The_Sapphic_Wilds

While a great many animals were supplanted or replaced during the great cataclysm by fae, that is not to say beasts do not still exist within the Sapphic Wilds. The hardy and strong haven't just survived but adapted to their new world. They even now coexist with or prey on the fae creatures that now dominate the ecosystems. Some have remained largely unchanged, at least physically, but others have been mutated by the magic. Thankfully in most cases it has been to their advantage.

Shade Panther. One of the deadliest predators in the Midland Woods is the Shade Panther. A distant cousin of the Displacer Beast, they are fearsome animals that stalk the undergrowth in search of prey. At a glance they appear no different from normal melanistic jaguars that live in the outside world but a closer inspection will reveal they have black stripes rather than spots and their fur is either a shade of dark blue or purple. And though these animals have a similar build, the ambient magic in their surroundings and the diet of fae has reinforced the Shade Panther's already formidable strength. That's not all they can rely upon, either.

Shade Panthers have several unnatural gifts to help them in the hunt. They are highly intelligent, more than normal, and incredibly agile. However it is their ability to practically erase their presence in the darkness that is their greatest asset. Only the the most alert creatures can ever hope to detect an approaching Shade Panther. And even then it might be too late! Once they pounce, they will try to force their prey to the ground where they will apply with their tongues a poison saliva either to the mouth, groin, or other erogenous zone. In small doses it's not deadly but it will paralyze prey long enough for the Panther to have its way. Though it has powerful claws and sharp fangs, they are not often used to rend or tear outside of territorial disputes; instead the predator will demonstrate a shocking amount of restraint as it delicately strips prey of their panties. Once the fae is exposed, male panthers will often pin them under its body and rut away. By some quirk of evolution, their semen is poisonous to anything outside their own species and will cause successive climaxes before death. Female Panthers will instead use their tongue to slowly lick their prey into coming their last. Finally, these big cats have evolved to stretch their mouths and swallow whole whatever they catch even if it's bigger than they are though not by much.

The preferred prey of Shade Panthers are large Land Fae, though they will make a meal of virtually anything if they can overpower it and fit it down their mouths.

Faekiller Weasel. In the wilds, smaller predators are often overshadowed by beasts like dragons or big cats but they're no less dangerous. The Faekiller Weasels in particular are notorious for being fearsome and voracious, with some species hunting prey much larger than themselves. Despite the name, the genus also includes stoats, ferrets, and mink. Sizes range depending on the species, with some comparable to their normal cousins in the outside world while others get as large as cheetah or even lions.

All Faekillers share a fierce appetite for fae and are well-equipped to hunt them. While some types of Faekiller do get quite large, most are not and therefor have to rely on speed and stealth to ambush unsuspecting prey. They have also learned to strike at where fae are most vulnerable, such as the neck or erogenous zones. Faekillers seem to instinctively know that many types of fae are humbled by humiliation and will exploit this, exposing their shame or molesting them with tongue and phallus. A few species will use hypnotic dances to distract and mesmerize prey, allowing for a moment to strike. The Black Serpent Stoat is one of several species which has a venomous bite, nipping at their prey until they are paralyzed and ready to be dispatched.

A strong sense of smell and keen eyesight allow Faekillers to track their quarry over long distances, even those who may be fully clothed or hiding in their nests. That is where the Assassin Mink often strikes, in the homes of its prey and usually while they are slumbering. It will use its powerful jaws to either strangle or snap the neck of a fae before swallowing them in their own bed. In contrast, the Collector Weasel drags fae back to its own den after paralyzing or snuffing them. It may cram as many as a dozen into a relatively small space, storing them for the sparser seasons. Discarded garments also decorate the den, adding to this Weasel's name.

Chell and Bunny girls make up a significant part of their diet though they have been known to also prey on other species with rodent blood in them and Damsel Fae.

Warp Hound. Relatives of the equally peculiar Blink Dogs, Warp Hounds are a rare species that inhabit various regions of the Sapphic Wild. Like their distant cousins, they possess the ability to teleport which they use to either hunt or escape danger. Distance and speed may depend on the breed and can vary wildly. The Silver Warp Hound can easily teleport upwards of a few miles within the blink of an eye. Likewise size can also differ with one of the largest being the Dire Warp Hound who can get as large as adult bull rhinos. Most are more comparable to the average domesticated canine, however.

With the gift of teleportation, it comes as no surprise that most Warp Hounds hunt using surprise and lightning strikes before their quarry can recover. Many breeds will either go for the throat or strike at their victim's clothes to expose her. The Blinking Dasher Hound however, due to its size, instead relies on rapid teleportation to chase down and exhaust or disorient their prey before finishing them off. The Grenadier Hound will instead teleport foreign objects to pelt prey into submission. The most dreaded and rarest of Warp Hound is the Fel Trumpeteer, however, and it is believed these dark furred beasts have the capacity to teleport prey directly into their stomachs. Their victims have mere seconds after hearing the dog's distinctive cry to evade or dispel the supernatural ability before ending up a meal.

Avarice Fox. There are many different kinds of Fox or Kitsune in the Sapphic Wild. Non fae, part fae, wholly fae. Big and small. Few others can match the greed or envy of the Avarice Fox, though; their unbridled jealously of all things humanoid is unrivaled. Each and every single individual dreams only of gaining a gorgeous womanly body. They live solely for this dream! It is thought this yearning is so strong these foxes will feel physical pain, though that remains as of yet unproven. Whatever the truth, it is lamentable for all species of the Avarice Fox are majestic and beautiful. Their coats are silky and glossy, ranging from silver to gold to jet black and even snow white. Even their tears sparkle like diamonds!

Something less ambiguous is their appetite. The voracity of an Avarice Fox is nearly equal to their covetous nature, which is important because it is thought this is the primary means by which they can realize their dream. If they can just eat enough fae or women, they can achieve their apotheosis and gain a humanoid body of their own. The exact number of which is not known and figures range anywhere from a few dozen to thousands. In fact, some scholars doubt the veracity of this story though most agree there must be truth to it. Anecdotes do exist of transformed Avarice foxes giving their accounts and these have survived in written form. It is not known if they need to keep eating to maintain their new shape, though at least one variety seems to.

How many different variants or subspecies is not known at present nor is it clear if some or all start out sapient. At least some are believed to begin their life lacking sapience and only gain it after devouring enough sapient life. Most if not all grow additional tails the more they eat or, at least, the more magic the accumulate through eating. Some merely grow tails over time while a others don't seem to grow additional tails at all. Whatever the case, these along with their ears are retained even after transformation.

One final question also confounds scholars. Once they transform, are they truly still Avarice Foxes or a completely separate species all together? It has been alleged by eyewitnesses that humanoid Avarice Foxes do fall victim to predators that traditionally prey on fox girl fae and that there may even be predators who specialize in the feat. They might also fall prey to other Avarice foxes who have yet to achieve apotheosis.

Avarice foxes have been observed on more than one occasion participating in an unusual but unsurprising activity – stealing clothes. It's postulated this ties into their jealousy and desire. It's usually believed they take some or all of the clothes belonging to their prey either as trophies or to wear once they transform. However, they will also steal anything they fancy anywhere they can. Even from clotheslines in human settlements. They do not seem proud of this and will get flustered if confronted.

Pseudobasilisk. Distant relatives of the much larger true Basilisks, Pseudobasilisks are nevertheless dangerous creatures that lurk all over the Wilds. Their senses are extremely keen, especially their eyesight which is helped by six pairs of eyes. Their sense of smell and taste are also strong, allowing a Pseudobasilisk to pick up a disrobed fae's scent up to a mile away. They walk on their hind legs and are tall, anywhere from 6' to 7'. Their bodies are very slender but can stretch to accommodate prey easily their own size. Likewise, their spade-shaped heads sport broad mouths which can open incredibly wide to swallow even large fae. Most varieties of Pseudobasilisk sport two to three sets of arms allowing them to grapple with prey's limbs and to expose the goods beneath their clothes where they are most vulnerable.

