Runeback Scorpion
Runebacks were named after their intricate and perfectly symmetrical designs on the back of their shells. They stood out in the desert with their shiny turquoise exoskeletons, as they preferred to lie around lazily on rocks and cacti. Their shells alone were enough to deter would-be predators.
While small, runeback scorpions were frightening to encounter. Runeback venom was magical and caused flesh to bruise before aging rapidly. The scorpion's method of hunting was to sting a creature, causing it to die of magically-induced old age. Then, the creature could be easily fed upon.
Runeback Venom #
Runeback venom was a prized item extracted from captured scorpions, with their beautiful shells being an equally sought-after prize.
Contrary to popular belief, runeback venom did not cause localized temporal manipulation to induce its magical aging; instead it accelerated cellular division while degrading genetic material, ultimately leading to rapid degeneration that mimicked the true ravaging of time.
Deadly Jinifarian assassins would use runeback venom-coated weapons to attack and disable opponents; even if the target wasn't killed, their newfound oldness would be enough to prevent them from opposing whoever conscripted the assassins--for example, rival Jinifarian caliphs.