The eater of all things dead and rotting
Crocodilian, Rotmaw, Serpent, Water-shadow, God-eater.
A being of many names, most spoken with fear, loathing, or caution. He follows the wounded, the dying, the ill and the weak; he is never far behind when someone draws a rattling last breath. The terrible offspring of Mater Heshemsu and a nameless, now deceased and forgotten, minor swamp god. No one but the creature himself knows his real name - if he even has one - but most people know him simply as Neath.
Watching, waiting, a lurking shadow. He is persistent, but can be chased off; especially by a group. Threatened, he will probably just back away and sulk in the water, but if you actually attack him, he might fight back - especially if cornered or if he has something to gain from it. He'll bite and scratch and whip his fat tail, and your wounds will ooze with pus and infection while your body burns with blood poisoning. A diet of putrefying flesh and a saliva that is faintly corrosive will not make clean wounds...
...and Neath does not forget nor forgive. He will feel fierce joy when he finds your dead body.
Neath is, through simple biology, mostly resistant to magic. He still doesn't like it, as it makes his nose itch, and he is likely to avoid those who show excessive magical qualities.
His most refined sense is that of smell - he is incredibly sensitive to the scent of blood or sickness, and by sniffing someone he can tell a lot of things about them.
Friends and relationships are alien concepts to Neath. He cares about no one but himself; you might be a face he recognizes, but he is at best indifferent to your company. The only time Neath might be considered 'friendly' is if someone is wounded or dying, offering what he thinks is words of comfort. It would not seem wise to willingly go close to a creature like Neath, but some do, for various reasons, and some have brought 'gifts'. Neath feels no gratitude and gives no thanks, but he never forgets.
Unfriendly »Neath is not a friendly creature. He has no 'friends' and he'll likely never have. You might be an aqcuaintance but he probably doesn't like you or look forward to your company. Unless you are close to death, of course; then the rules change. To the wounded and dying he can be almost polite. Clever »He is quite intelligent, grasping many abstract concepts, but not in a plan ahead way -- he lives in the present with few thoughts about the future. Unforgiving »Neath does not forget nor forgive. Have you wronged him, he'll likely remember it for a long time -- he has a very good memory. Indifferent »He does not care for anyone but himself and most things that happens in the forest are of little interest to him, unless they involve him or potential food in some way. Patient »It can go months between feeding opportunities. A large carcass can keep him full for at least two months, more if he isn't very active. And if you are dying he'll wait patiently beside you, until you draw your final breath.
Notes on Behaviour
Neath is usually a scavenger, not a predator. Think of him as a vulture - following and waiting until the thing that caught his interest is dead. This means that he will not attack your deer/creature unless attacked first or severely threatened or cornered. He is under such circumstances very unpredictable.
The only time Neath might be considered friendly is when someone is very hurt or dying.
He seems to avoid sunspots and sunny areas, unless they are close to water. Usually he does not venture into the Birch Forest unless it's foggy or rainy. Weather has a big impact on him in general; moist weather like fog or rain makes him more active, as do night and twilight (unless paired with cold weather), while snow makes him slow and sluggish.
He can usually be found somewhere in the pond or around the Ruins, digging the earth for bones.
In a Fight
Neath is generally trying to stay out of fights, rather being a watcher from a distance and then following the one who lost the fight. Sometimes he finds himself in them anyway -- even if it would seem quite unwise to attack such a creature.
Strengths Brute force - he's very strong. Powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Hard scales covering his whole body. Spiky growths on back and tail. Long, thick tail, can be used to knock people over. Claws. No conscience tells him when to stop. A bite will likely cause infection.
Weaknesses Slow runner. Not a very tactical fighter. Would rather try to flee than fight for a long time. Will not make the first move.
He has an obvious advantage in water, being much faster and more agile there than on land, and of course the danger of drowning.
Yes. I love him. Your art is
Your art is always beautiful by the way.
Track, he's a really neat
I've wondered for so long who
Gawsh, the music, the design, the idea, everything is just so amazing.
I had a slight feeling he was a crocodile after noticing how he's usually in the water and noticing how he's allgreenandscalyandstuffs. /Making no sense now
Gawsh, I can't get over how beautiful he is. ;o; <3
@.@ I. LOVE. HIM. SO
I. LOVE. HIM. SO MUCH.
/instant track
By Leuvr ♥
The music/sound effects
What's that music from btw?
(AHAAA I KNEW HE WAS A CROC THE MOMENT I SAW HIM IN GAME. UNCE UNCE UNCE)
Thank you, Tally and Vee!
Pinkpaws: Hehe. He saw and smelled that Umay was hurt. He is a little disappointed that she seems to be healing now, he is hungry... but he isn't a predator, he just eat things that are already dead, so he was waiting and wondering if she would die :> Thank you!