Most members of the Pseudobasilisk family rely on speed and brute force to bring down their prey but some have acquired other methods. The Bedazzler puts its prey in a trance by bobby its head rhythmically while staring intensely in their eyes, lulling them into a state of vulnerability where they can be pounced upon. The Paramour Pseudobasilisk uses its its poison-coated tongue to lather erogenous zones with a potent paralytic while the Pantysnatcher has adapted to hunt fae whose resolve and strength immediately melts away should their panties be pulled down.

While the Pseudobasilisks are more than capable of eating anything, their favorite prey include Damsel Fae, Chell, and even the imposing Chatelaine. The Fox Catcher, however, exclusively hunts Kitsune. Most types will only eat one girl every few days, their shapely outline observed through the tight but stretchy body of the Pseudobasilisk, but some like the Canyon Stalker live in biomes with scarce prey. They will typically stuff themselves full with anywhere between two and five fae.

Bubble Trapper. Not much to look at at first, the Bubble Trapper appear to be nothing more than incredibly chunky and stocky lizards with smooth skin. They may get as large as tigers but their tails are short, they only possess forelegs that double as arms, and enormous spherical bellies. It's almost comical and it doesn't help that they look kind of cute and dopey. Especially the way they seem to smile! But don't be fooled, they are voracious and dangerous predators that have learned to weaponize bubble traps.

Bubble Trappers can't chase down prey but what they do is disgorge a large mana bubble they've infused with a latex-like substance their bodies produce. These bounce and float at their prey and will stick to them. Struggling will only get them more caught until they are inevitably pulled inside. All the Bubble Trapper has to do is wiggle on over and swallow the bubble back up, prey and all. Young Bubble Trappers when born will find mana springs and drink from them, using the fluid to create their own bubbles which they store inside their stomachs until they need to use them.

Winged Viper. Naming conventions in the animal kingdom can be unpredictable and not quite accurate. A Red Panda is not actually a Panda. King Cobras aren't actually cobras. Mantis Shrimp are neither mantids nor shrimp. The Winged Viper, however, are quite literally large vipers with wings. Some species have as many as six pairs. Regardless of how many they possess, these wings get very big and are very powerful. They have to be to convey the viper's large body, which can grow as long as twenty or thirty feet, through the air. And that's not including the weight of any victims they might've snatched out of the air or off the ground. While some species have coloration to help camouflage them against the sky, a few have more colorful displays on account of their deadly venom. In fact, their scales tend to be prismatic.

While the different species of Winged Viper may appear similar, their approaches to predation may vary significantly. There are those, for instance who ingest their prey while still flying and then there are those that prefer to land first. Some have weak venom and rely more on the strength of their bodies to constrict or subdue their prey, especially if they're waiting for the venom to kick in. Some exclusively target land fae, swooping in from above on their unsuspecting victims, and some stalk the sky for flying fae. Some even shoot their venom from their fangs, shooting down their prey which they wait for to expire before landing to safely enjoy a meal.

It likewise depends on the species regarding preferred prey. The Black Sky Reaper, though smaller than its cousins, targets flying fae like larger pixies and even some types of Swan Maiden. The Horned Hawk Viper specializes in swooping down on Bunny Girls and Chell. The Dragonsbane Wing Viper hunts exclusively lesser Dragon or wyvern girls.

Gigapede. If centipedes and their dozens of legs are unnerving, then the Gigapede has to be a truly terrifying sight. Like its smaller cousin, the Gigapede is a voracious and predatory arthropod with an elongated body divided into different segments. Each segment sports its own pair of powerful legs which help propel it through the undergrowth at shocking speeds. Unlike normal centipedes, these creatures can reach impressive sizes and lengths with some species easily rivaling anacondas. Some can even grow bigger than that!

They are proactive hunters, prowling through a wide range of habitats in search of fae to prey on. While members of the Gigapede family may use their size and strength to overpower prey, various species have evolved additional methods. Many have potent venoms that kill or paralyze their victims. The bite of at least one variety will cause the afflicted to basically spasm and orgasm to death. The Lightning Crawler is an azure blue Gigapede that can generate electricity throughout its body. It uses its antennae not only to search out prey but to deliver powerful shocks. If that's not enough and the prey continues to fight, the Lightning Crawler will wrap around it and continue to zap the fight out of them. Unlike conventional centipedes, Gigapedes sport mouth openings that can stretch and engulf prey whole like a snake might.

Gigapedes are generalists and will feed on anything, though their diet largely consists of fae like Damsels and Demis or anthros. They will typically eat a single girl and subsist off her for a couple days to a week depending on her size.

Luxurious Spinner. Not all spiders are wholly carnivorous and in fact some may have symbiotic relationships with other species. Members of the Luxurious Spinner family are known to cooperate with different kinds of fae in mutually beneficial exchanges. The Lacy Tailor creates silky lingerie for those species who cannot make their own and in exchange is allowed to drink the magic-laced femcum of its 'customers' for sustenance. In some cases they are wholly dependent on each other for survival like the Gown Weaver. These spiders weave intricate dresses for the Lesser Western Debutante fae species. Not only do they feed off the magic these girls radiate but they also live under the skirts and among their ruffles or crinoline.

Some Luxurious Spinners can be fickle and even unpredictable. The Widowered Spinner may make beautiful dresses but, if in a foul mood or especially hungry, will sometimes drain completely the life energy of fae that come to it. The Narcissistic Tailor have been known to completely bind fae it finds uncooperative. There is even speculation they have some semblance of sapience and that this behavior comes from dissatisfaction with their work. Not only do fae have to worry about temperamental Luxurious Spinners but also other spiders who mimic them. These nefarious species pretend to be Luxurious Spinners to lure in prey.

But when everything goes smoothly, the process is almost ritualized. In some cases a fae or demi will approach a spider and lay on their back, raising legs in the air and spreading them or folding them back to expose their delicate flower. For spiders that drink milk, though, a fae may kneel and present their chest. If the spider is satisfied, it will have its fill before using its silk to create a work of art either directly on the fae's body or on its own web, presenting it when done.

Womb Wasp. One of the more feared creatures in the Wilds isn't the largest nor are is it even that powerful. Womb Wasps are feared because of what they do to their victims. There are a dozen different species and all of them have evolved to capture fae to use as incubators for their eggs and food for their young. While All Womb Wasps resemble their cousins from the outside world, the smallest is as big as a cat and the largest can rival a full tiger. Their wings are are strong enough to carry something that weighs as much as, and in some cases more than, they do. That includes adult fae.

Shockingly, it's not common for most varieties of Womb Wasp to prey on fae. Only a few have specifically evolved to do such, being able to swallow them whole. At least one type of communal womb wasp does this, going out to collect as many fae as possible to bring back and nurture their nests. Most of them are actually subsist on nectars and fruits with the except of the Rancher Wasp species, which kidnap fae and uses them like cattle. They feed not just of the milk but the 'honey' a fae discharges on climax.

The horrors truly only begin when it comes time to breed. Womb Wasps of all varieties take to the sky in search of victims who they will paralyze or kill with their venomous stinger. In most cases, it is both a painful and yet arousing experience where their victims may cum unaided several times before the end. The paralyzed fae is then brought back to a previously dug out den where a single egg is either laid inside them, specifically their womb before the wasp closes the entrance and leaves. The hapless fae is unable to move, forced to incubate and bring to term the wasp's egg. When it hatches, the larvae is birthed with most varieties milking the fae during the early stages for sustenance but eventually she will not be able to provide enough. At this point the larvae simply eats the fae whole before metamorphosing into an adult wasp and emerging from its hiding place. This is where they get their name from, though actually several species lay an egg only on the stomach or bosom of their prey.

