Fishes

Rock Moray

Few animals in all the world are as unintentionally lethal as the rock moray. This large, muscular, predatory eel, which can grow up to twenty-five feet in length, inhabits shallow tropical waters off the west coast of Kindreth. Where it occurs it is often feared, as they are somewhat territorial and have been known to kill people swimming or diving in their hunting grounds. However, incidental attacks are rare, as rock morays tend to stick to their territories and spend most of the day and night within hidden lairs deep with reefs.

What makes rock morays so dangerous is that their meat is one of the most sought after seafoods in all the world. Since its flesh is worth its weight in silver, fisherpeople regard this eel as a get-rich-quick strategy of last resort. Many looking to get themselves out of debt, or gain instant wealth off a single catch seek these animals out voraciously. However, rock morays are nearly impossible to catch through angling, and nets are near-useless in their rocky reef habitats. The best way to catch one is by diving down to their lairs and spear fishing. However, that means getting into the water with this dangerous beast, and indeed, it's estimated that only one in five such hunts are successful. Many end with the ambitious hunter never returning to the surface. Fortunately for the spouses and families of over-eager sea-folk, the rock moray is uncommon outside of the Shattered Sea, an area off limits to regular Imperial Citizens. 

Origin: Uncertain

Range: The shallow waters on the Reaching and Southern Ocean

Raiment Emperorfish

Solitude’s waterways are home to many beautiful aquatic creatures, but few come close to the breathtaking majesty of a raiment emperorfish. This relative of the larger and more common arapaima inhabits the Tammasi and Shimmering River basins, being much more common in their upper reaches and tributaries. Like the arapaima, the emperorfish is long-bodied with a flat, bony head and tough scales. The females resemble their larger cousins more closely, but the male have elongated fins that they keep folded for much of the year. It is in the breeding season that their beauty takes its true form. 

For centuries it has been tradition for the King and Queen of Faidmiir to take to the river each year and observe the spawning ritual of the emperor kingfish. In the years since Faidmiir joined the Empire, these benevolent monarchs had invited Academy Scholars to view the spectacle as well. The viewing takes place underwater, in a pre-prepared bubble concealed by illusion magic, and unfolds as such:

Prior to the spawn, male chooses a sandy bed along a certain stretch of river and clears it of any obstructions - rocks, weeds, sticks, and even other animals. Nothing is permitted to enter the stage that they prepare. Even crocodiles are sent away by the tenacity of the male’s ramming attacks. Once the stage is set, the male waits patiently until a female approaches. When she arrives, the male unfurls his fins, unveiling a spectacle like no other. The brilliant coloration of the male’s fins are radiant even in the often murky river water. Observers have noted entire rainbows of color that vary widely between individuals. What’s more, the rays of these spectacular fins glow with some sort of innate luminescence, bringing light to the already spectacular display. The male will enhance his heavenly form with a delicate, fluttering dance as the female looks on. And if she finds his appearance pleasing, she lays her spawn in his nest.

Origin: It is assumed they arrived in the migration as the Faidmiiri

Range: The rivers of southern Kindreth

Starfarer Manta

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Razor Gar

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