural caves or deep topsoil with a heavy mix of boulders. They exude a sticky, silken material (not unlike spider silk) from glands near the base of the neck, that allow them to "glue" rocks together to form burrows and tunnels.

Taxonomy

The Galgan, though insect-like in structure, exhibits both mammalian and reptilian features. The silk-like material used to construct burrows points to commonalities with arachnids. Like the Basilisk, the Galgan has no official classification.

Theories of Origin

Because of the Galgan's extremely odd characteristics, it has been hypothesized that they are not natural. No reports exist of Galgan living in the Duat before the late Dynastic Period (though stories of a wide variety of "terrible monsters" are common). This has led to speculation that the Galgan were created artificially, possibly to exterminate basilisks, which are known to be artificial.