Atrocities

Genus Mytikos

Mutated crustaceans of enormous proportions, their passage is credited by the Dunefolk as having helped sculpt the fantastic landscape characteristic of the southern end of the Continent, where desert and beach converge. Though the Sunfolk have observed them for cycles, Atrocities remain mysterious, with scant records held even by the Slenders. The Sunfolk culture has cultivated a practice of raiding the dwellings of these gigantic beasts, at great risk to themselves, as part of their rights of passage.

Averaging 600 strides in diameter, their visage is rather more terrifying than their size. The creatures appear asymmetrical, sporting multiple heterogeneous heads - typically two - that culminate in jaws with seperate mandibles, each trailing a tendril-like goatee. Atrocity carcasses reveal their exoskeleton to be segmented, resembling a combination of terrestrial crab, lobster and turtle, with stoat legs as thick as ancient tree trunks. Much of their bulk appears to be hollow; a frame held together by muscle and sinews, reducing their weight, and allowing for whole colonies of other, symbiotic organisms. Their legs in particular can only be described as an organic system of girders - long flowing shapes weaving and interlocking - leaving much of their mass hollow.

Shepherds of the waters

The Atrocities behave are living, mobile sea colonies, alternating between beach and sea, relocating to seek fresh nutrients. Whole systems of organisms live on and within their expansive shells, whose ecosystems house all they require. Some of these attach themselves to the outer plastron much like barnacles or coral polyps; these develop parasitic or symbiotic relationships with its colossal host, exchanging nutrients via vessels and pores. Likewise the predators of the community lay eggs within hollows in the carapace, specially adapted compartments that protect the offspring. The Atrocity, in turn, is rewarded with much of the rich birthing fluids, any stillbirths, and other unsuccessful hatchlings, which form a substantial percentage of its sustenance. Plant life growing on the carapace behaves much the same, providing scarce minerals and chemicals in exchange for salts and other nutrients the host extrudes as waste. In this way, much of the Atro's energy requirements are supplied by the community inhabiting its shell. Presumably for this reason the Atrocity defends against intruders with violent ferocity, it's segmented heads and limbs allowing for great range of movement, omni-directional eyes darting independently in all directions. During mating and pregnancy, their metabolisms require large amounts of energy. During these times even the stalwart Sunfolk avoid them, as these mammoth crustaceans will actively hunt out prey; what they cannot find in their seas, they will source from the oceans, even wandering inland if so required.

To compound their enigmatic behavior, there is their tendency to defend the Repository of Lume; long, circular caverns filled with detritus stored over the cycles. While much of this is arguably junk, trinkets or naturally-occurring baubles, the adventurous and resourceful Sunfolk can find old technology amongst it all.

The Atrocities inhabit only the southern beaches of the Continent; a predisposition the Races of Lume are thankful for.