Zephala System

Zephala

Zephala Xenos

Veilborn Legions

Basilisks

Other Zephala Divisions

*Some music for you to enjoy while you read, by Gaston Larrouy aka La Rouille*

 Type
 Affiliation
 Stars
 Planets
 Location
 Sub-Sector
 Sector

## History

### Creation

Zephala is an ancient star system of uncertain origin. Reports from Zephalan scribes state their history spans tens of millions of years. Accounts relayed by said scribes suggest the system was artificially created, and the xenos within are likewise artificial lifeforms created by a greater species. It is impossible to confirm these claims, as any physical evidence is long gone. Representative members of each species were psychically probed to find the truth. Each member passed the questioning without deception, proving they believed this was true. Though it can never be confirmed, this reported truth is a lens necessary for analysis of the system and the species within.

### Early Years of Sentience

According to the records of the Zephala xenos, all species achieved sentience at around the same time. The Zephala xenos are confident about this fact because of their generational knowledge retention, which helps them recall the position of the system's five stars. The exact timeline of their evolution and technological development is still being determined since the xenos keep this information confidential. All but the Kufyndrak could not leave their planets due to the aggressive growth of Bounty tree roots, which prevented all mining operations and restricted access to metals.

The Xandilu people spent their early sentience harnessing all their planet had to offer biologically. Being talented biomancers, they took an interest in understanding flora and fauna around them. Bending their environment to their will, the Xandilu quickly became masters of their planet. The Xandilu, with their primitive technology, compensated for the lack of traditional technological development with a fantastic array of biological studies. To them, the more they could control their world, the stronger they would become as a species.

Zikolo diviners steered the species to success at a speed unseen in the rest of the system, driving the SanZik to be the fastest of the Zephala xenos to reach global supremacy. Great cities were made in the network of Bounty Trees on SanZik-Yemaya, with the Zikolo nests at the top. A global government was created, with its capital in the equatorial region, and mainly led by the Royal Sanzik. This allowed for the easy dissemination of all divination discoveries to all the cities. This increased the accuracy of predictions through cross-referencing the visions of different individuals.

Arnixi expansion was incredibly slow, and is still not complete. Even at the time of writing this, the Arnixi only control a very small portion of their planet. Even smaller than the other three species at the beginning of their sentience. The Arnixi are supreme scholars, preferring to research the warp over any expansion they could have participated in. They built tiny settlements with their time, only returning when research needed to be conducted. The early years of the Arnixi were spent doing field research across the planet. A planet that they have kept wild specifically for this purpose. Of all the intelligent species in the system, the Arnixi have found the most unique lifeforms.

The Sub-Skriarka were in a constant race to appease their bounty trees, not willing to anger them. With a layer of ice blocking them from metal, they were stuck, battling to survive on the only home they knew. The species dug vast networks of tunnels under the ice, building cities in these melted caverns. The only limitations for expansion was the strength of the ice, and the speed at which a settlement could feed the bounty trees nearest to them. This competitive attitude created a global meritocracy, where the best hunters, fishers, gatherers and scavengers had the most power. This mindset focused on efficiency made them the perfect partners for the technicians of Xa-Skriark when they settled on the planet much later.

The Kufyndrak were the only species not limited by the bounty tree growth and were ironically the only species to go to war with itself. Even before they were sentient, they were fighting over the sea, different groups killing each other for land. Once the Kufyndrak were intelligent enough, they became aware of their species' reincarnation, allowing army members to return only days after death. Finally realizing the futility of their battle, all wars came to a halt. Competing groups still wanted territory the other had, but it was only possible to make progress with an effectively infinite fighting force. With war at a standstill, these now intelligent creatures made a global pact. Those with the greatest technological advances would become the leaders of the planet. This new technological boom was a successful distraction from war for a time. With development as the new focus, the Kufyndrak had an entirely different obstacle than the roots of bounty trees. An above-average amount of water, added through unknown means some time after its creation, made the creation of metal incredibly difficult. This water level allowed the Kufyndrak, an aquatic species, to become the planet's intelligent lifeforms but prevented them from advancing as a civilization. After an unknown period of experimentation, the Kufyndrak developed a method of smelting materials by creating domes devoid of water, where fires could be lit to melt iron sand. This development accelerated the Kufyndrak, taking them from a planet-conquering species to a species with dreams of reaching the stars.

At some point, a great space race led the residents of Kuf-Yemaya to send probes out to research the other planets of Zephala. Creating high-resolution imagers for spacecraft showed the Kufyndrak the reality of the system. The satellites surrounding the other Yemaya clones of the system showed undeniable signs of life on other planets. This began the first global combat trials in Kufyndrak history. Gone was the open warfare of the past, replaced by gladiatorial combat. The Kufyndrak always retained their appetite for battle, only suppressing once they found a good cause for its release. The discovery of new intelligent life was the spark. These combat trials became the first Valyndrak choosing ritual, which took a full Kuf-Yemayan year, from their reports. This equals nearly two standard Terran years. Eventually, this process was shortened to one Yemayan Month, a tenth of the time.

With a new king chosen, it was decided that the entire species would work together to travel to these other planets to make contact with the different life in their system.

### Zephala Xenos Assembly

Once the Kufyndrak were ready, they set out into the system. This society of scientists was again at an impasse, trying to decide what individuals would crew the first mission. With their combative view of civilized life, they sent the strongest individuals on the planet to hold a tournament to give all challengers a chance. The ten strongest combatants were then trained in the operation of the craft that would take them to Xa-Yemaya.

#### Xandilu Meeting

After months of travel, the Kufyndrak landed on Xa-Yemaya, coming in contact with the species living there, the Xandilu. With satellites capable of high-resolution image capture, the Kufyndrak found the most likely location for the planetary capital. A tree of immense proportions, larger than any other on the world's surface. They picked a location closest to this tree and set down there, enraging the Xandilu inhabitants. The xenos were not upset because of the intruders' presence but because of the damage they caused to the planet's largest bounty tree while landing. To avoid antagonizing the locals, the Kufyndrak visitors made no effort to leave the landing zone. Instead, they waited for the Xandilu leadership to come to them. They did not need to wait very long, because soon after landing, the Xandilu elder of security, ɠIkurukʼu Ungelo, met them. Ungelo was the largest of his species, genetically bred to be the leader of defence of the Xandilu capital, and was an exciting target for their planet's combat-loving visitors. As traditional in Kufyndrak meetings, the strongest of the exploration group challenged Ungelo to single combat with an outstretched blade. Accepting the challenge, the two fought, ultimately leading to the death of the Kufyndrak. Rah, the next in command, took over.

With their lust for a fight appeased, Rah and his party, led by Ungelo, allowed themselves to be taken to the Xandilu council of elders. All elders across the capital were gathered, including the planetary elder, Atsumba. With minimal interactions, the species came to an unspoken agreement. They would all work together to create a joint language to further communication. A system of communication satellites was put into orbit, allowing the visiting Kufyndrak to talk to Kuf-Yemaya, with a significant delay. It would later be discovered that the species of Zephala were closely related, and their connections to the warp allowed them to feel this relation. Without speaking, all Zephala xenos, upon their first meeting, felt as though they were being reunited with a lost family member.

The speed of translation was increased by the species' ability to learn. More importantly, both species could replicate the language of the other through mimicry in the Xandilu and telepathic air vibrations with the Kufyndrak. After a time, the species could speak to each other effectively enough to set out on a return trip to Kuf-Yemaya. The Xandilu easily transitioned from their land-based society to the underwater, domed cities of the Kufyndrak. The absence of air in certain parts of the city was irrelevant, as the studied Xandilu biomancers simply changed their bodies, allowing them to breathe underwater in zones where it was needed. Ungelo, the security elder was among those who made the trip, just in case any combat tests needed to be fielded for cultural acceptance of the species. As excited as he and the Kufyndrak leader Shah were, both parties decided to avoid killing each other in an attempt to determine who was the strongest. Their battle would have been an improper duel as one needed to win a regional tournament to make such challenges. Instead, Ungelo fought and killed Shah's second in command in the throne room, proving his worth to the Kufyndrak leadership.

Through years of planning and several more trips between Kuf-Yemaya and Xa-Yemaya, the two species perfected their joint language. Their love of music united them, but nothing strengthened their connection more than their hunger for new technologies. With the language barrier truly removed, the Kufyndrak and Xandilu exchanged technology. The Kufyndrak shared their understanding of metal smithing, and the Xandilu shared their knowledge of biomancy. Though each species found it hard to make use of the skills given to them by the other, the collective talents of the two species led to invaluable leaps in technology, which propelled them to the next mission. A visit to a distant world orbiting the next closest star in the system.

#### SanZik Discovery

Hundreds of years later, with a staggering technological increase, the Xandilu and Kufyndrak embarked on their journey to the next planet. A journey that would only be over once both outer stars were visited. The nearest planet was more than 122 light hours away, over 132 billion kilometres. A distance that could have been more easily traversable, even at the speeds the Kufyndrak ships could reach. Where the Kufyndrak spent their time crafting better voidcraft, the Xandilu were breeding and testing crops which could sustain them on their long journey. Even at the speeds attainable by the new Kufyndrak ships, the distance would take more than 700 Terran years to travel. A sustainable food source was needed, and the Xandilu was delivered.

