Skull-Snail
"While the language transcribed by snails is not decipherable, the effect it has on those who study it is pronounced. I've had two agents disappear after transcribing the glyphs from stone to paper, only to find their bodies upon the beach without their teeth, hair, or eyes, and with their skin scored by snail tracks. A third has also vanished, and I hear rumors that he is building a structure somewhere within the Vaomatua jungle, and attacks anyone who approaches. While I have included the transcriptions with this message, I strongly advise against exposing the Librarian to them, as the consequences of doing so could be dire. - report from an agent of the Lorekeepers of Foxbridge regarding the etchings of the Skull-Snails
The Skull-Snail is a species of snail that have shells that resemble diminutive human skulls. They are amphibious, and can often be found upon the shores of Koa'ki, usually crawling over any large stones or boulders that are present. They leave behind trails of acidic slime that etch strange, disturbing glyphs upon the rocks. The contemplation of Skull-Snail etchings is said to cause madness, and rocks bearing them are best shattered. The stones themselves begin to exhibit odd qualities during the etching process, and frequently begin to stand on end or even float, as though they are determined to attract attention to themselves.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Skull-Snail is a large amphibious snail, with the largest specimens reaching nine inches long. They are most easily spotted by their unusual shell, which greatly resembles a humanoid skull slowly inching its way along the beach or the ocean floor. The shell can appear in a variety of colors, but is most often off-white or brown. There is also a mantle shell that covers the back portion of the skull shell, which may be more vibrantly colored.
Contact with the snail is extremely dangerous, as the Skull-Snail has a lethal venomous sting. They deliver this via a barbed harpoon-like tooth that can be rapidly fired from the snail's throat. When the harpoon strikes the snail's prey, such as a small fish, the barbs stick in the animal and allow the snail to draw it back into its mouth. When used against a larger animal in self-defense, the barbs tear out of the flesh when the snail retracts the harpoon. Those who have been struck by the snail fall quickly into a delusional state, babbling and crying about the horrific hallucinations they experience before finally falling catatonic. A very few people have recovered from the catatonia induced by the venom of the Skull-Snail, but all of those have suffered extreme personality changes as a result.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Skull-Snail is carnivorous, and typically eats worms, small fish, and mollusks. It has also been known to feed on carrion when available, using its slime to render the flesh into a gelatinous substance it can suck into its mouth. Among the Kaikai people, being staked out for the Skull-Snails is used as a punishment for the most heinous of crimes, as the snail will not poison a helpless person, only slowly dissolve their skin for consumption.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Skull-Snail has only been seen in the Southern Region, usually in the vicinity of the island of Koa'ki, and occasionally on the shores of Atu Motu. Ships that travel through the region have occasionally found Skull-Snails on their hulls, but they usually drop off before the ship travels very far from their home territory.
One place they are guaranteed to be found is near the pyramid that houses the Book of Koa'ki. Scholars and adventurers who dive to attempt to read the book are advised to be wary of the snails, who can be found on and around the submerged structure.
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