Kromorte

== Overview ==
Kromorte, (sometimes 'the cursed hands'), were a sentient and deadly aquatic lifeform found principally in the icy waters of The Rokningspik Circle in northern Helmont. Throughout history, they had proven themselves as the titular culprits of fateful tales and legends. 
== Physical characteristics ==
Kromorte had an aquatic-humanoid profile, with tails to facilitate greater manoeuvrability in water and long arms with spindly fingers. They were said to contain gills to allow for breathing. In addition, their heads contained one eye on the top for the purposes of sighting prey lurking above the surface of the water, with a mouth that could open by 90 degrees. They were typically 6-7 feet long. 
== Origins ==
It was unknown as to where the Kromorte truly hailed from, with some speculating that they came with The Flood of 2,000 BG in far eastern waters.
== Behaviour ==
=== Reproductive behaviour ===
It was thought that Kromorte did not engage in sexual reproduction. However, their ability to multiply and therefore propagate their population sizes was infamous. This was first noted in 1,000 BG. It was discovered that Kromorte multiply by 'snatching' Humans from shores and boats. They were known to torpedo out the waters to achieve this and use their lengthy arms to grasp a person. After this, the Kromorte took the individual to the deepest point directly beneath them. As an unknown substance entered their body, they were painfully transformed into a Kromorte. The process took around one minute, and were fully self-aware Kromorte once it had ended. As such, this had transformed Kromorte into one of the most feared beings in The Continent.
=== Diet ===
Kromorte could go months without any sustenance whatsoever. Although Kromorte were capable, and did, eat small fish and other aquatic life, their primary source of sustenance was extracting the life force out of humans. It was unknown how precisely this sustained a Kromorte.
=== Travel ===
Kromorte had been observed to have travelled in slits, when tragedies occured multiple slits had been witnessed to coalesce and swarm their prey.
== History ==
=== Early ===
Kromorte were absent from the waters of The Rokningspik Circle until approximately 2,000 BG and its subsequent flood (sic). Kromorte had a relatively low-profile until a drastic increase in their population was noted by 1,000 BG. This was when their multiplying behaviour first became understood, and the first point at which humans exercised caution around the waters of the Totality Coast and Rokningspik Circle. 
=== Exploitation by the Ivar Grexciss ===
At some point during the Unified Retaliation, a Kromorte was captured in the northern waters by the Ivar Grexcese. Its blood was extracted and forcibly ingested by a prisoner, observing their transformation. This concept was subsequently abandoned as a means of biological warfare against the defenders of the Continent. During an autopsy of the captured Kromorte, an unsuspecting Ivar Grexciss was transformed into one, prompting an immediate evacuation of the cell in which they were inspecting the now dried corpse. Upon their transformation, they were left to dry up. Subsequent to this, any curiosity was abandoned. 
=== Role in the Ensom Citadel ===
Since the construction of the Ensom Citadel Prison in the Rokningspik Circle in 67 AG, Kromorte had acted as a natural means to prevent prisoners from escaping. However, a disaster in the same year resulted in nearly 30 prisoners dying in a catastrophic massacre. A crashed transfer boat was swarmed by Kromorte, claiming all individuals present within the space of a few minutes. Cautionary measures were subsequently enacted by the Grenthyx Dynasty, though mainly due to a fear of losing money from boat losses. 
=== The outbreak of 185 AG ===
During the outbreak of Ensom Prison in 185 AG, many prisoners and guards lost their lives in the ensuing chaos. In one instance alone, 700 prisoners lost their lives when they crammed into the only remaining boat, only for it to be struck by a lava bomb and sink into the icy waters. A drastic surge in the Kromorte population was noted, resulting in the surrounding waters being evermore infested by them. Many suggest that this was because that both the living and the dead were snatched in the following hours, with the situation being worsened due to blood-stained rocks having the effect of attracting even more. Isolated cases had been reported of Kromorte attacks, though are lessening in their frequency due to increased awareness of their perils. Nonetheless, their population remained high ever since the outbreak of 185 AG.
== Notable members ==
* Garrie
* Shanryth Fyth
Category:Creatures