Venomordis
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A small, almost inconspicuous creature whose name strikes fear into the hearts of travelers and villagers alike. This creature measures no larger than an adult's hand, its sleek, dark green skin shimmering with an oily sheen that seems to absorb light. This natural camouflage makes it almost invisible in the shadows of forests, cellars, or damp ruins. Its thin, needle-like legs allow it to move with eerie silence, while its most terrifying feature is the concealed stinger—long, sharp, and retractable from an orifice beneath its head, functioning like a scalpel for precise and lethal strikes.
The venom of Venomordis is the pinnacle of natural toxicity. A single sting delivers a dose potent enough to paralyze its victim instantly, halting the heart within minutes. Victims appear to die peacefully, as though in their sleep, making this predator a favored tool among assassins and poisoners. The venom is nearly undetectable after death, adding to the creature’s sinister reputation. Despite its lethality, Venomordis is timid by nature, fleeing at the slightest disturbance. However, if cornered, it will lash out in a flurry of panicked strikes, its only intent to neutralize any perceived threat before vanishing once more into the shadows.
While Venomordis is not inherently aggressive, its presence evokes dread. Some scholars theorize that it is nature's perfect killing mechanism—a deadly precision instrument that leaves behind nothing but silence and death.
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Ancient chronicles tell of the “silent end” that befell the noble merchant family of Aredonis, a prosperous lineage wiped out in a single night without a sound. Days of investigation uncovered a Venomordis hiding within a crevice beneath the master bedroom floor. Later analysis by alchemists confirmed that its venom worked irreversibly, while the creature’s sensitivity to light and motion made it nearly impossible to capture. To this day, the tale serves as a warning against using this creature as a tool for murder.
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Seekers Notes
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“I had the misfortune of encountering a Venomordis in the undercroft of an ancient ruin. It was almost invisible until its glinting stinger caught the light. I barely managed to hurl a knife before it could reach me, but my heart pounded like it was ready to burst. Never underestimate this creature.”
Seeker Garron Veyne
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“Anyone who thinks selling a live Venomordis is easy money is a fool. Transporting this beast is courting death. I know of a trader who died because he forgot to secure the cage. When they found him, it looked as though he’d simply stopped breathing.”
Seeker Altheris Draven
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“Its venom, while deadly, has medicinal uses if properly prepared. Unfortunately, obtaining a sample involves such great risk that few alchemists dare attempt it. May the gods protect you if you try.”
Seeker Maelis Viridan