Orpus

Of all the creatures created or warped by magic during The Shattering, the Orpus (pl. Orpoi) is probably the most noxious. Derived from common rats, these mutated creatures are bigger, heavier, and possess both sharp teeth and an armored exoskeleton. They are pack animals, hunting in swarms of anywhere from a dozen to fifty or more.
Orpoi are voracious and will feed on any meat they can find or kill. They are not afraid of humans, and will attack small children, or even a human, if there are enough of them. Large swarms will often provoke an organized hunt to remove them, although this is very dangerous, as their natural armor protects quite well from conventional weapons.

The settler seized a scythe and was prepared to do battle to save his youngling when the Chitters stopped dead, sniffed the air, and scurried away.

— Tale of the Jeriba Sachet

Primarily found in the northern region of Gression, where they are known as Chitters, Orpoi were a pervasive danger for a long time. An inventive solution was found when a young child was saved from certain death by the scent of the Jeriba flowers planted in their garden. Apparently, the fragrant purple flowers are repellent to Orpoi.
Since then, every resident of the Gression district wears or carries a Jeriba Sachet to ward off Chitter swarms. Simply tossing the bundle of dried flowers in front of a pack is enough to send them scurrying off in the other direction. Farmers are known to strew dried Jeriba among the straw in their barns, or hang sachets around the necks of their animals, as well.

Chitter Swarm by Nightflyer0ne via Midjourney

Scientific Name

Rattus Orpus

Lifespan

1-2 years

Average Length

4 hands, including tail

Geographic Distribution

• Gression