False Hydra

There are ghost towns across the world, victims of the false hydras. People do not revisit those sites out of fear of vengeful ghosts. Perhaps the false hydra is still there, the black rot at the center of the bone... and how would you know?
In gentler lands you will find skeptics. These erudite scholars will stroke their chin and calmly tell you that there is no such thing as a false hydra, it is simply some confabulation. Villages seized by some infection insanity, or perhaps a subtle demon... But they are wrong.

-Documentation on the false hydra

Common wisdom holds that the false hydra comes from the ground, originating as an undifferentiated mass of flesh, potatoes that sprout from no seed. Paranoid dominates any discussion of the creature. Everyone wants to know: Is it here? Is it in my town? Is that long, pale face watching me through the window even now?
There are false alarms, criminals and deserters have pleaded that they were merely under the influence of the false hydra, or that they were trying to escape its influence. Sometimes that is the truth.

Abilities

Mindsong

After growing its first head, the false hydra begins to sing. The frequency of what is known as the hydra's mindsong erases its presence from an observers perception. Recalling events involving the false hydra become near impossible, often altering how an observer remembers the events. An observer could be staring directly at the false hydra, unaware of its presence, unaware that it ever existed.

Countering the Mindsong

There are very few ways to counter the false hydra while it sings. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors still show the false hydra, even during its mindsong. Photographic and written evidence can often help, but if in direct proximity of the false hydra, will be incomprehensible while the creature sings. Notably the deaf are unaffected by the false hydra, as they cannot hear its mindsong.

Consumption

Should a false hydra fully consume a creature, memories of that person begin to fade immediately. People will begin to remember memories differently following consumption. A bag found in someone's room that originally belonged to a party member, perhaps an intruder in the middle of the night?

Basic Information

Anatomy

The false hydra's limbs varies from creature to creature, some may have up to seven heads and an unknown amount of appendages.

Growth Rate & Stages

The false hydra begins as a microscopic mound of cells. By the time the creature begins eating small animals the false hydra's first head has grown.

An artist's speculative rendition of the false hydra

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

White, pale flesh

Classification
Aberration
Location
Zadan, others unknown
Senses
Blindsight (120 ft.)
Languages
Common, Deep Speech