Knowing they would not likely return, the Kufyndrak and Xandilu sent out were particularly clever, yet hardy, members of their species. The best of the best who would travel those great distances. Even with Xandilu healing, the distance proved to be great for the bodies of the Kufyndrak, who did not know how long their natural lifespans lasted. Eventually, all who Kufyndrak onboard the great ship were dead, their souls returning back to Kuf-Yemaya for rebirth. The Xandilu staff went on, making it successfully to the new world, which came to be known as SanZik-Yemaya after contact was made. They first scouted the planet and then departed their voidship in landing craft, making for a sizeable equatorial city.

Much to the surprise of the Xandilu explorers, the local population awaited them. A crowd of xenos surrounded a large landing area; every one of the avian creatures was cheering as if they knew what was coming. These xenos, collectively the SanZik, were mostly Sanguarix males, but at their head were the Zikolo females. These elites were at the head of the entire planetary government and, to the Xandilu's further surprise, could speak the communal language of the Xandilu and Kufyndrak. Through the centuries, the Zikolo diviners studied and learned the basics of said language through visions they saw in the stars. With their vocal mimicry, they could make all the necessary noises to speak the language. With three species using this shared language, it received its name "Zephala Common." Zephala Common would later be modified to accommodate human speech.

Without problems understanding each other, the two species began their cultural exchange reminiscent of what the Xandilu shared with their neighbours. With all the knowledge of the Kufyndrak, the Xandilu could impart all the information of both species to the SanZik. The Xandilu brought equipment to make a mining outpost on a nearby planet. A planet they knew would be there because nearly identical planets were present orbiting both Kuf-Yemaya's and Xan-Yemaya's stars.

The SanZik took a particular interest in the construction of void craft. A specialty they showed uncanny proficiency in. They applied their natural understanding of flight to create a craft to use in the atmosphere and the void. By the time the next Kufyndrak and Xandilu mission arrived, the SanZik were able to develop ships that would have made the journey in less than half the time. During this development period, the Kufyndrak craft, piloted by the Xandilu, travelled to the last star in the system to meet the last sentient species.

#### Arnixi Discovery

The trip to the last planet was relatively quick, even with the soon-to-be outdated Kufyndrak technology. Upon studying the new planet's surface, the Xandilu could not locate any cities of similar size to those on any previously inhabited worlds. Though this perplexed the now-seasoned explorers, they decided to land anyway. After days of exploring and combat with the local wildlife, the Xandilu found a webbed nest, unlike anything they had seen on the other planets. The largest creatures which constructed similar planets were the weavers of SanZik and Xa-Yemaya. Neither species variant was large enough to build something of that scale, so the Xandilu decided to investigate.

Upon entering, the explorers were met with a feeling of pride in a well-cooked meal, which bewildered them as no one had cooked a meal in many hours. Delving further into the nest, they found a giant beast, larger than any weaver could have been. The feeling of pride grew the closer they got to it. The creature seemed to have noticed them, but it did not care. It was completely distracted by its task of stirring a large pot, which smelled like incredibly potent venom, even from the distance the Xandilu were standing. One step closer, they were buffeted by a wave of telepathic force, stopping them in their tracks. In a split second, they understood the nature of the xenos before them, understanding the entire history of the species. They were the Arnixi, and the whole purpose of their being was the understanding of the sea of souls. Without understanding what it was initially, the interaction with the weaver told them all they needed to know about it, putting into perspective the powers wielded by the other Zephala xenos. Before the Xandilu could speak, the Arnixi turned and walked past them without words conveying its intentions of bringing the exploratory group to the next "conference." This Arnixi, known as pride because of the feeling its aura gives those around it, expertly led the Xandilu south towards the equator through the jungle.

The council was held in the capital city of Arn-Yemaya, a magnificent city in a deep cave system that opened up into a giant, empty magma chamber. The city was a giant bazaar of information where the Arnixi exchanged the knowledge they had accumulated through the previous month. The Xandilu, upon entering the chamber city, were swamped by the joint telepathic auras of the Arnixi, feeling the emotional imprints of each of the creatures and knowing their names without seeing them. The mass felt their presence instantaneously, turning to the Xandulu at once and scrutinizing their souls for ten full minutes. The Arnixi returned to their business with all the information extracted, preparing for their trade show. The torrent of telepathic communication left the Xandilu exhausted, and they were taken by Pride to a place of rest. Pride informed them that the entirety of the Arnixi people agreed to join the other Zephala xenos in their pursuit of knowledge under one condition. They desired access to the Zephala xenos technology in the hopes it would help them further their studies into the energies of the warp.

On behalf of the other xenos, the Xandilu accepted this condition, bringing the Arnixi, last of the Zephala xenos, into the fold. Unknowingly, they opened the door to a great and terrible future.

### Zephala System Development

After the Zephala xenos were collected, a network of communication satellites was set up. This cut down communication times between the species from years at least to days at most, catapulting their progress to new heights. The technology exchange helped all Xenos involved, and every species contributed what it could. The Xandilu pushed forward agricultural techniques and equipment, eliminating seasonal food shortages. The SanZik focused on space travel, constructing faster and faster real spice drives. The Kufyndrak became material scientists, researching metals, alloys and the processes used to procure and manufacture them. None were more influential than the Arnixi, who studied the ways of the warp. Their dive into the unseen powers of the sea of souls brought about the most significant technological leap since the Kufyndrak left their homeworld many millennia ago. A faster-than-light void drive. The testing of which brought about the xenos' first interaction with the creatures of Chaos.

### First Daemonic Incursion

With the entire system's first test run of a voidship-sized warp drive came excitement. Reducing the travel times from planet to planet would bring the xenos together. Closer than they had ever been before. It would finally be feasible for species other than the Xandilu and Arnixi to travel between the inner and outer stars within a lifetime. The Arnixi, ever eager to test a new theory, sprinted towards their goal by testing a newly made warp drive. Without protection from the warp, daemons could infiltrate the ship, killing most of its passengers. The survivors desperately called the Xandilu for help, notifying them of the monsters who had besieged their ship. After the Xandilu boarded the ship, a fierce battle ensued. All but two Arnixi and 5 Xandilu died during the conflict. Unable to travel back themselves without becoming victim to another attack, the Arnixi survivors sent word back to Arn-Yemaya, telling the council there about their discoveries. Faster-than-light travel was delayed until a means of protecting the ships from incursion could be developed. A little more than a century later, the Arnixi created such a device, tested it and deemed it safe. With that, the Zephala xenos were free to roam the stars.

Before they set off into the space surrounding their system, the Xenos began to militarize to ensure they would not be caught off guard by the unknown.

### Joining the Cabal

The Cabal was an organization of xeno races dedicated to fighting the forces of Chaos. With their experience of their first daemonic incursion fresh in their unforgettable minds, the Zephala Xenos thought it right to join such an organization. At the time of their joining, the Cabal was attempting to manipulate a species known as humanity. With the help of Aeldari Farseers, the Cabal attempted to steer the species onto a path that resulted in their destruction, as well as the destruction of Chaos.

The Zephala xenos were against this plan, as it would subject thousands of species, not just humanity, to suffering under the daemonic rule. Even a single century would be too long. The Zephala xenos all agreed that the fight should be taken directly to Chaos. A radical view for members of a secret organization working from the shadows. For this reason, the Zephala xenos were sidelined for much of the plan, waiting in their system. Hiding from the great plan. All the while continuing on their path to technological enlightenment. Tinkering and developing weapons of war while their alchemists produced more and more potent venoms. Only a little time passed before a representative of the Alpha Legion came to them with a proposition. One that would soon give birth to the Zephala Syndicate and change the future of the Halo Stars.

### Zephala Syndicate & Beyond

The remainder of Zephala history can be found in the Zephala Syndicate article. This includes the discovery of the Sub-Skriarka, the final intelligent species of the Zephala System.

## Zephala Stars

Zephala is a quintenary star system with stars of varying size, mass and luminosity. What should be a chaotic mess is instead a beautiful dance with all stars pulling eachother in just the right way to remain in orbit. The binary pair of Ọlọra and Xarra are orbit by a third star, Kufra. That trinary system is then orbited by a binary system with the stars SanZikra and Arnora.

Originally, the stars all had names given to them by the first four species in the system. Once these four xenos were united, new names were decided upon with each star renamed after the xenos who's planet orbited that star. For example, the Xandilu star was named Xarra. The Sub-Skriarka, when discovered, did not care about the names of the planets at all, focusing all their time creating more and more efficient technology.

The properties of each star is listed below:

The perfect balance of the stars would be reason enough to believe the system was created by divine hands. When one considers the amount, placement and composition of the Zephala planets, the face becomes nearly undeniable.

## Zephala Clone Planets

Zephala has twenty planets distributed across its five stars. These planets all fall under one of the following physical compositions. This is where the term clone planet comes from. The variation in each of these planet compositions is so slight that it seems plausible that they were all created to conform with this five planet structure. For what reason can only be speculated.

