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Description
To many who live up on the surface, the Underworld seems like a dark, hostile alien place. I have heard a fair share of stories and tales talking about the "blind abominations" and the "maddened monstrosities" that slither through the dark cavernous world. All of these stories are clearly dreamed up by people who have either never been to the Underworld or are fools who lose their minds at the sight of something slightly different. Though a surface dweller would call them "alien" or "disturbing," the wildlife down in the Underworld are tied to a food web similar to the one that exists up above. Herbivores, carnivores, insectivores etc. live in the darkness, all relying on each other for food and population control. Animals that may seem monstrous to others may simply be herbivores that feed only on mushrooms and lichens. I recall someone talking about Fanged Lickers like they were vampires, completely oblivious to the fact that they eat bugs and grubs. Even with that, though, it does not mean that there are no horrifying beasts down there, creatures that spread as much fear as a shark or bear would. There only a handful of species that terrify those who live down below, things that can scare demons and shades out from the wild tunnels. Out of all of these, none are more famous than the False Olm.

A first time seer of a False Olm would be confused on why such an animal can send fear into the hearts of demons. With a slender pale body, webbed hands and no claws or teeth in sight, the False Olm looks just like an enlarged salamander. Further hitting home the point is the pathetic sounds it makes as it moves through the tunnels. Whimpers and mournful barks escape from its lips, as it limps around with hands outstretched, trying to orient itself in the pitch black. Its movements are like that of a wounded animal, slowly shuddering forward with each step. With all this, those ignorant of False Olms would see the animal before them as pathetic and harmless, having a hard enough time navigating the world. But these are the type of people that would never be seen again, as the False Olm is not only a vicious predator, but one of the top carnviores of the Underworld caverns.

The display they put on is why they are called False Olms, because all the whimpers and limping is just an act. The stumbling around is nothing more than a lie. False Olms are blind, but they are far from senseless. Receptors on their upper lips and tail help detect scents and pheromones, getting traces of a trail that potential prey leaves behind. Their webbed hands are covered in networks of nerves and delicate hairs, which allow them to detect changes in temperature, air pressure, sound waves and even air movement. They walk about with their hands stretched wide, slowly moving them around to detect faint changes. These arm movements are as if they have eyes on their hands, constantly moving and shifting them in order to get a read on their environment. With this impressive array of sensors, the False Olm will stalk through the tunnels, using its wounded act to lure in scavengers or potential predators, all while searching for signs of life. When prey enters the range of a False Olm, they will find it impossible to hide from it. The quietest of sounds can be detected, and they can even catch the slight breeze of an entity breathing. The range they can sense prey is quite wide, and as they say "If you can see it or hear it, it already knows you are there." Once a False Olm pinpoints its prey, it drops its act and the feral side of it is unleashed.

The second prey is detected, the False Olm will point its hands toward its location and fire off tendrils from its palms. These tentacles are tipped with barbed spikes, launching at extreme speeds that basic eyes have a hard time seeing. These tendrils act like harpoons, spearing into prey and holding tight. When a tendril makes contact with prey, the False Olm strikes. Using surprising speed and agility, it will leap upon the hooked prey and latch on tight. If the other tendril missed, it will be retracted and refired into the flesh. Wrapping its limbs and tail around the caught victim, it will then peel back its lips and reveal several rows of razor teeth. These teeth will be used to shred through prey, using its sensitive hands to detect major organs and arteries, and then tearing into them with brutal force. Since the Olm lacks armor or defenses against struggling prey, it will do its best to take down prey as soon as possible, or at least sap the fight out of them. Its limbs will try to pin down flailing arms, while the maw rips chunks out of victims and releases as much blood as it can. Once the victim passes on, or is weakened by blood loss, the Olm will let out a territorial shriek and dig into its meal.

