Lokrathen
Within the Black Seas dwell massive, gluttonous, serpentine monsters whose maws can swallow ships whole. They are highly aggressive with those invading their territories, even to the point that those flying over the water should pay attention to how low they are lest they face the colossal beast surging out of the waves in an attempt to attack them.
The ecosystem of the Black Seas is largely unknown from the lack of travel in the area. There is no fishing industry on the coasts due in part to the threat of Bane wasps but also lacking evidence to hint at an abundance of fish. Bane wasps seem to do most of their foraging inland and are rarely spotted over the waters. A few accounts have reported the dire insects picking at the exposed body of a partially submerged Lokrathen, while just as many state seeing the serpent lunging up from the dark waters to consume targeted wasps.
Lokrathen are covered in a thick, scaly hide with chitin plates that resemble black jade. Various crevices in that stony hide glow with a sickly greenish light. Those that survive close encounters with the serpents often mention incredible heat radiating from the beasts and sudden waves of sickness which follow. This aura of nausea seems common to all Lokrathen encounters to date and, some scholars surmise, may hint at the beasts ability to survive in an environment seemingly bereft of all life save themselves.
The appearance of these serpents brings to mind the true form of the Greylords; they even possess numerous insect legs alongside atrophied, webbed limbs. However, the Greylords seem to regard them as merely beasts and do not acknowledge any connection or remote kinship. Still, it may be that these creatures are the creations or perchance the offspring of some little known Greylord.
The secret of Lokrathen survival is in a process not covered in the collective knowledge of many scholars. The Black Seas hold deposits of materials that radiate a poisonous energy. The Lokrathen is somehow able to metabolize this radiance, carrying massive amounts of this material inside, moderated by a complex series of mobile organs. No upper size or age limit is currently known for them. Occasionally a serpent has been seen to expel excess materials in the form of superheated, radiant goop.
Lokrathen scales 'forges' poorly, creating weapons that are pocked and pitted. Yet, however poorly balanced and dull the edges are, they retain the wasting sickness of the Lokrathen. They pose this threat to the wielder as well, and require heavy spells and dense materials to wield and store without danger. While incredibly tough, the wasting sickness effect makes such material useless as armor. Thus, Lokrathen scales will never be as prized in the Greylands as other materials even when the occasional scale washes ashore.
The concept of hunting a Lokrathen is utterly laughable and the intent of only madmen.
