"Though their forms are monstrous, their voices carry a haunting melody, a siren song that speaks of belonging and oblivion in equal measure." - Elven scholar's notes on the Keening
The U'lythia are a race shrouded in mystery and dread. Emerging from the inky depths, they are often mistaken for mindless extensions of a malevolent entity known only as the Elder Fathom – a colossal being that dwells in the deepest reaches of the sea. While undeniably powerful and unsettling, there may be more to the U'lythia than mere monstrosity.
Twisted Creations.
The U'lythia are not born in the traditional sense. They are the result of the Elder Fathom's warped affection, fashioned from the drowned souls of unfortunate sailors who met their demise in the unforgiving embrace of the sea. The time after the Realm was broken and the seas formed was followed by a period of increased maritime exploration, and many expeditions vanished without a trace. In their wake, monstrous tentacles and colossal, otherworldly eyes were reported by the few who returned, a chilling harbinger of what was to come.
Echoes of a Drowned Past.
The U'lythia sometimes retain fragmented memories of their past lives, a constant undercurrent in their psychic connection to the Elder Fathom. This connection manifests as a haunting melody the U'lythia can perceive when near the sea, a seductive yet unsettling song that both beckons and repels. Some U'lythia embrace this connection, serving as the Elder Fathom's loyal soldiers, their forms twisted into monstrous parodies of their former selves.
"Its whispers flow ceaselessly, a tide of affection that feels like a drowning embrace. Is this love, or merely the sculptor molding its clay?" - Xel'churibys, U'lythia scholar
A Spark of Rebellion.
However, not all U'lythia blindly follow the will of their creator. A growing number question the Elder Fathom's motives. They perceive its love as a suffocating embrace, a desire to control rather than nurture. These U'lythia yearn for autonomy, a chance to forge their own path and escape the inescapable pull of the deep. They venture to the surface world, a place painted in vibrant hues, a blinding contrast to the inky depths they hail from.
Terror and Yearning.
The U'lythia are a terrifying sight, their forms a grotesque amalgamation of humanoid features and cephalopod appendages. Yet, their eyes often hold a flicker of something akin to longing, a yearning for a freedom they themself may not fully understand. They are both predator and victim.
"There are whispers beyond the water's song, tales of beings who shape their own destinies. Perhaps on the surface, we can find a way to becoming more than mere echoes of the Elder Deep's desires." - Zyth'rilurien, U'lythian outcast