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Person of Interest Report S662K: “Nakall”

S662K is an instance of Kaotid Adult (K001b), that exhibits features unique among its species(Note: DNA tests have revealed that S662K’s genetic makeup is completely unlike any other recorded Kaotids. It is possible that there are others that share its anomalous traits). It it easily distinguished from other members of its species via the enigmatic marking above one of its eyes.

Unlike other Kaotids, S662K is highly intelligent, capable of higher thought and speaking 27 of the interuniversally recognized languages. This knowledge is likely attributed to S662K’s other traits. All Kaotids are capable of latching on to their host and taking over the nervous system, with some salvaging limited memories from the host, after complete merging with the host’s skull completely.

S662K takes this ability a step further. Unlike other Kaotids, S662K can remove itself from its current host at will, effectively becoming a Kaotid Larva once more. This essentially allows S662K to “body surf”, hopping from host to host, effectively allowing it to shrug off fatal damage to the body. S662K seems to retain most of all of the memories of its target host, even after removing itself from the host, allowing for it to quickly gain information from multiple victims.

S662K has been spotted on a few occasions, with many reports stating that it is a self-styled killer-for-hire, going by the name “Nakall”. It seems that S662K’s predatory nature has aided it well in the assassination business, earning it many titles.

S662K is highly dangerous and unpredictable. Attempts to contact it have been largely unsuccessful, as it seems to have access interuniversal travel methods, and typically operates outside the Vocitarium’s range.

[thevocitarium]

[DOCUMENT RECOVERED FROM SITE 4226, UNIVERSE V44]

[DATA CORRUPTED: RECONSTRUCTION ATTEMPTS 25% SUCCESSFUL]

[IMAGE RECOVERED. AUDIO PARTIALLY RECOVERED. VIDEO LOST]

[Document sent by Dr. Arcus, head of Project “Sunken City”: an attempt to explore and document a previously unknown abandoned city hidden deep underground beneath a desert.]

[PLAY AUDIO]

“...silence. Dead silence. When we entered the chamber, we knew something was off...[static]...statue in the center. Anyone who enters the chamber is immediately cut off from all forms of communications.”

[15 minutes of static]

“...entering the chamber. It’s time we get a better look at the statue.”

[24 minutes of silence]

“The stat- STATUE. IT IS ALIVE.”

[sounds of frantic page flipping]

“The symbols on the wall...[static]... THE SILENT GOD...[static]...ripped through...[static]... into dust...[static]...the silence...”

[END OF AUDIO]

Official Statement by the Vocitarium:

“It is clear that we are not dealing with the regular creatures we normally interact with. Though the Vocitarium has dealt with extraordinarily dangerous creatures in the past, with its fair share of casualties, but this looks to be something different. We have committed a great deal of our resources to follow up on this archaeological project. In addition to this, we are mobilizing our armed forces department in order to conduct a rescue operation for our agents in the field.”

[BEGIN OPERATION SILENT NIGHT]

[thevocitarium]

I5003 “Ice Reaver”

Few boreal predators are as feared as an ice reaver. Standing at an imposing 14.5 meters, ice reavers stalk boreal forests and tundras, seeking prey to snatch up and devour. Their fangs inject a neurotoxin into their prey, which also slowly liquefies their prey from the inside out, allowing for the reaver to drink their prey dry.

These large arthropods skulk at night, silently treading through snow, probing around with its modified whip-like leg antennae. Due to their poor eyesight, yet powerful sensory organs on the antennae, ice reavers are accustomed to hunting in low visibility conditions, with activity peaking most during storms and blizzards. Though they appear to move slowly throughout their environment, they are known to suddenly leap and close distances with their prey incredibly quickly. Their elusive nature and fearsome appearance have earned them places in folktales and myths.

Vocitarium agents are closely monitoring or even capturing instances of ice reavers near human populations when applicable. These creatures will go inactive when exposed to heat, explaining their proclivity towards colder climates. Paradoxically, ice reaver exoskeletons are incredibly resistant to heat, capable of withstand heats of up to 200 Celsius (392 Fahrenheit) before sustaining damage. In addition to this, sample of blood from ice reavers have revealed that their blood can serve as a powerful anti-freeze. Research on this property is still ongoing. Vocitarium agents working on areas suspected of having populations of ice reavers are recommended to bring heat-based weaponry and to always keep a eye out during snowstorms. Their claws are incredibly powerful, capable of piercing steel. It is advised to maintain at a minimum a 10 meter distance away from any visible ice reaver, due to its impressive reach.

[thevocitarium]

W2265 "Wetland Engulfer"

Wetland Engulfers are amphibious predators that inhabit humid wetlands and rivers, lurking in large bodies of water and slithering on land in search of prey. Engulfers will often use their split jaws to swallow most of their prey whole, whereas larger prey are torn to pieces by the engulfer's claws and jaws. The large fins on their backs are often used for thermoregulation, often jutting out of the water conspicuously. This is a good sign of an engulfer not being hungry.

