The Ridorana Cataract

173. The Ridorana Cataract: Deathclaw

GENUS: Insect
CLASSIFICATION: Mantis

[1/2] Observations

Being a variety of mantis having a brown, shell-like husk.

The anterior wings are vestigial, having lost most of their flight membranes. The stripes on its mantle increase in number at a rate of one per year, while its sickle forelimbs grow harder with age, eventually becoming desiccated and stone-like.

[2/2] Sage Knowledge (67 of 78)

The Ridorana Cataract

A strange opening in the seafloor that has created an endless whirlpool, drawing the surrounding sea ever downwards. An island is situated at the cataract's edge, on which stands a great pharos surrounded by ancient ruins. Its size suggests that once a great city flourished here, but of its rise and fall nothing is known.

The area surrounding this island is jagd, preventing approach by airship, while the proximity of the cataract and its tidal pull make it impossible to reach the island by sea.

174. The Ridorana Cataract: Cassie

GENUS: Plant
CLASSIFICATION: Marlboro

[1/2] Observations

Being a violent strain of the marlboro created by the natural philosopher Catharine Asua, an expert of great renown, specializing in the physiology of plants.

The "wild cassie," as her creation become known, spread on account of a researcher who carried seeds out of her laboratory.

The cassie is easily identifiable by its ruddy brown coloration and curious patch of gold fur. Its creator shall never know respite from guilt until the day when the last cassie is thrown onto the mulch-pile.

[2/2] A Curious Treasure

There is a charm, the working of which requires that one draw nine stars upon a prayer-board in the blood of a cassie.

Depending on the configuration of the stars, the board may be used for the warding of evil, the fulfillment of pure wishes, or other such noble cause. The Ketu board is popular amongst market-goers, being one of the mosr widely available charms today.