The river sliced through the Steppes of the Sanctuary like a serpent, its waters thick and sluggish beneath a canopy of ancient trees as it brought from down under the impurities hiding within the mountains. At dusk, the air hung heavy with moisture, and the mist drifted in tendrils above the river's surface as it emptied off from the maws of Wurndir's caverns. The wartribes of Onuda rarely ventured near these waters at night, for they all knew the tales. The licheels, sleek, armed with teeth, and black as shadows, wriggled through those dark depths, and those who heard their soft murmurs often lost more than just sleep.
Sagra, a traveling bard with more pride than sense, had always dismissed such tales as the idle chatter of fearful villagers. He had come through the Tyrio Aridlands to Onuda seeking new songs and stories, and when the whispers of eels filled the taverns, he grew intrigued. "Superstition," he had chuckled dismissively, draining his cup of honey mead. "What harm can a little fish do?" However, his curiosity led him to the mouth of one of these caves one foggy evening, net in hand, determined to catch one of these so-called dangerous creatures and prove that the stories were nothing but old wives' tales.
As the mist thickened, the darkness of the tunnel seemed to swallow his torch making the cavity around him barely visible, but Sagra cast his net all the same. Hours passed, and the cold of night began to seep into his bones causing his arms to quake. Just as he was about to give up and head back, something tugged at his net nearly pulling him into the muddied waters. With a grunt of triumph, he hauled it up. There, thrashing weakly in the moonlight, was a licheel. Its black body gleamed with the slime that coated its body, and its eyes, pale and milky, seemed to stare right through him. Then, it began to murmur.
At first, Sagra thought it was just the sound of the waters escaping the cavern. But as he strained to listen, he realized the whispers were coming from the licheel itself, the words faint and muddled, like a dream half-remembered entered his ears. "Help... lost... buried beneath..." The voice was soft, almost mournful, and it sent a chill through his spine that had little to do with the night air. He dropped the licheel back into the river, but it was too late. The whispers had wormed their way into his mind, and that night, he dreamed of drowning beneath the weight of stone, the breath ripped from him by the sludge in the waters.
In his dreams, Sagra found himself walking through a long-forgotten city gnarled within the roots of the Mother Tree, its streets littered with the bones of the drowned drifting forevermore through the murky underground waters in the perfect silence that had long swallowed their pleas for life. The licheels slithered through the water, their voices blending into one mournful song. They told him of a curse—the souls of those who had perished or were sacrificed to Wurndir were trapped in the bodies of the licheels, forever whispering their final moments. Now, having heard their whispers, Sagra was bound to suffer their fate in his dreams, unless he could find a way to free them.
When he awoke, drenched in cold sweat, the whispers of their desperate pleas still echoed faintly in his ears. No matter how far he traveled from the Sanctuary, the song of the Licheels followed him. It haunted his every performance, and his once joyful music grew somber, tinged with the tragedy of the lost souls beneath the river.
Try as he might, Sagra could not escape their curse.
The licheels would never again let him forget.
Below features a list of known aquatic creatures and fish to catch upon the waters of the nation of Sanctuary. This is separated into creatures one may roll to gather with ease, and other aquatic creatures one may have a proper encounter with.
Fish
Riverstone Fish
Riverstone Overview
Type: Fish
Description: The Riverstone Fish is a common species found in freshwater bodies across Lithoterria. It boasts a streamlined body ideal for swift swimming and maneuverability. Its scales shimmer in hues of silver and blue, providing excellent camouflage in the dappled sunlight of river environments. On average, it measures about 25 centimeters in length and weighs around 500 grams.
Behavior: Riverstone Fish are social creatures, often swimming in schools to minimize the risk of predation. They exhibit a cautious temperament, darting away at the slightest hint of danger. During the breeding season, males compete for the attention of females through elaborate displays of agility and coloration.
Special Qualities: These fish possess remarkable agility and speed, allowing them to evade predators and catch swift-moving prey. Their scales offer natural protection against minor abrasions and injuries.
Loot:
D2 Common Meat
D2 Bones
Diet: Riverstone Fish are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet of aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and plant matter.
Products: None.
Care Cycle: 10 days
D3 for younglings.
Rarity: Abundant
Other Notes: These fish prefer habitats with moderate water flow and ample vegetation for cover. They play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and serving as prey for larger aquatic predators.