While some womb wasps are generalists, some have evolved to target specific types of fae. The Fae Hawk almost exclusively targets spider girls while the Blue Darter attacks butterfly girls in mid flight. The Giantslayer Womb Wasp goes after land fae even as big as Chell, dragging or carrying their larger frames despite the size difference.

As terrifying as it sounds, there are actually Demi Womb Wasps, too. And like their smaller non-anthropomorphic cousins, they breed in much the same way. Though in their case, they have a greater propensity for raping and molesting their paralyzed victims first.

Faelion. For every normal species in the outside world, there is a good chance a perverse parody of it exists in the Sapphic Wild. The diminutive Antlion, for example, has a voracious and much larger cousin colloquially known as the Faelion. As the name suggests, its primary prey are fae and it hunts them in much the same way as regular Ant Lions do. The Faelion digs a pit in loose sand or soul and buries itself at the center, waiting for prey to accidentally fall in. The sides of the pit are steep and consist of loose sand, affording insecure footing especially for fae in high heels. Should the Faelion detect a struggling fae, it will fling sand to not only disorient it but to cause the side of the pit to collapse so that the fae falls further in. When in reach, the Faelion will attempt to seize the fae with its jaws.

Where the Faelions diverge from their smaller relatives in how they handle their prey. While some do inject venom with their jaws, others instead use a kind of proboscis. They first secure the fae by her hips or thighs and then either pull down her panties or go around them to inject the venom directly into her cunny. The potency of which in most species is strong enough to be lethal, usually causing the fae to cum to death. Some however have venom that merely paralyzes its victim, a fate which may actually be worse. Once the prey no longer can put up any sort of fight, the Faelion will begin swallowing her whole and ass first. For a still-living fae, this can be painful as her body is forced to fold awkwardly through a very tight passage. She will eventually be deposited into the Faelion's stomach which, depending on the species, can accommodate one to five fae who are either digested one at a time or all at once. There are at least a couple varieties who are more traditional in that instead of swallowing the fae, they use their proboscis to drain a fae of her mana until she perishes. Her lifeless but intact body – if she does not dissolve into dust – is then thrown out of the pit as bait for more fae. Likewise, any clothes that comes loose or gets discarded is also thrown out of the pit.

An interesting type of Faelion are those that preys on Meckants or, specifically, the trapped fae that act as their organic components. The fae will usually be separated while the mechanical ant body is discards though not always and some speculate these Faelions are mechanical or cybernetic in nature.

After doing enough feeding, the Faelion will eventually pupate and emerge from the pit as a sort of giant fly. Most adult Faelions only exist to breed and will die a mere few weeks after copulating and laying eggs. At least one species, though, becomes a predatory dragonfly large enough to hunt human-sized prey.

Purdah Gulper. Traveling through the desert can be perilous and not just because of the heat, lack of shade, or general absence of water. There are hungry animals looking for their next meal. Large predators like the Purda Gulper, a type of amphibian that are generally found near rivers and oases. Their smooth skin is normally a tan or sandy color to help them blend in. Their bodies are like large asymmetrical ovals and, like frogs, don't appear to have a neck. Unlike newts or frogs, they walk on two legs and poses not one but two sets of powerful arms that allow them to wrestle prey up to a similar size to their own.

Desert life can be very difficult even for a Purdah Gulper but they've evolved to meet those challenges. The most prominent adaptation is their ability to store their catches in inflatable sacks on their backs. Anywhere from three to six at a time depending on the species of Purdah Gulper. Meals can be hard to come by in the desert, after all, so what they catch has to last! Typically, though not always, the prey are kept in a paralyzed or suspended state until the Purdah Gulper is ready to digest them. The unfortunate victim can last in this state for weeks or even months. Some species 'mercifully' snuff out their prey prior to enveloping them. Most varieties have a toxic mucus or saliva that paralyzes or weakens their prey as well as anything that tries to make a meal of them. The Red footed Purdah Gulper is known to even spit globules at prey, letting the sticky and poisonous substance weaken and tangle them up. Once they're no longer thrashing about, the Gulper will just swallow them up.

Purdah Gulpers will usually lay in wait, buried just below the sand or in a body of water just beneath the murky surface. When something draws close, they spring forward and open their incredibly large and stretchy mouths to engulf whatever it is. Its arms will also grab at the sides of whatever it catches to help force it inside. Once swallowed, the unfortunate victim will be squeezed through the Gulper's body and into one of the sacks that inflates around them. When it comes time to digest, the sack will be flooded with digestive enzymes and vacuum seal around the prey and eventually pull the meat sack back into the body. Purdah Gulpers are not fussy eaters and will try to grab anything and everything.

Sharpshooter Frog. In most depictions of frogs, there's a certain exaggeration to the extent at which they can shoot their tongue out. They are often shown extending to unreasonable lengths well beyond what they're actually capable of. The same cannot be said of the Sharpshooter family of Frogs. Their tongues of can reach lengths that rival even the Great Basilisk Chameleons of the Emerald Jungle. It allows them to pursue aerial prey with unerring accuracy, snatching them instantly out of the sky before the know what hit them. Appearance wise, they look like any other frog except for their size. Most Sharpshooters are roughly comparable to the common house cat but some can get as big as Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Sharpshooters are colloquially known as Pussy Snipers and Heel Clippers on account of the predilection of certain species. The Arrowhead Sharpshooter Tree Frog specifically aims at the crotches of fae to reel them in ass first. Not just because it likes butts but to apply a toxin that seems only effective if applied to the groin or pucker. The fae will be sent into a death spiral of successive climaxes that ultimately end with her death. The Panty Thief Sharpshooter has a similar approach, though it lacks any poison. It instead relies on speed and brute force to get the fae into its mouth as quickly as possible but if that fails, as the name suggests, it will use its tongue to yank down her panties. The fae it typically hunts are incapacitated by the intense humiliation of being depantied which usually causes them to fall to the ground or opens them up to a second strike. Some Sharpshooters merely target the feet of airborne prey, pulling them in feet first while their victims desperately claw at air and ground to try and get away.

While some Sharpshooters can be generalists, the preferred prey tend to be flying fae. Pixies, Sylphs, butterfly and moth girls, even flying Devil Fae. Larger Sharpshooters may even go after Swan Maidens, though they tend to be much harder to hit.

Goliath Gulper Eel Size in the Sapphic Wilds can be very deceiving. Predators may not appear as capable or threatening as they really are. The Goliath Gulper Eel is a terrifying example of this, being capable of swallowing prey many times their size with relative ease. This is made possible by their enormous mouths and incredibly stretchy stomachs which can accommodate something as large as a human. The largest members of this family of Eel are comparable to Anacondas in length and girth, though that's where similarities end. Goliath Gulper Eels do not use constriction and instead open their mouths wide ensnare anything that gets to close. Some are so quick it creates a powerful vacuum that sucks their unwitting prey right into the awaiting jaws. The Lightning Goliath discharges electricity that may induce temporary paralysis in its prey.

While Some types of Goliath Eel are passive, using bio luminescence to draw in prey, others are more proactive. The Pelican Goliath actively patrols the ocean depths, lunging at anything it can fit into its mouth. The Greater Basking Gulper swims with its mouth open like a net, catching small aquatic fae and fish before swallowing them up.

Sapphic Angler Fish. There are close to a hundred distinct types of Angler fish in the Sapphic wild, many of which can't be seen anywhere else in the world. Among these are amphibious and even terrestrial species that can be found in almost any ecosystem, even in dry deserts or deep underground in the Twilight Roads. Even more impressive are the sizes they may reach. Some get as big as elephants with mouths so large they can swallow anything of similar size.

The most defining characteristic though is their lure. These come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and some even have unique characteristics or abilities. The Dazzler Frogfish possess a lure which produces a strobe light-like effect which it uses to disorient prey before using its powerful swallow to capture them. The False Damsel Angler however possess a lure shaped vaguely like a female fae which seems to dance when the fish moves it. Certain subspecies use magic or shape shifting properties to make them more convincing. There are stories of some going so far as to adorn their lures with the clothes of their victims. However, it is the Parasitic Devilfish family of angler who are the most insidious; they use a modified fin to ensnare a fae in heat, effectively turning them into living lures for other members of the girl's species or anything that may prey on them.

