Darkspawn
CW: Articles regarding Darkspawn do contain written descriptions of graphic violence and body horror imagery. Some may find the content disturbing. Discretion is advised.
The perpetrators of the Blight. These beasts, which appear in the shape of sapients, are akin to a disease, an army, and a force of nature all rolled into one horrifying horde. While they haven't been seen en masse for centuries, roving patrols are reported once every few years. When spotted, they are quickly hunted down. They will attempt to kill anything in their way and are given a wide berth by nearly every creature.
Basic Information
Anatomy
While they are separated into different subspecies, they all vaguely resemble humanoid sapients. However, they lack some distinguishing humanoid traits; namely body hair, eyelids, and lips. Their blood is highly toxic and anyone who is exposed to it runs the risk of becoming one of their kind.
Their skin is often covered in boils, open sores, and infected wounds, which they never seem to notice or care for.
Genetics and Reproduction
Reproduction is the sole purpose of the broodmothers; a hideous subspecies which can produce darkspawn at a terrifying rate. However, this subspecies has not been seen in centuries and it is unclear how these creatures truly manage to reproduce.
Growth Rate & Stages
Darkspawn are born nearly at full maturity, harnessing the ability to walk and fight at birth. They require only a week of development before they are full-fledged members of a horde. That is, if they survive that long. Darkspawn are inherently violent creatures and without an external threat, they will often begin to form warbands, tribes, and clans, and attack other darkspawn.
Ecology and Habitats
While darkspawn have been spotted on the periphery of The Dwarven Reach and the The Great Grass Sea, they stay mostly within The Lost Kingdom. They seem perfectly capable of surviving in any environment. However, it is unclear whether individuals survive or whether they can simply outbreed their death rates.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Seemingly, these monsters do not require any food in order to survive. Captured darkspawn have been observed to survive for weeks in isolation without food. Regardless of any biological need for sustenance, they will consume the flesh of their victims. They will move into an area, strip it clean of life, and move onto the next area—leaving only blood, poisoned soil, and blackened water in their wake.
Additional Information
Social Structure
A purely violent race, the social hierarchy is determined by whichever darkspawn is the strongest, cleverest, or the last one standing. These leaders or "alphas" are stronger, more intelligent versions of their brethren and always get the prime choice of meat or loot.
Average Intelligence
Darkspawn appear intelligent enough to formulate traps and ambushes when out in the field. They also appear capable of creating their own weapons and armour. Only emissaries seem capable of speaking the Common tongue. However, all subspecies appear capable of understanding language...they just ignore cries for mercy.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
While they are perfectly capable of operating in the sun, all darkspawn are capable of seeing without light and seem to prefer being away from sunlight.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
They are regularly seen with crude iron weapons and armour. During the Blight they were also able to produce cruel siege weapons and torture devices but these have not been seen by anyone living for centuries.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The darkspawn give no quarter, mercy, or time for any form of life. They are a bloody hateful plague. If seen, they are to be avoided at all costs except by the most trained adventurers or warriors.
Scientific Name
Aegrus Coglio Homo
Lifespan
Unknown
Conservation Status
Unknown
Average Height
Range from 5' to 15' depending on the subspecies
Average Weight
Variable
Geographic Distribution
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