Not every star has every type of planetary clone. The stars Kufra, Arnora, and SanZikra have all types, but the other two stars share the five clones. This is just likely due to the larger star displacing the two outer planets orbiting Xarra. Ọlọra is orbited by a Ọlọ-Rixii and Ọlọ-Thrylonis while Xarra is orbited by Xa-Jehzara, Xa-Yemaya, and Xa-Skriark. It is speculated that each star originally had five clone planets, totaling 25 total planetary bodies, before many of the planets were ejected due chaotic gravitational forces in the system. A collision between the mission Yemaya, and Xa-Skriark would explain why Xa-Skriark is the only non-Yemaya planet to have life on it.

### Cloned Biology

Each planet with life, namely the Yemayas and Xa-Skriark, have some nearly identical life forms, with the Xa-Skriark animals being the most divergent. The differences in DNA is negligible when the impossibility of planetary migration is considered. These creatures, though millions if not billions of kilometres apart have evolved on different paths, but they indisputably have the same origins. Even if the origin of the system can be debated, the fact that these creatures were deliberately placed is a certainty.

The four possibilities for the origins of Zephala life are:

1. One planet evolved life, which was then deliberately spread to other habitable planets.
2. One Yemaya evolved life, which was then deliberately spread to the other clones, with life being brought to Xa-Skriark through a collission
3. All habitable planets were seeded with artificial life
4. All Yemayas were seeded with artificial life, and a collision brought life to Xa-Skriark

Even the gene scientists of the Zephala Syndicate have no way to determine which of these theories is correct.

Whether or not any of them is correct, or if there are other options, the cloned biology of the system gives even more validity to the Zephala xenos' claims of the entire system being created by a higher power.

This differences in light level, average temperature, sea level, and other factors led to the evolutions of the five different intelligent xenos in the system. The Kufyndrak evolved on Kuf-Yemaya where the seas are deep and there is very little land. The Xandilu evolved on Xa-Yemaya where the high average temperature allowed these cold blooded debits to thrive. The Arnixi who love on Arn-Yemaya were helped by the low light levels making their relatively poor eyesight irrelevant. The SanZik of SanZik-Yemaya were helped by the planets high winds, boosting the success of large, avian creatures. The Sub-Skriarka were able to survive their harsh, frigid environment with their bulk and burrowing talents.

## Yemayas

**Yemaya** is a set of four cloned worlds in Zephala. Each is home to an ancient civilized race. All are now part of the Zephala Syndicate:

* Xandilu of Xa-Yemaya
* Kufyndrak of Kuf-Yemaya
* SanZik of SanZik-Yemaya
* Arnixi of Arn-Yemaya

The treacherous waters of this planet are infested with massive predators, and the jungles covering the islands are even more perilous, with deadly flora and fauna that attack those foolish enough to enter. The toxins of these creatures can cause a range of debilitating symptoms, including paralysis, hallucinations, hemophilia and death.

The creatures of the Yemayas exhibit an extraordinary level of warp sensitivity that surpasses the wildlife found on countless other worlds. The Xandilu especially have studied these creatures, leading them to a unanimous revelation, confirming that each creature, including the sentient species of the system, possess a unique connection to the warp, yet astonishingly, none except for the weaver, exhibit any taint of corruption stemming from the touch of chaos. This phenomenon has ignited intense speculation and spawned numerous theories among the biologists of Skriark. Some suggest that the planet's fauna may have been subject to the influence of a lesser warp deity during its formative stages of evolution. The sentient species of the system maintain the entire star system was created by an ancient species who seeded the planets with life, and gave them all their warp abilities. This explanation, though seemingly farfetched, is given strength by the odd, chaotic aspects of the system.

In the jungles of Yemaya, the heightened warp acuity of every indigenous creature poses an increased threat, for it gives them additional tools and empowers their venomous arsenal with the essence of the warp. These warp-infused toxins know no bounds, surpassing the resilience of even the transhuman physiology of a space marine. The Black Fangs with have an exceptional immune system even when compared to other Chapters of space marines. After extensive self-exposure, they have built an immunity to even this warp poison.

Despite the many challenges posed by their planet, the Yemayans remain dedicated to preserving its delicate ecosystem, and the Black Fangs stand ready to defend their home world against any who would threaten it.

### Fauna

Not all fauna exists on each of the Yemaya clones, possibly explaining the evolutionary parents of each of the sentient xenos from the system

#### Kufre

The Kufre is the true sovereign of all Yemaya's oceans, save Kuf-Yemaya, ruling with unparalleled power. Adorned with razor-sharp bone spines jutting from its back and head, this leviathan uses ramming attacks, obliterating anything deemed a threat. Its rugged hide is covered in impenetrable armour, shielding much of its frame from even heavy arms fire, save for small exposed ridges between its plates. Solitary by nature, the Kufre is a lone hunter, but despite its preference for solitude, it effortlessly brings down colossal prey. The Kufre can adapt to any environment, from the shallows to the abyssal depths. Adult specimens easily reach lengths of 20 meters, but the legendary Olókun, God of the Deep, dwarfs them all, reaching more than two times their size. On every Yemaya where Kufre exist, the largest creature is given the name Olókun.

Olókun is the only creature that seeks out and hunts male Imbula, as its giant form, and its experience, allows it to overpower these creatures. After killing an Imbula bull, Olókun then picks off members of the pod, killing and eating them as his hunger demands. Olókun will leave most of the group alive, before diving back into the depths of the sea. This legendary creature is rarely seen outside of its battle with Imbula bulls. This has led researchers to believe that it survives solely on the spoils of these hunts, and spends most of its time in the aphotic zone of the ocean at extreme depths. The fact that Olókun's has not grown to an even greater size gives credence to the theory that Kufre growth has an upper limit, with every creature eaten increasing with diminishing returns.

The name Kufre means "Don't forget," and it serves as a reminder of its relentless pursuit, relentlessly hunting any vessel that draws its attention, even after death. The population of Kufre sharks experiences only marginal fluctuations, maintaining an indeterminate but stable number. Each specimen has a distinct identity, with named Kufre associated with specific regions. Truly ageless, Kufre sharks meet their demise only in fierce battles with their own kind or when confronted by other predators. Curiously, their deaths unveil a peculiar trait—the rebirth of named Kufre in the same region, albeit at a reduced size within weeks of their presumed demise. These creatures, marked by their combat scars and unique developmental traits, can be easily identified. Kufre have captivated Yemayan xenologists since the planet's early colonization, with the colossal Olókun tracing its roots back to that time. The growth of unchallenged Kufre indicates that their size is only limited by the amount of time between deaths, with the survivors able to grow to colossal proportions. Specific kufre are hunted not only for the unique challenges they all provide, for along with their own "personalities", named kufre provide different amounts of resources, such as thicker bones or sharper spines.

"Kufre" serves as a stern warning to Yemaya's population, a constant reminder to remain vigilant while traversing the oceans, as the ire of these creatures cannot be quelled by death. Kufre-hunting vessels bear their own tales of encounters with named Kufre, engaging in recurrent battles that breed a rivalry between crew and shark. Prior to an attack, the only indication is the shadow cast beneath the ship. For unknown reasons, auspex scanners are unable to capture the creatures. Thus, ship crews maintain a vigilant watch, relying on multiple lookouts to sound the alarm when a Kufre approaches. In the face of such a threat, ship engines must be silenced, until the Kufre deems it fit to depart. Despite its fearsome repute, the Kufre holds great value among Yemaya's inhabitants. Its rigid spines and serrated teeth are coveted resources harnessed by the Black Fangs and the Yemayan people to forge swords and other weapons of war.

#### Weaver

The weaver is a fearsome spider-like creature that dwells in the jungle of all Yemayas except Arn-Yemaya and is the apex predator of this toxic environment. These creatures reach intimidating sizes, easily growing to the length of a full-grown man. The weaver is a fierce physical predator and produces deadly toxins that cause hemophilia and necrosis in its prey. Its venom is farmed and is used to create weapons coatings for warfare and hunting alike.

Though these spiders can easily overpower a human adult, and hold enough venom to kill a thousand more, they hide a secret weapon. The weavers are more intelligent than any other creature on Yemaya save the Sankofa eagles. They use their two dexterous pairs of pedipalps to construct primitive traps and stares of various configurations. Showing an unprecedented level of cooperation, these hunters will make use of traps crafted by others of their species. While completely capable of hunting through sheer speed and power, they prefer to stalk their prey, waiting for them to trigger a trap.

When traps fail, the weaver has one more hidden weapon to employ. The weaver is able to use its long pedipalps and front legs to gather its silk into a net. Moving almost imperceptibly through the trees of its habitat, the weaver will then attempt to pounce on its unsuspecting prey, ensnaring them in the net. The cunning and stealth of the weaver spider make it the perfect subject for testing one's survival abilities. As a result, they are hunted during the recruitment trials of the Black Fangs Chapter of Astartes.

The weaver's hunting preference appears from a distant observer to be the careful strategy used to lessen any threat to the weaver's safety. In reality, the practice has a more sinister reason. Weaver spiders, in all their forms, are the only creatures on Yemaya that hunt for their own pleasure, often hunting without eating their entire catch. When in squads, the survivors of a weaver attack have reported feeling the weaver's pleasure and bloodlust as their lost squadmates were trapped and slowly dissolved by the weaver's venom. Detractors, who are never Yemayan themselves, claim this is only a feeling attached to the beasts by humans. Any such person is invited to visit Yemaya and on their arrival they are immediately, often forcefully, exposed to a captive weaver. Every one of them changes their mind quickly after this experience, for just being in the presence of a weaver is an unforgettable affair. As well as being physically intimidating, the weavers all give off their own psychic auras. The weaver itself dictates both the aura's range and intensity. When in range, the thoughts and feelings of the weaver can be felt. Though the creature does not speak any translatable language, the feelings expressed are clear. When in captivity, the weaver projects a calming aura, as if is content with its new existence. When on the hunt, the weaver's presence can be felt only a moment before it is too late, a feeling of sadistic hate washing over the victim and their allies.

