Adka (/adxa/)
Adka are meloncholy horrors that lurk the wastelands on the edges of the map where once great empires have returned to dust.
Four legged demons that stand as a living relic to fallen civilizations, the Adka are formed from the body of the last member of a civilization when they die. As one of the few natural demons, they are sometimes considered to be something else entirely, similar to werewolves, vampires, and ghouls. Mortal but long lived, these creatures will hide in the shadows of the lands their civilization once occupied. At creation, they are imbued with all of the knowledge of their civilization. All of their recipes, taboos, religious beliefs, and even certain unique magical and technological discoveries.
They are good natured to a certain extent, but many consider them to be dangerous psychopaths. Despite that, they are considered one of the most reliable ways to obtain ancient knowledge and bypass the Interdict of Merlin. If you encounter there are several things you must never do:
- Speak ill of their former civilization
- Refuse to pay back a favour, even if you believe it is not owed
- Kill them, as you will forever be cursed
Basic Information
Anatomy
Akda are quadrapeds somewhat resembling a dog. They have short hind legs, and longer front legs ending in 20 cm talons. Their back and much of their upper bodies are covered in a tough shell. Their backs in particular are covered in long spines. Their most distinctive feature in their mouth; they have no lips and a long curved jaw, making it seem like they're wearing a perpetual grin.
Adka have a set of blood red frills under their neck, which can be puffed up to spread a sort of pollen-like red dust into the area surrounding it. When an Adka does so, they flare out, surrounding their head like a ruff.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Although they are demons, and presumed immortal, Adka require food and water. Despite their appearance, they are omnivores and capable of eating nearly anything. Their preference is cooked food, ideally prepared using recipes from their civilization. One of the easiest ways to pay back and Adka, or to extract some of its vast knowledge, is to have it teach you a recipe, they prepare it for them.
Behaviour
Adka will spend their days searching out and collecting relics from their civilization. As such, their lairs often resemble museums. Most Adka are solitary, sticking to the shadows, and all abhor staying in civilized regions. Even so, they crave contact with others to fulfill any number of desires. Sometimes its the desire for a conversation, other times the desire to protect someone, and sometimes it is to experience the thrill of killing.
No matter what desire they wish to fulfill they are always strict in repaying debts, although they are the ones to decide what those are. If an Adka believes they are owed something of you, they will get it, whether you wish to pay their price or not. Likewise, if they believe they owe you, they will allow you to suggest a price and will pay it out to you.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The rest dust expelled from an Adka's frills are an extremely valuable alchemical ingredient, usually selling for upwards of 3 gold. Since it contains human emotions, they are useful in all manner of evocation potions.
Average Intelligence
Adka are about as intelligent as the average sophont however, their long lives and the knowledge imbued in them by the ritual of their creation makes them exceedingly cunning.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The main senses of an Adka are their sight, smell, and hearing. Their sight is especially good, being able to cut through darkness, both mundane and magical.
by Jeremy Hart
Lifespan
Unknown
Average Height
2.3 - 2.9 meters
Average Weight
425 - 500 kilograms
Average Length
4.6 - 5.0 meters
Adka will usually avoid prolonged conflict, instead they will rely on Eternal Grindstone and guerilla warfare to slowly wear down their enemies. They will rarely fight to the death and prefer to flee at the first sign of real danger. Despite that, they will always repay violence and kill those that attack them.
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