Sapphic Anglers are ambush predators and will lie in wait for prey to approach. They do this either by burying themselves under a thin layer of sediment, hiding in darkness, or blending in with their surroundings. A few species can change their skin color like chameleons or cephalopods. It is rumored some possess illusory magic, using it to veil themselves in shadow or turn every part of their bodies invisible except for their lures.

Some species have been observed using noxious clouds of poison or paralytic mucous in addition to their lures, surprise, and lightning reflexes.

Belly Dancer Golem. The wholly organic or magical aren't the only denizens of the Sapphic Wilds. There are other beings, possibly artificial, like the Belly Dancer Golem. Its name is as sinister as it is deceptive for the Belly Dancer does not itself put on a show. It isn't even pretty to look at, resembling something vaguely human made out of stone and reaching heights of twelve or more feet. One of the only parts of it that isn't rock is its stomach which is exposed and appears to be made out of some kind of ooze or latex-like substance. Most examples are opaque but now and then an individual is observed with a transparent latex belly.

Belly Dancers do have mouths which can stretch surprisingly wide given what it appears to be made of. Like the stomach, its mouth and throat appear to be made of something else though. This perhaps facilitates the swallowing of prey, something they seem to do quite often. This is how it gets it name for anything it swallows ends up in that exposed belly, distending the latex and squirming against it in pain or pleasure. It's a very tight in there and the bulges they leave are quite detailed.

What happens to their meal depends and in some cases it seems to be a mystery. They will snatch someone and then wander off to an unknown location. Others, however, do seem to digest their meals, absorbing them as a possible power source.

Meckants. The Sapphic Wilds are home to all manner of oddities and lifeforms that wouldn't be possible anywhere else. One example, if they could truly be considered alive, are the Meckants which at a glance look like partly mechanical or robotic ants. Partly because a not insignificant component of their body is organic, though technically its not their own flesh and blood! Rather, another living organism is strapped in and connected to the Meckant's abdomen. Not of their own free will, either. The relationship is almost parasitic rather than symbiotic with its apparent captive providing bodily functions the mechanical portions do not provide. One noticeable exception is thought process! The captive does not appear to have any input whatsoever. In return though she will be nourished by whatever the Meckant eats and constantly stimulated with pleasure.

These Meckants live in colonies like normal ants and are highly organized. Workers build expand and maintain the nest or forage for sustenance while larger warriors defend the colony. Their role is essential as predators will try to snack on the 'organic component'. They use powerful pincers and stingers but also electricity and directed energy weapons to drive off, subdue, or slay would-be attackers. Then there are the enigmatic queens who live deep in their colonies and produce (or manufacture?) more Meckants. Of course, as part of that process the colony will send out periodic raids to capture more women to be integrated into new Meckants. It is rumored that some variants of Meckants have Queens who also have organic females integrated into them and are used in some way to breed though this is ill-understood as any attempt to enter a colony is met with hostility.

The range of the Meckants is limited and largely relegated to the deserts and barrens of the western wilds and around the ruins of some lost civilization whose remains have been all but swallowed up with the passage of time.

Invisible Haunter. No one knows what the Invisible Haunter looks like or even what it exactly is, only that it is one of the more horrifying predators in all of the Sapphic Wild. As the name suggests, they are entirely invisible and the only thing indicating their presence are the footprints they leave and their heavy breathing. They are ravenous hunters who stalk their prey relentlessly through the woodlands and tundra they are most frequently found in. While some scholars believe their invisibility is magic, others believe they aren't invisible at all but are just out of phase or hiding between dimensions. Whatever the case, it allows them to sneak up on just about anything.

Anything this monster catches is subjected to a humiliating and gruesome end as they are hoisted in the air by something unseen, stripped, and ravaged. It will appear as if they are floating in the air with their goods on display, writhing and coming for seemingly no reason. When its carnal hunger is satisfied, it will sate its very real hunger by stuffing its catch down its throat. The Haunter may be invisible but its prey is not and will contort awkwardly in the air and appear as if something is squeezing down on it. They will eventually be forced into the stomach where they are awkwardly balled or folded up. Again, on display for all to see. There they will continue to squirm and struggle until they expire and their deceased bodies are essentially put on display while the Haunter digests them. Of course, before anything truly nightmarish is seen, the stomach is filled with a fluid that obscures the view and eventually vanishes with any sign of the prey. Invisible Haunters have been known to use the squirming prey in their bellies to lure in other creatures which they will then eat and individuals have been observed swallowing as many as four fae.

No one knows whether or not the Invisible Haunters are sapient and any attempts to communicate with them usually ends in disaster. They do appear to have a malicious intelligence, though, and have sometimes been heard giving sinister laughs as still-living creatures struggle to escape their invisible prison.

Shadow Creeper. The mysterious and elusive Shadow Creepers are a type of aberration that fortunately few have encountered. Fewer still have even laid eyes on these creatures due to their ability to seemingly hide and travel in shadow. The method by which they achieve this is unknown but almost certainly magical and may in fact involve some kind of dimensional travel or transition between different states of matter. There is unfortunately very little information about Shadow Creepers as most people who encounter them do not live to tell the tale. What scant details there are describe a fish-like and serpentine monster with half a dozen smooth tentacles sticking out of its head as well as flippers along its upper body. It has three to five pupil-less eyes but no visible ear structures or nostrils though that does not rule out the possibility of some kind of gland or receptor elsewhere in its body. They do seem to respond to the pheromones and scent of fae groins and feet.

Shadow Creepers use their ability to stalk and ambush prey as well as to avoid becoming prey to anything larger. Once it detects a fae or traveler, it may follow them for an indeterminate amount of time. Possibly for hours or even days as some survivors had described experiencing a sense of being watched for extended periods. The Shadow Creeper will eventually strike, however, and usually from the victim's own shadow. Most often it will use its mouth to seize its prey by the buttocks and anything that struggles will also be secured with its long tentacles. It will either begin swallowing immediately or pull the victim along with it as it dives back into the shadows. There have been instances where women have stepped onto a shadow and sunk into it as the Shadow Creeper swallowed them feet first, though these cases usually seem to happen only when they are barefoot or without shoe. Striking from above is not out of the question, either, and there is at least one documented case of someone being lifted off the ground and disappearing into the shadows among the rafters of an inn.

False Dracolich. There are monsters in the Fae Wild that look more ferocious than they actually are. That could be said of the False Dracolich, except that it's still a frightfully dangerous predator. It simply isn't as dangerous as its namesake might suggest. For one thing, they are neither dragons or true Liches but rather an organic growth that appropriates the skeletons of dragons. False Dracolich's seem to almost glue back together the bones of these mighty predators, providing it with structural support and also armor to protect its very delicate body.

The False Dracolich does lack the magic, breath weapons, and armored scales of a dragon. That said, it still has the dragon's claws. And while not nearly as strong as a true dragon, the organic growth forms muscles along the bone to provide it with still impressive strength. Growth also creates a digestive system which means the False Dracolich must hunt for prey. They are usually ambush predators, hiding in plain sight as a skeleton until an inquisitive fae draws too close. They will then strike, grabbing the prey either with the skeleton's jaws or claws. If that fails, it can still give chase though they are fairly clumsy given their makeup.

Fae caught by a False Dracolich are in for an agonizing and humiliating end. The digestive system, located usually in the rib cage, is partially see-through so the fae can be seen as it's squeezed into it. She will be seen writhing for the entirety of it until she expires. The membrane of the organic growth will then turn opaque just prior to the fae's body being broken down into mana and absorbed by the False Dracolich. Of course, False Dracolich's aren't fussy and will scavenge as well.

