S - Kaiju

== Kaiju ==
The Kaiju of Sethrophos are more than mere beasts; they are divine creations born from the essence of celestial wisdom and cosmic power. Their existence bridges the realms of gods and mortals, embodying both the destructive and protective forces of nature. The Kayani women of Chogha Zanbil, as mothers and guardians of these colossal beings, have created a unique society where harmony with nature and divine strength are paramount. 
=== The Birth of Kaiju ===
On the world of Sethrophos, the origin of the Kaiju is deeply intertwined with the divine beings known as sphinxes and the cosmic entity Zopheros. Their tale begins with the crash of a sphinx egg on Thallasia due to a celestial wish gone awry (this crater is why Thallasia sank and is shaped the way it is) . The sphinxes, divine embodiments of celestial wisdom, had long desired to have physical children. Their wish, however, tore a rift in the fabric of reality, linking the realms of Zopheros, the Women's Isle, and the Forsaken Lands. The sphinx egg, now imbued with the essence of the dark god-engine and lying deep on the ocean floor, began mutating with the mixed divine energy and the biology of the world. The egg's once smooth, golden shell started to bubble and pulsate, as if something inside was trying to break free, and pulled open slightly, releasing a thick, viscous fluid that smelled like a mix of sulfur and rotting meat. The yolk within, throbbing with divine energy, resembled a pulsating mass of flesh rather than anything remotely egg-like. As the yolk grew, it began to split in a process eerily similar to cellular mitosis. The yolk, akin to a cell's nucleus, started to divide. But instead of a clean split, it tore apart with a sickening squelch, each half dripping with slimy, yellow goo. The surrounding egg white, now transformed into a gelatinous, translucent substance, quivered and shuddered with each division. As the yolk nuclei multiplied, the shell membrane, stretched and contorted to accommodate the growing number of yolks. With each new split, the shell would bulge grotesquely, then tear open with a nauseating crack, oozing more of the foul-smelling fluid. Each new egg that formed was a misshapen abomination, with bits of shell and yolk from previous divisions clinging to it like malformed growths. Each new egg carried the potential for further division, perpetuating the cycle of grotesque multiplication. The once single, pristine sphinx egg had become an ever-expanding nightmare of leaking yolks, jagged shells, and divine energy, transforming the surrounding area into a macabre scene of biological horror, giving birth to the Kaiju.
From the divine essence leaking from the god-wounded sphinx egg, the Kaiju emerged. The term "kaijū" translates literally as "strange beast," and these creatures are anything but ordinary. This division process that creates kaiju eggs results in a wide variety of forms and characteristics, each Kaiju being a unique specimen. These beings are capable of adapting to multiple environments, from deep oceans to the vacuum of space, making them formidable adversaries.They are colossal beings, hundreds of feet tall and weighing thousands of tons. Kaiju are silicon-based organisms with unique anatomical structures, including multiple brains to control their massive bodies. Their fluid is ammonia-based, and their blood, known as "Kaiju Blue," is highly toxic and acidic, rendering environments uninhabitable upon decomposition. 
=== Kaiju in Society ===
In the Kingdom of Meridian, a land of devout faith and divine monarchy located on the Borea Peninsula, sphinxes are venerated as symbols of divine judgment and enlightenment. They provide guidance and protection to clerics and paladins in their fight against demonic legions. As malformed children of the sphinxes, the Kaiju are both feared and revered. The kingdom, fiercely dedicated to the sphinx goddess Argia, has a unique relationship with these colossal creatures. 
The Kayani women of Chogha Zanbil, an isolated matriarchal society, act as the mothers to the Kaiju instead of forming a traditional military. The Kayani, known for their deep connection to nature and the sea, nurture and guide the Kaiju from birth. This symbiotic relationship ensures the island’s security, as the Kaiju serve as both protectors and symbols of strength. The women wear brass neck rings, symbolizing grace and resilience, reflecting their kinship with the often odd-looking Kaiju. They have developed a profound understanding of these creatures, teaching them to distinguish between friend and foe, ensuring a peaceful coexistence.
The Ethos kingdom honors the sphinx Mbaba, who descended to earth out of love, imparting divine wisdom through martial arts and agricultural practices. Their views on Kaiju are conflicted.
In the lands of Jormungand, sphinxes are hated and feared, and so are their Kaiju offspring.
The Forsaken Lands, a realm of dark magic and endless torment, is home to necromancers and demons vying for power. Here, the will of the titanic cosmic entity Zopheros, a living nightmare who drifts through the cosmos, devouring worlds and excreting heralds, a primal, corrupt urge to consume all life is a great diver of society. This entity’s existence intertwines with the Kaiju, as the divine essence that corrupted the original sphinx egg originated from Zopheros's cosmic energy. They view the kaiju as brethren.