Nekrothrix
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Where death lingers like a heavy mist, the signs of Nekrothrix are unmistakable. This hulking, hunchbacked creature seems like a shadow brought to life from the essence of decay itself. Its skin, covered in chitinous plates the color of earth, glistens with moisture under the pale moonlight, as though alive in its own right. Oversized limbs end in elongated, curved claws, perfect for tearing soil and rending the remains of its lifeless prey. Its elongated head, tipped with a maw filled with jagged, butcher-like teeth, evokes both dread and revulsion. Yet, it is the eyes that unsettle the most—hollow, devoid of life, but keenly aware of every sign of death within miles.
To Nekrothrix, life holds no meaning—it exists solely to consume what has already perished. Though it shows little aggression toward the living, its presence evokes dread. Animals grow disoriented, the air fills with a nauseating stench, and plant life in its vicinity withers as though rejecting its existence. Corpses left in its wake are stripped nearly to the bone, leaving behind macabre remnants of its feasting.
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Folk legends claim that Nekrothrix was born from a curse upon a battlefield, where countless soldiers fell and their remains were left unburied. Older travelers tell stories of its arrival wherever death runs rampant—epidemics, wars, or widespread famine are said to herald its presence. In one ballad, a young knight set out to confront the beast, only to discover that his own sins had drawn it to him. The tale ends cryptically: ‘The knight did not return, but his helm, filled with black ichor, was found in a barren field, where only dead flowers grew.’
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Seekers’ Notes
"May Melior’s hand guard you if Nekrothrix finds you on the road. They say it doesn’t hunt the living, but I saw one of my companions drop dead from sheer terror when faced with the creature."
Seeker Damarion Grief
"The most unsettling thing about Nekrothrix is its ability to sense death before it occurs. A mage once told me he saw it circling his sick horse long before it succumbed. It was then I realized that this creature also feeds on despair and the agony of the dying."
Seeker Caelus Vir
"If you must hunt Nekrothrix, remember that its armor is impervious to most strikes. Aim for its throat—there the skin is thinner, and you’ll find something resembling a beating heart. The creature’s ichor, if you can call it that, has potent preservative properties; alchemists pay a fortune for even a single vial."
Seeker Livia Thorn
"I’ve never seen Nekrothrix attack a living human, but its presence is unnerving. If you notice a sudden absence of animals in the area, leave quickly before you learn the reason why."
Seeker Horath Rime
"Its hide, as grotesque as it is, is resistant to moisture and acids. Rumor has it a smith uses it to craft shields that withstand even dragon fire. I can’t verify the truth, but it’s worth investigating."
Seeker Elenor Vale
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