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| − | Nightgoyles are cruel predators imbued with the power of nightmares. The unnatural union between the Children of the Oneiroi and gargoyles has spawned a truly malicious being that takes delight in the corruption and suffering of others. As creatures of both death and shadow, they hold tremendous power in the darkness. They are meaner, more evil, and deadlier versions of the classic gargoyle. | + | The Nightgoyles of the sea. These dangerous aquatic creatures terrorize coastal cities and seafarers. Although they despise the King of the Sea, they would never take him on, except maybe in large schools. |
| − | [[File:Statue-3590031 640.jpg|thumb]] | + | [[File:Gargoyle-vector-transparent-6-original.png|thumb]] |
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| | === Description === | | === Description === |
| − | Slightly larger than a traditional gargoyle, they stand nearly 6 ft. (1.8m) when on their hind legs. They often appear smaller crouching in a position resembling a frog stance with their knees splayed.
| + | Nargoyles resemble Nightgoyles in may ways. However, their wings and feet have evolved to be more useful as flippers or fins. Instead of two horns on their head, they will often be found with one spiraling horn protruding from their whale-like face resembling that of their namesake, the narwhal. |
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| − | Most have eyes appearing empty and lifeless, deeply inset in their gruesome faces. Some have eyes that shine golden in the light, similar to a reptile, or at times demonic red.
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| − | Typically, they have two horns that protrude from their head, just above the eyes. These horns range in size, but typically can be described as large. Often these horns have delicate patterns etched in them providing a variety of shapes, designs, swirls or other textures. Their hands and feet end in sharpened claws.
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| − | Their mouth is always open due to the size of their fang-like teeth which protrude prominently from their jaws. When they speak or screech, their long, slender and forked tongue flicks rapidly like a distressed snake. Although their speech sounds like senseless chittering, they have developed a very complex language known as Gargish.
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| − | '''Flying'''. Large spikes sit at the shoulder’s apex gradually merging into more flexible spines providing stability to their bat-like wings. These wings allow them proficiency at flying, diving, and aerial maneuver as though they were a vampire bat with the capability of achieving great speeds.
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| − | '''Stoneskin'''. While remaining still, the nightgoyle perpetuates the façade of a statue-like appearance. Their hides are rough and thick appearing to have been chiseled from rough stone. Whether animate or inanimate, their stoneskin provides them protection where they can only be damaged by magical weapons or weapons crafted from adamantine.
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| − | '''Elemental Nature'''. While inanimate, they remain aware of their environment, but are generally undetectable. They can remain in this form indefinitely, because they do not need to eat, drink, sleep or breathe to survive.
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| − | '''Shadowy Aura'''. They are surrounded by an aura of desecration which cases their body to appear to be infused with an equal amount of pure shadow. This allows them to blend in with other statues of non-living gargoyles, thus hiding in plain sight, or by providing a level of camouflage to hide among rocks, in crevices, or in the shadows.
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| − | '''Energy Drain'''. The aura of desecration acts as an energy drain. Anyone touching a nightgoyle will begin to feel weak as their life force is slowly absorbed by their shadowy aura. This includes severe muscle weakness leading to collapse and excruciating pain. After long term exposure, the effects lead the individual developing a fever, then losing consciousness and eventually death.
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| − | '''Sunlight Sensitivity'''. Their only true weakness is they are weakened by both natural and magically-induced daylight. If exposed, they undergo involuntary petrification. While in this state, they can be bludgeoned and shattered or moved with some physical effort. Artificial light doesn’t weaken them in any noticeable manner, but their ability to camouflage and see is certainly hampered.
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| | === Origin === | | === Origin === |
| − | Gargoyles are written into modern history as artistic monuments constructed from stone. These are placed on buildings to help prevent the erosion of the walls of stone buildings by acting as gutters or simply by deflecting rain water. These grotesquely carved faces appeared to have faces with human or animal-like faces.
| + | Otus, known as “Insatiable”, and Ephialtes, known as “Nighrtmare” were two of the Alodae. they were the sons of Iphimedia who was marred to Aloeus. However, it was Poseidon who caused her to become impregnated. When Impimedia went to the seashore and submerged herself in the surf, forcing the fertile seawater to her bosom and inside her. |
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| − | Sages will whisper the incomplete lore of the gargoyle. Whether the architectural gargoyles were crafted as replica to creatures the ancients observed or not is a topic of debate. The legends tell at some point, an unknown mage dabbling with the art of golemancy gave life to these monuments, who later became the monsters that once stalked the Earth.
