062 – Deadhead Coastgab

The line is blurred for anyone who visits the Wharf Town for the first time, and it reminds an uncertainty for a long time. What line, you might ask? Between a sentient citizen of and a wild animal. Majority of the population of the town are merfolk of every kind, shape and size – octopi, sharks, polyps, half-fish, shellfish and crustacean. Most of them are what the learned ones call Elevated. In some bygone milennias some event of magic or scientific nature imbued real sapience into plenty of Posterran animals, transforming them forever. But plenty of sea beasts and creatures are still just that – wild, brutish things of hunger and primal instincts. While clothing and upright posture are the most visible and easiest to spot differences, the canny beasts that prowl the ports of the city and the beaches learnt that trick too, adapting to a form of mimicry of various kind. Deadhead Coastgabs are the worst offenders amongst the throng, for they use multiple tactics to lure their victims. Either half buried under the sands they show only their exposed skull, pretending to be a long dead thing. Or they walk uprights, waddling slightly, mimicking the noises of regular talk in a slightly gurgled, crooked way, like a parrot would. Therefore it is crucial to be careful – doubly so, in case you’d like to take a swing with your weapon against some innocent citizen who just had the misfortune of enjoying his skinny dipping and had a pale head to begin with…

OG Art by @ona_jones !