Hydra

The Immortal Serpent CR 55+

There are many types of supernatural serpents that plague the nightmares of men all over the world of Gaia, but very few can hold a candle to the mighty mutation that is the hydra. Legends say this creature cannot be killed for it is able to rapidly heal any wound and even regrow severed heads. By the grace of the Gods, these mutated titanic serpents are rare sights to behold sporting at least 6 heads with some accounts witnessing hydras with as many as 10! The absolute deadliness of hydra venom has no equal. Apothecaries often turn away victims of hydra poison, for they fear attempting to save a hydra poisoned victim will surely kill them as well.

Fighting Style

Fighting a hydra is like fighting a swarm of giant poisonous regenerating snakes all at once. Each head is able to fight independently but will occasionally gang up on weaker targets to thin their enemy's numbers. Though the primary head has its own means of regeneration, its secondary heads provide the majority of the hydra's healing factor. Each secondary head has the ability to use magic energy to heal itself or the main body. Hydras will also rely on their powerful poison to weaken prey that is able to outrun it and simply stalk it until it inevitably dies. Hydra poison is some of the strongest poison in the world able to kill even the stoutest of prey.

How to Fight a Hydra

Hydra have earned a reputation as immortal serpents, but despite their incredible healing power, a knowledgeable Quest Lord can increase their chances of slaying this beast. For obvious reasons it is not advised to attempt to cut off the hydra's heads for it will grow 2 in its place a mere 18 seconds later. Even if you attempt to use bludgeoning weapons only, the hydra's other heads will rip off dead heads in order to grow more. The only way to truly prevent a hydra from multiplying its heads is to completely cauterize the stubs of severed heads or to freeze them solid. A standard torch is not enough unless it is a very large torch designed upon a hefty stump. Thermokinetics are highly recommended and damn near required to face a hydra with any intent on victory.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The hydra is a terrifying monster to behold. It slithers across the ground as a massive serpent spanning around 60ft in length from the nose of its main head to the tip of its tale. The hydra has 1 huge primary head with 5 secondary heads that grow from its main body. Each secondary heads' brain contains just enough function to fight and use its supernatural healing factor but only the primary head has true cognitive function over the main body. If a secondary head is heavily cut or severed entirely, the stub will rapidly generate new tissue using its supernatural healing factor and grow 2 heads in place of the old one making hydras nearly indestructible. All additional heads rapidly decay and fall off when the hydra sheds its skin every 2 months returning the hydra to its original 6 headed form. This has led to the misconception that hydras have more true heads than they actually do from extended sightings of hydras with 9 or more heads. Hydras also possess deadly poison glands to kill any prey that is able to outrun them.

Genetics and Reproduction

Hydras reproduce in the same manner as other serpents by laying eggs; however, the mortality rate for their young is fairly high and their rate of egg production is fairly low making hydras a truly rare sight.

Growth Rate & Stages

Thanks to the hydra's enhanced supernatural production of tissues, its life cycle is incredibly rapid. An infant hydra will be fully grown in less than a couple of months, but will only have a single head until it reaches this fully grown stage.

Ecology and Habitats

Hydras are aquatic cold blooded predators so they prefer the comforts of jungle watering holes and hot humid swamps. Hydra's are able to stay underwater for extremely long periods of time meaning they may reside within lakes and rivers.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Hydras require large amounts of food to sustain their massive bodies. They will often seek out large prey, but if this is not available, the hydra will settle for smaller prey to sustain its smaller heads until a larger creature can be found.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Magical Particles: 200 Panacea + 20 Panacea per additional head, 20 Aether, and 20 Quintessence A hydra's primary brain possesses a huge store of panacea that it draws on to power its regenerative abilities. Each severed secondary brain contains a smaller amount of panacea. Severed secondary heads must be harvested before they decay. The primary brain weighs about 60lbs while secondary brains weight about 20lbs.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Hydras have the same heat based perception that their serpent cousins have allowing them to sense the presence of creatures by sensing their body heat. This makes sneaking up on a hydra incredibly difficult without powerful magical assistance.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Titanic Serpent

Lifespan

~15 years

Average Length

60ft