This aura has been documented to suppress the warp abilities of other animals, solidifying its position as the top predator of the jungle.

#### Water Weaver

The water weaver is a coastal subspecies of the weaver. These semi-aquatic spiders weave large nests that float on the surface of the ocean, anchored to coral reefs. From these nests, the creature dives in search of food, hunting in the nearby reef. The water weaver has a symbiotic relationship with Balèn, protecting them from predators. Juvenile Balèn will flee to a weaver nest in shallower waters in hopes that the spider could trap and kill its pursuers. In return, the coastal weavers keep and eat whatever predators they capture.

#### Mountain Weaver

A subspecies of weaver that lives in the mountain ranges at the center of Yemaya's land masses. These spiders, being on elevated land, have developed a unique hunting strategy. The mountain Weaver climbs to high ground where it weaves a thick web that catches the wind. They are pulled into the sky on their makeshift gliders. When above prey, they release the web and use their limbs to guide themselves towards their target. Their momentum is translated to outstretched claws, latching onto large animals or crushing small animals underfoot. And creature that survives is then injected with the Weaver's potent venom.

#### Giant Weaver

The Giant Weaver is only present on the forbidden island on the far side of Yemaya. These spiders grow to sizes upwards of 20 feet long. These gigantic weavers do not make use of the tools employed by their smaller cousins. Instead they are strong and heavily built. They use this power to chase down end overpower their prey. These beasts have a weapon to defeat any defenses that repel their other attacks. The Giant Weaver is able to coil their front legs like a spring. Once released, these limbs fly outwards at supersonic speeds. A strike like this is able to dent tank armor

#### Tree Weaver

A subspecies of the weaver that lives exclusively in the tallest trees of the jungle. These creatures have evolved into a body plan that allows for increased mobility in the canopy, outpacing and outmaneuvering other animals. With elongated front legs and a much smaller body than the standard weaver, the tree weaver swings from branch to branch, spinning extensive webs of incredible complexity.

#### Irora Iku

An amphibian coated in a toxic slime that instils dread within its victims. A brush against its skin triggers a torrent of harrowing thoughts, sowing seeds of fear within the afflicted mind. After a minute, the poison inflicts excruciating pain at the point of contact. Like other Yemayan toxins, the warp deeply enriches the Irora Iku's poison. Unlike other toxins, this poison can only be treated by a psyker. Should the condition go untreated, the sufferer endures 24 long hours of torture, begging for death the whole time.

#### RiftWalker Spider

A species of spider, which on its own is seen as completely harmless. With a body length of up to 2 meters, these gentle giants use their long, thin legs to walk through the shallow waters of Yemaya's mangroves. The Riftwalker is one of the few creatures in the jungles of Yemaya that does not use venom for hunting or self defence. Instead, they are cloaked in a thick miasma of warp power that renders them invisible to all other creatures on Yemaya, other than humans. Xenobiologists have theorized that this is because humans are generally less connected to the warp than the Yemayan wildlife. Whatever the cause, the power of the Riftwalker allows it to live peacefully, its diet consisting of plants and scavenged animal carcasses. If a Riftwalker is encountered, it is best left alone, as the escape mechanism used by them is dangerous to all around.

When threatened, the Riftwalker gains an icy aura, before quickly teleporting to an undetermined location. After departure, the ice persists, draining the heat from an evergrowing area. If caught in this radius, severe frostbite is experienced within 3 seconds of exposure. This anomaly lasts for one minute. More than enough time to kill a human and anyone that attempts to rescue those caught within.

#### Great Sankofa Eagle

The Great Sankofa Eagle is present on all Yemayas except SanZik-Yemaya. Within the dense foliage of the jungle canopy soars a magnificent avian species, the Sankofa. This bird grows to a massive 1.5 meters. It possesses both the intelligence and strength to rival that of the weaver spider, the Sankofa's survival relies on its ability to evade the webs of its arachnid foe. But should a weaver encroach too closely to the Sankofa's communal nesting area, the eagle will not hesitate to unleash its wrath and dispatch the intruder.

While its natural colouring consists of a grey body and black feathers, the Sankofa eagle's true ability lies in its feathers' remarkable properties. Each feather can change colour and texture, and when combined, the eagle can effortlessly blend into its surroundings. The Sankofa's feathers also have bioluminescent properties, allowing them to glow a gold colour. An ability that the Sankofa eagle commonly employs in its impressive threat displays, where it spreads its wings to reveal large eye-like patterns, triggering a dazzling golden bioluminescence that intimidates its target. To accompany this visual display, the sankofa releases a wave of psychic power, mesmerizing all in range.

The Sankofa's arsenal doesn't end there. Its spit carries a venom which they often apply to their talons, improving their effectiveness during a hunt. When in the presence of the eagle, they enter a hypnotic state, making them easy prey. If there is no eagle nearby, the venom compels those infected to seek out the highest point they can reach. They will bloody their hands to climb the nearest tree. If they are able, they will reach the top and begin to wave around, drawing attention to themselves. If they cannot, they will be driven mad in the attempt, unable to reach their goal. Extensive study has revealed that this venom works almost entirely through psychic influence, its effects being inversely proportional to the psychic power of the infected. After hours of frantic searching, the symptoms will subside as if they never existed.

The eagle has bony growths along the edges of its wings that serve as both protection and weaponry. During flight, the Sankofa can emit a scream which sound like a choice of the dead, as wind passes through holes in the bony plates. The death screech is imbued with psychic power, allowing the sound to affect those who would not normally be able to hear it. Sankofa eagles can specifically pick the sonic weapon's target, omitting allies from the torturous sound.

To complement its talons in a close range fight, the sankofa has one more weapon. Its outermost flight feathers are replaced by thin, razor-sharp bone fingers it uses to slice through its prey.

#### Zikikya Bird

The Zikikya bird lives on all Yemayas except SanZik-Yemaya. It is a large black avian which grows up to 1.2 metres in height. It possesses extraordinary Warp-infused abilities. It can reduce the amount of light in the area around itself, rendering it nearly invisible in the dark Yemayan canopies. Alternatively, it can be used to darken the area around a target, blinding them. This supernatural darkness aids the bird in hunting and evading predators, making it a formidable creature.

Like all animals of the Yemayan jungle, the Zikikya has a potent venom. When injected into a victim, the venom triggers a host of symptoms. The affected individual experiences a loss of sensation and hearing and vision, their eyes turning as white as snow. These symptoms are accompanied by a numbing sensation that spreads through their body. Over time, their limbs become disfigured and malformed, leading to a debilitating condition that hampers their mobility. Its warp blindness ability, venom, and its heightened intelligence make it one of the only known animal to hunt weavers as one of its main food sources. The Weaver's warp suppressing abilities have little effect on these birds, allowing for the Zikikya to partially blind them before attacking with their venom coated talons. The weaver only gets one chance to defend itself, and if it fails, the situation becomes untenable. Once the venom takes effect, the Weaver becomes vulnerable to subsequent attacks, blinded and numbed to injury. A stricken weaver can do little else but lash out and hope to hit the Zikikya when it swoops in for another attack. The Zikikya will then to remove its legs, section by section, rendering the weaver immobile and incapable of defending itself. Once done, the Zikikya will kill the weaver, removing the warp-dampening effect, and cloak itself in darkness to feast on its prize.

The Zikikya bird is tameable for partnership in Yemayan falconry, yet it presents a significant test for its chosen handlers. Upon the initial bonding, the bird blinds its new companion, plunging them into darkness. Simultaneously, its distinctive call attracts predators from the surroundings. Surviving this trial demonstrates the chosen one's resilience and signifies their acceptance by the Zikikya bird as a worthy ally.

#### Imbula

A large aquatic mammal, which is the primary prey species for the Kufre, though some individuals rival the Kufre in size and ferocity. Though adult Imbula spends most of its time in the deep see, female Imbula travel to the continental shelf as a group to give birth. The young creatures are vulnerable to the predation of Kufre sharks and other predators of the deep, and it is beneficial for the newborn creatures to live and hunt relatively close to the shore. The juveniles of this species have few options for self-defence, and as a defensive mechanism, they have grown close to a species of weaver which lives in coastal regions. When threatened, often by creatures like the Oxala, the Imbula will venture into shallower waters to receive aid from a water weaver colony. The water weavers, with their nets of sticky silk, capture and kill and then eat the Imbula's pursuers. For years, the Imbula lives in these waters, filter-feeding on fish, and crustaceans. While they grow, they practice telepathic communication, joining with other young females, honing their skills of locating others of its kind. When they reach maturity, female Imbula will grow armour plates on its head before venturing out into the water, connecting with one of the migratory pods which roam the seas, protected by an elder male. The female will use its practiced telepathy to locate the nearest pod, avoiding making noise that will draw unwanted attention towards them and their new family group. If there is no pod in a safe distance, the young female group will call for a lone bull, starting their own pod and traveling the seas together. These pods travel in migratory patterns specific to them, moving in complete silence, communicating only through thought. Female Imbula grow to about 20 meters in length on average.