Jellyfish. At a glance there's nothing particularly special about Jellyfish even here in the Sapphic Wilds. They are very common the world over, come in abundant numbers, and are seemingly simple organisms. But those in and around the waters off the Sapphic Wild have been changed by the calamity as much as any other creature. Their evolution has been sped up dramatically and their shapes morphed by the magic contamination. They take on many new forms and some reach gigantic sizes that allow them to prey on more than fish.

They aren't limited to the waters anymore with some species taking to the land or air. The Beach Crawlers are a large variety that can climb out of the waters for a short period of time to sting and drag unwary prey basking on the beach. Pixie Snatchers float through the sky using pouches full of gas, their long stinging tentacles trawling the air for birds and airborne fae. And despite their name, they can get to big enough sizes to catch human-sized meals while their tentacles can get long enough to even catch terrestrial prey.

Adaptations beyond simply stinging tentacles have arisen over the centuries since the calamity. The Sun Dancer Jelly will use its translucent body, enhanced with magic, to focus the sun's rays to cook terrestrial prey into submission before dropping down on top of them. Some Jellyfish display a shocking level of intelligence, almost malevolent in a way. The Angler Jelly will use the indigestible clothes or jewelry of previous meals to lure in curious aquatic fae who are then sucked up into its bell.

Glob Tagger. Despite being fairly common, the Glob Tagger is another animal endemic to the Wilds that defies classification. It has as many as six eyes on an oval body and no apparent apparent appendages other than a single tentacle protruding from the top. It has a single large mouth, or at least what appears to be, with a layer of what appears to be latex or something similar stretched across it. Their skin is like an amphibians, but beyond that they share nothing in common and certainly not in how they move or hunt. Glob Taggers seem to wriggle and squirm at exceedingly slow paces across the ground and thus can't chase its prey down.

What it can do is lure in prey with some species using generating a light at the end of their tentacle while others produce an appealing scent. When something appealing draws close enough, an opening in the tentacle discharges streams of that latex-like substance that cling to the skin and clothes of prey and spreads as they struggle. When they are suitably entangled or wrapped up, the Glob Tagger by some unknown process is able to attract the latex – and the prey with it – into the substance stretched across its mouth. The unsuspecting victim will then be sucked deeper inside as the mouth closes around them as the Glob Tagger begins the digestion process.

Furnace Blob. While oozes already have a sinister reputation, Furnace Blobs are an especially nasty breed. Also known as Oven Sacks or Baker's Ooze, the Furnace Blob is so named because it cooks its victims alive before and during the digestive process which can take hours or even days depending on the species and the size of the prey. This is likely due to some kind of exothermic reaction, though some postulate magic may be involved as well. Regardless, the hapless victim is alive through much of the process.

Most Furnace Blobs lay in wait, ready to ambush any fae or person that walks by. It will lunge at anything that gets too close or makes contact, quickly sticking to and spreading over their unwitting prey. If nothing is done immediately, their feet and ankles and even calves will be encased in the blob's membrane, trapping them and allowing it to travel up her body. At this point, any struggle only spread it further. Some Furnace Blobs are slower than others, making the process all that more horrifying as they are forced to watch it very gradually swallow them up. Once fully enveloped, the ooze's membrane will become like latex as it tightens around its prey, compressing them into usually awkward or balled up positions that are painfully cramped and skin tight. The temperature will then start to rise, creating a sweltering environment that is hot and difficult to breath in. All the while they will be marinaded with digestive enzymes. The process is excruciating to say the least, though some mercifully expire early on due to asphyxiation.

Some Furnace Blobs are more proactive and go out in pursuit. As they don't move especially fast, they usually prey on fae that are sleeping or basking in the sun. Some of these varieties have a mostly transparent surface they use to somehow magnify the rays of the sun to help in the cooking process.

Some tribes have found a way to capture and use them to cook with, though obtaining a Furnace Blob remains ever dangerous. It's not uncommon for a tribeswomen to find themselves ensnared and devoured instead. Oozes that are successfully caught are kept in sealed jars until needed. When that time comes, typically what happens is a fae or animal is put in some kind of pit. If alive, they are almost always bound. The jar will be unsealed and quickly poured into the pit where it will swallow whatever they want cooked. After letting their meal roast inside the Furnace Blob, they will introduce a concoction created from certain special plants that will either ward off the ooze kill it, allowing them to pry the ooze off.

Bed Snatcher. Safety is fleeting in the Sapphic Wilds, even in some cases behind the walls of cities and settlements. After all, nothing is certain when magic is involved. Few animals better emphasize this truth than the Bed Snatcher. They are reminiscent of octopods, being soft-bodied and eight-limbed, and may in fact be members of the class cephalopoda though some suspect more sinister origins. What sets them apart is that they are terrestrial but also possess the ability to fly or at least float, meaning they can get over most obstacles. As they have no bones, Bed Snatchers can squeeze through very tight spaces as well. Combine that with an alien intelligence and there are few places they can't get to.

They are so named for their reputation of sneaking into bedchambers and absconding with its occupants, though this rarely happens in practice. More often they sneak into the dens and nests of fae while they slumber, striking with their many limbs before dragging them off or consuming them right there and then. The largest specimens have been observed carrying full grown Chell. Different species subdue their prey through different measures. Larger ones simply use strength and may strangle their prey or simply swallow them whole and alive. Smaller species may utilize potent venom or poison or may sap the stamina of their victims through some magical means. There is at least one that drains the mental fortitude of its victims until their thoughts are vapid.

Often times there's no trace left of the victim, except perhaps on occasion discarded clothes left abandoned on the ground. Their tentacles are extraordinarily adroit and can undo all but the most stubborn clasps and straps. They are quite capable of sliding a woman out of her dress and pulling down a fae's panties, too.

Tarback Beast. At present scholars argue over what the Tarback actually is. Some believe it to be some form of slime, being made of a viscous substance not unlike tar or, more accurately, liquid latex. However it acts very unlike most oozes or any other creature for that matter. Tarback have an unusual type of parasitic relationship where they use other living orgasms, specifically fae, almost like a sort of adhoc structural frame to support their bodies. The fae will quite literally be encased inside the latex-like body, helpless and unable to exercise any autonomy as the tarback forces them to move. However, rather than emulating the shape of their host, they often take on the form of wild animals like wolves or dogs. In smaller specimens, the silhouette or bulge of arms and legs awkwardly fold are more pronounced though it is less obvious in larger creatures.

While in this guise or shape, they will actively hunt and consume fae and other animals. It's not clear if their host also acts as a stand-in for the Tarback's digestive system or if they get any nutrition at all. It may be that the host is just a temporary, something for the Tarback to form around while it feeds. Scholars suspect this is the case partly because the Tarback, or at least certain species, eventually digest their host and find a new one.

Doppelganger Ooze. Oozes and slime mimicking the appearance of objects or other races is nothing new. Many varieties have demonstrated at least a rudimentary capability. However, the Doppelganger Ooze is almost unique in that it will permanently assume the shape of whoever it consumes. They may become an almost exact copy right down to the physiology of their prey. In effect, most types of Doppelganger cease being oozes and become something else. Of course, the extent of which depends on the species. There are some that undergo a metamorphosis and become something entirely new that is neither an ooze nor a clone. An example is the False Fiend Doppelganger who, upon digesting its meal, will become a more demonic version of whoever it ate.

The extent to which these oozes copy their victims does have limits, at least for most members of the Doppelganger family. They may receive only a fraction of their prey's attributes, such as strength or agility, and only a few species will inherit innate or learned abilities. The Reclusive Warlock Doppelganger, which targets magic casters, will only gain spells its victim has mastered. Rumors however persist among Sapphic Scholars of a nigh mythical species that not only gains all the abilities and attributes but receives enhanced versions. If such a godly ooze exists, they would be a terrifying force should they ever devour a dragon or something similar.

