Carcinoss Worker

Resembling large crabs, complete with eyes on stalks and claws for hands, carcinoss rule the Neputic Ocean south of the Northern Isles. These monstrosities may have evolved from mundane crustaceans exposed to the magical malpractices of multiple mages, or simply could have been shaped by their environment into the shrewd and testy people they have come to be known as. In either case, these cantankerous shell-covered creatures are as tall as they are wide, from the 5-foot-diameter workers to the 15-foot-diameter chieftains.

Carcinosses are exceptionally vain, decorating their carapaces with other seashells, inks, corals, and dyes sourced from the resources of their vast kingdoms. Some kingdoms even choose to decorate their warriors with shell tattoos, which often are quite detailed pictograms revealing the kingdom’s rich militant history.

Usually carcinosses are content to stay on the sea floor, though recent conflicts against thanoi hunters and seaborn have forced many up toward the surface, putting their spindly legs and swimming prowess to the test. Fishermen in the areas frequented by carcinoss workers keep extra nets on hand in case of attacks, though carcinosses rarely attack boats larger than a skiff.

Carcinoss society, though looking primitive, is actually quite sophisticated, with their own tools, language, and architecture. The larger chieftains are often skilled sorcerers, fighting their way to prominence with magical acts that astound (and kill) their opposition. Due to poor eyesight, carcinosses are also very drawn to sparkly objects, which capture their fascination far better than dull ones. This also makes carcinosses one of the primary sources of pearls and fine gems south of the mines of Salamandastron.