K’herioid

Beneath the tide lies a specter. A society of watchers. Rumor amongst Gillians and Tachtan tell of rocks that stare back. That when seen disappears into the cracks. These enigmatic sightings have only been recently confirmed; one of Azura’s oddest residents. Their motivations are cryptic, their sources unknown, but perhaps they may be of use to the denizens of Ludwag? Efforts to find these creatures are energetically undertaken for the secrets they might hold are among the most tantalizing for any wayward adventurer. Power be sought and negotiated, that is if you can hold your breath long enough to meet one.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Only seen in snippets, the full appearance of the K’herioid has yet to be described. They’re believed to be a species of cephalopod- perhaps octopus. Their bodies are a shadowy black save for their two glowing eyes which pierce the dark water with their sheen. Long tentacles lined with suction cups make for dexterous tools, allowing the K’herioid to manipulate objects and cling onto surfaces. They twist through objects with immense ease, letting them twist and contort into rocks and the wreckages of sunk ships. K’herioid don’t appear to leave these surfaces unless forced to do so, with some carrying smaller rocks as mobile accommodation. On occasion, K’herioid have left the water by hauling themselves onto land and using these receptacles as a means to carry a supply of water with them.

Through means not well understood, K’herioid convert the particulates on the sea bed and fallen debris into a number of curious objects. These objects and formations are composed of a glossy white pearl substance of arcane properties. When crushed it can serve as a powerful vitoric catalyst for potions. K’herioid pump their own vitor into these pearls which causes them to emit a passive glow. These structures can serve them as either defensive tools or as offensive weapons. When charged, these pearl formations can emit forces of heat and light akin to a **Master Luxomancer** to whatever need the K’herioid desires. It is worth mentioning that the pearls lose their reactiveness beyond being a catalyst should the K’herioid perish or be separated by a great distance from their tools.

On occasion, large sums of K’herioid pearls wash ashore. For a while it was believed that these were the aftermath of great battles by the abyssal creatures. As it turns out, these are eggs. Every few decades a number of these pearls rise, housing a single egg within. Though many are eaten by the shallow-dwelling predators the hatchlings within are not digested. Once they have finished developing the pearls will sink back toward the bottom of the ocean to begin as semi-developed juveniles. Egg Pearls are among some of the most pure pearls in all of Azura making them exceptionally popular amongst nobles. However, should the hatchling die within the pearl will disintegrate, requiring divers to collect the pearls from the newly hatched under the water.

#### Psychology

Elusive beasts, what little is known of K’herioids is buried beneath rumor and speculation. Some accounts describe them as motionless onlookers, shifting into the darkness when spotted; others suggest the K’herioid is a beast of calice who lulls weary sailors into a false sense of security with their hypnotic lights. In years past a number of different crimes have been pinned on the K’herioid, including the sudden disappearances of sure-footed men. The motivations of the K’herioids are unknown and appear to vary between individuals. Some travelers have proclaimed that they have communicated with these enigmatic creatures with some prone to trade- though they’re so exceedingly rare that whether these stories can be substantiated is yet to be seen.