Sgauru

The bio-engineered beast Sgauru is the other member of the symbiotic pair known as the 'Beater and Biter', the other being Tu-Scart. The pair was created by a group of Master Shapers fifty standard years before the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the galaxy, supposedly at the behest of the Slayer Yun-Yammka. According to legend, the Slayer blessed the shapers with the knowledge necessary to create such creatures. The Slayer ordered them to shape the symbiotes to fulfill the need for large beasts capable of obliterating the monolithic duracrete structures of the inhabitants of the galaxy and free the Warrior Caste to attend to more important duties. Due to the 'divine nature' of their conception, Tu-Scart and Sgauru are held in particularly high regard in the military of the Yuuzhan Vong.

Sgauru, which when translated means 'bludgeon,' is a unique organism nicknamed 'Biter' by the Warmaster Tsavong Lah. The muscular, segmented slug is 10 meters long and is covered in armored plates of flat, white chitin. Three pairs of stubby legs sprout from its front half while its tail ends in pincers. A pair of beady black eyes is set flat upon its oversized, armored white head. A powerful set of neck muscles supports the massive cranium and allows Sgauru to use it as a wrecking ball against enemy structures. Sgauru's mouth contains four dozen feeder-tendrils; each is four meters long and used to devour fallen rubble and fleeing enemies.

Relatively sedate during space travel and in the presence of Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology, it is not until contact with the technology of the denizens of the galaxy that Sgauru becomes enraged. The creature is herded out of the landing craft and pushed into combat, attached to Tu-Scart's top coil with its tail pincers. While rampaging through cities, Sgauru rears up and flails its thick, stubby legs against a building and smashes its armored head through the structure. The Biter uses its many mouth tentacles to pull the resulting rubble and debris into its mouth, whereupon its powerful stomach acids dissolve the materials.

Sgauru's alien appearance has been observed to have adverse effects on populations subjected to its rampage. The beast radiates a demoralizing aura of terror and revulsion. Through interviews conducted with survivors of the Battle of Duro, New Republic scientists and psychologists involved in the Eclipse Project have come to the conclusion that this aura is a combination of the undulation of Sgauru's feeder-tendrils and the secretion of fear-inducing pheromones. Scientists involved in the study of the beasts have also speculated upon the nature of the monsters. Common theory dictates that Sgauru is female and Tu-Scart is male. Questions have arisen regarding the possibility of reproduction; although it is unlikely the pair can breed due to divergent genetic codes. Opposite of the study of reproduction and birth is the question of death. The lifespan of the pair is unknown, as are the effects of the death of one of the beasts upon the other. However, being the lesser half of the symbiotic relationship, it is safe to assume that Sgauru would be severely inhibited or die if Tu-Scart were killed, whereas the reverse would not be true.

The only documented report of the Beater and Biter's rampages occurred during the Battle of Duro. Researchers involved with the Eclipse Project speculate that the beasts may be held in reserve for only the most important battles, released only with the Warmaster's distinct orders. It is known that they reside onboard the late Warmaster Tsavong Lah's flagship. It is also commonly believed both were destroyed along with the Sunulok during the Battle of Coruscant in The Unifying Force.