Nath’um

In Meridian folklore a crazed magician sought to produce an energy strong enough to power a device. This device was intended to keep him alive well beyond his years, at least that was his intention. He created a beast capable of producing great power from within itself to act as a fuel for his efforts. Unfortunately for the magician, his device cruelly backfired, and he was reduced to a pile of ash. This folktale may not explain how the Nath’um really came to be but it perfectly punctuates the power they exude. It would be wise to avoid crossing a Nath’um lest you wish for a shocking surprise.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Adept marine predators, the Nath’um are keenly adapted marine serpents. Their bodies can twist to propel them through the murky rivers of the swamps, assisted by the fluke running along the tip of their tail. Though their swimming is relatively slow, they can still out-swim all sapient races bar gillians with a neutral paddle and make sudden lunges to close the distance in an ambush. Nath’um are colored in such a way that they’re difficult to see above the water’s surface so that they may get close enough to strike. Nath’um have the reserves to reliably wait out a victim so they can afford to be patient and methodical with their attacks.

Nath’um are effectively all muscle and for good reason. By oscillating specialized muscles running down either side of their body, Nath’um can produce unprecedented amounts of energy. When another organism comes into contact with a Nath’um they may experience a painful electric shock. In animals up to the size of sapient races the shock will stun them for a few moments and cause the appendage/s that came in contact with the Nath’um to spasm. In larger organisms a Nath’um’s shock will still stun them for a few moments but not cause extended spasms unless shocked at least twice. Nath’um use this brief window to wrap their prey in their coils. Nath’um kill via constricting their prey and slowly asphyxiating them, shocking them multiple times if they attempt to struggle. Their shocking abilities are exhausting though and one too many shocks can deplete their stamina. In most cases a Nath’um can reliably shock a victim two or three times before the energy to continue shocking depletes.

As carnivores, Nath’um prefer fresh prey. Their jaws can widen to swallow creatures like Swabara whole without the need to chew. Because they can eat so much so quickly, compounded by a slow metabolism, they don’t need to eat very often. Usually a Nath’um will only eat once every month or two as to remain unsullied and healthy.

Nath’um lay their eggs during the dry season when their nesting sites are above water. A single female will lay upwards of fifty eggs at a time within logs or rock formations. The eggs need the mother to brood them in order to properly incubate so the mother may remain there for the whole month duration of their incubation. If she has bulked up her reserves appropriately she will not suffer to an extended degree, however some early mothers often have to eat part of their own brood to remain vigilant.

#### Psychology

Nath’um are cold and calculated. They do not form social bonds with each other. They do not care for other creatures. They’re content to recline themselves to a portion of the swamp and prey on that which happens by every now and then. Though males are nomadic the females will attempt to remain in a spot for as long as it can provide for her. In the dry season when males are searching for pairs she may receive many suitors who will all die shortly thereafter. Particularly large Nath’um females often have choice selection and may be picky about pairings, going as far as eating the males who do not meet their standards.