If one is lucky enough to dodge the harpoons of a False Olm, it is advised that they flee the area, and quickly. The False Olm will take a few moments to reel in the tendrils, and then it will give chase, hands outstretched as it follows the sounds of the fleeing prey. Once in pursuit, it will take a lot to shake a False Olm off your trail, as its sensors and receptors can easily pick up the many trails you leave behind. A way to shake them off is to either cross paths with another prey animal, or find a way to disorient them. You could use extremely loud sounds or rapid changes in environment to throw them off, giving you time to escape. It is not recommended to flee into water, as False Olms have gills to survive in those conditions. And in water, their senses and agility are multiplied tenfold, and prey that is caught in water has zero chance of escape. The even dumber idea would be to try and fight the thing, which many have assured me is a sure fire way to be horribly mauled.

Though there are many creatures down below bigger and bulkier than the Olm, none can combat its agility and ferocity. The sensors used to detect prey can also detect incoming attacks and blows, allowing it to gracefully dodge any attack. Swings and swipes are easily dodged, giving it room to leap in and tear into prey. Its body and limbs are highly flexible, allowing them to bend like rubber to evade slashes and blows. Even incoming projectiles can be detected and dodged, making a False Olm nearly impossible to fight. This skill of theirs is so great, that those who can strike it in hand-to-hand combat are considered legends in their field (that is only if they survive the encounter though).

False Olms are so well known in the Underworld, that they are quite ingrained in their culture. The word "Olm" is slang for deceit or falseness, often used for those who feign distress or injury for their own benefit. Olms are often used as real"boogie men" for the young ones (unlike Bagogga!), creatures that snag bad little imps who wander alone. The False Olm is even terrifying to adult shades and demons, who will halt travel through certain tunnels if an Olm is reported to be in the area. There are not many who wish to run into one of these creatures, save for thrill seekers or idiots. While the Olm is too difficult to hunt as a practical food source, their hand tendrils are seen as an extremely rare delicacy, and are said to help cure eye sight problems. Such a dish is only available to the wealthy, and even then, such a treat may be too pricy or risky for them. On a more sour note, the False Olm is also the symbol for the criminal group known as the Abyssal Olms. This gang of fiends are obsessed with returning the Underworld to its "pure" state, before the light and surface world corrupted it all. They use the False Olm as their symbol because it represents that true form of the Underworld, a perfect primordial creature that rules the darkness and strikes fear in those who hide in the light. It is also fitting because they are a deceptive and destructive group who infiltrate councils and cities in order to sabotage, assassinate and further their agenda. One of the reasons my demon friend advised I employ a large group of his trusted cohorts as guides was for protection against the Abyssal Olms. Since they loath the surface world, a surface dweller coming to the Underworld is seen as a sign of corruption and blasphemy. They despise the fact that shades and demons are becoming more accepting of those above, and seek to destroy this bond. Hearing about the fates of outsiders caught by the Abyssal Olms was more than enough for me to hire such a well trained team.

To leave off on a lighter note, I must admit that I was not able to see a live False Olm during my entire visit to the Underworld. Due to their aggression and heightened senses, none of my guides wanted to risk being attacked by one of these creatures. I cannot blame them for refusing to risk life and limb for such a request, but at the same time I am a bit disappointed I didn't get to see one. Just hearing about their impressive dodging skills and cruel hunting methods makes me curious, and I would love to see the spectacle just once. I once offered the idea that I use my plant-based biology to my advantage, as such a meat-loving creature would have no interest in eating me. I could just stake out a section of tunnels that had an Olm nearby, set out some bait and sit still as a tree. With that, I could watch it in action, all while satiating its hunger to give me a safe retreat. I thought it was a decent idea, but Vespar was vehemently against it. She told me if I tried to do something like that, that she would use my tether to lash me into a cradleboard and carry me around like a naughty imp. She claimed that if I was going to think like a stupid baby, she would treat me like one. To save my mobility and dignity (what shred I still had after all those horrible pranks) I chose not to pursue the idea further.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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Update for the False Olm. I added the black background because the white just kind of made it hard to see. Kind of looks weird, but it definitely looks better than the white background.

