The Price of Ivory-Helpless
Iyas, was by all acounts an unscrupulous hunter and ivory dealer and today he ventured into the Southern Coasts of Zongeri, where elephants could still be found in a dwindling number. He hailed from a family known for their relentless pursuit of ivory, and for Iyas, animals were mere commodities, the value of which he was determined to exploit for profit. He took pride in his role as a merchant of natural and supernatural riches, providing sea serpent scales, gorilla paws, rhino horns, and more to the highest bidders. While his and his families actions led to the near-extinction of the local Zongeri Elephants, he cared little for the moral implications, driven solely by his own wealth and success.
Iyas was well-prepared for his hunts, carrying poisoned throwing spears and an Elephant Slayers Axe, a formidable weapon designed to deal the death blow to giant beasts. His philosophy was grounded in the pursuit of professional skill, seeing himself as a proficient practitioner of his family's trade.
Following a wounded bull elephant's cries, Iyas ventured into a massive coastal cavern, which hid a treasure trove of glittering gems, including precious diamonds. Greed drove him to stuff his pockets with these valuable stones, while the wounded elephant's cries appeared to cease, perhaps indicating its death.
However, as Iyas plundered the gems, a colossal fanged serpent suddenly lunged at him from above. He narrowly avoided the snake's venomous fangs and attempted to escape, but an unexpected barrier stopped him. To his bewilderment, two colossal tusks had appeared on either side of him, trapping him between the tusks and the attacking serpent. His vision revealed the monstrosity responsible—a creature with tree-trunk-like legs, ruddy brown scales, and a monstrous elephant head, whose eyes glittered like orange-red gems. This grotesque beast sported spined ears and a snake-like tail, and its trunk ended in four poisonous spurs and created the illusion of a great snake.
The nightmare elephant toyed with Iyas, mimicking human screams, causing the hunter to tremble in terror. Iyas tried to defend himself with his poison spear, but it was effortlessly flung aside, and the beast's venom-filled spurs pierced his shoulder. When he wielded his Elephant Slaying axe, he was shocked to find that it barely made a mark on the creature's armored hide. Desperation gripped Iyas as the monstrous elephant stepped forward, crushing the torch he had dropped earlier. In that moment of darkness, the creature revealed its name to Iyas, speaking with a voice stolen from a former victim— "Grootslang!"
The Grootslang
A colossal and terrifying predator, is a true force of nature on the continent of A'thila. Its sheer size and a blend of characteristics from various creatures make it a creature of dread for all who dwell in its domain. Its enormous body, covered in thick, pangolin-like scales, dwarfs even the largest elephants. With a powerful tail that employs adeptly to swim and as a deadly lash against its prey. The Grootslang's intimidating tusks, numbering between two and six, serve as battering rams or impaling weapons, while its fiery red-orange eyes pierce through the darkness with perfect clarity. Perhaps the most dreadful feature is its long, muscular trunk, which terminates in two to four venomous spurs, mirroring the menacing visage of a deadly serpent. These tusks and trunk enable it to slice through flesh, rip armored hides, and crush the bones of its favored prey, which include the largest of herbivores. Its insatiable appetite leaves few creatures safe from its clutches, even dragons and supernatural beings falling victim to its predatory nature.
Bulls of the species construct elaborate lairs to attract mates, adorning these nests with valuable trinkets and gemstones, especially diamonds. Grootslang exhibit a unique trait in their willingness to spare those who offer precious gems, going as far as dropping their prey in exchange for such treasures. Their astounding ability to mimic a wide range of sounds further contributes to their elusive nature, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Combining these traits with high intelligence, exceptional aggression, and a deep hostility towards any potential threats, the Grootslang truly lives up to the nightmarish tales that speak of its horrors.
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