Grobians

Overview

The Grobians are amongst the most intriguing and misunderstood creatures that inhabit The Grip of Sarvan. These beasts, large and lumbering, blend seamlessly with the purple soil and marshlands.

Appearance

Grobians are massive, reaching up to twelve feet in height and weighing several tons. Their bodies are a chaotic blend of terrestrial features, resembling gnarled roots and covered in dense, mossy fur with an earthy, green hue. This features lead to them easily being mistaken for mounds of earth or hillocks, when motionless.

Behavior and Habits

Despite their gargantuan size, Grobians are not predators. They are, in fact, gentle herbivores that sustain themselves on a diet of marsh grasses, water plants, and the bark of the rare trees that dot the Grip of Sarvan.
However, their gentle nature should not be mistaken for passivity. When threatened, Grobians can use their immense size and strength to defend themselves, capable of topplig trees and even causing minor tremors with their powerful movements.
Grobians are solitary creatures, each one claiming a section of the marsh as its territory. However, they are not particularly territorial and often overlap ranges without conflict. They communicate with each other using a series of deep, resonating hums that carry through the marshland, a sound that adds to the eerie chorus of the Grip.

Role in the Ecosystem

In their own way, Grobians are crucial to the Grip's ecosystem. Their movements through the marshland help churn the soil, aiding in the aeration and spread of nutrients. Their feeding habits also prevent the overgrowth of certain plant species, maintaining a balance in the marsh vegetation.
What makes the Grobians truly fascinating is their peculiar relationship with the Imustones. Grobians appear to be the only creatures immune to the effects of the stones. This has led to something of a symbiotic relationship with Andromeda— the Grobians, undeterred by the stones, churn them up to the surface as they move through the marsh, removing them from the Worldsoul's body and making the stones accessible for those daring enough to retrieve them.

Cultural Significance

Grobians symbolize the enduring, resilient nature of the Grip of Sarvan, and are depicted in the artwork of Shade and its denizens— often representing hidden secrets. The symbol of the Grobian is also used by thieves to signal those in the brotherhood that something worthwhile is hidden nearby, whether it be shelter, supplies, or a valuable mark.
In all, Grobians add another layer to the Grip's complex tapestry, another note to its haunting melody, a testament to the wild and untamed spirit of Teralt.

Lifespan

115 years

Average Height

11 feet or 3.35 meters

Average Weight

4 tons or 3628.74 kg

Average Length

20 feet or 6.1 meters

Geographic Distribution

• The Grip of Sarvan