Saryth

Saryth, more commonly referred to as observers, are a race of extremely potent spell casters. Observers are orb-shaped creatures that possess many eye stalks (between 6 and 12) and large central mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. There are a great many types of observers, each denoted by skin color and stalk number. Saryth society is caste-based, with power being associated with skin type. Observers serve a wide variety of functions within the Black Order, ranging from heavy artillery, to scientific research, scouting, or frontline fighting as needed.

## History

Observers are the only race to be unaffected by Numond's explosion, largely remaining the same. However they were still mortal, dying of old age and succumbing to mundane illnesses. Chaos changed them into demons, just as it had all the other races it came in contact with. Aside from eliminating mortal baggage such as old age and disease, it also allowed them to survive the journey between planets. Observers being one of the few races able to propel themselves through Wildspace without the use of apparatus.

The saryth happened upon the dalmachim in the middle of their cannibalistic civil war. Amused by their machiavellian tendencies and in desperate need for ground-based shock troops, the observers approached the nightlords and offered to assist them. The observers would teach them arcane magic, and in exchange the nightlords would serve as warriors for the saryth. Desperate to escape their situation, the nightlords agreed.

The observers and nightlords formed the Unmitigated Host, and quickly spread their sphere of influence within the Burning Expanse.

## Caste System

There are four types of saryth: beholders, tyrants, surveyors, and reapers.

### Beholders

Beholders possess red skin, and rank among the highest of saryth. They possess 10 eye stalks, though some of the oldest beholders possess 12. Unlike other observers, a beholder's eyestalks each possess a different magical power which allows them to tackle virtually any challenge. Combine this with their mastery of arcane magic, beholders are truly powerful foes.

### Tyrants

Tyrants possess yellow skin and are the assassins of the observer race, making heavy use of illusion spells to get close to their target. They are larger, possess a hardened exterior, but only four eye stalks. Unlike other observers, a tyrant's stalks drain and consume magic energies. Many spellcasters have met death under the oppressive gaze of a tyrant. When fighting non-magical enemies, tyrants often flee or attempt to find help from other demonic forces.

### Surveyors

Surveyors are purple skinned, and act as scouts and trackers. They are smaller, lighter, and much faster than their kin. They possess 5 eye stalks, which are generally used to observe far away locations and pierce through magical deceptions. Typically they are used to scout new worlds by the Black Order, making them heralds of a demonic invasion.

### Reapers

Reapers are silver skinned, and are artificially created by Beholders to act as guardians for demonic essence and captured souls. They use their 8 stalks to track and watch the Shadow, as well as the Prismatic Dark, for wayward souls. They ambush these weary souls and recover them for Beholder experimentation. Little else is known of them, as they are rarely seen outside Beholder worlds.

### Others

Worlds occupied by observers are usually terraformed by Beholders, altering the plant and animal life to resemble them.

## Description

Observers are orb-shaped creatures who possess magical flight. They commonly have a large central mouth with a single eye placed above. Observers also possess tentacles that hang below the creature's mouth. These tentacles seem to be inert, and act as the creature's facial hair, and are often styled similarly.

## Biology

Observer blood can serve as a catalyst in arcane rituals and powerful alchemical creations. When consumed by a mortal creature, the imbiber begins to grow their own eye stalks, typically from the back of their skull. Their hair falls out and is replaced with fleshy purple tentacles. Large amounts of observer blood at once can result in an unstable fleshy explosion, as the arcane properties become too much for the mortal to handle.