River Beast

Summary

A wahash. That's what they call it. Not everyone believes in al-Nahr - in fact, most don't. But there are some who like to stir shit up, so they spread rumours about the so-called magic river. Maybe there's a beast down there. You don't know. That's what they tell people. And it makes people uncomfortable. And the malik likes this. He employs these people to become actual rumour-spreaders. It hadn't occurred to him to make people think the river - if there ever was one - was an evil thing, a place of desolation and destruction. So, he started out mad at these people for making rumours when he wanted the whole river business to die. And he ended up thanking them for their service. It made people less curious, and more afraid. Fear he could work with. Curiosity was dangerous.

Variations & Mutation

This myth goes wild, and spreads like wildfire. In every village, the wahash looks different, smells different, does different things. In some places, it has fifteen tentacles; in others, it has spindly legs. Some people swear it has fangs, others that its mouth is an all-consuming thing that sucks you up before you get a chance to blink at it. It becomes a sort of game. But even with that, the fear resides.

In Literature

The river beast has poems written about it. Mostly ones of danger, with warnings to stay away. Some people compare ex-lovers to it; others their own depression.

In Art

Oh, you should see the art! Different kinds of beasts all drawn by different kinds of people. They're beautiful.