Kushtaka

Kushtaka

Size: 4-6 ft tall
Weight: 170-250 lbs

Strength: Above Average
Agility: Very Good (In Water) Low (on land)
Health: Good
Intelligence: Above Average
Willpower: Very Good

Skills: Superior Language Acquisition

"...We were anchored far north of the trading port, the waters colder than the grave. After
dark, we kept hearing the sound of scratching along the hull of the ship, paired with odd
chattering, the noise warped through the wood, but almost sounding like children's laughter.
Strange fish, it had to be... just like captain said."

"For one week, Torrence was responsible for night watch, walking the decks looking
for icebergs and passing whales. Someone said they heard him talking to someone and
laughing, and found a few empty bottles of spirits lying about the next morning. The next
evening he was gone, clothes left behind... nothing but the frozen deep all around for miles. I
saw them in the waters when we reversed course, glassy-eyed cats in the black and blue,
watching us ...and giggling too."

Kushtaka loosely resemble large Anthropomorphic Lutrine animal, near the size of an adult
human, They are covered in a coat of waterproof brown fur of prized rarity. They have glowing
sickly-green eyes, and similarly colored spines growing from the sides of their skulls and ridges of
luminescent, spiny fins down their backs and arms. Similar fins spring out from both sides of their
large rudder-like tail capable of bashing of stabbing like a dexterous pole-arm. These features allow
them to move with unparalleled humanoid grace under the water, tucking in both arms and
swimming in an intricate dance, their fins opening to make them resemble large glowing predator of
the water and ward off larger creatures. Vibration sensitive whiskers grow form their snouts, which
are filled with razor sharp fangs.

Kushataka use their aquatic prowess to hunt fish and dolphins, and even sharks, but solely
for fun, using their massive fangs to drink the blood from these creatures in groups. During sunlight
hours, they lie in stasis, wrapping themselves among the sea weed trailing up from below. They
adorn themselves with treasure from the sunken deep, both for fashion and to lure unwary travelers
to their doom. They are not above hunting humans for sport; but they may simply help or hinder
those they come across, tormenting stranded seafarers or even taking them back to land without
harm. Why is not known. These are deceptively playful creatures; their behavior a far cry from
other kinds of undead, saving a lost sailor one day, feeding upon them the next, or even
transforming them into more Kushtaka like themselves with a draining bite beneath the waves.
They are capable of regenerating any injury or wound when out of sunlight much like a typical
vampire, so long as they have fed recently and are submerged in moving water. Dirty, still water
stymies their healing factor, while being away from the water too long will severely weaken them.
Blessed Water has no visible effect upon these creatures. Cold temperatures do nothing to them at
all, but not because of their fur, which when skinned offers no warmth or insulation, chilling it's
wearer to death.

They are capable of speaking any language known by a sentient they have tasted the bodily 
fluids of, using this and their illusory magic to fool victims into believing they themselves are a
playful, hapless otter, inviting them to join them beneath the waves, before they transform them into
another Kushtaka. Avoid staring into their eyes as they can enthrall the unsuspecting, much like
vampires. It is said they look favorably upon those who offer them gold or trinkets in exchange for
safe passage, honoring these deals for life, if not a means to gain the trust of nearby victims by
donning a human form, and wearing their baubles.

By Tavaer