D'ziriak

D'ziriak

(Creature)

Common

N

Medium

Aberration

Shadow

Level

3

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Images of d'ziriaks

Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 104

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D'ziriaks are insect-like outsiders originally from the Netherworld, where they live in partially subterranean hive cities.

Appearance

D'ziriaks average seven feet in height with two pairs arms—one larger pair ending in five-fingered clawed hands, and a smaller pair used only for fine work—two legs, and an abdomen that resembles a termite's. They have dull brown carapaces that they decorate with tattoo-like bright bioluminescent runes, and d'ziriaks can control the brightness of these runes through physical exertion, and can also customize the runes' shape and color over time as befits their social station.

Society

D'ziriaks organize into city-sized hives topped with tall spires that run into chambers deep underground, where d'ziriaks live, work, and farm fungi. Each hive is led by a king and queen. These cities are lit with alchemical and magical sources, often by shaping them into runes.

They speak their own language (also known as D'ziriak), which is completely unintelligible to other peoples, and can also speak Shadowtongue. They can also communicate telepathically, and would rather do so than suffer the harshness of other peoples' attempts to speak D'Ziriak.

History

D'ziriaks and fellow Netherworld-native wayangs once lived in harmony in the Netherworld, but at some point in the distant past—some say when Zon-Kuthon was exiled to the Netherworld by Abadar—both were persecuted by colonizing Kuthites and velstracs in ongoing wars that both d'ziriaks and wayangs refer to as the Desecration. Wayangs chose to leave the Netherworld during the Age of Ashes, which opened passages for travel from the Netherworld to Golarion in the Universe.

Light-weaving

D'ziriak light-weaving is an occult craft, and light weavers often use magic to create works of art, practical lighting, illuminated signs, wards, and displays for entertainment and education. One organization of such practitioners is the Light-Weavers' Guild of Hive Izt Sixt'Zym in Shadow Absalom.

In the Great Beyond

Shadow Absalom

D'ziriaks have lived in Shadow Absalom for thousands of years, and more than 10,000 lived there as of 4718 AR, where they sometimes welcome visitors into their hives to witness their singing and bio-luminescent displays. The color and light of d'ziriak societies makes them stand out in the otherwise dark Netherworld, a plane of shadow and gloom.

Hive Izt Sixt'Zym, which hosts brilliant displays by the Light-Weavers' Guild, and the more reclusive and militaristic Hive Yg'Graztz, are among Shadow Absalom's most prominent hives. Most of the entrances to their hives are located in the city's Hive Dunes district, while fetchlings in the Unspoken City attempt to prevent d'ziriak incursions into their territory.

Some hooded d'ziriaks were among the gathered crowd when Argrinyxia claimed power to herald the umbral dragon's claim to power in the city.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.