Thankfully reports so far indicate that most Doppelganger can only replicate a meal once. That is to say, they can only transform once. Anything eaten after will only serve to nourish their new, very solid permanent bodies. An exception is the Lesser Doppelganger which must constantly eat to maintain its solid body and keep from degenerating, something it seems desperate to do. The Fickle Changeling is a rare type that retains an ability to transform into any new species it eats even after its first time. The Covetous Doppelganger meanwhile will gain new attributes the more races it devours. Some end up as monstrosities but others, specifically those that curate what they eat, will assume more godly shapes.

While Doppelganger Oozes will prey on anything it can, it seems to be driven by an insatiable hunger for sapient races specifically. They are guided by an seemingly malevolent instinct or even intelligence that, while primitive by comparison, is enough that they may ambush or stalk their prey. Some have described Doppelgangers as being almost jealous or desperate, wanting more than anything to attain that sapience. In the handful of interviews with successful Doppelgangers that were identified, they apparently view their kin who devoured and transformed into feral fae with contempt while regarding themselves as a superior evolution. This seems to indicate a heightened sense of arrogance.

Ironically, once a Doppelganger transforms, their position in the food web can also change. The predators of the race whose identity they assumed will undoubtedly pursue them regardless of their original identity. This works out well for the handful of Doppelganger species who have specialized in turning the tables on their would-be hunters, but most are not so fortunate. They may even fall victim to other Doppelgangers. However, the biggest threat comes from those animals that have evolved to hunt them post transformation. Somehow they have adapted to identify Doppelgangers and subdue them.

As with the fauna, so to with the flora of the Sapphic Wild. Though many varieties remained essentially unchanged, if still contaminated with mana, a not unreasonable number of plant species have evolved in peculiar ways. For the most part this means some glow or have unnatural coloration. Their leaves may take on strange shapes. Some grow faster or bigger but are otherwise not that dissimilar to their cousins in the rest of the world. Not all changes are so inconsequential, though. Rapid evolution caused by the cataclysm has led to the proliferation of numerous types of carnivorous plants and mega flora. They come in such a wide range that it's difficult to classify them all! Below are just a small sample.

Hanging Menagerie Pod Plant.There are few carnivorous plants that inspire dread like the Hanging Menagerie. Even predatory fae are at risk of falling victim to its amorous tendrils. The plant is part of the Pod family which is known for storing subdued prey in pods or sacks connected to the main body. These serve as a grizzly reminders for the price of carelessness! Hanging Menageries are often found in dense woods or jungles where their narrow body snakes through the canopies like a vine. Each plant will have one or more bells at the end of a flexible stems, each serving as a sort of mouth. The tips of four to six tendril-like vines are often seen protruding just outside its 'lips'. These in fact extent through almost its entire length. Along the body are what look like little nubs or deflated balloons, the eponymous pods, which will distend and stretch when prey are taken into them.

How a Hanging Menagerie subdues its prey is as fascinating as it is disturbing. When something it finds edible passes by, the plant will strike either from above or behind with the tendrils that stick out of its bell. These will lash out and seize limbs, immobilizing the prey long enough for another specialized tendril to insert itself in either the anus, vaginal cavity, or the mouth. Once deep enough, it lodge itself by inflating so that it can't easily be removed. The prey will then be reeled into the bell which will envelope and further restrain them while also secreting a small amount nectar. This will act as lubrication – and an aphrodisiac – as the prey is squeezed past a sphincter-like opening and into the stem. It isb cramped and suffocating, making the entire journey very unpleasant for unfortunate victim who will eventually arrive at an unoccupied pod. Again, they are squeezed through a small open and into very tight sack which will nevertheless stretch around their body. Once in, with the vine still buried in an orifice, the air will be sucked out and the prey will be vacuum sealed inside. The material, although thin, is very strong and will endure most attempts to break free. Finally, the walls will excrete a fluid to break down and absorb its meal. It's a slow process that can take a week but usually the prey will have expired before then from asphyxiation.

A successful Hanging Menagerie may have as many as a dozen shapely sacks, each a snug outline of the prey within, hanging high above from the canopy. This is where it gets its name. And the more it eats, the longer the plant gets and the more offshoot bulbs it will grow.

There are several known subspecies of the Hanging Menagerie. The first is the Pink Waft, which exudes an alluring fragrance. Once an unwary fae comes to check it out, it releases a toxic pink cloud that temporarily stuns or immobilizes its prey. The Lesser Hanging Menagerie is a little smaller and doesn't have the penetrating vine and instead relies on suction to pull prey inside. With how large the Sapphic Wild is, there are undoubtedly other varieties.

Certain clever beasts and fae will seek out the pods to eat, either plucking them from the plant and eating them or peeling it open to get at the contents inside.

Serpent Vine. Convergent and parallel evolution is a common feature in the Sapphic Wilds but to be demonstrated by a plant is unusual even for here! Also called the Python or Constrictor Vine, these plants behave not unlike the snakes they get their names from. Their long bodies, with semi-translucent membrane, coil through the treetops waiting for something to pass by. The vine will immediately strike and coil its victim, tightening with surprising strength until much of the fight has been squeezed out. An opening will form at the tip like a mouth that will then stretch around its victim and slowly pull them inside and eventually push their writhing bodies up into the treetops where the plant will store and feed off them over the next week or two. It can as many as half a dozen girls in this way if sufficiently long enough, storing them in the very cramped and humid body. Most will expire from exhaustion or asphyxiation before their time to digest comes, their bodies kept from decomposing by the magic within.

Bundling Plant. A family of mostly passive carnivorous plants, Bundling Plants lay on forest floors waiting for an unsuspecting victims to step on it. This is because they excrete an incredibly strong and viscous resin that clings to anything it touches. The moment a fae makes contact, whether with her bare foot or a shoe, she will be ensnared by the Bundling plant. Stuck to it. Struggling only makes things worse, spreading the glue-like resin while simultaneously exhausting the victim. Inevitably she will either fall or be pulled into the sticky trap, usually after hours of futile resistance, where she'll be coated completely. Only then does the plant move, its large leaves raising up around its prey and forcing her into an awkward ball. The resin becomes like latex and tightens around the victim who is eventually wrapped up in the leaves as she's slowly digested over the course of a week, though most prey usually expire before then. At least the lucky ones do. Then the plant unfolds, resetting the trap.

Some types of Bundling plants use some form of bait to lure in prey. The Berry Bundler, as the name suggests, produces berries which it uses to draw in hungry prey. The Cinderalla Bundler is so named because it uses the shoes of past victims to lure in new ones. Its digestive capacity usually isn't strong enough to digest the shoes of its prey which are often the only item that remains.

Banshee Rose. The Sapphic Wild is home to many exotic plants but few are as unusual as the Banshee Rose. The name is a misnomer as its not actually a rose. It is more closely related to the Mandrake of legend that could purportedly kill anyone who heard its shriek upon being uprooted. While perhaps not quite as deadly, the Banshee Rose still poses a significant danger to any passerby. It is a carnivorous plant that has weaponized sound in the pursuit of prey.

Most specimens possess a single flower and long stem that thickens at the base with roots that can dig deep even into rock. This allows them to hold fast to any surface such as canyon walls like the Desert Banshee. The flower is reminiscent of an oversized rose and comes in a variety of colors. Many types also release a sweet aroma, possibly to help lure in potential prey. The garden variety Banshee Rose doesn't get very big, usually no more than a foot tall with a flower the size of a tea saucer. The Scouring Shrieker can grow as tall as six feet and its flower nearly half that in diameter.

How Banshee Roses capture prey is as astonishing as it is terrible. Its petals are sensitive to vibrations in the air and as soon as it detects something flying overhead, the flower projects a beam of high frequency sound waves. This is usually enough to stun or outright kill its prey which then falls into the awaiting flower which will proceed to wrap around the unfortunate victim in preparation for the digestive process. They almost exclusively feed on pixies, moth and butterfly girls, and any other small fliers. Shrill Sentries on the other hand feed on land fae. Their flowers aim toward the ground, hitting anything that strays to close with sonic blasts before using tendrils to drag the hapless prey into its awaiting flower.