Riverstone Attributes
Riverstone Loot
Silverfin Minnow
Silverfin Minnow
Type: Freshwater Fish
Description: A small, sleek fish with shimmering silvery scales and a streamlined body. Silverfin Minnows have bright blue eyes and a single, elegant dorsal fin upon their bodies.
Behavior: These fish swim in large schools and are known for their synchronized movements, creating mesmerizing patterns in the water. They are quick and agile, darting through vegetation to avoid predators.
Special Qualities: Their scales can reflect light in a way that confuses predators, providing them with a natural defense mechanism.
Loot:
D2 Common Meat
D2 Common Bone
Diet: Plankton, small insects, and plant matter
Products: N/A
Care Cycle: 7 days
D2 for young.
Rarity: Common
Other Notes: Often found in clear, fast-moving streams and rivers.
Silverfin Minnow Attributes
Silverfin Minnow Loot
Sunshine Carp
Sunshine Carp
Type: Freshwater Fish
Description: A medium sized fish with golden-yellow scales and long, flowing fins. Sunshine Carps have distinctive red and orange markings near their gills and eyes.
Behavior: Sunshine Carps are peaceful and often found in calm waters. They feed near the bottom and can be seen gently sifting through the mud for food. During mating season, they are known to make designs in the sand beneath the weather to attract partners.
Special Qualities: Their scales have a subtle glow at night, making them easy to spot in murky waters.
Loot:
D3 Common Meat
D2 Common Bones D2, if 2, nothing. If 1, a Gold Ore Nugget.
Diet: Algae, small crustaceans, and detritus
Products: None
Care Cycle: 10 days. D2 for young.
Rarity: Sparse
Other Notes: Frequently kept in ponds and water gardens for their beauty.
Sunshine Carp Attributes
Sunshine Carp Loot
Crystal Trout
Crystal Trout Overview
Type: Freshwater Fish
Description: A large, robust fish with iridescent scales that change color depending on the angle of light or the environment around it. Crystal Trouts have sharp fins and a prominent dorsal hump compared to other fish.
Behavior: Crystal Trouts are solitary and territorial. They prefer colder, fast-flowing streams and are known for their powerful swimming abilities which makes them more prone to be found along mountainsides.
Special Qualities: Their scales can be used to make reflective surfaces and are sometimes used in sea rituals.
Loot:
D2 Rare Meat
D2 Common Bones
Diet: Smaller fish, insects, and aquatic plants.
Products: None.
Care Cycle: 15 days.
D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Rare
Other Notes: Anglers prize these fish for their fighting spirit and the challenge they present.
Crystal Trout Attributes
Crystal Trout Loot
Azure Arowawa
Azure Arowawa Overview
Type: Freshwater Fish
Description: An elegant, elongated fish with vibrant blue scales and large, fan styled pectoral fins that give it lift to breach from the water into the air. Azure Arowanas have a distinct metallic sheen and a long, tapered tail.
Behavior: Graceful and slow-moving, Azure Arowanas are often seen swimming near the surface, hunting for insects and small fish.
Special Qualities: Their scales are highly reflective and are believed to have protective magical properties making their scales a good luck charm for children.
Loot:
D4 Rare Meat
D2 Common Bone
Diet: Insects, small fish, and crustaceans.
Products: None
Care Cycle: 30 days D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Rare
Other Notes: Found only in the most pristine and isolated freshwater bodies.
Requires a grimmie be used as bait.
Azure Arowawa Attributes
Azure Arowawa Loot
Coral Snapper
Coral Snapper Overview
Type: Ocean Fish
Description: A small, vibrant fish with a body covered in bright coral-like patterns. Coral Snappers have sharp, pointed fins and a distinctive forked tail.
Behavior: Coral Snappers swim in large schools around coral reefs. They are quick and agile, often darting in and out of coral crevices.
Special Qualities: Their colorful patterns provide excellent camouflage among coral reefs.
Loot:
D2 Common Meat
D2 Common Bones
Diet: Plankton, small crustaceans, and algae
Products: Coral Scales are used in decorative items and jewelry.
Care Cycle: 15 days
D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Sparse
Other Notes: Often seen by divers exploring coral reefs.
Coral Snapper Attributes
Coral Snapper Loot
Moonlit Angelfish
Moonlit Angelfish Overview
Type: Ocean Fish
Description: A medium-sized fish with iridescent scales that shimmer with a soft, moonlit glow. Moonlit Angelfish have long, flowing fins and a delicate, slender body.
