A Bit Worse Than "Anklebiters"|Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

The natural threat to Maelstrom for autumn is the appearance of metalback diggers. Metalbacks live underground but hunt by rapidly burrowing towards their target and biting onto their legs once they surface with jaws that are nearly impossible to pry loose and razor sharp teeth. The creatures can burrow as fast as a man can run and are very sensitive to ground vibrations, able to locate fleeing prey through this sensory ability of theirs. Once latched on, they will attempt to break the leg to bring the prey down and then go for a soft 'fleshy' weak point, such as the throat or stomach. They acquired their name due to the metal-hard shell that covers their entire body. Their weakest point are their soft underbellies. They are solitary creatures and most active during the day.

[Kender Bard]

The metalbacks persist as a problem into the winter months.

The surge of underground activity has stirred another creature into agitation. The mythical gapemaw has been spotted outside of Thunderclap.

This creature is not often seen as a whole so its exact appearance is not entirely known. There is warning of its approach in the form of underground shaking, but one must move swiftly to get out of the way before the head of the creature--huge and wide--bursts from the ground. Its mouth opens completely wide and sticky tentacles (about seven) shoot out and slap against its prey, quickly pulling back into its mouth to devour whatever has attached to them. It appears and generally will eat until there is either no prey to be devoured or it feels sufficiently threatened. If attacked, it will finish its current 'mouthful' and then retreat.

[Northen Light36]

The problem of the metalbacks and the gapemaw is being brought slowly under control by feeding the beasts old horses and goats coated in poisonous powders to cull the numbers down to normal levels.

Owners of these old livestock should be happy, since the kingdom is paying slightly more than the beasts are worth as a thank you for the service to the kingdom.

[Kender Bard]

These threats have been eliminated. Maelstrom is safe once again.