| + | She gave birth to these strong and aggressive giants which grew by nine fingers each month and reached the size of nine fathoms by the age of nine. It says that only Orion was more beautiful than these two Aloadae. |
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| − | These gargoyles served their master faithfully by guarding his workshop from his adversaries. They were quite efficient at keeping evil spirits and other adversaries away. In exchange, he would care for them and occasionally give them a shiny bauble or coin to play with or chew on.
| + | Having an affinity for the sea, they often frequented the waters of Oceanus and all the other waters of creation. Among some of these waters, you could find the Kapoacinths. These were an unusual variety of gargoyle. |
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| − | Until one day, an alchemical experiment went horribly wrong and the mage died in the ensuing explosion. The gargoyles were left alone, anxious, and angry. From this time forward, they began to procreate and steadily grew more vicious and less tolerant of humans.
| + | Often gargoyles would find themselves stowed away on ships and other fighting vessels. With their adaptive abilities, they soon learned to take on the shape of dragons or other beasts to adorn the ship’s bow or masthead. |
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| − | It was common for a gargoyle to terrorize a henhouse or field of sheep until the clatter rose a sleeping farmer out in to the dead of night and into their trap. Similarly, tales of a nastiness cornering an unsuspecting person walking home late at night are told.
| + | Ship captains typically had adorned their boats to scare away demons on their approach to shore. However, they were unable to distinguish between the carvings they had purchased and the gargoyles which replaced them. |
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| − | Historically, hunters seeking to secure the safety of their cities began to try and draw out the gargoyles from their perches. Over time alchemists began to pay handsomely for the horns, teeth and claws to be used in various magic potions. As the power and numbers of humankind increased, the final gargoyle met its end somewhere in the 7th century and was sent to the Pits of Tartarus for eternity.
| + | Often, the ships would be lost at sea– either victims of storms, the sea, or warfare. When this happened, the Kapoacinths would find themselves stranded in deep oceans, obscure waterways, or even in the narrow shelves at the edge of the continental crust. |
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| − | It is unclear how or when it happened, but it is suspected the dark spirits of the Oneiroi, born of the goddess Nyx, intermingled with gargoyles. The ensuing offspring carried traits of not only gargoyles, but also those of the deities of darkness, sleep, death, strife and pain. Over the centuries, this interbreeding led to the rise of the nightgoyle.
| + | Many returned to their former lives taking up residence in the port cities, but others grew accustomed to the travel and the feel of salt spray and cool breezes. The latter remained in the sea and adapted to life there. |
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| − | Another theory holds that the longer a gargoyle lives in a region, whether it be caves, ruins or buildings, the more it begins to resemble that regions natural state or architecture. This change in a gargoyle’s appearance is slow and subtle, but over the course of years can be a radical shift. Therefore, the repeated and extended exposure to the nightmares of the underworld caused this new species of nightgoyles to evolve.
| + | Those that died, for whatever reason, found their way into the Rivers of the Underworld. It is believed that these particular kapoacinths drew energy from the visiting Aloadae and became the gruesome nargoyles. |
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| − | Regardless of which theory is true, the nightgoyle can now be found throughout the lands of Oneiroi and Tartarus.
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| | === Behavior === | | === Behavior === |
| − | Like their predecessors, nightgoyles can be best described as obsessive-compulsive in their thoughts and behaviors. They are petty, vindictive, but most of all treacherous.
| + | These strange creatures retain a gargoyle’s fearsome appearance, but instead of swooping through the night sky, Nargoyles glide through the depths of the seas, their wings useless for flight. |
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| − | Yet, they can be quite patient in their hunting tactics. Nightgoyles favor surprising their prey, either by moving suddenly from their motionless state or swooping down on their prey from a height.
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| − | They are found hunting solo, as partners, or in groups. A group of nightgoyles is often referred to as a “wing” or “nastiness.” For example: “A (wing) nastiness of nightgoyles descended from their lofty perches to seek a hapless victim.”
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| − | However, they have an extreme tribalist instinct and rarely ally with other entities. On these occasions, they may work for an evil master in exchange for a bauble or small amount of treasure. Although, they are always happy for the opportunity to attack intruders.