Wetland Engulfers are impressive predators, capable of reaching lengths of up to 10 meters (~32 ft). In nearly every environment where they thrive, engulfers are apex predators, with most of their threats coming from only sapient beings. The Vocitarium advises all personnel working in these creature's environments to bring bulky armor (as to make it difficult for them to be swallowed) and all boats to be at least the length of an adult wetland engulfer.

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L3367: 'Blue Thunder Strider'

Thunder striders are very large, herbivorous invertebrates (approximately rhino-sized), characterized by their colorful carapace and ability to manipulate electricity. These solitary creatures travel great distances across their native shrublands and fields, grazing on vegetation as they go. Their large, metallic horns serve as a lightning rod of sorts, causing lightning to strike them frequently. Any electricity hitting the strider is stored within special organs for later use. In addition to this, these creatures passively generate some electricity, which is also stored. When confronted with potential threats or other creatures encroaching upon their territory, thunder striders begin discharging stored energy, shocking anything within their immediate vicinity. Should electricity not ward threats away, the strider's impressive size, hard carapace and goring horns certainly will.

Although different color forms exist, the blue color seems to be the most common.

[thevocitarium]

Specimen D446 "Carrion Drake"

A medium-sized scavenging wyvern, spread across multiple realms. Carrion drakes are often seen flying over great expanses, searching for corpses or weakened prey to feed upon. The bony horns on their face are used to pierce through any hard or armored parts of food, which is then scooped up by their long, barbed tongue. Carrion drakes particularly enjoy cracking bones open and slurping up the marrow. Despite their relatively small legs, carrion drakes can carry a surprisingly high amount of weight, with instances of them carrying creatures the size of horses. Carrion drakes do not have an elemental breath organ, unlike many of their draconic relatives, but their sharp teeth and hardened horns can deliver fatal injuries. Their build allows them to fly great distances without rest, although at a relatively slow speed. This, when combined with their weak ground maneuverability, makes them a potential target for large aerial-specialist predators.

Carrion drakes are intelligent animals, vocalizing locations of food to their flock and warning each other of potential threats. This intelligence makes them very popular creatures for domestication in the realms where it is available. Young carrion drakes will eat any meat presented to them, even if it is rotten, and adults are capable of carrying several humans. With their naturally tough bony armor and propensity to feed on corpses, carrion drakes are very hardy creatures, a trait beloved by breeders.

The Vocitarium often employs teams with carrion drakes and other large scavengers when dealing with extended Death-World operations or post-battle documentation. Personnel are advised to excerise extra caution when dealing with younger drakes, as hatchlings, even if raised in captivity, can deliver a bite force capable of cleanly cleaving off a finger.

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Specimen K001b "Kaotid Adult"

Once a Kaotid larva has assumed full neural control over its host body, the process of becoming an adult begins. The larva's new body will undergo many drastic changes over the course of a month (in case of relatively smaller host bodies, a week or two). Bones and muscles will be rearranged and strengthened, a bone like plating will appear over vital organs, protecting them, any limbs will grow sharp protrusions and hands will be turned to claws. After a variable amount of time (depending on the size of the host), the Kaotid larva will have eventually developed into the much more imposing adult Kaotid, an intimidating creature of toughened bone and muscle.

This drastic change is metabolically fueled by the prey a Kaotid will consume over this period. The developing Kaotid will actively hunt down and feed on as many species over a large area for the rest of its life, tearing its prey to shreds with its sharp claws and teeth. Kaotid adults have been shown to be very intelligent, setting up ambushes, hunting in packs, and communicating with one another in order to secure a kill. Some instances have recorded Kaotids adults even capturing prey alive in order to be used as a host body for the larvae.

Disturbingly, reports across the realms have claimed that Kaotids retain some of their host body's memories, leading to limited, to even advanced tool use, and sometimes vocalizations mimicking that of their host species'. Some have even gone as far to claim that some Kaotids retain so much memory that they may even be sapient. Vocitarium researchers are unable to determine the validity of these claims so far.

The Vocitarium advises personnel to exercise extreme caution when dealing with Kaotid specimens. Weaponry with high stopping power is recommended with these creatures, as sedatives can take far too long to take effect.

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Specimen K001a: “Kaotid Larva”

Kaotid larvae are the most basic form of all Kaotids found across multiple realms. In order for a Kaotid larva to become an adult, it must locate a suitable host. Once a host is found, the larva will attempt to affix itself onto the host’s skull, killing or incapacitating the victim with its stinger, claws, and tendrils. Once the host has been pacified, the larva will begin fusing with the host’s skull and spine, eventually replacing it and taking over the nervous system over the course of hours.

Alone, Kaotid larvae are no smarter than small, predatory insects, however, some reports have found that when accompanied by their own, more developed kind, an increase in group co-operation and what appears to be planned activities occurs.

Personnel dealing with Kaotids within captivity are required to wear suitable head protection and carry weaponry suitable for dealing with unruly Kaotids. Heavy machinery and armaments are recommended when interacting with a particularly large amount of larvae.