Kore Morleth and Tel'rendiir Baeryth,
I write to you from the docks of Beles, recently arrived there as a sellsword guard on a merchant river barge Coincourser. The barge set off from a commercial dock near central towers with a shipment of faintly luminous ore (verdant glow) and headed north to Beles. The journey was mostly quiet until several nights in the following occurred:
Past sunset, in the dark of the night, the barge began to rock an unusual amount inconsistent with the flow of the river. Looking into the waters, within darkness there was a faint yellow glow increasing in intensity as it neared the surface until a group of what I can describe as hostile deep fishkin or humanoid fish burst from the river’s waters and propelled onto the deck. We dispatched these deepkin with some casualties and upon docking in Beles I conferred with other sailors. This was not the first encounter though none could give a name for the creatures. I write this letter to submit a report of my encounter, and what I gathered from other sailors, for the bestiary and call these creatures “topielec” after beings of similar nature and behavior from my original mistsphere.
The Topielec
The topielec appear as humanoid fish of average human height with white, bulbous eyes; ivory teeth like skewers in their large mouths; blue and black scales thick and pronounced like on a lungfish; and small growth of yellow bioluminescence protruding and dangling from their forehead. A drowning/school of about 5 to 10 topielec attacked the boat by lunging onto the ship from water, a feat that shows they are capable as swimmers. In combat they utilized their teeth and claws but I saw no sign of using tools, intelligent communication, or tactics besides cruel cunning of a predatory pack of beasts.
The other boat guards and I were able to fend off and slay a number of topielec through stern resistance. Our mundane weapons of steel, wood, and other non-magical materials were able to cause fatal wounds just fine. I would not describe the topielec as capable or especially dangerous fighters, I believe them to be closer to ambush predators. From what I witnessed I believe that the bioluminescence emitted by topielec can lure their prey into a vulnerable position through curiosity, for example a sailor leaning over the stern of the ship in wonder at the underwater light. The topielec can take advantage of this through their swimming ability to quickly close distance and secure the kill, for example by pouncing onto the leaning sailor and dragging them into the waters. Should this fail, however, and the element of surprise is lost I believe the topielec are at disadvantage when facing a footsoldier with basic, practical training and modern equipment.
It is in my recommendation, and I hope this information is spread to the public, that when light is seen below the water, and the current of the river seems to change, the sailors should take defensive positions in preparation for boarding as it could likely be a mark of an ambush by the topielec. Withstanding the initial moment of this ambush and issuing prepared resistance is crucial in minimizing casualties inflicted by the topielec. Speaking to other sailors at Beles I found out that the topielec were initially sighted by sailors who ventured out onto the sea but in the last few weeks pushed into the inland waters where they have been ambushing and praying on river boats more and more often. I believe this growth in intensity should be investigated and patrols organized to confront the drownings of topielec now praying upon river traffic.
The Wodnik / Merfolk
There was another unknown being I encountered during the topielec ambush. I will refer to them as wodnik, a name for spirits of inland waters. This creature came to my aid when my sword became lodged in a topielec gut but its fellow made to claw at me. Before it struck, however, a spear darted out of the water and pulled the topielec back into the river. Looking into those depths I saw the wodnik, a merfolk creature of ethereal beauty. Its body was sleek and slender in light blue scales, its hair were long and green like the lakebed plants dancing upon the currents. It was similar in appearance to a blue elf, yet entirely alien to those eyes that linger above the waters.
I would not presume the wodnik’s intent but since it utilized a weapon in combat and did not attack the boat or its cargo in the confusion of topielec ambush, I believe it is an intelligent creature that does not mean outright hostility towards the landfolk. At the same time I do not believe it is a creature native to rivers or inland lakes, instead I believe that the wodnik resides in deep waters of seas and oceans but its presence in the rivers is related to the topielec activity moving inland as well.
In conclusion, I believe the topielec present danger to river traffic and riverside communities. Their activity should be studied closer and descriptions of their ambush tactics circulated through sailing and coastal communities to prevent unnecessary loss of life. I will welcome any other sentinels and wardens who would wish to join me on observing or combating these creatures until they return to their natural habitats of deep waters.
Gregor of Korab, Copper Sentinel
Wody są głębokie, a głębiny zimne, ale Rzeka zawsze przynosi życie
