The Bulwark is one of the premier predators of Apoc-earth. Found on just about every continent of the planet, Bulwarks are the ultimate killer, capable of dragging down any kind of prey. The origins of the Bulwark are unclear, but many believe that Bulwark is a descendant of the olm, blind cave-dwelling newts of pre-Apoc Earth that were exposed to massive amounts of an unknown energy.

Males can weigh upwards of 2,000 lbs. and can tower around six feet at the shoulder. Females are only slightly smaller. Bulwarks are covered in a thick, metallic like hide around the head and neck, descending down their back. Their legs and underbellies are covered in a thick, leathery skin. Their hides are valued items to Churls, who will use the thicker neck hide for armor, and the rest of the skin for clothing.

The Bulwark is blind, but only in the sense that it has no eyes. Research conducted by Apoc High-bred scientists has revealed that the Bulwark has a highly developed brain, with an incredibly large olfactory, frontal, and parietal lobes. The occipital lobe, oddly, is practically non-existent. Bulwarks are social creatures, hunting in small packs of three to seven. On occasion, when hunting is good, packs might reach the size of fifteen or more. It is believed that Bulwarks might employ some form of telepathic communication, to coordinate everything from hunting to mating. The assumption is based on the large size of the Bulwarks parietal lobe.

Tactics: The hunting tactics of the Bulwark are highly developed and complicated. It is believed that Bulwarks hunt not only using their keen senses of smell and hearing, but through a medium of telepathic sensory. This is just a theory, and further research is needed to confirm it. What is confirmed are the tactics employed by the Bulwark. Bulwarks are ambush hunters. One Bulwark will usually attack the prey, directing it to where the rest of the pack is lying in wait, similar to the tactics employed by the ancient African lion.

Little else is known about the Bulwark. Attempts to study Bulwarks in the wild are nearly impossible because of their heightened sense of awareness. Much remains to be explained. One question plaguing High-bred scientists is the yellow scarring phase all Bulwarks go through. Older Bulwarks, regardless of gender, will begin to be covered in long, yellow scars that will glow, and sometimes ooze a dangerous toxin.

Bulwark Art by Patri Balanovsky.

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