Apparanza: ^_^
TFO: Yay, I accomplished my goal! The music is a track called The Call of the Serpent, from the album Draconian Poetry, by the one-man-project Sephiroth. I love that music 8)
And he's actually not a crocodile, he has longer legs and stuff. But he kind of looks like one.
Well, he's ultra-friggin
I just got a dang tidal wave of inspiration. <3333!
I'm happy to hear that! :3
The crocodile set i designed
Hehe, yep! He's actually not
Very nice.
(No subject)
8O The mystery is solved! =D
The mystery is solved! =D
8D! That's who came to see
That's who came to see Caligula while he was crossing the bridge!
Haha, I knew almost instantly it was a
crocodilecurious water creature because of the way it lurked in the water like that.This is amazing. I love the artwork!
This character is awesome. Tracking now. ♥
Saosin: Thank you! The:
The: :3!
Pega: There was a mystery? :o
Fincayra: Thank you! Yes, he is quite curious~
Indeed there was. I was
So this is our little pond
:0
Forget Your Perfect Offering.
There Is A Crack In Everything.
That's How The Light Gets In.
(A part of the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's Song "Anthem")
This = epic.
<3333
Ohhhhhhh~ Such an interesting
Such an interesting character, I've saw him around 8D
I really do love that picture and the music!
This really is epic.
Eeeee~
-tracking-
Tera: :) gglidden: Thank you
gglidden: Thank you ^^
MrsMorbid: I am glad you think so :>
StarBright: Yeah, he's been very interested in injured Umay. Thank you!
... I am beyond interested.
I am beyond interested.
I'M SO TRACKING THIS. I love
I love the music and the amazing picture OO:
This is simply stunning
Gosh gosh gosh...
<3
Your art is always so
Thank you, Serenai, Reeku,
Oh, this is beautiful.
Hmmmm....*studies the
By the way, my OOC deer (wip) is some sort of water creature too. She's often found near the pond.
Forget Your Perfect Offering.
There Is A Crack In Everything.
That's How The Light Gets In.
(A part of the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's Song "Anthem")
Wait! I think Mind sat with
gglidden: I don't know what
Yay more water creatures!
Spirituelle: Thank you :) And yes, that was Neath sitting with Mind yesterday. He was very surprised to find a bird in the water, and even more surprised when she turned into a deer.
Mind is a spirit, taking
She, herself, was surprised to see another creature underwater.
Her curiosity lured her in, so she stayed with him.
Hello there Neath, nice to
Forget Your Perfect Offering.
There Is A Crack In Everything.
That's How The Light Gets In.
(A part of the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's Song "Anthem")
"Hrmrrr? Another
I love his set.
FRIIHA MET HIM TODAAAY 8D~!!
You are a very interesting individual, Neath. I've never seen anything like you, especially in this Forest...
You'll require more
stalkingobservation.A pleasure to meet you~
By Leuvr ♥
He's so adorable.
Saosin: Yes, I like it too.
Apparanza: "Hrrmmrr? It likess Neath? Makes Neath happy, yess. Neath likes it too. Never ssseen a little one like it. It is a very interesting little one."
I have wanted to meet her in-forest for a long time :D
Pinkpaws: Yes, yes he is :>
The little doe's fluffy ears
-x-
Random long reply. LOL xP
Aww~!! Really?! 8DD /honored xD
Ehehe I'm glad you did then, because I've wanted to meet any of your deer for a while too <3
By Leuvr ♥
This is just so cool! He is
traaack/
He´s awesome! =O
<3 <3
Pfff sexy. Definitely
sexy.
Definitely tracked.
Lol Crimsongale XD you call a
Died at your post
This really is an amazing
That picture is amazing. You're an amazing artist you know.
The conversation between
Apparanza: He purrs, a deep,
z.m123 and spyrre: Thank you! :)
Crimsongale: :>
Custard: Thank you! I was surprised that no one else seemed to have a character like him.
Serenai: <3 He's kind of cute :3
A tiny rabbitesque doe crept
I hope Tally didn't bother you yesterday, she can be a bit cowardly and painfully curious at the same time. d:
-coughs- Thought I was
Tally: Deep down the murky
Deep down the murky waters, a shadow emerges from the mud. Its slow, fluid movements makes it blend into the water, rendering it almost invisible. Suddenly it becomes very still, as if listening intently, and a moment later it lazily floats towards the light.
If you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss will stare back.
Two yellow eyes gaze up from just beneath the surface, and upon seeing the little doe, thee eyes and their owner slowly begin to creep closer.
Imp: :>
I think I've seen this
Ravyn has become very wary of it.