The males of the species undergo a metamorphosis fueled by a special chemical they produce and store in their heads. During the transformation, most of the substance is used in the process and the male will grow in size and gain ferocious, sharp teeth and a horn protruding forwards from its head. Biologists who have analyzed this material have concluded that it provides incredible growth when consumed by a Yemayan animal. Experiments have shown that human consumption results in tumor growth and eventually death. Cases of gigantism have been recorded after even a small animal consumes the substance.

After metamorphosis, the young male will enter the open seas, hunting and growing until it meets another, older male and its group. If the elder deems the younger Imbula worthy, it will allow the newcomer to join. This group will then patrol the area near a pod of females, hunting and killing all threats to the pod. The younger bulls will learn from the elder, growing in size and improving their hunting strategies until they are large enough to set out and find a pod of their own.

When called by a pod, the male group will react immediately, travelling to the relatively timid females and challenging whatever might be attacking. Elder bull Imbula are the most aggressive oceanic creature, attacking Kufre sharks bigger than themselves, allowing the rest of the pod, and any younger males, to escape. The young males will then take the role of the elder if it is slain, imparting its knowledge to the next generation of males. Bull Imbula grow to be some of the largest creatures on Yemaya, reaching 40 meters on average with some adults growing to 50 meters. Their aggressive lifestyle, and propensity for self sacrifice, means most Imbula do not reach this size, but when they do they can challenge and kill most Kufre in a one on one battle. They largest bull has exclusive mating rights with the protected pod, incentivizing the young bulls to set off on their own.

Most Kufre, when approached by a fully grown bull, flee if possible. Those that do not, often die. As their memory persists even in death, Kufre will avoid the pods guarded by the Imbula that killed them, until it grows large and strong enough to win the next bout. The only creature known to actively seek out fights with these giants is the Kufre Olókun, God of the Deep, who is a patchwork of scar tissue after its hundreds of fights with fully grown Imbula. Olókun has only ever had a handful of recorded deaths due to fights with Imbula. When this Kufre reappears sometime after its loss, Olókun is known to hunt for the pod once again in hopes of finding and killing the most likely to injured Imbula bull. This specific hunting strategy has benefited Olókun as killing a large Imbula leaves its pod defenceless, only protected by smaller, less experienced bulls. With a source of easy food, Olókun travels with the pod, eating members as it sees fit until its hunger is sated.

#### Oxala

The Oxala is a predatory fish, which travels in large schools. Its streamlined body and powerful sharp teeth make the Oxala a threat to all who the school encounters. The fish move in unison with its companions, looking for prey. The Oxala, lead by the eldest female in the school, relinquish all control to this individual, acting as a hive with a queen. When prey is found, the queen Oxala splits the school into four groups. The groups work together in their pursuit, attacking the fleeing prey animal, blocking its escape routes, and eventually devouring it.

#### ǁekara

A creature on all Yemayas other than Xa-Yemaya, the ǁekara is a giant semi-aquatic reptile, which shows facultative bipedalism. The ǁekara has large, bulky body covered in armoured scales, growing up to 7 meters in length. It is an ambush predator that uses its muscular limbs and strong jaws equipped with sharp teeth to pounce on and kill its prey. The ǁekara has the power of shapeshifting, a slow metamorphic process rather than a quick transformation. ǁekara are able to change from a scaled reptilian to a smooth skinned, amphibious creature, depending on the condition of the lands in which it lives. In their amphibian form, the ǁekara becomes an underwater ambush predator, who lays in wait, ready to snap at the limbs of creatures that come to close. Their skin is able to absorb oxygen from the water, allowing the ǁekara to stay underwater for long periods of time. ǁekara venom is acidic, able to eat through most materials, from metal and wood to flesh and bones. The acidic venom is mixed with their saliva, which the creatures can spit defensively. The ǁekara prefer sinking their teeth into their prey, killing the animal with asphyxiation by dissolving its throat with this venom.

The ǁekara, like many Yemayan animals, are tamable by Xandilu specialized in animal communing. Unlike the other animals, this giant beast is capable of serving as a mount. The Xandilu ride the ǁekara in battle.

#### ǃukwazi

The ǃukwazi is a small serpentine animal with two arms near the front of its body. These reptiles are native to the jungles of Yemaya and live in social communities in the jungle canopy. With its arms, the ǃukwazi can jump from branch to branch, quickly navigating the trees in which it lives. The ǃukwazi eat small rodents and insects. Their most common prey is the corpse rat. The ǃukwazi often finds the corpses used by these rodents as nests. The entire group of ǃukwazi will then descend upon the vulnerable swarm from the trees, ripping the corpse open and eating the living and dead corpse rats inside. Attacking from above gives the swarm little time to react, masking to their approach. The ǃukwazi have not evolved venom. Instead, they evolved an immunity to the corpse rat venom, making them specialists in hunting this specific prey.

#### Corpse Rat

The Corpse Rat is a small rodent, which lives in the carcasses of animals that it kills. As a swarm hunter, the corpse rat lives in large groups, hunting and expanding their territory together. These creatures use a venom which renders the target docile, allowing the rats to manipulate its movements by pushing it in the direction they want it to go. Once in a desirable position, the corpse rats will eat the limbs and head of the creature, killing it. They will then eat the insides while solidifying their prey's skin with a sticky substance they produce. Once hollowed, the rats will use the empty corpse as their home, reproducing and then dying. The new batch of corpse rats will eat their dead parents while quickly growing and maturing. When they are fully developed, they will then set out as a swarm to ambush and kill their next victim, repeating the process.

#### Umbe

The Umbe is a large, seafloor-dwelling crustacean resembling the ancient terran crab. The creature has large, sharp claws it uses to catch fish and fight off rivals. Adapted to its seafloor habitat, the Umbe possesses a durable exoskeleton, protecting it from predators and the enormous pressures of the ocean itself. The Umbe is not a picky eater, as it will eat anything organic, whether it be fish, worms, urchins or even other crabs. As a heavy, armoured creature, the Umbe would have a hard time navigating the ocean with any speed. As most other Yemayan creatures, the Umbe has a warp ability. This creature's ability allows it to use some form of telekinesis to move itself through the water. This crustacean can move at surprising speeds helping it ambish and kill prey.

#### Siren Moths

Siren Moths are small insects with a green and brown colouration that blends them seamlessly into the Yemayan foliage. Each colony of siren moth is ruled by a queen who makes its home in a large hive. While adult moths do not live in the hive themselves, they are fiercely protective of the area surrounding it. The hive is an underground network of interconnected tunnels with one larger chamber that contains the hive queen. The siren moth uses its legs and wings to produce a range of notes, which gives it its name. When overlapped, these notes can produce realistic mimicry of a range of sounds including, but not limited to local wildlife, las fire, running water, and human voices. They use this mimicry to lure prey into their territory while the swarm waits camouflaged in the surrounding trees. This area is located directly about the nest, which is given away by a roughly circular pattern of palm-sized holes surrounding one larger hole, where the hive's song moths are located. Once within the circle, the larvae of the siren moth exit through all holes simultaneously, encircling whatever prey has wandered their trap. Siren moth larvae are able to produce and eject strands of scalding hot silk, which quickly hardens and traps prey. With thousands of worms shooting silk simultaneously, and thousands more moths attacking, the target becomes quickly immobilized. The larvae will then, as a group, swarm their target, entering every entering orifice.

Once inside, the larvae eat away everything but the vital organs, keeping the target alive during the process. Eventually, the brain will be eaten. Through some warp-based method, the host's body will continue to function devoid of a brain, pumping blood and generating warmth, the skin of the body now filled with a writhing mass of worms. The gorged larvae use the sack of skin as a cocoon to facilitate its metamorphosis process. After three Yemayan days, the new moths will burst forth from every opening in a cloud of green wings. Any parts of the host left over are delivered to the hive queen for consumption, aiding in the production of more eggs.

Like most other Yemayan creatures, the siren moth is venomous, with a bite that dissolves organic matter for ease of consumption. Individual moths are only capable of dissolving human fingernail-sized chunks of flesh, but en mass, they can attack, dissolve and devour an adult human in a matter of minutes, leaving not even a bone to identify their bodies.

The mimicry process is most likely warp enhanced, as the sounds are still able to reach the ears of those with protected hearing. Those who are within the range of the nest will also feel an uncanny desire to investigate the sound's origin, even if they know they should not.

To avoid such traps, it is important to listen closely to any sound that originates from the jungle, without an instantly apparent source. Especially if the noises sound clearer than others. The sounds produced by the siren moths are not perfect, due to the way they are produced. The insectoid choir, melding their individual notes together, gives each sound a chittering quality, which can be used to differentiate the mimic from the real thing. Thought the moth attempts to influence the thoughts of passersby, the Yemayan people are well-educated about the creature. With this knowledge, and their exposure to other warp-based hunting tools, most Yemayans are able to avoid the cruel fate this trap provides.