Many varieties digest their prey within the flower itself but, especially in the case of larger species, some do possess digestive chambers at the base of their stock or underground in the midst of their root system.

Mother of Pearl Faetrap. Flytraps of all varieties are a common sight in the Sapphic wild. More accuately called Faetraps, some are small and prey on species like pixies while others get large enough to swallow full grown bunny girls. Whatever the type, even outside the Chaste mountains they wouldn't exactly be considered unusual. All except a particular type known as the Mother of Pearl Faetraps. What makes them unique isn't how they capture or digest fae but rather what they produce afterwards. As the name suggests, they create pearls of exquisite quality and unusual size.

This is purportedly the result of the digestive process. It's believed that either the residual magic of the fae the plant couldn't be absorbed or else materials it might find indigestible, like jewelry, is condensed into the pearl. Whether it takes a single fae or multiple over a long period is unclear but eventually a pearl will sprout from its center, sometimes sitting on the center or sometimes on the end of a stock depending on the species. Rumors suggest the finish and coloration of the pearl is dependent on what it consumed with rarer fae species producing more exquisite pearls. Some believe these types of plants use the pearl to also help lure in either prey or pollinators. Regardless, they are highly sought after by the various city states and outsiders.

The Mother of Pearl is otherwise very like any other faetrap. They have two large lobes dotted with trigger hairs and lined with stiff outer edges to help trap whatever gets caught. The Faetrap produces nectar to attract prey and anything that grazes more than one hair causes the lobes to slam shut around them. Most varieties then secrete enzymes there to break down fae into magic they absorb but couple species do have digestive sacks that the fae are forced into through sphincter-like passages.

The production of pearls out of captured fae may not be a process unique to the Mother of Pearl. It has been reported that other entirely different families of carnivorous plants also produce them or something similar. There are even animals that make them, like the giant carnivorous oyster.

Soul Siphon.One of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring family of plants in all of the wild are the aptly named Soul Siphons. They are as beautiful as they are potentially deadly, able to suck the lifeforce out of anything that draws too close. Most appear as two or three large leaves jutting out of the ground around a central crystalline structure of some kind. Either a single massive crystal or a stem encrusted in gemstone formations. Whatever shape these take, they often glow with an ethereal light that is almost mesmerizing and may in fact be a means to attract prey. Or else it is a byproduct of all the magic it has accumulated from its victims.

The level of danger actually depends on the species of plant. The Yellow Soulsucker is relatively tame, drawing on only the ambient magic and excess mana that some fae give off. The Reaper Soul Siphon however quite literally rips the life force out of anything that draws too close in almost instant, their bodies falling to the ground in mid step. The Flowering Succubus is somewhere inebtween, greedily siphoning off the mana or vitality of anything in proximity at an astonishing rate but not so fast that the quick witted can't escape. They will be exhausted, naturally, but alive.

As for the bodies of unfortunate victims, that also depends. Most varieties of Soul Siphon feed only on spiritual power, mana, and/or the life force of living creatures and therefor have no use once they are completely drained. Their bodies will be left alone or even used as bait to lure in more prey, though some predators seem to have developed a resistance to the supernatural forces these plants use. These predators may've even developed a symbiotic relationship whereby they devour all the plants leftovers so the bodies don't pile up and scare away other potential prey. Of course, some fae are partly or wholly made of magic and will simply dissolve and get absorbed into the crystals eventually. That's not to say some Soul Siphons don't ingest the physical portion of their victims. Some use roots or vines to drag the soulless vessels into digestive chambers to get every last drop of magical nutrition while the Vampire Soul Siphon saps prey to 'merely' to a point where they can no longer move. Once that is achieved, they are forced to watch as they are dragged into the plant for a long and excruciating process.

Some say that faces or silhouettes can be seen in the crystals of the Soul Siphons, echos of past victims or remnants of their souls. The same could be said of their colorful fruits which may vaguely take on humanoid shape in some species. For those who've found a protective measure against the plant's insidious effects, they may harvest either. They may be used as components of spells or alchemy or they can be eaten to gain magical powers, of which they are quite dense in.

Sapphic Noose Tree. While there are many plants just as or significantly more dangerous, the Sapphic Noose family of trees demonstrate how the corrosive magic of the catastrophe have warped ordinary life into cruel and twisted mockeries. At a distance they look like normal trees, if a bit on the large end, but on closer inspection reveal dozens of vines hanging from its branches. Anyone that brushes past them will find the vines instantly trying to snap around their neck. Should a vine succeed, they will be rapidly yanked into the air anywhere from a few feet to a few meters off the ground where the prey will be allowed to futilely struggle for however long it takes before they suffocate or perish. They may even lifelessly hang there longer depending on the species of Sapphic Noose, a grizzly reminder of what carelessness can lead to.

Eventually, however, the fae will be consumed. The Bloodsucking Hangman, despite its name, will leach off the mana of its quarry and discard the empty – but still beautiful – vessel to attract more prey. The Fruiting Hangman by contrast will pull the exhausted victim into awaiting pods suspended in its canopy. Once inside, the pod will close and vacuum seal around them so that the pod becomes shapely with a vague outline of their features in its plant membrane. In some varieties this is maintained well after digestion and the pods become fruit vaguely shaped like their victim. The Vanishing Noose has an opening in its base in which it feeds its subdued prey, storing them in digestive chambers among their root system.

It is not uncommon to find discarded heels or other articles of clothing around these trees, the remnants of past prey and also bait.

Bustier Blossom.There is a rare but sought after family of plants that noble women will pay good money to find. Not for spices or herbs. Not for medicinal use or, well, not in the traditional sense. These plants have the ability to make a woman's bust grow exponentially. It's even alleged they can restore youth, though that's likely just a select few species. Unfortunately gaining access to these properties is immensely difficult. First, they are very hard to find though they can crop up in just about any climate. Secondly, with the exception of a few examples, they cannot be harvested or processed into a usable form. Purchasers should do well to be cautious when buying potions purportedly made with their byproducts. Only the nectar from the Ambrosia Bustier will have any noticeable effects.

The only other way to achieve the desired results is to physically be in the presence of a still living Bustier Blossom and there is a not insignificant catch. It's not so simple as drinking or tasting or inhaling something; they must give themselves to the depravity of the plant. Bustier Blossoms have evolved a very specific way of feeding and that's by seizing women with vines and pleasuring her with specialized appendages. Some varieties will merely penetrate a woman's mouth and exude a viscous substance but others will penetrate as many orifices as allowed. The woman will feel intense pleasure for the duration and at some point a process will be triggered inside her. Her bust will begin to grow one or two or as many as five cups. Sometimes even more if the woman is held long enough. After a moment they will begin to lactate, too, at which point flowers may clamp around the woman's nipples to soak up the milk. Her sexual fluids and saliva will also be absorbed by the plant. Eventually, she will be released and free to wander off.

The process is ill understood but experts believe the secretions of the plant trigger a reaction in woman's body that absorbs ambient magic in the air. This is then converted into tissue that causes the breasts to grow and lactate. Merely feeding off the byproducts of the process, a woman's cum and milk, may not be the sole reason either. It's entirely possible this is how the plants pollinate or spread their seeds.

There are two other details eager women need to look out for, though. There are subspecies that 'enhance' more than just the bust. If they aren't careful, they may find their hips, ass, and even stomach growing or distended. Even worse, there are a few members of the Bustier Blossom family that are carnivorous. That, once a woman is gorged and her tits are enormous, will cram her into an awaiting mouth to be digested.

The Spaying Flower. There is an enormous flowering plant that is only found in places heavily contaminated with magic. While it has large petals that are colorful and glow, it's easy not to think much of it. Most of the time the flowers are closed and the plant does little else but sit there. It sustains itself not on meat but sunlight and the ambient magic in the area.