Behavior: Peaceful and slow-moving, Moonlit Angelfish are often found in pairs or small groups near rocky outcrops and underwater caves.
Special Qualities: Their scales emit a gentle glow at night, making them easy to spot in the dark ocean depths.
Loot:
D3 Common Meat
D3 Common Bones
Diet: Algae, small invertebrates, and plankton
Products: None.
Care Cycle: 10 days.
D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Sparse
Other Notes: Highly sought after by aquarists for their beauty and calming presence.
Moonlit Agenlfish Attributes
Vitality: 150
Sanity: 100
Stamina: N/A
Aether: N/A
Damage: N/A
Difficulty: Intermediate
Success Check: 50
Space Need: 1
Travel Speed: Not a mount.
Typical XP | 10 XP
Moonlit Angelfish Loot
Deepsea Grouper
Deepsea Grouper Overview
Type: Ocean Fish
Description: A large, robust fish with a thick body and a wide, powerful mouth. Deepsea Groupers have navy green scales with lighter blue spots and a muscular build. These powerful fish give even seasoned fisherman a difficult time.
Behavior: Solitary and territorial, Deepsea Groupers inhabit deep underwater canyons and are known for their strong, predatory instincts. A few divers have remerged missing a few fingers or toes.
Special Qualities: Their large bodies offer an abundance of meat.
Loot: D8 Common Meat D5 Common Bones
Diet: Smaller fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Products:
D3 for Caviar after feeding.
Care Cycle: 20 days
D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Rare
Other Notes: A favorite target for deep-sea fishermen due to their size and strength.
Deepsea Grouper Attributes
Deepsea Grouper Loot
Deepsea Grouper Products
Leviathan Eel
Leviathan Eel Overview
Type: Ocean Fish
Description: An enormous eel-like creature with dark, sleek skin and bioluminescent patterns along its sides. Leviathan Eels have large, sharp teeth and glowing, yellow eyes. Said to be the more aggressive cousin of the significantly smaller licheel. Their elongated, conical forms taper into several sharper, tendril style tails that give them a dangerous outstretched appearance towards their prey. The joints of the leviathan eel are cushioned with small aerolyx clusters that give it flight.
Behavior: Predatory and elusive, Leviathan Eels lurk in the deepest parts of the ocean, ambushing prey with swift, powerful strikes with its many tendrils. It has shown evidence of moderate intelligence, often pulling sailors into the water or ripping them from airships to their doom.
Special Qualities:
Shocking Choke | These beasts have the ability to wrap around ships if ships sail too close and cause breaks in the structure. This does 750 damage to structures or those directly in contact with it when it lets out a shock.
Elemental Magic Rejection | The slime the creature secretes cannot be penetrated by elemental magics such as fireballs, frost, and other intense features that could be used to harm the leviathan eel.
Flight | This creature is able to fly weightlessly through the air and is able to pursue most average sized airships.
A battle may be required to gather its resources.
Loot: D30 Rare Meat D15 Common Bones
D20 Licheel Secretions
D20 Leviathan Eel Skin D3 Aerolyx Cluster
Diet: Fish, squid, and other marine creatures.
Products: None.
Care Cycle: 30 days.
D2 for young yield.
Rarity: Legendary
Other Notes: Highly dangerous and difficult to catch, often requiring an airship or another vessel to bring it from the water.
Leviathan Eel Attributes
Leviathan Eel Loot
Leviathan Eel Products
Aquatic Creatures & Special Fish
Diaquara
Diaquara Overview
Type: Special Fish
Description: Small in size, the largest diaquara grows up to 1 foot in length. Crystalline scales line these creatures, reflecting lunar light to give them a luminescent glow in the surrounding water. During the day, the crystalline scales sparkle brightly, as if stars lay beneath the surface of the water. The eyes of these creatures are composed of precious jewels such as rubies, sapphires, amethysts, emeralds, and diamonds.
Behavior: This species is school-oriented, working and swimming in small groups of 10-20 fish. The school is normally split evenly between males and females, ensuring each member has a mate for spawning season.
Special Qualities: The crystalline scales of diaquara reflect light, creating a luminescent glow at night and a sparkling effect during the day. Their eyes are composed of precious jewels. Keeping them on the property for hospitality based businesses offers a +10% passive income where more than three are kept.
