Choker
Chokers are small, fast predators common in underground areas. In recent years, they have proven themselves to be quite adaptable—despite their limited intelligence—by becoming an increasing nuisance in the Varisian city of Korvosa.
Appearance
Chokers are small halfling-sized creatures, averaging 35 pounds1 (though larger man-sized specimens have been reported2). Despite their size, they have extraordinarily long arms and legs.1 These limbs are boneless,3 and each ends in five tentacular fingers with an array of spines on the anterior. Chokers travel on their legs, or all-fours as the situation dictates, and have a gait that humanoids find disturbing and unnatural, due to their boneless limbs.1 Their wobbly locomotion has led to some commoners to question if the creatures have any skeleton at all.4
Habitat and ecology
Chokers are found throughout the Inner Sea region, both in Avistan5 and Garund,2 and have also been reported in the far southern parts of Garund.6 They generally live underground, from the periphery of surface ruins to the secluded depths of Sekamina.7 From time to time, though, a choker will become curious about the world above, and make its way to the dark alleys and abandoned buildings of surface cities.1 Korvosa's Shingles areas are particularly notable for their large choker populations.8
Chokers are opportunistic hunters that wait in the darkness—often perched up high—for prey to happen by, and then strike with astonishing speed.1 In urban areas, they have been known to take prey from top-floor balconies and to reach down chimneys to ensnare unaware prey.8 Smaller prey and individuals tend to be their preferred target.1
Society
Chokers are of limited intelligence and have little society of their own. Despite this, they are often fascinated by the products of more advanced cultures, and have been known to collect small tokens from their prey with which to festoon their lairs.1 Chokers are socially advanced enough to identify themselves and others with names,5 and occasionally form rudimentary friendships or alliances with less savory humans.9 Most chokers speak Undercommon,1 though some that have been born and raised in urban areas speak Taldane.9
Their patron is the demon lord Shivaska, but they also worship the demon lord Shax.10
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 45. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wolfgang Baur. (2008). Crucible of Chaos, p. 25. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-074-2
- ↑ Nicolas Logue. (2008). Edge of Anarchy. Edge of Anarchy, p. 44. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-088-9
- ↑ Richard Pett. (2008). Escape from Old Korvosa. Escape from Old Korvosa, p. 23. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-092-6
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nicolas Logue. (2007). Crown of the Kobold King, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-048-3
- ↑ JD Wiker. (2008). Relics of Kazavon. Crown of Fangs, p. 64. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-109-1
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur. (2009). The Land of Black Blood. Descent into Midnight, p. 52. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-131-2
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mike McArtor. (2008). Guide to Korvosa, p. 32. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-078-0
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Richard Pett. (2008). Escape from Old Korvosa. Escape from Old Korvosa, p. 27. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-092-6
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2010). Lords of Chaos, p. 24. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-250-0