Kappa

**Description:** Kappas are strange creatures that stink of blood and rot. They are rarely seen, but when they are, people describe them as humanoid fish-people with dark green scales, webbed fingers and toes, gangly limbs, and eyes which glow yellow in the dark. Their teeth are so thin and pointed, they resemble sewing needles.

**Trial of Worth:** In order to bond with a kappa, a mother must sacrifice her first born child to the creature. Once the kappa has consumed its flesh, it will bond.

**Tier:** 2

**Reproduction:** Progeny—kappas dwell in deep rivers close to civilization. They only reproduce after consuming human placentas (which they often steal from birthing rooms, if they can get away with it).

**Evocation:** Acid—kappas and their arcanists evoke a highly corrosive acid that burns through most solid objects it comes into contact with. This evocation is around fist-sized, and the acid is sticky.

**Manipulation:** Water—kappas and their arcanists can manipulate water, specifically the currents, to swim faster, and to harden it into ice in order to bind or trap individuals.

**Augmentation:** Enhanced Sight—when kappas or their arcanists augment themselves, they gain the ability to feel tremors within water, and can “see” anything that moves through fluid around them. When kappas or their arcanists augment others, they grant those individuals the ability to see in non-magical darkness.

**Imbuing:** Corrosion Resistance—kappa magic creates items that are often immune to acid and dangerous water effects, such as ice.

**Aura:** Sweet Mistakes—when a kappa arcanist creates an aura, a soft and haunting melody can be heard for several miles. All children who have yet to hit puberty (typically ten and under) are transfixed by the song and head for the kappa arcanist’s location, trapped in a trance and unable to speak.

**Innate Abilities:** Kappas and their arcanists are immune to acid and blood diseases, can breathe underwater, and can tell the age of children upon smelling them.

**True Form Type:** Geas—kappa arcanists must feed their eldrin five more first born children (from other mothers) in order for their eldrin to transform.

**True Form Appearance:** Once a kappa achieves its true form, it grows a hard defensive shell, similar to a turtle, on its back. It also leaks a sweet-smelling water from a hole on its head that causes most people to assume its harmless.

**True Form Ability:** Dehydration—the kappa, and its arcanist, can now manipulate the water in someone’s body by touching them, “draining” the water from the person’s body at a shocking rate and weakening them (or outright killing them).

**In-World Lore:** Kappas, and their arcanists, are seen as deplorable monsters. Most kappa arcanists are chased from cities or often hunted by knights and inquisitors. Because of this, kappa arcanists tend to become thieves, pirates, or brigands.

**Real-World Inspiration:** In Japanese folklore, a kappa is a type of river kami or yokai. The legends of kappa in Japan tell of creatures that drown children and animals, eat fish, and assault women. They are often mischievous and malevolent creatures, and the tales of their need for human flesh shaped their magics for the Frith Chronicles.