Ferén

Feréna are marine mollusks with articulated plate shells that live in the shallow water off the coast of Anarene.

Basic Information

Anatomy

These mollusks have a protective dorsal shell over a soft, muscular foot. The shell is divided into nine plates, allowing the animal to move easily over irregular surfaces. When threatened or dislodged from the rocks where they forage, they can curl into a protective ball. Its mouth is located on the underside of its body, and contains a radula which it uses to scrape food off of surfaces as it moves over them.
The flesh is transparent, with internal organs clearly visible when the creature is flipped on its back. The plates come in a variety of colors with intricate patterning.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Feréna are a popular food that may be served as raw slices, fried chunks, or the main ingredient of a seafood stew.
Local tradition holds that if one catches a ferén in the dawn's light on a spring day, the face of one's true love will be hidden in the plate patterns.
Occasionally feréna are found with an extra plate which, when carried, is supposed to bring luck to the bearer. Seaside hawkers and shops often have a selection of ferén plates made into amulets with leather cords for sale. They claim that these are all lucky tenth plates, but there are far too many of them for that to be true, given the rarity of the mutation. Canny individuals seeking such charms know to insist that they see the whole animal to verify authenticity. (Even then, there have been known incidents of hucksters sewing an extra plate to a dead ferén. It's safest to catch it oneself--or at the very least demand to be shown the live mollusk.)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Feréna have no visible eyes, but do seem to perceive shadow and light. Vessunan scholars are deeply interested in how this is accomplished. Additionally, it is theorized that the fine coating of cilia along the exposed flesh allows them to sense movement in the water near them.

Lifespan

6 years

Average Length

9-14 inches