Tazelwurm
Rumored to be the most venomous of all creatures, the tazelwurm is a freshwater relative of the great oceangoing basileus. Resembling a horned serpent with a pair of short forelegs and a powerful tail, a full-grown tazelwurm measures between ten and fifteen feet long, though even hatchlings are capable of delivering a lethal bite. Different species are found from Aluvia to Sho, with smaller types in colder climes. In Sho, they can grow to be nearly twenty feet in length, and are sometimes referred to as 'river dragons'.
A tazelwurm's aggression varies greatly by species. Some prey primarily on fish and waterfowl, and only attack if cornered or surprised. Others are apex predators that see little difference between a deer, a goat, and a human. Unlike true snakes, which swallow their prey whole, tazelwurms use their sharp, serrated teeth to tear prey apart piece by piece. Fortunately for lone fishermen and boaters, they sleep for long stretches between meals, making attacks on humans a relative rarity.
Other Names
- River Dragon
- River Serpent
- River Worm
- Falak (Gharu'n)
- Mizuji (Sho)
- Panlong (Sho)
- Vernygg (Souia-Vey)
- Vishap (Milantos)
Geographic Distribution
