The Grote

“Debate is contentious about whether these creatures should be considered as their own unique species or as dwarves that have been fundamentally changed forever. Their inability to reproduce and apparent lack of sentience continues to complicate classification. Most however, classify them as unredeemable.”

— Pianeta Mennesker, Expert on the Peoples of the Planet

The Grote are a hideous and savage group of creatures that dwell in the deep depths of the subterranean world. Once brave dwarves that have been transformed into gruesome versions of their former selves. They are as blood thirsty as they are deformed. What they lack in individual strength they more than make up for in numbers and viciousness.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Grote has a short humanoid form similar to that of a dwarf but with a slimmer build and even larger head. It has a thick, rubbery, stone grey hide that protects its hairless body. Its head has no eyes, ears, or nose but is covered in interlocking tiny hexagon shaped receptor bumps. Only its extra wide mouth protrudes from the round bulbous head. The mouth is full of large, sharp talon-like teeth. The Grote’s arms have been stretched twice as long and transformed into constricting tendrils that are reminiscent of a snake, tipped with a single black, hooked claw. The legs, although thin, are very muscular and capable of fast speeds and end in large feet with long black toe claws.

Genetics and Reproduction

It is not known if this species can reproduce in its own. There has never been any recorded sightings of young Grote and there are no visual clues distinguishing between sexes, if there are even any at all for this species. According to the demon slayer dwarf Scoron Soulshield, very deep in the subterranean caves and caverns, deeper than most will ever travel, is an infernal device that he says that he witnessed transform dwarves into the Grote. However, no one has ever been able to verify his report.

Ecology and Habitats

We are uncertain as to what the Grote’s preferred environment would be. It is unlikely that they are capable of choosing. However, so far it seems that they have only been found in subterranean cave systems where it is dark and full of nooks and crannies to hide in or behind. They are more often found in the hotter more rocky areas of the underground. Here they often rest and digest together in large groups before venturing out to feed once again.

Dietary Needs and Habits

This creatures is known to only feed on carrion and flesh. They prefer live flesh over dead and will prefer to attack a living creature instead of feeding on a dead one, but will return to feeding on the dead ones when there are no more living food sources in the immediate area. After locating the prey, the Grote will crouch low and try to overrun it with speed, power, and sheer numbers. They attack by holding the victim with their tentacle arms and tear off chunks of flesh with their sharp teeth, biting and eating it alive.

Additional Information

Social Structure

There does not seem to be any kind of order or social structure for these creatures.

Domestication

The Grote cannot be domesticated or trained through any known means. It is rumored that only the devil lord Nyirac has been able to call forth and direct the Grote as battle fodder.

Facial characteristics

Their faces are very unique in that this species has no discernable eyes, ears, or nose. Only the mouth protrudes from the face and it is overly wide and full of sharp, talon-like teeth. The head is covered in very small hexagon shaped bumps that lock together similar to that of a turtles shell. They are completely hairless and their thick rubbery hide covers the head as well as their body.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

So far the Grote have only been found in subterranean caverns deep below the planet's surface, such as the The Bos Magara.  Although these creatures appear to be infernally created they do originate from this world.

Average Intelligence

The Grote appear to be a mindless creature but at the same time they are able to understand and follow the directions of their master.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Since they do not have any eyes, ears, or nose, it is thought that they have no sense of seeing, hearing, or smelling. This is only partially true. It cannot smell, but it can hear and see in a different way. The small hexagon plates around its head are special vibrational and heat receptors. They are very attuned to pick up on the slightest pressure changes and vibrations, pinpointing both a direction and distance to the source of the noise. The receptors also give the Grote additional heat and dark vision. These senses allow it to find prey and track it even from some distance away.

Civilization and Culture

History

Once sentient dwarves, these creatures have been transformed into seemingly mindless, ravenous creatures. Unable to breed on their own, the Grote are rumored to have been created in two ways. The first way is through a diabolical artifact hidden deep in the subterranean caverns that transforms any nearby dwarf into the grotesque Grote. The second way has been through the unholy powers of Nyirac, the devil lord who holds sway over the infernal realm of Distortia. Whatever way that they have been created, they have been an unrelenting, if not periodic aggressor and enemy to the dwarven nations and occasionally to the dark elves as well.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Although they haven't said so, their actions speak volumes.  They desire only to kill and eat all other species.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dwarf

Scientific Name

Homo Sapiens Dwarr Infernus

Origin/Ancestry

This species is believed to have once been a dwarf that was somehow transformed into the creature that it is today.

Lifespan

They are believed to be very short lived, with lifespans of about 10 years. Most die in battle longbefore this time.

Conservation Status

This creature does not have any protection status. In fact, due to its incredibly dangerous nature, all people that encounter this creature are highly encouraged to kill it or report it immediately if unable to safely destroy it.

Average Height

Typically the Grote are approximately 4 feet tall.

Average Weight

They weight about 125 pounds on average and a little more after feeding.

Average Physique

The Grote are as tall as dwarves but much lighter in weight. They are grey, hairless and lack the standard eyes, ears, and nose. They have large mouths filled with large sharp teeth and their two arms are now long tentacles.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The Grote are mainly a dark, stone grey coloring with a lighter grey underbelly and highlights.

Geographic Distribution

• The Bos Magara

Special Abilities:

As a former dwarf, the Grote has maintained some of their unique abilities such as the high resistances to poisons, spells, and spell-like abilities as well as gaining others. Their thick hide and fiendish transformation has given the Grote immunity to poison, acid, natural fire and heat, and takes half damage from magical fire, and bladed weapons. Their unusual vibration sense and heat vision lets them see better than most and allows them to see through most illusions as well. They have also gained a crucial weakness towards cold and electricity, in which they take double damage.

“They’re mindless, they can’t be reasoned with or negotiated with. They don’t feel compassion, or regret, or mercy, or fear. And they will not stop, ever, until they are done eating you!”

— Scole Faithhammer, Acero dwarf Cleric of Piatra and Demon Slayer