Apapi

If huge crocs which can swim at the speed of light weren't already threatening enough, a far more monstrous beast lurks beneath the surface of northern Alkelbulan. Locally known as Weriaret, the apapi is a legendary if not mythic giant snake--the living dread of the Masriyyin. Semi-aquatic, Apapi can grow up to 100 ft (33 m) long, dwelling in lakes, rivers and marshes if not beneath vacuous desert sands. Of coures, the most reviled and feared of these reptiles are those capable of fear magic, literally feeding on the terror they incite! Apex Predator Nocturnal

Kaithur

First Ability Riptalis' Form Apapi with Riptalis' Form can transform, taking on features of a specific reptile. Apapi inherit the head and, on occasion, arms or tail of an al-Nil Crocodile! Ilnid's Breath Those with Ilnid's Breath are able to breath in or despite sand, even when totally submerged underground. Can also exhale sand, creating small sandstorms. Felryth's Diet Apapi with Felryth's Diet are able to consume and sustain themselves on emotions related to Felryth, on fear and anxiety! They can even heal themselves or restore their magic energy by consuming fear and nightmares, readily feeding on the terror they naturally inspire. Second Ability Rithaldis' Movement Those with Rithaldis' Movement are able to freely move on or through radiant energy such as strong sunlight, solar plasma or ionizing radiation as a solid foothold. Most often used by the Apapi for increased mobility in the solar waters of al-Nil River, Purattu River or Idiqlat River. They are also immune to damage from naturally occurring radiant energy. In their magic form they gain white scales, either as bands or on their underbelly. Ilnid's Movement Apapi with Ilnid's Movement are able to move on or through sand, glass or quartz freely, unimpeded, and can even swim or slither through these materials as though they were liquid water. They cannot be harmed by these materials or suffocate within them either. In their magic form, the scales on their underside become glassy and translucent while others might have the same effect on their cobra hood. Rithaldis' Shield With Rithaldis' Shield, these snakes are immune to damage or ill effects from both radiant magic and naturally occurring radiant energy (sunlight, solar plasma, ionizing radiation). Even the most potent radiation and solar plasma aren't even an inconvenience to them. In their magic form, most of their scales become white. Felryth's Sense Those with Felryth's Sense can sense the fear and anxiety of everyone around them and even learn details about these emotions via touch. They can also view the nightmares of sleeping targets. Finally, those with this ability are immune to Felryth magic. In their magic form, greenish black patterns appear across their body but especially on their cobra hood which they spread when using this ability. This manifestation is often paired with Felryth's Diet! Felryth's Shadow Those inheriting Felryth's Shadow can generate illusions or hallucinations of a target's fears, fueled by Felryth's Plane. These can be of recurring nightmares, phobias or even just audiory hallucinations which incite anxiety and fear. The content differs by target but the caster does not fully control these illusions, merely a conduit. In their magic form, greenish black patterns appear on their face and cobra hood, glowing green eyes an infamous manifestation.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Walterinnesia aegyptia Black Desert Cobra 600-700 years Length Weight 65-100 ft 20-33 m 7,400-14,500 lbs 3,350-6,575 kg Coloration This snake is entirely black with glossy scales. It's head when not transformed is broad and flat with a smooth transition to its neck. Its eyes are small with round pupils. As a cobra, it has a hood but rarely spreads it before striking. It's magic form varies considerably by habitat and manifestation. Colorations range from sheer white bands to azure or arctic blue to translucent, glassy scales and hood.

Adaptions

Toxic Smell Strength Intelligent Because of its sheer size, the apapi doesn't move well on land and relies on bodies of water to get around unless it has inherited a Movement manifestation. Those without live exclusively within the deep rivers, lakes and marshes of northern Alkelbulan. Solitary and spending the bulk of their time underground or underwater, Apapi are most active around midnight--their nocturnal lifestyle furthering their association with the Masriyyin god of darkness, Apep. In fact, Apapi have poor vision, relying instead on their sense of smell or by picking up vibrations. Despite being a constrictor, Apapi are highly venomous, even compared to other cobras with .4 mg/kg injected (versus .8 or .72 of comparitive species). Their venom is similar to that of a King Cobra, a neurotoxin. This is injected slowly with a chewing motion rather than a quick, instant bite, and the venom circulates the body rather than affecting just the injection site. Yet unlike other cobras, Apapi don't often rear up and spread their hood before striking. Most only expand their hood when making use of mental manifestations such as Felryth's Sense or Shadow.

