Hex 39.08 (shared with Riparia)
Connects to 40.09
Most of the frogs of the Witchwater have lost the intelligence that their ancestor possessed (40.09), but there is one set of exceptions known as the Spawn. It is a loose collective consciousness made up a large number of stunted tadpoles that live in the distended throat sac of a dog-sized frog.
When all of the tadpoles of the swarm speak together they are capable of being understood in Common, although their strange gurgling voice does not carry well and is just barely intelligible. They are able to exercise some degree of control over normal frogs and possess a surprising degree of magical ability. This can take the form of a single powerful spell that is cast by all of the tadpoles of the Spawn collectively, but coordinating their voices is difficult for them and carries a large chance of failure. Alternatively, they can cast a vast swarm of cantrips at their enemies.
These enemies are humans, especially Thringmen, for the Spawn remembers what the men of Thring did to frogkind (40.09). The Spawn will not generally attack non-humans however, and they can even be consulted with about some magical matters that they have mastered.
Hooks:
- What caused the Spawn to form and how did it learn magic?