Cryptids

*"Run, RUN FOR YOUR FUCKING LIFE"-Wilson*

## Overview

The origin of these creatures is highly shrouded in mystery and is often highly disputed. Some adventurers theorize that they are the spirits of the damned who are cursed to walk the world forever to repent for their sins. Those who believe in faith believe that they are tools sent by god to punish the sins of man. While the exact origin of these spirits are questioned, no one can disagree with how dangerous they are. Cryptids are truly the things of nightmares, all around Razhai there are whispers in the dark about them. The legend of the Cryptid is just as mysterious and blood chilling as seeing one in the flesh.

Cryptids are essentially dark spirits that build a flesh construct so they can interact with the world. The is no limit to what a cryptid can produce to use as its physical body. It is really up to the creativity and inner feelings of the spirit when they craft these abominations. While very little is known about them or their true intentions one thing is clear, they seem to feast off of human agony.

## History

The only thing that is concrete about the origin of the cryptids is that they a post-Saivoz creature. When and where they exactly come from is a mystery even to themselves. The closest amount of proof to an origin humanity has ever received was when it appeared several cryptids were in the service for a **lich**. The circumstances are unclear whether or not the lich had enslaved the creatures or whether they were seeking to gain something from him. They have no past, no connection to anything in the mortal planes, they are a complete enigma.

## Appearance//Behavior

All Cryptids have a unique spirit form and a unique flesh form. They can vary greatly from individual to individual and don't follow a normal pattern or set of traits. The thing they have the most in common is that their spirit forms are always malnourished looking humanoid frames. In this form the facial features they all have make them distinctly unique and they each give off a different feeling. While in spirit form they seem to project a constant negative aura of a painful human emotion. Survivors who have seen claim they have felt overwhelmed with different yet distinct emotions that produce deep psychological trauma. Eyewitness accounts say they felt emotions ranging from intense fear, paranoia, anger, despair, hopelessness, etc. In their flesh suit forms they can vary greatly in ability and appearance. The only thing that connects them as a species is the fear they cause in living creatures of all kinds.

The main goal of Cryptids appear to be their need to feed off of motions of agony. A lot of times they will hunt a creature for hours but won't attack even when it has a prime opportunity to. Instead it will wait until the preys' spirit is completely broken and demoralized before it will strike. Cryptids also appear to show a good amount of intellect and a good understanding of emotions. They will use different techniques to terrify their victims to ensure that maximum agony is obtained before they decide to feast. An example of this is hanging corpses in a town square to spread fear and panic. They are merciless and cannot be reasoned with at all.