Description
To many who live up on the surface, the Underworld seems like a dark, hostile alien place. I have heard a fair share of stories and tales talking about the "blind abominations" and the "maddened monstrosities" that slither through the dark cavernous world. All of these stories are clearly dreamed up by people who have either never been to the Underworld or are fools who lose their minds at the sight of something slightly different. Though a surface dweller would call them "alien" or "disturbing," the wildlife down in the Underworld are tied to a food web similar to the one that exists up above. Herbivores, carnivores, insectivores etc. live in the darkness, all relying on each other for food and population control. Animals that may seem monstrous to others may simply be herbivores that feed only on mushrooms and lichens. I recall someone talking about Fanged Lickers like they were vampires, completely oblivious to the fact that they eat bugs and grubs. Even with that, though, it does not mean that there are no horrifying beasts down there, creatures that spread as much fear as a shark or bear would. There only a handful of species that terrify those who live down below, things that can scare demons and shades out from the wild tunnels. Out of all of these, none are more famous than the False Olm.

A first time seer of a False Olm would be confused on why such an animal can send fear into the hearts of demons. With a slender pale body, webbed hands and no claws or teeth in sight, the False Olm looks just like an enlarged salamander. Further hitting home the point is the pathetic sounds it makes as it moves through the tunnels. Whimpers and mournful barks escape from its lips, as it limps around with hands outstretched, trying to orient itself in the pitch black. Its movements are like that of a wounded animal, slowly shuddering forward with each step. With all this, those ignorant of False Olms would see the animal before them as pathetic and harmless, having a hard enough time navigating the world. But these are the type of people that would never be seen again, as the False Olm is not only a vicious predator, but one of the top carnviores of the Underworld caverns.

The display they put on is why they are called False Olms, because all the whimpers and limping is just an act. The stumbling around is nothing more than a lie. False Olms are blind, but they are far from senseless. Receptors on their upper lips and tail help detect scents and pheromones, getting traces of a trail that potential prey leaves behind. Their webbed hands are covered in networks of nerves and delicate hairs, which allow them to detect changes in temperature, air pressure, sound waves and even air movement. They walk about with their hands stretched wide, slowly moving them around to detect faint changes. These arm movements are as if they have eyes on their hands, constantly moving and shifting them in order to get a read on their environment. With this impressive array of sensors, the False Olm will stalk through the tunnels, using its wounded act to lure in scavengers or potential predators, all while searching for signs of life. When prey enters the range of a False Olm, they will find it impossible to hide from it. The quietest of sounds can be detected, and they can even catch the slight breeze of an entity breathing. The range they can sense prey is quite wide, and as they say "If you can see it or hear it, it already knows you are there." Once a False Olm pinpoints its prey, it drops its act and the feral side of it is unleashed.

The second prey is detected, the False Olm will point its hands toward its location and fire off tendrils from its palms. These tentacles are tipped with barbed spikes, launching at extreme speeds that basic eyes have a hard time seeing. These tendrils act like harpoons, spearing into prey and holding tight. When a tendril makes contact with prey, the False Olm strikes. Using surprising speed and agility, it will leap upon the hooked prey and latch on tight. If the other tendril missed, it will be retracted and refired into the flesh. Wrapping its limbs and tail around the caught victim, it will then peel back its lips and reveal several rows of razor teeth. These teeth will be used to shred through prey, using its sensitive hands to detect major organs and arteries, and then tearing into them with brutal force. Since the Olm lacks armor or defenses against struggling prey, it will do its best to take down prey as soon as possible, or at least sap the fight out of them. Its limbs will try to pin down flailing arms, while the maw rips chunks out of victims and releases as much blood as it can. Once the victim passes on, or is weakened by blood loss, the Olm will let out a territorial shriek and dig into its meal.

