Cactuar

Cactuars are a Seedkin genus known primarily for their curious, manlike shape and strange, tentative movements.

Physical Features and Behavior
Native to the arid reaches of Thanalan, they are a succulent not unlike nopales and aloes, storing and preserving moisture in their pulpy flesh so that they can survive the extended periods between rainfalls.

Cactuars are generally passive creatures, preferring to be mistaken for ordinary cactus, and will go to great lengths to conceal their true nature. When a cactuar believes it is not being observed, it will move about its habitat by what can only be described as tiptoeing, before assuming its cactus pose again.

Stealth and deception are not the only weapons in the cactuar's arsenal; it is also adorned with stiff, sharp needles, which it can launch for up to four yalms to attack and deter predators. These needles, deadly in large numbers and at point-blank range, also serve as the fourth most common cause of foot injuries in Thanalan, as the needles will often be left on the ground where a cactuar was compelled to defend itself.

Occasionally, certain cactuars have been known to become hostile, or at least antisocial, and stake out a territory. From there, they shower needles at any soul unfortunate enough to draw near. Sadly, such cactuars cannot be reasoned with, and must be terminated in the interests of public safety, and the safety of other cactuars.

Cactuars have two indentations on one side of their central trunks, which appear to serve as their eyes.

Cactuar vs. Sabotender
Despite the appearance of a distinction, both names are correct for the specimens of the genus. This arises as a result of the creatures being named under two separate languages, and both names have continued popularity.

That being said, each species is called by a particular name, and whether a thing is a cactuar or a sabotender depends on local usage.

Known Species

 * Cactuar
 * Cactuar
 * Cochineal Cactuar
 * Uncommon Cactuar
 * Sabotender
 * Flowering Sabotender
 * Sabotender
 * Sabotender Bailaor
 * Sabotender Corrido
 * Sabotender Del Sol
 * Sabotender Desertor
 * Territorial Flowertender
 * Territorial Sabotender
 * Special cactuars
 * Cactuar Jack
 * Sabotender Bailarina

Raimdelle Codex Entry
"This fleshy hunter pricketh and transfixeth a thousandfold all that nigheth him by the length of a jousting lance. Unneth they are found in holts and caves for they may not without sun and heat be long kept without corruption. Their utter parts are askew and aslant and therefore they go never forthright, but always sidewise."