Miran's Magnificient Monster Manual

[Togetak]

Daemon Catalogue

V. Frospup

 

 

A common sight in the mountainous peaks of Theria, Frospup are- at first glance- a rather strange fit for their environment. Small Daemon that simultaneously bear the aquatically inclined body shape of a whale, with a pair of ice antlers akin to those of an elk- capping it all off with a crystalline core sitting exposed at the end of their tail, in place of a fluke.

 

Stranger still is how they move. They drag themselves across the Therian biota with a deceptively stubby, and yet undeniably powerful pair of front flippers- using them to propel their slick bodies across the snow like bobsleds for quick bursts of speed.

 

Their behavior, too, is odd for their kind. While often childlike- frolicking and playful in the snow, roughhousing and sliding around with their kin, they tend to be rather aggressive when encroached upon by Theria’s inhabitants- violently flinging themselves at any onlookers, until they return back down from the peaks. While at first glance this behavior seems rather erratic, that they can turn entirely with only a moment’s notice, it’s actually far simpler to understand than one would imagine.

 

While Frospups are almost constantly seen upon the mountain tops, they do not truly abide there. Frequently they can be observed diving into, or out of, the numerous holes in the ice at the peaks, into the freezing water below. While the frequency that they do so can be misleading, creating the illusion individuals are simply diving in and out, reality is far more interesting: The main colonies and nesting spots of this species actually lay somewhere within the mountain itself, presumably in some subterranean cave accessible only via these aquifers supplying the water to the peaks- or, perhaps at the bottom of the water body itself, if oxygen is no issue?

 

Regardless of where their nests lay, it’s clear their expeditions to the surface, while stimulating, serve some purpose in their lifecycle. I was rather perplexed at what, however, until I came to realize Theria’s similarity to Osrona’s Imperial Quarry: the notable presence of Blue Mercury.

 

While Frospups filling their mouths with snow is not an uncommon sight upon the Therian peaks, often presumed to be another play activity, I believe instead it is a form of ‘filter feeding’ as they consume trace amounts of Blue Mercury leeching off the stone and into the porous snow.

 

I have, personally, witnessed exposed veins of Blue Mercury be gnawed on by fortuitous Frospups that managed to find their way into the caves of Theria’s peak- either by luck, or by scent- which only reinforces my belief that this is the true reason for their amphibious expeditions.

 

It explains, too, why the creatures are so violently aggressive. Those upon the peaks of theria are likely dusted with the mineral they crave, or often miners who’ve directly collected not insignificant amounts- and that’s not to mention the frequency that Blue Mercury is used in runesmithing and enchanting operations, a common procedure for the sellswords that live within the city. It’s no wonder they leap at us- we’re effectively wearing what they consider a delicacy.

  

Froseal- a natural mutation?

  

 

In previous chapters I have described Daemons which, when exposed to nexi of significant magical energy (in all cases so far, of deep occultic corruption), were capable of “mutating” into a much more powerful- and often far more pained- form. With the discovery of the Froseal, and its… less distressing origins, I believe I had spoken too soon in those earlier chapters, and had judged the entire process with too broad a brush- and, perhaps, other such creatures like it exist in the world, hidden from our eyes.

 

While not particularly common upon the Therian peak, the Froseal is still a near-universal sight.  Unlike many of the other Daemon mutations, these creatures are far more ‘natural’ in both appearance, and capabilities to live outside of wellsprings of energy. Larger, with bodies more akin to legends of Sea-Dragons than whales, Froseals still stand no taller than half a man. 

  

There is always one such creature amongst the Frospups on the peak, and rarely ever more, acting as some sort of.. Guardian, or mentor-like figure, it’s subdued and stoic nature putting it in sharp contrast with the childlike play of its smaller kin.

 

While the Froseal is observably more powerful than the smaller creatures it protects, launching powerful water magic at those who would threaten them, it is far removed from the raw power expressed by its more occultic inclined kin- scarcely stronger than your average water magi, if that.

 

Unlike all other mutated Daemon spoken of thus far, the Froseal is also capable of locomotion. While it is not incapable of sliding in much the same manner as the Frospup before it, the preferred method of movement is undulation, extending their front flippers forward and then pushing with their less developed hind set- while the movement is strange to behold, it is noticeably faster than expected of such a lumbering movement, even faster than that of their smaller kin.

 

A noticeable departure from the Froseal’s activities, however, is the return whatever aquatic territory lays underneath the ice. A Froseal will emerge from the water only once, as the Frospup it once was first begins the rapid growth that signifies its mutation. After this it is too large, and too obsessed with its new duty, to ever return.

 

While such a fate is saddening, there is a nobility to it- to sacrifice one's own wellbeing for the betterment of others. While i’m unsure if creatures such as this have the intelligence to understand what they become, beyond basic instinct, I don’t believe this truly matters. Regardless of whether they understand it, I believe we could all learn from honouring their selflessness.