If one is lucky enough to dodge the harpoons of a False Olm, it is advised that they flee the area, and quickly. The False Olm will take a few moments to reel in the tendrils, and then it will give chase, hands outstretched as it follows the sounds of the fleeing prey. Once in pursuit, it will take a lot to shake a False Olm off your trail, as its sensors and receptors can easily pick up the many trails you leave behind. A way to shake them off is to either cross paths with another prey animal, or find a way to disorient them. You could use extremely loud sounds or rapid changes in environment to throw them off, giving you time to escape. It is not recommended to flee into water, as False Olms have gills to survive in those conditions. And in water, their senses and agility are multiplied tenfold, and prey that is caught in water has zero chance of escape. The even dumber idea would be to try and fight the thing, which many have assured me is a sure fire way to be horribly mauled.

Though there are many creatures down below bigger and bulkier than the Olm, none can combat its agility and ferocity. The sensors used to detect prey can also detect incoming attacks and blows, allowing it to gracefully dodge any attack. Swings and swipes are easily dodged, giving it room to leap in and tear into prey. Its body and limbs are highly flexible, allowing them to bend like rubber to evade slashes and blows. Even incoming projectiles can be detected and dodged, making a False Olm nearly impossible to fight. This skill of theirs is so great, that those who can strike it in hand-to-hand combat are considered legends in their field (that is only if they survive the encounter though).

False Olms are so well known in the Underworld, that they are quite ingrained in their culture. The word "Olm" is slang for deceit or falseness, often used for those who feign distress or injury for their own benefit. Olms are often used as real"boogie men" for the young ones (unlike Bagogga!), creatures that snag bad little imps who wander alone. The False Olm is even terrifying to adult shades and demons, who will halt travel through certain tunnels if an Olm is reported to be in the area. There are not many who wish to run into one of these creatures, save for thrill seekers or idiots. While the Olm is too difficult to hunt as a practical food source, their hand tendrils are seen as an extremely rare delicacy, and are said to help cure eye sight problems. Such a dish is only available to the wealthy, and even then, such a treat may be too pricy or risky for them. On a more sour note, the False Olm is also the symbol for the criminal group known as the Abyssal Olms. This gang of fiends are obsessed with returning the Underworld to its "pure" state, before the light and surface world corrupted it all. They use the False Olm as their symbol because it represents that true form of the Underworld, a perfect primordial creature that rules the darkness and strikes fear in those who hide in the light. It is also fitting because they are a deceptive and destructive group who infiltrate councils and cities in order to sabotage, assassinate and further their agenda. One of the reasons my demon friend advised I employ a large group of his trusted cohorts as guides was for protection against the Abyssal Olms. Since they loath the surface world, a surface dweller coming to the Underworld is seen as a sign of corruption and blasphemy. They despise the fact that shades and demons are becoming more accepting of those above, and seek to destroy this bond. Hearing about the fates of outsiders caught by the Abyssal Olms was more than enough for me to hire such a well trained team.

To leave off on a lighter note, I must admit that I was not able to see a live False Olm during my entire visit to the Underworld. Due to their aggression and heightened senses, none of my guides wanted to risk being attacked by one of these creatures. I cannot blame them for refusing to risk life and limb for such a request, but at the same time I am a bit disappointed I didn't get to see one. Just hearing about their impressive dodging skills and cruel hunting methods makes me curious, and I would love to see the spectacle just once. I once offered the idea that I use my plant-based biology to my advantage, as such a meat-loving creature would have no interest in eating me. I could just stake out a section of tunnels that had an Olm nearby, set out some bait and sit still as a tree. With that, I could watch it in action, all while satiating its hunger to give me a safe retreat. I thought it was a decent idea, but Vespar was vehemently against it. She told me if I tried to do something like that, that she would use my tether to lash me into a cradleboard and carry me around like a naughty imp. She claimed that if I was going to think like a stupid baby, she would treat me like one. To save my mobility and dignity (what shred I still had after all those horrible pranks) I chose not to pursue the idea further.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------------

Update for the False Olm. I added the black background because the white just kind of made it hard to see. Kind of looks weird, but it definitely looks better than the white background.