Oka Nahullo

Deep in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where the dense woods and murky waters conceal ancient secrets, the Oka Nahullo lurk. These enigmatic creatures, spoken of in hushed whispers by the Choctaw people, dwell in the hidden depths of still, dark pools and shadowy bayous. Their appearance is humanoid in form aside from the more detailed features one experiences up close, which is strange otherworldly features and skin akin to the shimmering skin of trout, their bodies adorned in a mesmerizing dance of aquatic hues that reflect the moon's pale glow. Legend has it that the Oka Nahullo possess a peculiar fascination with humanity, a fascination that often leads to malevolence. In the silence of the night, when the moon hangs low and the world is wrapped in darkness, these elusive beings emerge from their watery sanctuaries to capture unsuspecting wanderers. Luring them with siren-like calls, they ensnare the curious and the lost, taking them into their underwater realm. Once captured, the unfortunate souls undergo a dreadful transformation, a metamorphosis from flesh and bone into something otherworldly, they are reborn as Oka Nahullo, stripped of their former identities and forever bound to the water's embrace. No longer human, they become a haunting echo of their former selves, trapped in an existence of cold detachment and aquatic longing.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Their bodies possess a slender and lithe frame, reflecting their affinity for the water. Their skin is adorned with iridescent scales, shimmering in an array of haunting colors, akin to the ethereal beauty of underwater creatures, while their heads are enigmatic and alien, lacking a nose and housing a mouth that is wide and filled with bristling, needle-like teeth. Their eyes, striking and luminous, glow with an uncanny intelligence, piercing through the darkness with an unsettling allure. Long, webbed fingers extend from their slender arms, resembling the aquatic fins of their watery domain. These webbed appendages grant them unparalleled agility and speed, both in the water and on land. From their waists, their bodies extend into a sinewy, undulating lower half, featuring legs and feet adapted to a life in the water. These limbs are adorned with delicate, translucent membranes, aiding in their graceful movements through the depths.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Oka Nahullo have the power to capture humans and transform them into beings akin to themselves. Those unfortunate souls who fall into their grasp are subjected to a profound metamorphosis, losing their humanity and becoming one with the eerie underwater world over the course of three days of submerged captivity.

Ecology and Habitats

These creatures are found in Straight Bayou, in the deep pools hidden in the interior of the Bayou.

Behaviour

The Oka Nahullo's behavior is enigmatic and unsettling, reflecting their ancient and otherworldly nature. They are reclusive beings, rarely venturing beyond the deep, dark pools they call home. When encountered, they display a mix of curiosity and territorial aggression, reacting fiercely to any intrusion into their domain. The Oka Nahullo fiercely guard their deep pools, viewing them as sacred spaces linked to their mysterious origins. They show an intense territorial behavior and will go to great lengths to defend their aquatic sanctuaries from any perceived threats, be it humans or other creatures. These creatures exhibit a remarkable cunning and patience in their interactions with intruders. They may initially observe from the depths, studying their prey's movements and weaknesses before deciding to strike. Their strategic approach ensures that their victims are caught off guard and paralyzed with fear.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Oka Nahullo possess extraordinary sensory capabilities, honed through their existence in the enigmatic depths of the deep pools. Their heightened senses allow them to navigate their murky, shadowy environment with eerie precision and detect even the faintest disturbances in the water or air.
Their luminous, mesmerizing eyes grant them exceptional night vision, enabling them to see with remarkable clarity in near-complete darkness. They can pick up on subtle movements and distinguish shapes and colors in low-light conditions, granting them an advantage in the depths where others would be blind and they also possess acute auditory senses, allowing them to detect even the faintest ripples or disturbances in the water. Their ears are finely tuned to the sounds of their aquatic domain, allowing them to sense the approach of any intruders or prey from afar.

Civilization and Culture

History

Long ago, in the rich tapestry of Choctaw legends, the Oka Nahullo held a significant place among the sacred stories of the delta region. As the Choctaw people lived in harmony with nature, they perceived the world around them as brimming with spiritual significance. Among the vast network of waterways and deep pools that adorned their land, the Oka Nahullo emerged as ethereal beings of wonder and mystery. As time passed and the Choctaw people faced the challenges of changing times, the stories of the Oka Nahullo gradually faded into the annals of cultural memory,yet, echoes of these spectral beings continued to resonate within the community, manifesting in the whispered tales told during gatherings and ceremonies.

HP: 6

Stats:

• Body: 5
• Strength: 4
• Agility: 5
• Mind: 2
• Luck Points: 3

Skills:

• Initiative: 3
• Stealth: 5
• Grappling: 4
• Melee: 3
• Ranged: 1
• Soak: 4
• Dodge: 3

Ability:

• Voice Mimicry: The Oka Nahullo possesses a captivating mimicry ability that enables them to imitate familiar and alluring sounds from the surrounding environment. With a keen sense of observation, they listen to the everyday noises of the delta region, from the gentle rustling of leaves to the soft whispers of the wind. Then, employing their extraordinary vocal prowess, they replicate these sounds with eerie precision. Using this mimicry, the Oka Nahullo can create an auditory illusion that draws unsuspecting wanderers closer to the water's edge. They might imitate the laughter of a beloved friend, the soothing voice of a family member, or the faint cries of a distressed child. This ability is extremely convincing in its realism, and requires a (13 to 14) Daunting. Mind + Luck + 1d6 roll to determine if the source is not what it seems. 

Combat:

• Fist: 5' reach, damage: 3+Strength
• Bite: 5' Reach, damage: 2, Plus a Poisoned Effect, (9 to 10) Hard difficulty check to resist, failure causing a 1 Point reduction in the victim's Body Stat. This effect is cumulative if bitten more than once.