Grok-Grok
A finned reptilian native to the murky waters of Axehead Bay and its adjacent, Lake Docron. With an alligator-like snout and thick, lizard-like scales, the grok-grok hunted down smaller fish by laying bioluminescent “eggs”. These egg-lights were deposited via an extendable “ovipositor” in the grok-grok’s forehead. Once “laid,” the egg-lights floated at a constant depth, acting as a bright lure to fish in the otherwise dark, soot-laced waters. Once a small gathering of fish had been enthralled by the grok-grok’s egg-light, it rushed forward using its four fins, snapping up the mesmerized fish. Often times the egg was devoured as well.
Another physiological feature of the grok-grok was the mane of sparse forward-facing horns at the base of its skull. These served as protection against larger predators.
Uses #
Grok-Grok Hide #
Grok-groks were commonly caught, but their meat was course and tough, so not for food. The tough, scaly, reptilian hide could be fashioned into clothing and other vanity products.
Fin-Fan Lamps #
The most valuable treasures grok-groks yielded were their egg-lights. Before anything else, fishermen will slice the grok-grok open down their back, extracting the egg-lights from the ovipositor tube and connected ovary. These eggs were then stored in barrels filled with a special preservative brine and shipped across Icthy’s Rest. The eggs were used as “lightbulbs”--people cracked them open into lanterns where their innards could provide a long lasting, warm yellow light for 8 to 12 hours. These lamps were locally known as fin-fan lamps.
Icthy’s Rest was defined by these grok-grok fueled lamps, which were found across the city. Fin-fan lamps were highly uncommon further inland.