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Propabis — Description
Much like the Halugyth and Panthelis, the Propabis is a species that is found in the Underworld's fungal forests, though they are not as restricted to those environments as the others. They do not possess the immense size of the Halugyth, or the strange heads of the Panthelis that would make tunnel traveling difficult. In size and shape, they fit more with the Isodons and they even possess tough plates to help ward off predators. The difference here is that their armor is made up of dozens of overlapping plates, which help give it more maneuverability. Each of these pieces have special hooking structures on their edges that help keep them locked together, which is to keep the armor from being penetrated by piercing blows. Due to the many separate pieces of its armor, the Propabis is not the quietest of creatures when it comes to movement. This species has gained the informal name "Clackers," which is due to the sound of their plates bumping into one another whenever they walk. They kind of sound like walking wooden wind chimes!

The real feature of the Propabis that gets everyone's attention is their long facial appendage. Right off the bat, I am going to say that this not their mouth. Many people get the impression that it is a beaked maw that is used to bite and eat, and this is not the case. It is a grasping appendage, acting much like an elephant's trunk. The claw on the end of it may seem toothy and jagged, but that is meant for cutting through fungal flesh and keeping a grip on plucked fruits. Due to its armored nature, the Propabis is not the best when it comes to vertical movement, so this appendage is used to get around that. As they roam through the fungal forests, they can stretch their clamps upwards to pick ripe pods and caps, bringing them back down to their rasping mouth parts. The location of their actual mouth is below their heads, behind the grasping appendage and almost situated between their front most legs. Their mouth is beak-like and is covered with rough, rasping structures. This way they can gnaw away on tough fruits or shelled pods without any problem. When sleeping, the Propabis will retract the clamp and coil it beneath their armor. It is the same place they will hide their young during rest or attacks, keeping them safe behind an armored curtain.

As they wander the fungal forest in search of pods and fruit, they face predatory threats, which mainly comes from the Panthelis. When threatened, the Propabis will use its six legs to clamp to the earth and pull their armor tight against the floor. This will make it difficult for predators to reach their vulnerable underbellies. The Panthelis, though, will use their plow-like heads to try and dig under the Propabis' armor so that they can flip the mighty beast over. To thwart these attempts, the Propabis will lash out with its beaked clamp and try to grab the attackers. While this limb is mainly used to pluck vegetation from high up branches, its serrated edges and powerful grip can be quite dangerous. This clamp can easily saw through flesh and it can even crack bone if it grabs a limb. It also has a decent strength to it, so it can grab opponents and throw them around like rag dolls. The Panthelis must be careful with this appendage, lest it cleaves off a leg or two!

One thing people have wondered about with the Propabis is why an armored creature has such exposed eyes. You would think something that is supposed to repel blows and attacks would not have such vulnerable organs out in the open! Well, the answer to that is that their eyes are not as delicate as you may think! Upon closer study, you will find that these eyes are actually hardened structures that almost have the consistency of stone! Since lighting is quite dim or non-existent in the Underworld, they do not require complicated eyeballs to get around. A simple organ that merely differentiates between light and dark is enough for them, so they can allow it to have such a rigid structure. These eyes are so hard and tough, that they are often used like gemstones! Propabis eyes can be found in jewelry or decoration, and it holds a special place in Underworld culture. An eye of stone is proof that the Gods Below can see all and that the rock that makes up the Underworld is almost a living thing in itself! These stone eyes are often used to symbolize watchfulness, observance and judgement. You will find them used a lot in artwork or statues found in cathedrals and temples. By giving their grand sculptures eyes of stone, the Gods Below may witness their faith and prayer. There even was a famous demon warlord long ago who was called "Judgement's Gaze" that boasted intricate armor that was covered in dozens of these eyes. He was supposedly a rather religious fellow who executed anyone who dared blasphemed in the slightest against the Gods Below. His eye-covered armor was meant to give the Gods Below front seats at every execution he performed, so that they may see his devotion. They probably got a good view too when he was eventually overthrown and murdered. A museum I visited down below boasted his "intact" suit of armor, which was rather cool to see (I say "intact," because apparently demons and shades have a different definition of that word. Yes, his armor was "intact" if you ignored the giant gash that cleaved him from his shoulder to his heart. I guess that word is used down here whenever something isn't smashed to unrecognizable pieces.).

While the eyes of the Propabis hold special value to the demons and shades, they do not serve too well as culinary dishes. Apparently these creatures are a lot smaller than their armor would make you believe, meaning they give very little edible meat. Their trunks, however, are often used for medicinal purposes and are believed to help relieve joint pain and limb weakness. Their armor plates are obviously used to fashion crude armor, but are also used as simple writing tablets! For those who don't want to lug around heavy stone scriptures, the plates of a Propabis offer a lightweight, yet durable, alternative! In fact, many travel maps and tunnel bulletins are carved on these plates to help resist the elements and keep packs light. I have a few of these maps in my own collection, having kept them from my time down below. I am sure everyone was confused about my excitement over them, and my constant asking if I could keep them. It was probably the equivalent of someone freaking out over a travel brochure and going on and on about how amazing and ingenious it was.
Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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If I am filling the Underworld with prehistoric creatures, then it is quite obvious that this guy was coming.