The T’sharr (Gorgons)

Origins:

The T’sharr were not the natural inhabitants of Nathakra but were instead a twisted experiment by the Shadowlord, Noxarion. Seeking to create a new form of terror to serve his dark ambitions, Noxarion attempted to merge the essence of the Vaaku with serpents, hoping to combine the Vaaku’s dark magic and malevolence with the serpents’ deadly cunning. The result was the T’sharr, also known simply as Gorgons, a race of fearsome beings that embody both the physical and magical terror of their progenitors. However, instead of pledging their loyalty to the Shadowlord, the T’sharr found a kindred spirit in Xylarus, The Deceiver, the god of lies, deceit, and manipulation. They revere Xylarus as their patron, believing that their twisted nature is a reflection of his own malevolent cunning.

Physical Appearance:

The T’sharr possess the upper body of a humanoid and the lower body of a serpent. Their skin is scaly, ranging from greenish hues to deep, obsidian black, and their hair consists of writhing, venomous snakes. Their eyes glow with a malevolent light, capable of petrifying anyone who meets their gaze. Despite their fearsome appearance, their bodies are frail, making them vulnerable in direct combat. The purebred T’sharr have heads that are often covered in serpents that act as hair. The lesser forms of the T’sharr often have more snake-like heads.

• Height: 5 to 6 feet tall (from head to tail).
• Length: 10 to 15 feet long.
• Weight: 200 to 400 pounds.

Social Structure and Hierarchy:

The T’sharr have a loose social structure based on age, magical prowess, and the ability to petrify. The oldest and most powerful T’sharr, those who have mastered the dark arts and whose gaze can petrify instantly, hold the highest status. They lead their kin in rituals dedicated to Xylarus and make strategic decisions in battle. Younger T’sharr, still honing their abilities, are often tasked with more menial jobs or serve as foot soldiers in their endless war against the forces of light.

Behavior and Culture:

The T’sharr are creatures of pure malevolence, reveling in chaos and destruction. They worship Xylarus, The Deceiver, and offer sacrifices in his name, believing that every soul they petrify strengthens their dark power. Their society is matriarchal, with elder T’sharr guiding the younger ones through rituals and teachings passed down for generations.

The T’sharr are known for their cunning and deceitful nature. They often lure their victims into traps or ambushes, using their dark magic to disorient and weaken before delivering the final petrifying gaze. Despite their evil inclinations, T’sharr have a deep sense of kinship among their own, often forming tight-knit covens that work together to achieve their dark goals.

Traits and Abilities:

• Petrifying Gaze: The T’sharr’s most feared ability is their gaze, capable of turning any living creature to stone. The speed and effectiveness of this power increase with the Gorgon’s age and experience.
• Dark Magic: The T’sharr possess an innate talent for dark magic, specializing in curses, necromancy, and shadow manipulation. Their spells can weaken their enemies, sap their life force, or raise the dead to fight on their behalf.
• Venomous Hair: The snakes that make up a T’sharr’s hair are venomous and can strike with lethal precision. The venom can paralyze or slowly kill those unfortunate enough to be bitten.
• Command Over Reptiles: The T’sharr have the innate ability to command snakes and other reptilian creatures with their minds. These creatures act as extensions of the Gorgon’s will, often used as spies, messengers, or additional forces in battle.
• Stealth and Ambush: The T’sharr are adept at moving silently through their environments, excelling in ambush tactics. They use their surroundings and numbers to gain an advantage over their enemies.

Psychological Traits:

The T’sharr are driven by a deep-seated hatred of the living and a desire to spread their petrifying curse across Nathakra. They are sadistic and take pleasure in the suffering of others, often toying with their victims before delivering the final blow. However, their fear of death and vulnerability makes them paranoid and cautious, always seeking to maintain an advantage in any confrontation.

Habitat:

The T’sharr primarily inhabit the Plains of the Forsaken, a desolate and cursed region of Nathakra where the land itself seems to wither under their presence. The area is filled with statues—former victims of the T’sharr’s gaze—serving as a grim reminder of their power. They build their lairs in dark caves or abandoned ruins, places where the light of the sun rarely reaches, and the air is thick with the scent of decay.

Languages:

• Infernal: The primary language of the Underworld, used for communication among their kind and in rituals dedicated to their dark gods.
• T’sharr Tongue: A hissing, serpentine language unique to the T’sharr, used for private communication within their covens.
• Common: The T’sharr understand and can speak the common tongue of Nathakra, often using it to deceive or lure in victims.