Vikara : Version #204
Basic Information Hide
Kevarith are fungal beasts, deeply connected to a unique fungus found deep underground. Where there is the strange dark eldritch fungus, there will also be a kevarith and where there is a kevarith, there will be the dark fungus. Their colors are similar to the fungi, nearly black with bioluminescent specks that glow blue. They have boney growths down their backs, wrapping around their sides, and on their upper arms. The length of these growths a good way to tell the age and strength of an individual. They stand an average of 12 feet tall, though grow larger as they age. They are fierce and powerful, dangerous and highly aggressive. Highly territorial.
Kevarith have a symbiotic relationship with a unique fungal growth that seems to be a part of them and they a part of it, as they are always found together.
Kevarith are sapient, capable of thought, reason and speech. Their language, however, is vastly different from the language of humans and they have trouble forumalating words. They can generally understand the speech of others alright, but have trouble actually speaking back.
They entirely lack eyes. They see using echolocation, vibrations, and sound and have an extremely advanced sense of smell. They can navigate incredibly well in complete darkness, as they do not need light to see at all.
Lore and History Hide
Not much is known about kevarith and where they come from.
Social Habits and Temperament Show
Kevarith are generally solitary and territorial, and tend to chase off things they do not want in their territories, but they do have some social instincts. Sometimes, they can be seen in small family groups. This can consist of an elder, who is a large and powerful dominant individual, and up to three smaller, less dominant individuals and any young they may have. Young kevarith still instinctively leave their dam’s territory when they reach maturity, so these small groups are generally unrelated individuals. These family groups will usually only have one cub among them at a time, though sometimes two if their territory is established enough. The cub is usually fathered by the larger, more dominant individual, the one seen as the leader and the main one whose territory the others have settled in. While many Kevarith do live individually, these family groups aren’t unheard of in larger fungal patches in the Depths. They are generally referred to as a pride, due to how kevarith somewhat resemble large fungal cave lions. The best way to know if there’s more than one is the size of the fungus patch. Smaller fungus patches are most likely a single kevarith, and probably fairly young. Much larger fungus patches can sustain more kevarith, and thus are more likely to host one of these small prides.
The Elder, who is the leader of the pride, has a scent can actually be calming to territorial instincts in younger kevarith. Kevarith prides always have one larger more dominant individual among them, because without them the younger kevarith are far more likely to fight eachother over territory. The bigger Kevarith has a calming influence on the younger smaller ones.
Sometimes, a kevarith will pair bond with another. When this happens, this pair bond will last for life. Occasionally, for very well established pairs, their young will stay with them even after maturity for a time. They will always eventually go off to found their own territory, but if the territory is established enough, they may help care for any cubs born to their parents. Kevarith, however, are long lived and powerful creatures, and don’t breed often. Because of this, they pour all their resources into insuring their cub reaches adulthood safely. The case of pair bonding is the only time a kevarith pride will have two large older kevarith, as they are too territorial otherwise.
Being eldritch fungi, kevarith do not follow the same genders/gender identities as humans and more flesh and blood creatures. They are all capable of siring and bearing young. More submissive, smaller individuals are more likely to be the one to carry a cub and can be seen as more “feminine” while the larger more dominant individuals can be seen as more “masculine”. However, this is more about their size and strength than their gender. They generally don’t understand gender, and don’t really care. Their Deep Eldritch language does not have gendered pronouns. They may see themselves as more feminine or more masculine, but otherwise don’t really care.
Kevarith are very territorial, but if you stay out of their territory and don’t bother them, they’ll usually leave you alone. Younger, more aggressive kevarith are far more likely to attack. The best way to avoid getting killed is to sneak past, stay out of their territory, don’t provoke them. Sometimes the best way to avoid provoking one is just not be detected by it. Once they decide to give chase, though, you are very unlikely to escape. They are fast, and have a deadly ranged attack as well that can send you flying even from a distance.