While unborn, zards (short for frogzards) are adapting to the environment of the mother. Although there are some who believe the method of this adaptation is magical in nature, others argue that it is a quite natural phenomenon. Regardless, when the zardlings are hatched, they are totally suited for the environment in which they were born by matching coloration, attacks, and defense to that environment.

Mother zards are extremely protective of their young. The fierce mother watches the infant zardlings carefully. She even carries the young in her mouth until they are ready to go out on their own. As a strange adaptation, the mother can actually use the young as a means of attack by hurling them from her jaws; the infants then attack briefly before running off to safety.

When infant zards grow old enough to fend for themselves, they briefly travel in small packs of 4 to 12. Because zards are not naturally group hunters, they simply swarm and ravage prey instead of stalking and using teamwork. Even though this swarming instinct vanishes when the juvenile zards reach adolescence, they will still occasionally travel with a hunting partner or mate, doubling their strength and safety. It has been observed that zards might also team up with a third member.

Because they grow throughout their lifetime, older zards are huge and vicious. The male zards tend to grow bigger than females, but the older females are doubly dangerous. This is because they have a strong protective instinct that becomes fiercer as time goes on. Even though these older “grandmother” zards can no longer mate, they instinctively adopt all zards as their young, and protect them with all of their might. It is recommended that no one approach a zard if there is a grandmother zard in the area.

Zard Mutants and Hybrids

The mysterious and evil Zardmaster has produced some dangerous mutant zards. He also created hybrids by combining zards with different types of animals. The Whalezard, for example, is one of his hybrids.

Other forces have created mutant zards, such as the Wizards of Darkness, who created the Darkzard, and the Lord of Energy, who created the Energyzard. The dangerous Carnzard is a hybrid of an Frogzard and the evil Carnax.

Zard mutants have been known to lead packs of similar natural zards. For example, a BlizZard would be the dominant member of a pack of Icezards. This is not at all surprising, as the mutant and hybrid zards tend to be much stronger than their natural counterparts.

Domestication

There have been many attempts to domesticate zards, either as stock or as work animals. Success has been achieved with Frogzard farms, where tough Frogzard hides are used to create armor and shields. Also with patience and care, young zards can be successfully trained as companions and pets.

Currently young Frogzards (zardlings) are for sale as pets to the general public. Guardians can purchase the Guardian Firezard as a pet, and new Guardians can purchase the Guardian Darkzard.

It is known that the Rayzards, which are more intelligent than other zard types, are used as animals of labor by the Oreian dwarves. Also, the War Academy of Zardology has produced an extremely tough warzard. Evil forces also use the Zardmaster's creations to protect their dungeons and treasures, so it is not unusual for an adventurer to find an Infernozard or Darkzard in a graveyard or underground hallway.

Zard Myths

For as long as anyone can remember, people have tried to raise zards as pets. Although infant zards are friendly and playful, they quickly turn on their masters as they grow older. Thus, many infant zards had been tossed into city sewer systems. Legend has it that one thrived in the filth beneath the city, and grew to the size of five horses. This “Sewerzard” is supposed to be so tough that no even the mightiest heroes and guardians can kill it. It is more likely, though, that such a creature does not exist.

Stories have frequently surfaced of a humanoid zard. Supposedly a creature like the lycans (werewolves), this Werezard is able to wield weapons and cast spells. It has been rumored that guardian animals and pets follow it. Other stories tell of zards that adapt to encroaching human civilizations by becoming intelligent humanoids. There is even one outrageous story of a special anti-zard weapon, such as an ax or sword, that turns the wielder into a Werezard. Of course, all of this is mere speculation and rumor.

References

Almost all information presented is from the Adventure Quest RPG. Most of it was gleaned from individual zard stats or Zard Hunter references. Some of it, such as the zard lifecycle, comes from field observation. The information presented as speculation, rumor, and myth is just that: it is not official Adventure Quest information.

Revised August 10, 2006.