History FanonPokedex / Darumaka

Darmanitan, despite being predators, (which leads to occasional roles as villains, such as a [[EdgarAllanPoe short story]] where one was revealed to be the crafty murderer of several people) are often depicted as more educated and scholarly in fiction than other primate Pokémon - to the point where a human librarian (in a series of [[Literature/{{Discworld}} satirical fantasy novels]]) that got turned into a Darmanitan decided to [[CursedWithAwesome stay that way]].

Darmanitan are far larger, and have much longer limbs with well-developed hands and feet, though their bodies are still very round. They walk on their knuckles, occasionally sitting back on their hind legs to manipulate objects. The spots on their bellies are now orange, and flame sacks behind the eyebrows constantly jet fire, making their eyebrows seem like they are always flaming. They have an orange “mask” around their eyes and nostrils, and their mouths are filled with sharp, serrated teeth.

In the Darumaka stage of this strain, the hormonal balance is merely changed, leading it to ignore things that would normally startle such a small Pokémon. In the Darmanitan stage, however, the Pokémon undergoes a drastic transformation when its body takes a sufficient amount of strain or stress. It becomes almost completely immobile and immovable, almost seeming like a stone statue. Its fur and skin turn turquoise, except for its eyebrows, which become orange, though flame no longer jets out from behind them. Their arms and legs are folded close to their bodies, and their eyes become clouded and glassy.

This line prefers hot habitats – volcanic regions, savannahs, even rainforests can be homes for these Pokémon. However, they seem to have a slight preference for deserts, and that’s where the largest populations of Darumaka and Darmanitan are found. They can live pretty much anywhere if they really need to, though.

Darumaka are mostly harmless, if a bit hyperactive and mischievous at times. However, sometimes they don’t know their own strength, and accidentally hurt humans, though this usually causes them to stop the behavior, and no fatalities have been reported.

Fortunately, captive Darmanitan tend to be far more trusting and friendly, especially when raised from the Darumaka stage.

Darumaka are relatively immature, and so rarely breed outside of captivity.

Mature male Darmanitan attract females by wandering around their territories and letting out long, booming calls. The females are attracted not only by the sound of a potential mate, but to possible protection from roaming adolescent male Darmanitan, which are more aggressive towards them.

Once the male is done mating, he leaves; he takes no part in caring for the young. Female Darmanitan give birth to one or two young or eggs at a time, and dote over them for several years before they become independent. She teaches them how to find food and make tools, and protects them from any danger, real or perceived.

Interestingly, Daruamka are known to take care of their mothers in turn when the latter is in trouble – a town once reported an incident where a pair of Darumaka was stealing food for their mother, who had changed to Zen Mode to prevent the town bell tower from collapsing.

Darumaka are highly valued and respected among humans for one reason in particular – their dung. Darumaka droppings are hard, very warm pellets that aren’t very messy; as a result, they were often collected by humans and placed in pockets to keep themselves warm in cold months. That, combined with their generally docile nature, led to Darumaka becoming popular as pets in regions where they lived. Temples in some regions make large amounts of wooden Darumaka dolls; at the beginning of winter, they burn the dolls in the hopes that they will lead to more real Darumaka being born soon.

Darmanitan, despite being predators, (which leads to occasional roles as villains, such as a [[EdgarAllanPoe short story]] where one was revealed to be the crafty murderer of several people) are often depicted as more educated and scholarly in fiction than other primate Pokémon - to the point where a human librarian (in a series of [[{{Discworld}} satirical fantasy novels]]) that got turned into a Darmanitan decided to [[CursedWithAwesome stay that way]].

Written by {{Tropers/Umbramatic}}; feel free to PM me on the forums if you have any suggestions. If I don't respond... consult the [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=rmvjixctp256gfq3p86y66ma&page=1 thread]].

Interestingly, Daruamka are known to take care of their mothers in turn when the latter is in trouble – a town once reported an incident where a pair of Darumaka was stealing food for their mother, who had changed to Zen Mode to prevent the town bell tower form collapsing.