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| − | They enjoy decorating their chosen lair with shiny objects such as gemstones and precious metals, but will lift any spoil of war they can from their fallen foe (e.g. books, small trinkets, tools or weapons, and grisly trophies). This leads to quite a cluttered stash. Due to their love of treasures, they seldom fly very far from the safety of their home.
| + | Schools of Nargoyles are more likely to gather than their land-based cousins since they have no interest in solitary life. |
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| − | They are mainly found in natural caves, caverns, or other subterranean regions. Like their progenitors, they have adapted to live amid ancient ruins of fallen empires. Many have found it advantageous to perch on tall buildings in bustling cities. Even here, they can hide in plain sight along the roof tops and swoop down to attack at night. | + | They tend to dwell in coastal shallows rather than the dark depths of the open ocean. Though they are aquatic creatures, they can survive on land and enjoy shambling out of the water to attack isolated coastal communities. |
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| − | They love to inflict pain. Their primary form of attack is with their claws, their horns, or their fangs. With these weapons, they torture and play with any victims they can hold helpless. Before long, they will eat their victims alive just to hear their screams even though they required no food to survive.
| + | '''Seashell Shillelagh''' – Nargoyle’s craft what appears to be a walking stick out of seashells and fish bones. These shillelaghs have similar, but significantly scaled down, powers to that of Poseidan’s Trident. So, rather than being able to create a foaming tsunami, they may just be able to create one isolated wave. Most prefer to create swirling eddies to pull their prey under water. If on land, they can strike the ground and create enough of an earth tremor to even knock a deity off-balance. |
The Nightgoyles of the sea. These dangerous aquatic creatures terrorize coastal cities and seafarers. Although they despise the King of the Sea, they would never take him on, except maybe in large schools.
Description
Nargoyles resemble Nightgoyles in may ways. However, their wings and feet have evolved to be more useful as flippers or fins. Instead of two horns on their head, they will often be found with one spiraling horn protruding from their whale-like face resembling that of their namesake, the narwhal.
Origin
Otus, known as “Insatiable”, and Ephialtes, known as “Nighrtmare” were two of the Alodae. they were the sons of Iphimedia who was marred to Aloeus. However, it was Poseidon who caused her to become impregnated. When Impimedia went to the seashore and submerged herself in the surf, forcing the fertile seawater to her bosom and inside her.
She gave birth to these strong and aggressive giants which grew by nine fingers each month and reached the size of nine fathoms by the age of nine. It says that only Orion was more beautiful than these two Aloadae.
Having an affinity for the sea, they often frequented the waters of Oceanus and all the other waters of creation. Among some of these waters, you could find the Kapoacinths. These were an unusual variety of gargoyle.
Often gargoyles would find themselves stowed away on ships and other fighting vessels. With their adaptive abilities, they soon learned to take on the shape of dragons or other beasts to adorn the ship’s bow or masthead.
Ship captains typically had adorned their boats to scare away demons on their approach to shore. However, they were unable to distinguish between the carvings they had purchased and the gargoyles which replaced them.
Often, the ships would be lost at sea– either victims of storms, the sea, or warfare. When this happened, the Kapoacinths would find themselves stranded in deep oceans, obscure waterways, or even in the narrow shelves at the edge of the continental crust.
Many returned to their former lives taking up residence in the port cities, but others grew accustomed to the travel and the feel of salt spray and cool breezes. The latter remained in the sea and adapted to life there.
Those that died, for whatever reason, found their way into the Rivers of the Underworld. It is believed that these particular kapoacinths drew energy from the visiting Aloadae and became the gruesome nargoyles.
Behavior
These strange creatures retain a gargoyle’s fearsome appearance, but instead of swooping through the night sky, Nargoyles glide through the depths of the seas, their wings useless for flight.
Schools of Nargoyles are more likely to gather than their land-based cousins since they have no interest in solitary life.
They tend to dwell in coastal shallows rather than the dark depths of the open ocean. Though they are aquatic creatures, they can survive on land and enjoy shambling out of the water to attack isolated coastal communities.
Seashell Shillelagh – Nargoyle’s craft what appears to be a walking stick out of seashells and fish bones. These shillelaghs have similar, but significantly scaled down, powers to that of Poseidan’s Trident. So, rather than being able to create a foaming tsunami, they may just be able to create one isolated wave. Most prefer to create swirling eddies to pull their prey under water. If on land, they can strike the ground and create enough of an earth tremor to even knock a deity off-balance.
