Tag: creature

LORE24 ENTRY #25 – Merkava

Category – Creature

Merkava are a breed of moles common on Andyllion, but there have been variations of this creature found on multiple worlds throughout the galaxy.  Typically found in varying climates, and these moles are generally seen as harmless, though have, on occasion, been deemed a nuisance if the population gets to be too large.  When this happens, it is not uncommon for settlements to experience sudden sinkholes or structural damage due to the digging of these creatures.

The merkava are similar in size, shape, and appearance to other moles, but have a unique property that indicates that they have ties back to the elemental planes, namely that each of the creatures has some kind of elemental resistance, most commonly fire, cold, or acid.  This seems to be an environmental adaptation, as the merkava are often found in environments that most races would consider harsh, such as tundra or volcanic regions, and seem to thrive because of this trait.

Some orcish tribes in ancient times held the merkava in high regard as an animal spirit that represented triumph over adversity in harsh conditions, and also as guides to the underworld and the land of the dead, given their burrowing nature.  These beliefs have since faded, but the ancient stories have survived thanks to the efforts of various historians throughout the centuries. 

 

 

LORE24 ENTRY #12 – Chubbi Wubba

Category – Creature

A curious creature, the Chubbi Wubba (pronounced Chuh-bee Whuh-buh) appear to be normal cats of various breeds, living as cats typically do, whether it’s as a favored house pet or as a wanderer on the streets, sharing diets, behaviors, etc.  However, the Chubbi Wubba are quite intelligent, at least average compared to other races in known space, if not superior, not that they typically show it.  Not only are they intelligent, they are also psychic, though they typically don’t allow themselves to be discovered.  

The psychic nature of the Chubbi Wubba is quite subtle, with only talented psychics able to detect their presence at all.  They can communicate telepathically if they so choose, but their most common use of their psychic powers is to subtly influence the thoughts of individuals around them into petting or feeding them, often for many minutes or hours on end, or perhaps convincing someone to open their home for a night should they need a place to stay, or simply convincing someone to clean the litter box for them.  It is exceedingly rare that a Chubbi Wubba will do more than this, as they seem to be content in doing only what brings them pleasure at the time.  Their favorite targets seem to be those who don’t care much for cats, and it is rare that those they target even realize what they’re doing.  Notably, those with feline allergies seem to be unaffected by them around the Chubbi Wubba.

No one is entirely certain where the Chubbi Wubba originated, as they have been encountered on many worlds, and often travel onboard ships, some even making their homes on them.  Some theorize that these felines were once arcanist familiars who evolved beyond their original purposes, or were perhaps forced to evolve after their arcanists had died.  In the modern era, it would seem that conspiracy theories have emerged that would paint the Chubbi Wubba in a negative light, postulating that they are a malevolent force, secretly controlling the galaxy under the guise of harmless cats, or subtly influencing behavior on a galactic scale through cute cat videos on the ‘net.  

If anyone knows for sure, they aren’t saying, and neither are the Chubbi Wubba. 

 

 

LORE24 ENTRY #4 – Doppelgangers

Category – Creature

Doppelgangers are a species of shapechanging monsters that have been present to some extent since ancient times.  Their ability to blend in and assume practically any identity have led them to be considered absolutely abhorrent in most societies, yet they are often employed by those of questionable morals to cause chaos in those same societies, usually by replacing important individuals with a (mostly) loyal minion who can perfectly mimic them.

In their natural state, doppelgangers are unsettling for most to gaze upon.  Their skin is a very neutral gray color, their bodies and limbs are lean and gangly, seeming very alien in appearance.  Their facial features are very smooth and undefined, their eyes black and multifaceted, large, and often unblinking, their mouths thin slits.

In ancient times, most doppelgangers could mirror a target for a limited amount of time to a fair degree of accuracy, mimicking their voices and behaviors with an uncanny instinct after only a short time of observation.  Should a more long-term replacement be necessary, the doppelganger must do more than simple observation; it must actually consume its target, draining its vital fluids and consuming its flesh, including its brain.  Through this almost ritualistic method, the doppelganger becomes its victim almost completely, typically gaining most of its memories and skills, while retaining its own consciousness deep within.  This makes them exceptionally hard to detect without specialized methods.

By the time of galactic expansion, doppelgangers have evolved, or at least, some of them have; rumors persist that these advanced doppelgangers were created by DSM’s AR&D division.  The most exceptional doppelgangers are often employed by corporations for spying, and have further refined their methods of infiltration and deception.  These advanced doppelgangers no longer need to consume their targets to assume their identities; instead they rely on forging a psychic link with their victim and consuming some of their blood to sample their DNA, and thus become a perfect duplicate with access to all knowledge of the original, which would remain in a hidden, secure location until the job is done, after which the original can be disposed of.  In some cases, these advanced doppelgangers have been known to behave as body doubles, working with the original.