Ettekle'sott

The Ettekle'sott as they have been named by the people of South Vitkali are a species of large crustaceans resembling Hermit Crabs. They are considered to have a high intelligence.

Description
Ettekle'sott are an amphibious species of highly intelligent crustaceans. They are born small at about an inch in diameter but quickly reach their once average size of about 3 feet tall and wide. They range in color from transluscent, to orange to black. They can live anywhere along the continental shelf of a saltwater ocean and the shoreline, able to travel about a mile or so inland. They may be able to survive in open ocean and along sea beds, but little else is known.

Life Cycle
Much of their lives are spent looking for a new protective shell for their softer abdomens. They rarely will die from old age, and continue to grow throughout their lives as long as food remains avaliable. The more food they are able to eat the larger they will grow. Shells become harder to find as their bodies begin to get larger. They will lay eggs every 3 years, of the 50 or so eggs laid, 10-20 will survive into their first year.

Recent Years
For the last century or so, traders along the south western coasts of Promesia have been trading with the Etekkle'sott. The humans on the shore provide them with young Dokkel-Taks, crops and crafted shells, while the crabs provide, minerals, passage through the dangerous reefs and protection from pirates and other dangers. This however has caused numerous problems. The abundance of food traded to the Ettekle'sotts has allowed them to grow to an immense size from their average 3 feet in height. The average reported size is around 6 feet tall and rough 2-3 tons. This size combined with their natural strength has turned the tides in the area. Attacks have been reported in the coastal colonies and ships have also reported attacks. This adds to the threats already in the location and trade lines are being severely hurt. The largest reported Etekle'sott is the individual known as Ketellik'detoron (Infinite tide in vitkali) estimated to be around 30 feet tall and weigh anywhere from 10-20 tons. He is believed to be the leader of the local colony of crabs.