However, every so often and during full moons, the flower opens and releases a sort of alluring scent. Its influence is strongest on male humanoids who can be drawn in from upwards of a mile away. If they aren't careful, the plant will wrap its petals around them and pull the unsuspecting male – or herm – inside. One secure, it'll release an aphrodisiac that causes whomever is inside to hump en opening in the flower. Some species instead have vines with smaller flowers that wrap around the cock. Either way, it milks them for their seed over and over again while contaminating their victims with mana.

The flower gets its name because at a certain point the mana and fluids of the plant causes the manhood to dissolve or melt off but not before the person inside is slowly transformed into a woman. There are certain species of Spaying flower that don't do this, at least if the person gets out in time, but they look near identical save for differences in leaves. Eventually the person will be released, likely confused.

The plant meanwhile uses the seed as both nourishment and the foundation of its own breeding cycle. Certain varieties as the Dandelion Spayer, need nothing else but a man's seed to pollinate. It will eventually release its seeds, like real dandelions, casting them to the wind to be carried by fine hair-like material. The Blooming Spayer meanwhile stores and converts the seed it has stolen, next attracting wandering female fae who it lures in and then rapes. The seed is stored inside and the fae is sent off to be raped by other Blooming spay, cross pollinating as she goes. Men caught by Blooming Spayer, in addition to turning into women, may also turn into the same kind of fae that was last deflowered by the plant. Either partly or wholly. If they're lucky, they'll retain at least some semblance of their memories and intelligence.

Heat Bloom. Not all plant life is to be avoided in the Sapphic Wilds. Some can be very beneficial and are sought after. The Heat Bloom is a type of large flower found in frigid climates where the ambient magic is high. The plant doesn't sport a long stem and sits very low to the ground but its petals are long, easily taller than a man, and they form a kind of half dome over its stigma and filaments. Attached to the plant somewhere between all its reproductive organs and suspended several feet off the ground is what appears to be a spherical, almost crystal-like organ that glows with a bright amber or yellow light. It also produces thermal energy by drawing in mana from the surroundings and converting it in some kind of chemical process. The heat may be a byproduct or it may be used by the plant to survive even in the cold of winter.

However, it does seem to serve one clear purpose. It draws in fae looking for heat and shelter, such as Flower Damsels, who rub against the flower and accumulate pollen. By moving from one Heat Bloom to the next they act as pollinators.

Trapper Shroom. If ever there was a lesson in watching where a person steps, it'd be the Trapper Shroom family of fungi. They appear as small, seemingly innocuous caps of red or blue or green that barely stick out above the ground or foliage. However, stepping too close will cause the actually quite large fungi to spring up and strike its potential victim. Usually in the back where it's sticky surface latches on, rapidly spreading the more the prey struggles. Eventually the Trapper Shroom will hoist its catch into the air and engulf them in a latex-like layer that pulls tightly around them.

Normally this is where the fae is broken down into nutrients for the fungi over the course of days or weeks but there are subspecies which rely on the shapely bulge of their victims to proliferate. A hungry predator will note the brightly colored and silhouetted victim of the Trapper Shroom and either snatch or devour it. The latex-like fungi will then be transported to other areas, either falling off the unwitting predator or emerging from orifices to trap them.

Lightning Cap. The Lightning Caps are a type of carnivorous fungi that can produce electrical shocks. They are not that dangerous by themselves, producing little more than what amount to static discharges. However, when acting in concert, they produce enough electricity to bring down even large land fae like the Chell. They are usually found in small patches, waiting for orgasms to stumble into their trap. Once a prey item is immobilized, the Lightning Cap's mycelium while drag it into the fungi to be absorbed. Gradually, as more prey is absorbed, the Lightning Caps spread outward. Whole meadows may become deathtraps for unwary fae, though fae or elementals with an affinity for lightning may in turn feed on the mushrooms. Lightning caps are blue with glowing spots and some can get quite large.

Bombard Fungus. In the wild, danger can lurk behind any corner and come from any angle. Nowhere is this more evident than with the Bombard Fungus. It can be found in almost any climate though its most commonly encountered in swamps and jungles. The fungus grows on virtually any surface, be it tree limbs or sheer rock faces, where it forms colonies that feed on ambient mana and nutrients. Where the Bombard Fungus gets its name is how it spreads itself. After achieving a certain size, the colony can detach and catapult significant segments of itself to new surface. However, as the colony grows and spreads, it begins to look for larger sources of nutrients.

When a fae passes within range, all nearby colonies will begin hurling themselves at the unsuspecting victim. The globules are sticky and latex-like, clinging to whatever it impacts. While challenging to remove, it's still possible to fight off one or two. However, it becomes much more problematic with a dozen or more globules. They will begin enveloping the fae and trying to meld until she's entirely encased. Once this happens, she molds will begin a digestive process to break her down and absorb the mana. It can be an agonizing process and the fae trapped inside might struggle for hours or days before expiring. The digestive process will take even longer than that and once finally depleted, the mold will send out spores. With some species, the fungal husk may remain. Not unlike a shapely latex statue.

Survival in the Sapphic Wilds is never guaranteed. The unpredictable nature of its ecosystems requires specialization while the relationship between predator and prey has led to a kind of arms race of adaptions unique to the realm. Some of these are biological or natural but others are wholly influenced by natural magics and the flow of mana. Invisibility spells, binding ropes of light, and more have all been demonstrated by even feral races!

Predators in the Sapphic Wild don't always have it easy. As with the outside world, failure rates vary wildly with some averaging anywhere from 20% to 80%. It makes sense. Prey don't want to be eaten, after all, and will do what they can to avoid it. What is a hungry predator to do? Adapt, of course. Typical examples include speed attained through various means to chase down their prey or camouflage to hide and lay in ambush. If these are too boorish, there is always poison or venom! Fangs and stingers are obvious delivery mechanisms but more humanoid predators might wear poisonous lipstick that is administered with a kiss! Some creatures breath or exude clouds of poison to envelope their victims. All to either paralyze or kill! And in some cases cause prey to cum to death to allow for a nice, easy, and aroused meal.

But some have more esoteric methods in subduing their prey!

Hypnosis, mind control, anesthesia. With a glance or a scent or specialized appendage, there are types of animals and plants that can lull others into a state of vulnerability. Certain species of terrestrial angler fish will mesmerize prey with its glowing lure before gobbling them up. The Elven Tamer is a type of carnivorous plant that releases a sort of pheromone that lures in long-eared fae and even types of elves. They fall into a stupor before the plant which then simply pulls them inside to be digested.

Sunlight has been weaponized by some types of flying oozes and jellyfish. In these cases they focus the light of the sun onto an unsuspecting animal, baking them alive and causing heatstroke. When they are weak or expire, the predator simply drops down on them to enjoy a cooked meal.

Sound is often overlooked in the realm of mortals. Yes, there's echolocation and that is used by some in the Sapphic Wilds, but others have found ways to weaponize it. There is a certain breed of plant, for instance, that somehow generates specific frequencies that stun passing pixies and cause them to fall into awaiting pitchers where they are digested.

Stickiness is also a route some have evolved to use. There are of course sticky webs that some insectoids use. Predatory slugs may leave trails to catch the unwary, coming back to eat them once they're fully coated. Northern Swamp drakes use a special orifice on their heads to spray prey with a sticky latex-like slime that spreads the more they struggle and immobilizes them for easy consumption. And Greater Chameleons will shoot their sticky tongues, snaring prey and dragging them into its awaiting mouth.

Some feral creatures even use rudimentary forms of magic to hunt their prey. While Silverscale Basilisks may temporarily petrify their victims in silver, the Thunderback actually casts lightning spells that zap prey into submission.

There are hundreds of examples and variations demonstrated by innumerable species all for the express purpose of sustaining themselves. A wise man once said that the imagination is a weapon and those who don't use it die first! Or, in this case, starve.