#### Seraph Sloth

The Seraph sloth is a giant, quadrupedal omnivore and is one of the rare mammals on Yemaya. With its towering stature and huge claws, it can hunt and forage, though it prefers the latter. Clad in a coat of lustrous beige fur, the beast emanates an aura of otherworldly calmness. Its eyes, deep pools of shimmering gold, betray the immense power dwelling within. With its serene and tranquil demeanour, this remarkable being is a living conduit for the energies of the warp. It possesses the ability to create and control plasma using psychic powers.

When threatened, the seraph sloth wreaths its claws in golden warpfire, preparing to fend off any attacker. From its open maw, it can send bolts of superheated fire searing through the air, incinerating anything in its way. When the fire inevitably spreads, the seraph sloth can bend the flames into a cloak covering their entire body. If the beast dies, the fire it produced dies with it, quelling any fire that might have spread through the battle. If the seraph sloth is victorious, it extinguishes the flames, limiting the damage to the jungle and saving all plants in the area.

The sight of a golden glowing seraph sloth is seen as a good omen, marking the success of the witness. This creature is seen as a creature touched by the God-Emperor, and hunting it is strictly forbidden. Infractions are punishable by death.

Psykers are able to approach these majestic beasts and communicate with them. If deemed worthy, the psyker is allowed to retrieve a vial of venom from the fangs of the creature. This venom is dormant when not imbued with psychic energy, making it useless to anyone other than the Black Fangs soulweavers. When in the right hands, the venom becomes a glowing gold fluid with holy properties, able to burn away organic and daemonic material in golden fire.

#### Pygmy Seraph Sloth

A much smaller version of the seraph sloth, which evolved to live exclusively in the trees. In contrast to their larger cousins, the pygmy sloth is incredibly slow, living a stagnant lifestyle, rarely leaving the area surrounding the tree they were born in. The sloth, is completely harmless if left alone. They will sit stationary when not slowly foraging for food, using their claws to scrape moss off the bark of branches. They move so slowly, and the moss regrows so quickly, that they do not need to move to find a new patch when they are finished. This moss is the most poisonous substance on Yemaya and to any other creature, it is deadly at small doses. The Pygmy Seraph Sloth is completely immune to the moss, and in eating it, stores the poison in its body. So much of their lives are spent in a sedatary state that their fur is often green with this moss growth, making it dangerous to any animal who would consider it prey. Not even the weaver is able to eat any part of the small creature without dying quickly after. As a result, the sloth has no natural predators, though weavers still hunt them if they ever somehow share the same territory.

Despite the divergent evolution, the pygmy seraph sloth still has a fraction of the warp mastery of its cousin. Though they are unable to create anything but a faint fiery glow in their eyes, they retain the ability to extinguish fires, making them a handy pet in the Yemayan home. Even though Yemayan buildings are made of the fire-resistant wood of ancient trees, they are still wood, making fire the most dangerous threat to wood-based architecture. To combat this, the Pygmy seraph sloth is a household pet, as its fire-suppressing aura is completely passive, only requiring the lazy animal to be in the general area of fire to activate.

#### Ptera-squirrel

An invasive species on Yemaya, the ptera-squirrel came to the planet aboard ships during colonization. Its original furry form was ill-equipped for life in the Yemayan jungles, but as soon as the second generation was born, the originally harmless creature evolved into a blood-drinking predator that was at home on the death world. Despite this creature's natural abilities, it can scarcely compete with the venomous inhabitants of the jungle, Over millennia, they have adapted to avoid the poisonous portions of prey animals, but they have no defence against the warp powers used by the jungle creatures. As a result, the ptera-squirrel is much lower on the food chain than most other Yemayan creatures, fitting into the niche of pack scavengers.

#### Oceanic Ọ̀kùn

Making their home on the floors of Yemaya's oceans this oceanic polychaete's slender worm like body can reach a length of ten meters. Its size and form make it an ineffective chase hunter, but that was never its preferred hunting style. The oceanic Ọ̀kùn is an ambush predator, digging a hole that can fit its entire body. It remains hidden within its burrow, awaiting the perfect moment to strike. When an unwary creature ventures too close, the polychaete explodes from its lair, its jaws clamping down on its prey. In an instant, the victim is captured, its fate sealed. Often, the speed of the attack is so great that target is cut in half by the Ọ̀kùn's sharp teeth

This giant creature does not sit passively, waiting to be fed. It has bioluminescent antennae that it uses to attract fish and other aquatic animals. When viewed by humans, a feeling of longing is experienced, and the person becomes drawn toward the antennae. The feeling persists for hours, even when the sufferer is removed from the area.

#### Pit Ọ̀kùn

The terrestrial adaptation of the pit Ọ̀kùn has undergone remarkable evolutionary changes to excel in traversing the land. Its once bristle-like appendages have transformed into sturdy and muscular legs, granting it the ability to move swiftly through the dense jungle when necessary. Similar to its marine counterpart, this variant of the pit worm is an ambush predator, choosing concealed locations for its hunting endeavours.

Its favoured concealment spot is pools of quicksand, where it buries itself. Even in shallow depressions, these creatures can camouflage themselves almost horizontally, rendering them virtually undetectable. With their mesmerizing antennae, the Pit Ọ̀kùn entices unsuspecting prey towards the quicksand trap. Once the prey becomes trapped and begins to tire, the Pit Ọ̀kùn seizes the opportune moment to strike. The worm then closes in on its immobilized victim, its powerful body coiling and its sharp mandibles poised to deliver the fatal blow.

This creature is not naturally venomous, but its partial diet of barbed viperplants gives it a paralytic bite.

#### Drownfang

The Drownfang is a fearsome predator that stalks the Yemayan jungles. It is a small, semi-bipedal mammal with sleek and powerful muscles rippling under its black fur. Its sharp, dagger-like fangs glisten with a clear saliva-like venom, that is teeming with bacteria.

It is this venom that sets the Drownfang apart. When triggered, its venom glands release a substance infused with psychic energy. Upon injection into a target, the venom undergoes a rapid replication process. When the Drownfang bites the throat of a prey animal, self-replicating venom is injected into the creature. This venom feeds on blood, converting it into more venom which leaks into the prey's lungs, quickly multiplying. Even if the Drownfang lets go, the venom continues to replicate, drowning the target. When used as a self-defence measure, the Drownfang does not need to hit vital organs. If the creature bites any part of the body, the Drownfang is able to manipulate the venom, liquifying skin and muscle around the infected area.

#### Imbiza

The Imbiza is a shelled reptillian sea creature that inhabits the coastal regions of Yemaya. Its armoured shell provides protection against predators and is adorned with intricate patterns and designs. Due to the beauty of its shell, the Imbiza is often sought after by artisans and craftsmen on Yemaya. The shell of the Imbiza can be polished, revealing dazzling patterns. The shell is then used as decorations and jewelry. The Imbiza's diet primarily consists of algae, small marine organisms, and decaying matter. As with most prey animals, the Imbiza has a complex defense mechanism to protect itself from predators. The Imbiza's shell is capable of vibrating at various frequencies, creating sound. This creature is capable of making both soothing, and ear-splitting noises. Depending on what creature it is being attacked by, the Imbiza has the appropriate sonic defence to escape.

#### Yemayan Coral

Yemayan coral is a vibrant from of marine life found on the sea floor. It consists of large branching structures with a wide array of colors, ranging from vivid blues and greens to rich purples and pinks. The coral formed expansive colonies that provide shelter and a habitat for diverse ecosystems of marine creatures.

#### ǀopondo

The ǀopondo is a quadrupedal omnivorous mammal native to the jungles of Yemaya. It possesses a sturdy build, with a muscular body and a compact frame. Its fur is dense and comes in a variety of earthy tones. The ǀopondo has a keen sense of smell and sharp, curved tusks, which it uses for both foraging and defence. These creatures are adaptable omnivores, capable of consuming a wide range of plant matter, fruits, and small animals, including insects, small rodents, and even carrion when necessary. When threatened, the ǀopondo grows from its normal half a meter size, to upwards of two meters long. Its tusks grow in size, pointing forwards, ready to be used as defensive weapons to create space between themselves and the threat. This state can only be sustained for a limited amount of time, but during this time, the ǀopondo becomes incredibly aggressive and have a heightened resistance to venom. They often kill their attacker or are killed in the process.

#### Jiwe

The Jiwe is a small insect known for their remarkable strength. They inhabit underground colonies, constructing elaborate tunnel systems that follow the roots of nearby trees. Attached to these roots are parasitic insects and planets which the Jiwe feed on. The Jiwe have a strict job system, with specialized roles assigned to different members of the colony based on their size. At the top of this hierarchy is the queen, who can telepathically communicate with members of the colony, even if separated by great distance. The Jiwe work tirelessly to forage for food, build and maintain their intricate nests, and defend their territory from any potential threats. Each of these insects carries venom, which by itself is not dangerous. When attacked by thousands of Jiwa, the venom can be deadly if not treated quickly.

#### Inyoni

The Inyoni are a species of highly organized and industrious, wood-eating insects. They dwell in tunnels they eat through bounty trees. The Inyoni are skilled architects and builders, constructing elaborate wooden defences using the regenerative property of bounty tree wood. They fuse woodchips to construct spikes and thorns which point outwards from tunnel entrances. They often create fake tunnel openings to trick predators, which are filled with spikes meant to injure anything that attempts to feed through it.

