Oh! I didn't realize they were bipedal. I don't know why but I always thought they were quadrupeds.

this is not a dolphoria, this is a dilophoria, a creature of my husband's design.

Oh. Okay. I guess the name should have given it away.

This...may be a new creature. "Di'-lo-foria" not "Dol'-foria". The Dolphoria are called "Skull DOGS" for a reason. This would be more a Skull T-rex.

TM

This creature is not a dolphoria, but a related species subjected to much genetic tinkering by darnathi geneticists. Conceptually, it's a mix of a dolphoria and a dilophosaurus (closer to the Jurassic Park version than the actual dinosaur). The dilophoria is larger, faster, and combines its potent pheromones capable of knocking a darnathi or human unconscious with the ability to spit powerful acid capable of separating metal ore from rock.

Like the dolphoria, dilophoria eat metal ore, deriving nutrition and energy from the impurities via gut fauna that feeds on metal ore and produces energy (biomining is actually a thing). Dilophoria use some of the extracted metal to strengthen their bones, but for the most part they spit it back up as it no longer has any use for them.

Darnathi geneticists created the dilophoria with potential use as military attack animals. They are quick and fearsome predators, with the idea of sending packs of them behind enemy lines to harass rear echelon troops, disrupt supply lines, and sabotage enemy mining operations. Unfortunately, it worked too well, and too many subjects escaped to form breeding populations.

At least, this is the case in my D&D campaign, where most dungeons are ancient darnathi settlements and strongholds, and one island in particular is overrun with all kinds of monsters, both of Alvarnian origin and native evolution and magical or divine intervention.

Oh wow I love that Creature design! Looks awesome!