Frederick
A gremlin, but like, a tall one?
<p>
<em>I</em><em>n the cavernous depths of the Seventh City, the wet and lightless dungeons fill their cells of steel and iron with criminal and creature alike. Down its winding halls steps the shuffling form of an old scribe. He raises a gnarled finger and counts the cells as he passes, until at last he halts before the seventy-third. He places his stool and hangs his torch. As he sits, he unfurls a white scroll; over the parchment, he hefts a blue quill.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size:20px;">Record of the Intelligent Creature</span></u></strong>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Do you bear a name?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“It is Shah.” I said, grateful that I understood him. Nobody had spoken to me directly since my arrival, but it was similar enough.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>How old are you?</strong>
</p>
<p>
I said “17”, although it was pure speculation.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Where did you come from?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“The First City, to the east. We’ve drifted since.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>With beckoning hand, the old scribe bids you come closer, into the light. The blue quill dances across the scroll. The old scribe now and then asks you to turn one way or the other.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>The creature before me seems...</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Child-like, to a degree I hadn’t imagined. It has shown little hostility, merely a sense of apprehensiveness: It doesn’t come closer than it needs to but answers freely to the best of its abilities, as if to show diligence. As I study the creature before me now, it appears to be studying me as well.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its body is like...</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>A patchwork of man and beast. It's human for the most part, albeit small: Less than four and half a foot and just about five stones, spindly and sickly thin all over. But the legs bend like goats do, and despite the fact that it stands before me on two legs it has no right to. It’s meant to move on all four, as is obvious by the length of its arms and the curve of its spine. Further beastial qualities that it possesses includes its talon-like claws and sharp teeth, and the slight muzzle-like distortion of its nose and maw.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its hide....</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Is black. Not black like a man, but coal like burnt meat. I have read that it doesn't sweat, although this is an inopportune moment for me to confirm this. It appears tough though. Comparable to leather armour.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its hair....</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Is coarse, fairly short, and full – like dog fur – and grows along the scalp. I presume that it simply does not grow longer than the length it currently has, as I cannot imagine that such a creature would exhibit tendencies for grooming.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its eyes.... </strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Look human, although their deeper hazel colour do not endear me to the creature as they are far too out of place. Thick, abnormally long eyelashes surround the eyes, protecting them from the ash-covered Outlands. If one looks closely you can see that the creature possesses a kind of opaque film that moves across the ball, which I believe to be an extra eyelid like the ones oft seen on snakes. </em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>A few finishing touches, and the old scribe sets his quill aside. He raises his face to look you in the eyes now, and in the flickering light his revulsion shows plainly.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>What terms did you agree to in exchange for your service?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“Feed.” I said, the first thing that seemed obvious to me. “Tools, soil, and wood. It pays a debt, too. And brings honour.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>How is it that you know of a way through?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“I’ve had to walk it.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>What supplies will you require? </strong>
</p>
<p>
“Feed and water. I need what you need.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>Slowly, the old scribe rises to his feet. The torch in hand, he spares you some parting words. </em>
</p>
<p>
<em>"Now to the King shall I go and submit this report. Farewell, creature."</em>
</p>
<hr /><p>
Thanks @Killigrew
</p>
<em>I</em><em>n the cavernous depths of the Seventh City, the wet and lightless dungeons fill their cells of steel and iron with criminal and creature alike. Down its winding halls steps the shuffling form of an old scribe. He raises a gnarled finger and counts the cells as he passes, until at last he halts before the seventy-third. He places his stool and hangs his torch. As he sits, he unfurls a white scroll; over the parchment, he hefts a blue quill.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size:20px;">Record of the Intelligent Creature</span></u></strong>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Do you bear a name?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“It is Shah.” I said, grateful that I understood him. Nobody had spoken to me directly since my arrival, but it was similar enough.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>How old are you?</strong>
</p>
<p>
I said “17”, although it was pure speculation.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Where did you come from?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“The First City, to the east. We’ve drifted since.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>With beckoning hand, the old scribe bids you come closer, into the light. The blue quill dances across the scroll. The old scribe now and then asks you to turn one way or the other.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>The creature before me seems...</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Child-like, to a degree I hadn’t imagined. It has shown little hostility, merely a sense of apprehensiveness: It doesn’t come closer than it needs to but answers freely to the best of its abilities, as if to show diligence. As I study the creature before me now, it appears to be studying me as well.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its body is like...</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>A patchwork of man and beast. It's human for the most part, albeit small: Less than four and half a foot and just about five stones, spindly and sickly thin all over. But the legs bend like goats do, and despite the fact that it stands before me on two legs it has no right to. It’s meant to move on all four, as is obvious by the length of its arms and the curve of its spine. Further beastial qualities that it possesses includes its talon-like claws and sharp teeth, and the slight muzzle-like distortion of its nose and maw.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its hide....</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Is black. Not black like a man, but coal like burnt meat. I have read that it doesn't sweat, although this is an inopportune moment for me to confirm this. It appears tough though. Comparable to leather armour.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its hair....</strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Is coarse, fairly short, and full – like dog fur – and grows along the scalp. I presume that it simply does not grow longer than the length it currently has, as I cannot imagine that such a creature would exhibit tendencies for grooming.</em>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Its eyes.... </strong>
</p>
<p>
<em>Look human, although their deeper hazel colour do not endear me to the creature as they are far too out of place. Thick, abnormally long eyelashes surround the eyes, protecting them from the ash-covered Outlands. If one looks closely you can see that the creature possesses a kind of opaque film that moves across the ball, which I believe to be an extra eyelid like the ones oft seen on snakes. </em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>A few finishing touches, and the old scribe sets his quill aside. He raises his face to look you in the eyes now, and in the flickering light his revulsion shows plainly.</em>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>What terms did you agree to in exchange for your service?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“Feed.” I said, the first thing that seemed obvious to me. “Tools, soil, and wood. It pays a debt, too. And brings honour.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>How is it that you know of a way through?</strong>
</p>
<p>
“I’ve had to walk it.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<strong>What supplies will you require? </strong>
</p>
<p>
“Feed and water. I need what you need.”
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<em>Slowly, the old scribe rises to his feet. The torch in hand, he spares you some parting words. </em>
</p>
<p>
<em>"Now to the King shall I go and submit this report. Farewell, creature."</em>
</p>
<hr /><p>
Thanks @Killigrew
</p>
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