The Gluttonmaws

They appear in every corner of the world, a ghost that haunts every mortal culture. In arctic blizzards, from the jungle canopy, from the caves and crags, from the mists and fog, they watch. Sometimes they take and devour the hapless- other times, they flee from mortals, leading them through the wilds before vanishing. They came in many shapes: some are columns of green plant-like flesh up to ten feet high, others are large red flesh orbs, others still are lumpy orange masses. All have enormous human eyes and enormous mouths lined with sharp teeth. Some whisper gibberish, others roughly imitate breathing as if in mockery, but most are silent.
Gluttonmaws are ill omens to those who see them- for they only appear to those who are truly alone. And if they happen to be hungry, you may not live to tell another soul.

Historical Basis

The most terrifying thing about the Gluttonmaw is that they are real. A creation of The Hidden One, they exist as nigh-uncatchable creatures driven by an insatiable need to watch other creatures. They are cannibals, able to consume each other or other mortal creatures. They have the ability to teleport to any location where no mortals are watching, and have a natural compulsion to avoid being seen or interacted with by sentient creatures.
Gluttonmaws cannot be described as a species in biological terms, as they lack any kind of consistency. Their shapes vary wildly, their reproduction seems to be entirely magical (with new ones simply appearing to replace the fallen), and their organ systems seem to be uniquely built for each individual. Their minds are alien, their sentience questionable but probable. They are the manifestation of The Hidden One, fragments of divine power cursed to haunt the world and those who live within it. Their only biological consistency is their hunger and their diet.

Cultural Reception

• Known as the Tishkif or Big-Mouths in Inahng. Tishkif are believed to be enigmatic and dangerous spirits, often found in dangerous places and graveyards. A number of rituals exist to ward them away, but it is said that if they see you the only way to be safe is to distract them with an offering of food.
• Known as the Vuzgur, Deception Demons, or Cannibal Demons in Desmia. Vuzgur are hunted throughout Desmia and are known as agents of evil. Even the Mathari despise them, and the old dryad stories claim that the Vuzgur are descended from dryads who sought to be humans and devoured one another. It is said, however, that at least one great Vuzgur has created a terrible fortress in the depths of The Feywilds, though this being (known as Vuzgura) has been documented as far larger, hungrier, and less hidden than other gluttonmaw. If it even is biologically Gluttonmaw, it has been shaped by Feywild corruption, Ederstone, dark magic, or all of the above.
• Known as the Rashima or Mist Devils in Samvara. The Rashima are known to descend within haunted mists, and are said to dwell in the world of ghosts and spirits between life and death. They watch always and often seek to steal secrets from mortals to tempt them away from the Gods after death to consume their souls.
• Known as the Kesinato or Pitfiends in Nafena. The Kesinato are said to be emanations of powerful entities beyond our world, often associated with warlocks and Leviathans. They are hostile to the true religions and customs of the world and are envious, hateful, and insidious. They often try and tempt people into dark magic and are known to create terrible pacts with those they do not devour.
• Known as the Makorta or Dark Ones in Maradia. The Makorta are believed to be physical manifestations of the wild- they are unpredictable spirits of natural wildness and madness. They are often blamed for mental health problems and people dissapearing in the wilds. They are known to consort with witches or dark mages in the wilds.
• Known as the Dilira, Watchers, or Hidden Children in Sonev. It is said that the Dilira are an ancient tribe of dryads that refused the light of Halycon and now exist in a bestial state. Folklore around them has changed dramatically over time, as they were once scapegoats for all dryad society saw wrong with foreign dryads- but they have shifted into a more pitiful role now that the Empire of Runeva has managed to captured and study a number of Gluttonmaws. They now are known as the lost children, a tribe of dryads who ran from Suwota's light and became cursed- but now can be brought home. Even outside of Runeva, the Dilira are now seen as a kind of magical animal primarily, to be feared only as any animal should.
• Known as Erulkon or Bugabears in Stildane. Erulkon are viewed wildly differently by different cultural groups. Kivish groups see them as the Dreamer's living nightmares about being watched; Uvaran groups see them as devious land spirits that will one day submit themselves to good and bow before the Irunek. A number of Ederstone cults view them as divine messengers of the Star-seeds, or as spies sent by death itself. In any case, they are seen as scary and dangerous by all.
• Known as Exalu or Hermit-Spirits in Suneka. They are representations of isolationism or anti-socialness, connected to the Hermit-God Hezecha (spirit of loneliness, desperation). As such, they can help those in desperate need, but are far more likely to simply watch; their goodness is deeply lacking, but their connection to Hezecha can compel them to lead the lost to safety.
• Known as Borabaza or Green Eaters in Ekraht. They are poisonous cannibals that delight in the flesh of the wicked. Children in particular are taught of them as a threat; adults often tell of them in hunter's tales or fishing tales. They are somewhat synonymous with "imaginary thing used in a story" and are often included to denote hyperbole in comedic novels or plays.
• Known as Zonula or Wights in Garadel. Zonula are said to be the spirits of people who died terribly to famine, and haunt as a kind of warped spirit. Just as most ghosts are caused by a tragic or comedic death, zonulas are those who wanted or hungered so much they rose from beyond the grave. They often take their old bodies and wear them as terrible tattered suits, making them immune to exorcism. As a kind of ghost, The Exorcist's Guild is often given reports of these, and have been investigating for centuries. This has only legitimized the association.
• Known as Kookomar or Crittercrawlers in Ibith. Kookomar are said to be simply another kind of people who live in secret groves and can turn invisible. They are dangerous at times, whimsical at others, but generally should be left alone. Many folk tales speak of them and their strange dances, and even tell of heroes and villains from within their kind.

Related People

• The Hidden One