Habitat

Desert Freshwater Wetland Subterranean Tropical Forest Semi-Desert Apapi aren't often spotted without incident but are known to appear across northern Alkelbulan, even expanding their territories into Flumen Pontem and further east into Musi Kongo. As they are tolerant of brackish and salty water, Apapi nest mainly in estuaries and salt marshes like those in Kemet, Birit Narim, Parsa, Kna'an and sometimes Aznag. Their territories and hunting grounds are expansive, hunting mainly in the radiant waters flowing from Dawn Ahrayn such as within the al-Nil River. Those with Movement lurk deep underneath the sands of the Shamsi or Arabiyyan Deserts, slithering underground unimpeded. Much like their original ancestors, they are a burrowing species, often clashing with Uwriun Scorpion! Meanwhile, according to local claims, the largest Apapi reside in Musi Kongo, haunting the generous waterways of the jungle.

Diet

Carnivore Herpetovore Ophioghagy Anurovore Avivore Mammalivore Carrion Anthrovore Unlike their ancestors, who actively sought and pursued prey, the Apapi is mainly an ambush predator. They will still pursue prey when necessary but, at least on land, they aren't particularly fast. Instead they wait beneath the sand or water until their prey is within reach. This is especially true of Apapi with Riptalis' Form, latching onto prey very much like a Nil Crocodile. Whichever means it employs to sink their teeth into prey, once they have taken hold of a target they both inject their venom and constrict ruthlessly. They can crush the bones and suffocate nearly any organism before finally swallowing their prey whole! It's vital that they preserve energy between meals, food often sparse if not altogether absent. In fact, Apapi enter a nearly hibernative state while awaiting its next meal and fully brumate during droughts. It can be difficult to tell a brumating Apapi from one which is merely inert and they are aggressive when disturbed in this state. They are most active amid the wet season when thousands of herbivores migrate into the desert, right at home amid the heavy flooding however ephemeral. The exact prey of an Apapi depends on the size and age but, whatever their age, they avoid smaller prey unless food is especially scarce. but they are fairly indiscriminate with their meals, especially while young. The youngest of Apapi target small reptiles like geckos and skinks alongside toads, mice and birds. The size of their prey increases with age, targetting other snakes, larger lizards like the Mul'ataa Agama before taking larger prey like Garkuwa Tortoise, medium mammals such as antelope and eventually even humans. In fact they are most dangerous to humanity as a young adult when humans are the ideally sized meal. As they age, they grow more selective and learn to either avoid human settlements, as humans are problematic and vengeful, or to demand animal offerings and sacrifices instead through intimidation. Yet most adult Apapi rely heavily on sizeable prey to survive, eating large rather than frequently. These can include animals such as Nil Crocodile, hippos, Ruwa Sea Cow, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and lions among others.

Behavior

Solitary Territorial Agonistic Apapi are extremely territorial and, likely due to size, these territories are vast. Despite their monstrous size and aggressive tendencies, Apapi are fairly intelligent and adults are rumored to be able to speak! While young Apapi gobble up anything large enough to eat, including humans, those that last into adulthood have learned to use humans to their advantage instead. They visit Masriyyin and Siryan temples regularly to collect offerings. In fact, the Apapi is almost synonomous with Apep of the Netjer Pesedjet. Other Apapi terrorize smaller communities or even merchants, demanding a proper sacrifice, while those with fear magic stir terror in settlements, capable of subsisting off the fear they incite! Understandably, Apapi are revered and feared throughout northern Alkelbulan and western Eluziar, viewed as agents of the gods or other evil entities. Fishermen are especially wary of Apapi, easily provoking the ire of those resting along riverbeds if they are brazen enough to trall the waters of al-Nil. Yet despite the fear they incite, in some communities they instead play the role of a river guardian, protecting a territory which includes the humans who make regular offerings to them. This is a precarious arrangement as Apapi are persnickety and ill-tempered when disatisfied, readily punishing those it once protected!