The elaborate crystal caves of Makthierse are home to an unlikely form of predator, the preying makthier. Ranging roughly one to two meters in length, at first glance these carnivores give the appearance of an amusing form of flying larvae. However, there is nothing laughable about a makthier's voracious hunger. The average makthier is capable of consuming twice its body mass in the space of a single feeding. While makthier typically feed off various small rodents found in their cave dwellings, it is not unheard of for groups of makthiers to hunt away from their lairs, principally on small herd animals in the vicinity. While primarily a nocturnal hunter using highly developed sonic abilities to pinpoint prey in total darkness, the makthier is not above attacking Humanoids who may unknowingly invade its subterranean lairs.
In such instances, makthiers have been known to mass for an attack in groups of 10 or more at a time. Makthiers are also very territorial. For this reason, few colonists settle in areas adjacent to Makthiersian caves. Unfortunately, the full extent of the caves are, as yet, unknown. Much of the northern continental plateau in which the crystal caves are situated may well be honey-combed with passages to and from the interior. In this manner, the preying makthiers may have far more extensive hunting grounds than previously anticipated, thus posing a far more dangerous threat to newly arriving colonists than has been suspected. | 
