Ojimisst
From Mizahar Lore
| Relic | |
 Fog and fear | |
| Frequency | Rare |
|---|---|
| Threat level | High |
| Major features | Serpentine fog form |
| Abilities | Mist reimancy, semi-corporeal |
| Most common in | Kalea, The Suvan Sea |
Ojimisst are ancient relics that lived long before the Valterrian shook Mizahar. Believed to have inhabited the ocean, it was there they dragged their huge, misty forms through the deep waters, creating sea currents. It is believed that riptides were created by young Ojimisst as they dwelt at coastlines, while raging ocean storms formed when Ojimisst fought over territory.
During the Valterrian, the upheaval in Mizahar's oceans caused many Ojimisst to perish. As the Valterrian raged, the Ojimisst could no longer survive in the oceans as they once did. Some sunk themselves to the ocean floor where they ripped apart the earth and hid in the cracks. Smaller Ojimisst swam up rivers, fighting against currents to make their way deep into the mountains of Kalea.
Ojimisst are believed to be ancient cousins of the Velispar, once having solid forms and heads like their land and sea relatives. Over centuries, the djed wielding wyrms found they had no need for their corporeal skin and eventually shirked it altogether for the fog forms they now possess. All that remains as a hint of their origins are their fins and the serpentine shape their djed resembles.
Despite living up to a thousand years old, few have survived and they are incredibly rare. They dwell in mountains and the Suvan Sea, where they lay dormant until disturbed by Mizaharians that wander into their territories.
Contents |
Appearance
Ojimisst are huge djed wyrms. Headless, they rely on using reimancy to shroud themselves in a fine cloud of moisture. Where ever they roam, djed infused fog rolls out from their forms and they sense their environment through this thick fog. Ojimisst glide through this fog, navigating with their fins. Very few Mizaharians have ever really seen the Ojimisst, their fog camouflage is so dense. Ojimisst grow up to 100ft, though few have reached their potential since so many lay dormant in hibernation for much of their lives.
Diet
Ojimisst feed on the djed of humanoids. When they possessed solid forms in ancient times, they devoured their prey with huge mouths lined with tiny, deadly teeth, which striped meat from bone. Now, being composed mostly of djed, they have no need of mouth, head, snout nor scale. Instead they shroud wanderers in a thick fog. The fog is thick, clinging to victims and permeating their lungs. When it is breathed in the fog reaches into the djed of the victim and the Ojimisst begins to sap them of their djed. The fog acts as an anaesthetic, so that the victim is lulled and feels no pain. It also causes hallucinations, ensuring the Ojimisst victim becomes disorientated and confused to prevent them crafting their escape.
Strong willed individuals may resist the feeding for days, even a week or two. Though the longer they remain within the Ojimisst's territory, the weaker they will feel. Gnosis marks are particularly appetising and the Ojimisst relishes the chance to feed off of the individual's connection to their patron god and it gives them great strength.
Reproduction and Social Structure
Ojimisst very rarely meet and so they very rarely procreate. They have long surrendered the means for procreating in their pursuit of becoming creatures of reimancy and show little interest in furthering their race. Bitter and resentful, they guard their territories fiercely from other Ojimisst. If Ojimisst cross territories, they will attempt courtship by swirling around each other, often creating storms or maelstroms. They communicate in high-pitched screeches, which has been mistaken for the sound of strong winds tearing through the mountains. The act of mating is so ferocious that, if successful, the Ojimisst dissipate and die, leaving behind a silver scaled egg.
Eggs weigh 1000lbs and possess incredibly tough shells, so tough that no hammer, axe or tool would mar it unless it had been forged with Ivak's mark. Ojimisst take 100 years to hatch. When they do, the hatchling's mist is incredibly potent, causing surrounding creatures to fall into a deep sleep. Newly hatched Ojimisst will feed on these creatures before fleeing to find a suitable shelter to nest.
Behavior
Ojimisst are ancient and sentient, though their thoughts, language and behavior are a mystery. They slumber for years at a time, conserving energy in order to survive. What has become clear, though, is that they have no love for humanoids that have settled in their ancient lands. They are incredibly bitter about their decline, and viciously jealous of the races of Mizahar and their relationships with the Gods.
Ojimisst are fiercely territorial and suffer no living creature to dwell in their land. So it is when Mizaharians wander the mountains that they invoke the wrath of the Ojimisst. Few ever live to tell the tale, and those that do often never even know they have been hunted by an Ojimisst, only that a terribly haunting fog descended on their path, which seemed to sap the energy right out of their bones.
Svefran sailors are more likely to see ocean-dwelling Ojimisst for what they really are, since there is nowhere for the Ojimisst to hide itself from their tavan. Those bearing Laviku's gnosis, Zulrav's gnosis, or skilled reimancers are highest likely to survive an Ojimisst attack. Ojimisst also do not like fire and will flinch from its touch if any where able to get close enough to scorch them with it.
Captivity
Ojimisst have never experienced captivity, nor could they be held in captivity. Few have seen the Ojimisst, let alone studied them. Most hear about Ojimisst through tales told by travellers and sailors. Many believe they are just myths.
Appearances
| Ojimisst | ||
 | Week Writing Challenge | Paaie's winning entry. |