The Hydra


Awnsheghlien » Khinasi » The Hydra

The Hydra is an awnshegh that dwells in the Harrowmarsh on the border between the Eastern Marches of Anuire and the Saire Siendere of Khinasi.

The Hydra is thought by most scholars to have once been a simple crocodile, which became one of the awnsheghlien after committing bloodtheft on a scion of Azrai. Some (generally mocked) local scholars claim that the Hydra was one of the original great beasts of Azrai given godly power by the Shadow before the War of the Shadow to harry and weaken the human tribes whilst the Shadow conquered Aduria and marshaled his forces in the south.

Whichever is the case it is unarguable that for at least a thousand years the Hydra has dwelt in the boggy lands of the Harrowmarsh, that is possesses a number of heads - one it is said for each blooded scion it has consumed - and that it leaves behind it a bizarre trail of beings known as Hydrakin, of which the Caracdir are most numerous.

Most scholars agree that the Hydra gives birth to these beings over time, and that they are formed from elements of whatever the Hydra has eaten lately. Some claim that the Hydrakin as they are known instead form from creatures injured in battle with the Hydra, those who tread in its footsteps or in some other way 'taste of its corruption' however little evidence supports these views.



Appearance
The Hydra appears like a huge crocodile 21 feet long, with 'a fan' or humanoid heads growing from its neck along with several arms and hands. From time to time a blister appears on its body which in time bursts to emit a hydrakin.

Combat
The Hydra acts much as a normal crocodile in combat, often approaching prey from under the water before attacking with its powerful jaws and seeking to drag prey under the water and shake and roll it into submission. At other times it strikes foes with its tail to knock them into the water. Those who attack the Hydra find that the secondary heads often try to bite them although these are of minor danger compared to the main head and tail.

If the Hydra grapples a foe with its main jaws, the fringe of heads can all attack with a +4 bonus to hit and the Hydra can automatically do damage with its main bite. The Hydra can only attack foes behind it with its tail.

Habitat/Society
Almost all scholars agree that the Hydra is merely a beast, divinely maimed by Azrai's blood albeit with keen bestial cunning. It has no mate, or offspring (aside from the Hydrakin who seem to have no loyalty towards it) and so inevitably lives a solitary life. These learned folk all agree that the gang of bandits that thieve and smuggle in Binsada and call themselves the Hydra's hands simply serve a cunning rogue who lives in the Harrowmarsh and takes the name of its famous inhabitant to intimidate opponents.

A handful of scholars believe that the rogues serve the Hydra itself, with the beast using the rogues to learn of the lands about it and ensure that it has a steady supply of prey - with a particular focus on warning it of those who would hunt it and on gathering blooded scions for the beast to prey upon. These same scholars often talk of the Hydra as being worshiped as a god by the various Caracdir tribes that dwell in the Harrowmarsh.

Ecology
All that lives in the Harrowmarsh is the Hydra's prey although it seems to mostly ignore the Hydrakin.

Lore
The Heads of the Hydra are believed to be Astrid, a mighty enchantress from Muden, Garik Blackhand, one of Cuiraecen's first paladins who sought to rid Cerilia of the beast at the secret urgings of the Gorgon, Charboth Ruhrfoot of the Quickfoot clan of halflings blessed since the battle of Mount Deismaar with the rare bloodline ability of swiftness - which now gives the Hydra its terrifying speed, Bhaevras Whyrven III the human grandson of the Golden Unicorn who is said to cry out warnings to those the Hydra preys upon, Illyram of the Sidhe, a powerful warrior said to be the son of Rhuobhe who it is believed plots to win his freedom from the body of the Hydra in some manner and then avenge himself on those who poisoned him as he hunted the Hydra allowing the beast to consume him and his bloodline. The last two heads of the hydra are unknown - a human male with golden eyes who seems to see all things hidden - even those protected by sorcery and a female half-elf who cries continuously at her fate.

The Hydra is said to lair in the old Waterfjord Tower in the fjords near the Gulf of Coeranys. The fort was built by Khinasi knights to protect against the Anuireans before the rise of the Anuirean Empire and is now mostly ruins. The tower was once said to hold the Cup of Lavellas, a holy artifact of Nesirie, although the legend of the Cup is long lost beyond the name and it is not known whether it is even still to be found within the tower. One item of legend said to surely be within the tower is Illyram's Black Bow, a bow said to have been crafted by Rhuobhe as a gift to the elven hunter. The Bow was said to slay any human struck by one of its bolts while rendering its wielder immune to arrows from lesser bows. Illyram is said to have slain hundreds of knights of Haelyn with the bow before his death and it has a fell reputation as a result.


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