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Description
Stories of monsters and hidden terrors can be found in any culture, for fear is known in every heart. They are whispered around fires that ward off the dark, or found clinging to our minds as we huddle beneath our blankets and comforts. Tales that grow to fill these unexplored lands and empty shadows, finding fear in what we do not understand. Every race and civilization has these stories, for people both above and below. Just as we tell cautionary tales to our children, the merfolk do the same to theirs. The vast ocean is an endless one, stretching onward into a cerulean void, or plunging forever into a maw of darkness. Though they call these waters home, there are still plenty of dangers to be found. The suffocating robes of a crimson hunter, the deceiving grin of a hungering viper, all of whom gladly prey upon the foolish. The young must be mindful of their surroundings and be wary to the words of their elders, lest these aquatic boogeymen drag them into the blinding depths. Do not swim far from the pod, keep out of the darkened waters and never delve into the caves alone. The sunken caverns and strange burrows tempt the curious and adventurous, but many who swim into these stony maws alone are devoured. It doesn't matter if they are deep or shallow, any crevice and corner can be a home for the Auger.

The young must know of her trickery and traps, for she is a cunning predator. Though she is bloated with eggs and engorged with blood, one must not think she is easily avoided. Unable to swim, she slithers about and hides her swollen form within caves and darkened burrows. Coiling up her body, she vanishes into the shadows and ducks behind corners in wait for a victim. An inquisitive young one may blindly inspect these openings, perhaps hoping for a tasty critter or wondrous prize. It is then she strikes, launching her chitinous body forward and seizing her prey with her horrible claws. In a flash, she will have them and drag them into her home. No matter how hard one thrashes and fights, she shall keep them in a savage grip, all until she can get her first bite. From her maw comes a slithering tongue, which will seek out soft flesh to pierce. When stabbed by this vile appendage, all hope is lost. Her tongue spews forth branches of burrowing tendrils, spreading through the body like the thirsty roots of a parched tree. They seek veins to drink from, and she will use them to drain her victims to the very last drop. Once these tendrils have anchored, freeing oneself from her is nearly impossible and incredibly painful. Death shall come as she drinks her prey dry, leaving the husk for the scavengers. After preying on a few victims, she shall move on to new hunting grounds, leaving their crumbling bones as a symbol of her cruelty.

Take note of these tales, young ones, or else your bones shall join them....

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As Mermay gets closer to the end, here is another perhaps maybe is technically a mermaid? Its got the arms and tail(?) and its an aquatic critter so that should work! I wanted to get weirder and change things up, so the critter I chose was the Anchor Worm (Lernaeocera branchialis), specifically the female. Since their adult stage is pretty much a slimy bag of eggs, I decided to make her a mix of her life stages, getting a bit of both worlds. Came out pretty alien, but I love the absurdity.

And of course I try to make something horrifying and awful, and it still comes out cute.

Description
Stories of monsters and hidden terrors can be found in any culture, for fear is known in every heart. They are whispered around fires that ward off the dark, or found clinging to our minds as we huddle beneath our blankets and comforts. Tales that grow to fill these unexplored lands and empty shadows, finding fear in what we do not understand. Every race and civilization has these stories, for people both above and below. Just as we tell cautionary tales to our children, the merfolk do the same to theirs. The vast ocean is an endless one, stretching onward into a cerulean void, or plunging forever into a maw of darkness. Though they call these waters home, there are still plenty of dangers to be found. The suffocating robes of a crimson hunter, the deceiving grin of a hungering viper, all of whom gladly prey upon the foolish. The young must be mindful of their surroundings and be wary to the words of their elders, lest these aquatic boogeymen drag them into the blinding depths. Do not swim far from the pod, keep out of the darkened waters and never delve into the caves alone. The sunken caverns and strange burrows tempt the curious and adventurous, but many who swim into these stony maws alone are devoured. It doesn't matter if they are deep or shallow, any crevice and corner can be a home for the Auger.

The young must know of her trickery and traps, for she is a cunning predator. Though she is bloated with eggs and engorged with blood, one must not think she is easily avoided. Unable to swim, she slithers about and hides her swollen form within caves and darkened burrows. Coiling up her body, she vanishes into the shadows and ducks behind corners in wait for a victim. An inquisitive young one may blindly inspect these openings, perhaps hoping for a tasty critter or wondrous prize. It is then she strikes, launching her chitinous body forward and seizing her prey with her horrible claws. In a flash, she will have them and drag them into her home. No matter how hard one thrashes and fights, she shall keep them in a savage grip, all until she can get her first bite. From her maw comes a slithering tongue, which will seek out soft flesh to pierce. When stabbed by this vile appendage, all hope is lost. Her tongue spews forth branches of burrowing tendrils, spreading through the body like the thirsty roots of a parched tree. They seek veins to drink from, and she will use them to drain her victims to the very last drop. Once these tendrils have anchored, freeing oneself from her is nearly impossible and incredibly painful. Death shall come as she drinks her prey dry, leaving the husk for the scavengers. After preying on a few victims, she shall move on to new hunting grounds, leaving their crumbling bones as a symbol of her cruelty.

Take note of these tales, young ones, or else your bones shall join them....

-----------------------------------------

As Mermay gets closer to the end, here is another perhaps maybe is technically a mermaid? Its got the arms and tail(?) and its an aquatic critter so that should work! I wanted to get weirder and change things up, so the critter I chose was the Anchor Worm (Lernaeocera branchialis), specifically the female. Since their adult stage is pretty much a slimy bag of eggs, I decided to make her a mix of her life stages, getting a bit of both worlds. Came out pretty alien, but I love the absurdity.

And of course I try to make something horrifying and awful, and it still comes out cute.