#### Kufunda

The Kufunda are small reptiles that specialize in eating tunnel insects. They have adapted to thrive on the jungle floor, using their sense of smell to locate their prey. With their stout bodies and long claws, the Kufunda are adept at digging through the ground and trees to reach insect nets of species like the Jiwe and Inyoni. When attacked, the Kufunda generates an aura of confusion. In the eyes of any entity that views it, the Kufunda appears to multiply into three creatures, running off in different directions. To other creatures, the confusion caused by the Kofunda reduces the success of hunts. If the hunter chases the wrong target, the opportunity is the perfect chance to escape.

#### Ulwandle

The Ulwandle is a massive, omnivorous creature that roams more sparse trees of the northern jungles of Yemaya. Towering in stature, it possesses a sturdy and muscular build to support its weight. Its body is covered in a thick and coarse hide, providing protection against external elements and potential threats. This hide is thick and hard enough to prevent most of the jungle predators from pumping venom into their system. This layer is a special organ which mixes the venom with neutralizing sweat that leaves any toxins inert. The Ulwandle has serrated, curving horns that protrude from its head, used in territorial disputes and as a defensive tool. More importantly, the Ulwandle uses its horns to cut down trees which make up its main food source. The Ulwanlde will eat the leaves and branches first before consuming the entire tree over the course of the day. Depending on the size of the tree, it could provide several days worth of food for the creature. The biggest threat to this giant is Intaba moss, which can kill even the largest Ulwandle in a matter of minutes.

#### Zyphyrax

The Zyphyrax is a predatory creature that haunts the dark skies of its domain. It has two, large leathery wings and a body covered in leathery scales. The Zyphyrax's sharp fangs and claws on the ends of its winged limbs are designed for capturing and tearing apart its prey. This creature has a potent neurotoxic venom that shuts down the nervous system of those that the Zyphyrax bites. This venom is not easily harvestable, as it requires killing the uncooperative creature.

This scaled mammal possesses exceptional speed and maneuverability, allowing it to swiftly navigate through the air and ambush unsuspecting creatures below. The Zyphyrax's fiery eyes glow with an otherworldly intensity when it is looking for prey. The Zyphyrax uses a form of warpsight to find and track its prey before attacking. Its nocturnal nature has led to legends and folklore about it abducting children who are late for their daily jungle survival classes. Only the Sankofa eagle can match the Zyphyrax's hunting prowess, but the two creatures hunt at opposite times of day, so their paths rarely cross. The Zyphyrax, during the day, rests in the deepest, darkest parts of the giant bounty trees, where light hardly penetrates.

#### Kijara

Kijara are small, colourful winged reptiles which feed primarily on fruit. They use their agile wings to reach ripe fruits, plucking them from branches and carrying them in their hind claws to a safe location to eat. If the fruit is too large, the Kijara will eat the fruit where it hangs. Though its diet and size would suggest otherwise, the Kijara is not a defenceless creature. Within its mouth are special glands, which, when activated, can shoot streams of hot venom. This liquid, through a connection with the warp, remains at temperatures upwards of 473K (200°C/392°F) for hours. If it comes in contact with skin, it causes severe burns, continuing to eat through the target until it is removed from organic matter. For an unknown reason, Kijara venom, even though hot, does not damage inorganic materials. Kijara venom can be harvested at very small amounts.

#### Lulenga

The Lulenga is a reptilian creature with a robust and muscular build. With its eight limbs, it possesses excellent mobility, allowing it to navigate through rough terrains. Its strong jaws and sharp teeth are well-suited for capturing and devouring large prey. Despite its ability to hunt and consume meat, the Lulenga has a diverse diet that includes plants and insects. Its preferred food is the Siren Moth.

The Lulenga uses its sharp hearing to find Siren Moth nests, and when they are ambushed, they will remain stationary with their mouth wide. The Lulenga's scales are resistant to Siren Moth venom, and they are able to seal all their orifices, blocking off ingress points for Siren Moth larvae. The mouth of the creature has a palatal valve which closes off its internals from attack. A sickly venom is secreted inside their mouths, drawing in parts of the flying swarm. This venom is viscous and sticky, trapping the insects that come in contact with it. When the inside of their mouths are coated, they close their jaws and swallow the insects which are coated in the liquid. The Lulenga will do this until most of the swarm is consumed but will leave enough to replenish the hive for further feeding.

#### Tundu

The Tundu is a colossal filter-feeding fish that inhabits the oceans of Yemaya. The Tundu possesses a wide mouth adorned with intricate, comb-like structures that act as sieves, allowing it to trap and consume microscopic prey. As a peaceful creature, the Tundu spends its days gracefully swimming through the water. The Tundu, when threatened, is able to create localized vacuums using telekinetic abilities. It uses these pockets of empty space to obstruct the movement of predators while it attempts to escape.

#### Chakari

The Chakari are a species of eel which lives in crevices of coral formations. Their long, slender bodies allow them to fit into tight places, where they lay in wait for prey. Along their spines and flanks, they possess venomous spines that serve as a potent defence and offence. These venomous spines contain a toxic substance that can be injected into predators and prey alike. The venom delivers a powerful paralytic venom which causes near-instant loss of muscle control to those affected. The spines can be fired out of the body, moving of their own will, speaking out targets to attach to.

### Flora

#### Bounty Trees

Bounty trees are magnificent trees with true giants which appear at regular intervals throughout the jungles of Yemaya. Each tree is linked to its distant neighbours through a network of interconnected roots beneath the jungle floor. Smaller bounty trees sprout from this root system, creating a web of trees which grows thick closest to the giants. All of the trees which sprout from the root web feed their excess energy to the root network, sharing nutrients, water and energy with the surrounding trees. More importantly, the giant trees take in much of this energy, using it to regrow their shed bark. These smaller trees regrow incredibly quickly, making them an easily accessible renewable resource for architecture and tool crafting.

When the core bounty trees reach maturity, they shed their bark, which contains rich nutrients, helping to nourish the diverse array of creatures on the jungle floor. As well as being a food source for animals, the bark of the bounty trees comes apart in layers allowing for even the smallest creatures to take thin slices with them. The giant pieces which fall to the jungle floor can be stripped into thin layers, which are then used as parchment, making for durable scrolls.

As the focal points of the jungle, large bounty trees not only attract large herbivores but also serve as the center of civilization. The residents of Yemaya consider the Bounty Trees as holy objects.

#### Barbed Viperplant

The Barbed Viperplant is a deadly carnivorous plant that spreads its vines through the undergrowth. These vines are covered in small, needle-like spines that inject a potent venom into their prey, causing paralysis. Once the target is paralyzed, the vines creep into the wounds, spreading through flesh as if they were roots growing through the soil. The process slowly drains the life from the still-living prey, until they are digested in their entirety. The experience is completely painless as the prey has no feeling at all. This has been tested extensively on cultist prisoners.

The planet's inhabitants have domesticated these deadly plants. They harvest and utilize the Viperplant's venom and vines to create weapon coatings and ammunition.

#### Leaping Mushroom

A mushroom that grows in patches on the jungle floors of Yemaya. These fungi produce spores that act as natural pesticides but also cause hallucinogenic effects in anything that inhales or otherwise consumes them. Through evolution, the leaping mushroom has developed an offensive use for this originally defensive mutation; their stocks are coiled like a spring, and are capable of launching the mushrooms into the air. After launch, the mushrooms are able to levitate through warp based means, releasing a seemingly impossible amount of spores. They use this combination of characteristics to hunt.

The mushrooms lay in wait, able to sense nearby movement with a layer of mycelium on the ground's surface. When a prey animal is close enough to the patch, several mushrooms launch into the air, releasing hallucinogenic spores during flight. Any creature that inhales these spores is struck with immediate hallucinations of all types. This state makes the animal, or human, vulnerable to hunters. The hallucinations are, to the sufferer, real in every way. If they see visions of being bitten by a weaver spider, the spot will begin to rot and decay as if it were actually bitten. Often these hallucinations lead to the death of the creature, before predators can make the kills themselves. The leftovers of these animals provide nutrients for the mushroom patch to fuel its spread.

A particularly deadly subspecies of leaping mushrooms produce spores that, when inhaled, stick to the inside of the respiratory tract. This buildup causes trouble breathing and lightheadedness. Eventually, if enough is inhaled, the spores will completely obstruct airways, leading to asphyxiation and death.

#### Intaba Moss

Intaba Moss is the single most poisonous substance on Yemaya. This green growth is so deadly that even trace amounts can kill a human if ingested. Intaba Moss causes a rash when coming in contact with skin but has no other adverse effects if not eaten. When cooked, this plant life loses its toxic effect. Despite this, there are no known dishes that use Intaba Moss as an ingredient, as it has a poor, overwhelmingly bitter taste, even when seasoned and cooked. The Veiled Marines of the Black Fangs have tried to use Intaba Moss as a method to become intoxicated, but the feeling described upon ingestion is that of "dread and disgust a space marine should not be capable of feeling."