Loot:
D2 Common Meat
D2 Bones
D2 Diaquara Eyes
D2, if 2, 1 Unit of Water Essence.
Diet: Semi-precious ore.
Products: None
Care Cycle: 20 daysD3 on younglings.
Rarity: Sparse
Other Notes: Domesticated diaquara are costly due to the value of their eyes and their ability to produce gorgeous lighting in moonlight. Members of high society and nobles often keep small collections of these fish to illuminate fountain gardens with natural light at night.
Diaquara Attributes
Diaquara Loot
Licheel
Licheel Overview
Type: Special Fish
Description: Licheels are sleek, black aquatic predators, their smooth, slimy bodies stretching up to nine feet in length, with a girth wide enough to engulf human sized prey. Their elongated, conical forms taper into several smaller, tendril style tails that give them a ghostly, undulating appearance as they glide beneath the murky waters it calls home. Their gaping maws, perpetually open due to a lack of lips and muscular structure, reveal rows of hooked needle-like teeth, giving them a nightmarish visage that remains motionless even as they silently hunt their prey in the depths. Their skeletal head slightly extends off the main body, giving the licheel a protective shell against attacks and gives it the appearance of wearing the skull of a forgotten nightmarish creature as a mask. When exposed to light, their dark flesh emits a lubricant for their body that gives off an iridescent quality like spilt oil.
Behavior: This species is known to live beneath the ground or within waterways that pass through caverns. Due to an iron deficiency, licheels are known to gravitate towards battlefields near their natural habitat or towards sacrificial offering points throughout the Sanctuary in dedication to Wurndir. Large licheels tend to prefer solitude while those of a smaller size are known to lurk in groups of up to twenty. While typically benign to those in their waters, they have been known to investigate foreign objects with their teeth and may become enticed to attack the actively wounded for an easy meal.
Special Qualities:
Sanguine Craving | The licheel finds an existing wound in a potential prey and uses its teeth to pull the wound open the closest veins and arteries to the surface so it might feed. Afflicts its prey with the bleeding II condition and 150 damage. Repeated feedings increase the severity of the bleeding by one per session.
Elemental Magic Rejection | The slime the creature secretes cannot be penetrated by elemental magics such as fireballs, frost, and other intense features that could be used to harm the licheel.
Haunting Whispers | Licheel chooses one target to inflict with its curse. It whispers stories of those caught deep within the earth, swallowed by the darkness and muddied waters forevermore- doing 200 sanity damage. Prolonged exposure lasting three or more turns results in the muse having reoccurring dreams, permanently, starting off each day with 200 sanity less than their full potential. It can pick an additional target per turn it isn’t interrupted in its song.
Loot:
D4 Strange Meat
D2 Bones
D3 Licheel Secretions
Diet: Blood & Meat
Products: None
Care Cycle: 20 days
D2 on younglings.
Rarity: Sparse
Other Notes: Licheels are believed to be the souls of those who were lost beneath the stone and waters hidden within the channels of the Sanctuary. These are believed to be exclusively eolo who fell victim to cruelty of wartime with the people of Esmya and the Amber Empire, or those who were sacrificed to Wurndir to ensure their warband’s survival.
Licheel Attributes
Licheel Loot
Piscina
Piscina Overview
Type: Special Fish
Description: The Piscina are a special breed of fish, known for their unique appearance and behavior. They possess strong muscles for quick and fast swimming, along with distinctive skull morphology that provides both defense and offense. Their average size is 40cm in length (adult) with a weight of around 20kg (adult).
Behavior: Piscina are territorial creatures and often engage in aggressive fights with rivals for territory. They mate with females and create nests by making holes in the ground or rocks using their heads. After laying eggs, they guard the area until hatching, which takes about 10 days.
Special Qualities: The thickened skull of Piscina provides them with exceptional defense. Additionally, they possess keen senses for detecting prey and danger in the water. They can hit a swimmer for 100 damage per charged up strike.
Loot:
D5 Common Meat
D3 Bones
Piscina Skull
D2, if 2, 1 Unit of Water Essence.
Diet: Piscina are omnivorous, feeding on anything smaller than them, including other Piscina.
Products: None.
Care Cycle: 10 days.
D5 for youngling.
Rarity: Common
Other Notes: Found in various freshwater bodies in Lithoterria, from rivers to lakes. Can be used to make armor.
Piscina Attributes
Piscina Loot
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