### Venom Farming

The people of Yemaya utilize toxins from the various animals of the planet's jungles for war and hunting alike. In order to harvest said venom, they capture and breed generations of creatures, deeming this a more effective method than hunting and killing them. After millennia of this practice, the Xandilu mastered the arts of husbandry and have formed a deep connection with Xa-Yemayan wildlife. In turn, they have shared this knowledge with their human cohabitants and the other Zephala xenos. In every major city, there is a structure dedicated to housing these wild animals. These areas on a pleasure planet would be a zoo that would attract millions with its assortment of dangerous beasts of all sizes. On Yemaya, it is a farm that produces all the venom necessary to supply the city it is in. A certain percentage is sent to the Black Fangs Chapter as part of the city's tithe.
Each animal must be handled differently, with unique approaches to each. Capture, habitation and especially the method of harvesting its toxins have all been perfected over the millennia:

Weaver: The weavers are a very intelligent species, and capturing one is a feat of its own. To catch a weaver, normal traps are ineffective, as they often notice and identify traps that would capture other animals. Instead, the Yemayans turn to their falconry expertise, relying on a lesser Sankofa eagle to envenom the target, sending it into a state of confusion. The confused weaver will act erratically and is then susceptible to traps. When captured, the weaver is moved to a large enclosure, which is an isolated portion of the jungle. They are surprisingly docile creatures in this environment. It is speculated that the weaver is so intelligent, it quickly understands its new relationship with its human abductors. The beast requires very little training to understand that meals are provided when they deposit venom into specified receptacles. The weaver is kept in this manner for ten years, at which point they are sedated and released back into the wild. It is often said that the weavers enjoy this pampered lifestyle when compared to hunting their own food. A fact that generally disproves this theory is that when released, the weaver will return immediately to hunting and trapping its normal prey in a more sadistic manner than the species is known for. They will also never return to where it was initially captured, possibly in fear of being caught again.

The other large spiders of the planet, such as the weaver's mountain and ocean subspecies, are not domesticated. Both because of the challenge of capture, and the difficulty in housing them. All weaver venom produces the same effect, so it would be redundant to capture more than one type.

Irora Iku: This amphibian is relatively easy to capture. As they are incredibly passive creatures, who have no natural predators, they are easily captured with a net and stored in transit containers. In order to avoid any form of contact with its venomous secretions, the Irora's handlers are covered completely in impermeable suits. This stands for the farmers that are tasked with collecting its poison. The Irora Iku needs very little maintenance in its enclosures. They are provided a section of swampy land to live in and they sustain themselves on the various insects that live there. When it is time for poison collection, the handlers will enter the enclosure in the aforementioned suits and manually squeeze the poison out of the creature. This practice is entirely humane as the Irora is a plump creature when filled with poison, and does not experience any pain or discomfort during this process. The Irora Iku can reproduce asexually, allowing for even a small group of specimens to eventually populate an entire farm.

Sankofa Eagle: The lesser Sankofa Eagle is used in Yemayan Falconry. No designated habitation is provided for these creatures; the only way to domesticate them is by connecting them to a falconer. Any bird that is bonded to its falconer must live in close proximity to them. These birds are affectionate, emotional creatures, and their specific personalities must be catered to. When bonded, these eagles will not reproduce, making domestication for farming impossible. Sankofa venom is one of the rarest on Yemaya for this reason.

Barbed Viperplant:This carnivorous flora must be treated with incredible care as they will not hesitate to attack a human when approached. A specimen is taken from the wild only when necessary, but its quick growth period makes it easy to grow a field of this flowering plant with very few seeds. The plant's vines are regularly pruned to create a safer farming environment. The plant's venom is stored in a large bell under its main flower, so it is unnecessary to allow for the growth of these vines. The venom extraction process is fully automated. A constant slow, steady stream of this dangerous fluid flows into a collection duct which then feeds into tanks for storage.

Leaping Mushrooms: The leaping mushroom spreads aggressively, depositing spores that stick to any animal carcass they come into contact with. Its quick-spreading nature makes it trivially easy to grow. With a reproductive cycle of only a few hours, if there is enough organic material, vast quantities of spores can be collected for later use. The leaping mushroom is grown in a vast sealed chamber. To trigger spore release, a series of ports on the ceiling is opened, allowing for animal parts to fall onto the thin layer of mycelium. Once triggered, the leaping mushroom will spring into the air, discharging its payload into the air. A powerful system of ducts ventilates the chamber, sucking all the air-bound spores into waiting tanks. This process can be repeated as often as once every three standard hours.

### Yemayan Jungle Water

Yemaya's jungles support a host of vile creatures, each containing their own poison or venom. All Yemayan beasts have grown a tolerance for ingesting certain toxins specific to their diet. Instead of breaking down, these chemicals are stored in the systems of the animals. Similar to agricultural pesticide runoff infecting local wildlife, this infection makes each creature inherently toxic. Despite this, the Yemayan people are able to hunt and eat such creatures, with a specific method of toxic neutralization, cleaning, and cooking that only they know. Such an ecosystem is not only dangerous because of the creatures, but also due to the environments these animals' shape around themselves.

When flora and fauna excrement, or corpses, decay, most stored toxic materials are deposited back into the jungle, being absorbed by its plants and eaten by its animals. Not all matter is consumed this way. The torrential rain that often falls on Yemaya, washes away much of the rotten material, depositing hazardous waste into the water table, poisoning rivers and lakes alike. After millions of years of this process, all of the water found in Yemaya's jungles is toxic to humans, and without the proper protection, will lead to a host of diseases specific to the planet. Yemayans, after many millennia of evolution and survival, have developed a resistance to these waterborne diseases, allowing them to be completely unaffected even after prolonged exposure to both liquid and gaseous water. Ingestion of great volumes still requires a specific decontamination process, even for Yemayans.

Each river, stream, pond and lake has its own disease, or severity of disease, associated with it, due the specific mix of animals and plants that surround it. The Black Fangs have ordered the construction of artificial pools, used to mix their own controlled version of Yemayan Jungle Water, based on naturally occurring samples.

#### Yemayan Deseases

* **The Mind Eater -**  A horrific, fast acting disease that is contracted through exposure to Yemayan Jungle water which has a high concentration of viperplant poison and Sankofa Venom. Compounds in the water disrupt the nervous system's function, making bodily functions uncontrollable. The initial stage of this illness, which happens immediately after exposure, is indicated by profuse salivation and sweating, runny nose, involuntary urination and heart palpitations. After this point, the sufferer only has a few minutes to limit the damage cased by the Mind Eater. Quickly after this, the disease will begin to attack the brain, causing confusion and agitation, and weakening the brain's control over specific muscle groups. Next, vision becomes blurry, and the sufferer loses their sense of smell entirely, along with all sensation of feeling throughout their body. Within minutes, depending on severity of the infection, the brain's link to the breathing muscles will be disconnected, causing asphyxiation and death. The Mind Eater receives its name from both the dramatic affects it has on the brain's connection to the rest of the body and the disease's long lasting effects. Even if an antidote is administered before the subject dies, recovery is a long process which is not guaranteed to succeed. Many victims of the Mind Eater still die days later due to complications. Those that are lucky enough to survive past the first few hours do not regain control of their bowels for days, resulting in uncontrollable vomiting, urination and defecation. Their original vision does not return for months, and their sense of touch often remains lost for years.

* **Red Tears -**  Contracted by exposure to Yemayan Jungle water which has a high concentration of weaver and siren beetle venom. The Red Tears is a highly contagious disease that can ravage an entire settlement. The first sign of infection, as the name implies, is the release of blood-red tears from the eyes. At first, this takes the form of droplets from one eye, and a slight headache. Eventually, it evolves into streams of blood that leak out of the eyes, ears and nose of the infected. All throughout the body, blood vessels burst, causing intense internal bleeding, which leads to pools of blood to under the subject's skin. This will continue until death if untreated. The Red Tears, like most of the Yemayan diseases, has an antidote which stops the worsening of symptoms. After the antidote is administered, those that have been infected must remain quarantined until their symptoms subside. Yemayan cities have specialized control centres for such people where they can receive treatment in a safe, contained environment. Even though the locals' bodies are incredibly resistant to Yemayan Jungle Water, cases are not as uncommon as they should be. Those irresponsible, or stupid enough, to drink water that has not been sufficiently decontaminated, often cause minor outbreaks of the disease. If not quelled quickly enough, sections of cities have been known to be completely purged through mass execution and subsequent immolation, though this is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

* **Sankofa Iku Fever -** Contracted through exposure to Yemayan Jungle Water with a high concentration of Sankofa Venom and Irora Iku poison. Sankofa Fever is an excruciating, short lived disease. Symptoms begin relatively minor, with an increase in body temperature and a faint sense of dread. In the second stage, the infected will enter a paranoid state, not trusting anyone around them with their care. If care is still attempted during this, the infected will become violent, attacking the caregiver when approached. When the infected sees themselves in a reflective surface, they are not able to identify themselves and will attempt to attack their own reflections. In the third stage, which begins on the third day after infection, the sufferer will collapse into a fit of painful seizures that lasts 24 hours. Though this disease is not as contagious as the Red Tears, care still must be given when containing one infected by Sankofa Fever.

### The Brood

The Black Fangs' marines have become deeply integrated into the Xa-Yemaya's culture. The Brood is the city fortress of the Black Fangs. Located near the center of the largest island chain, The Brood is the planet's cultural, governmental, military and religious center. The Odùduwà of the Chapter is the leader of Yemaya's planetary government. The Yemayans who cannot serve the Chapter directly undertake a pilgrimage to the Brood, no matter the dangers involved.