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Hippo — Description

For those who live in the lands ruled by the Church of Divine Wealth, it is easy to get stuck with a narrow view on Humor-bound beasts. It is not just the animals one sees every day, but the creatures woven into the scripture, the species utilized in the faith. If someone brings up Yellow Bile, the first thought may go to the fiery jellyfish, while Black Bile allows invokes the image of busy termites. Yet they are not the only species aligned with such fluids, even upon this singular continent. Blood calls forth leeches, but there are also mosquitos that utilize it as well. Even Barbed Ogres wield it. And look beyond these golden lands, you will see many more creatures of the Humors, some folks may not expect. The hungry lamprey of the sea, the sacrificial pelican upon the winds and the great hippo that lurks in divine river.
Across the sea lies a kingdom carved from ivory, and the great artery that runs through its very heart is the Ineteru River. This fluid body is the longest river in the world, carrying a vast wealth within that spreads across the continent. From it branches off endless veins (or "metu") that so much life depends on. This land is known for its impressive amount of beasts, and the Ineteru River is one of the big reasons life flourishes here. Though it is mostly water, its long winding way has it pick up traces of different Humors, turning its fluid dark with the mixture. Though the concentrations are low, the small amount of each of the Four Humors inside make the river incredibly nourishing, and that was why such an empire was founded upon its shores. But man is far from the only one to benefit. Many other species frolic in this wealth, but few carry such a fearsome reputation as the hippo.
It only takes a single look at this species for folks to immediately recognize the power of the hippo. Though outsiders imagine it bloated with fat, it is a solidly built beast. It is made of dense muscle and armored with thick bony plates. Such incredible mass already makes it a daunting creature, and that isn't even introducing its infamous smile. The head of a hippo is a terrifying sight to behold, its large size built to accommodate a truly massive maw. Not only do they have a bony beak, but their open mouth reveals countless tusks that might as well be swords. Great piercing chunks of ivory, sharpened to deadly points, powered by monstrous muscles and permanently stained by many battles. The hippo's crushing bite is feared by all, with predators turning tail when one of these behemoths becomes enraged. Few things wish to tangle with them, especially since pure strength isn't their only weapon. Coursing through their massive bodies is potent Blood, and they know how to use it.
Hippos are bound to Blood, which makes this already terrifying beast even worse. Something so big and heavy shouldn't be able to move so fast, yet they can call upon their Blood to really get moving. It takes some time for them to build up speed, but once a Hippo begins its charge, little can stand in its way. It is how they are able to run down agitators on land, and chase after boats in fluid. Hippos cannot swim, their bodies are simply too heavy. Instead they walk or bound across the river's bottom, sticking to shallow areas so they can easily reach air. This method of movement may make them seem limited in fluid, but that concept evaporates quickly when one sees a hippo barreling right for their craft.
Blood isn't just for juicing their movement speed, it is wielded as a weapon as well. Hippos attack with their huge maws, fighting off predators or fellow hippos. They can get territorial, and will fight one another for space or mates, which results in duels that are loud, violent and bloody. Their "yawns" are threatening displays, showing off their weaponry. These great tusks stab and slice as the hippos duel, ripping through skin to leave bloody, but shallow, wounds. In these conflicts, the hippos will anoint their tusks with Blood from opponents or even their own gums to charge up their bites. When their jaws are fully charged, they unleash the built up energeiai in a deafening "thunderclap." This is a powerful blast of electrified air, released when they slam their jaws shut. Against another hippo, the blast can be disorienting and the sound stunning, leaving them vulnerable for a few precious seconds. Such a display seems a bit underwhelming since it only puts their opponents in a daze for a moment or two. However, one has to remember that it was used against a dense muscled, heavily armored beast of Blood. For those who aren't that, it is devastating. A hippo's thunderclap can send smaller targets flying, the sheer concussive force rupturing eardrums or organa. Simple fishing boats have been blasted apart, and when used underwater, it can punch holes through hulls. For all its destructive force, it is also believed to be used to help churn up food when grazing underwater.
Despite being seen most often in fluid, the hippo feeds mostly on land. Their days are spent wallowing in rivers and lakes, but when darkness falls, they emerge to eat vegetation. An odd sight for sure to see such powerful beast grazing upon grasses and hairs! But there is another thing they do with this vegetation that has caught the interest of many. Due to their bond of Blood, they generate an impressive amount of it, yet it seems even they can have too much. Perhaps it is when they get too riled up, or their heavy bodies result in the fluid spoiling easily, but for whatever reason, this species practices bloodletting. Razor reeds, tusk trees and thorny plants can be found around the Ineteru River, and the hippo comes to these to relieve itself. Though built of solid muscle, their hide is surprisingly thin, just enough that they can slice themselves open upon these sharp plants. The scars hippos carry come from battle but also from constant bloodletting throughout their lives. It is typically done around their legs, cutting themselves open so that the bad Blood can leak out. It is this behavior that has locals titling the hippo the "sacred beast of Blood," with the belief that this species inspired them for this method of healing.
Though legend has it teaching the people the wonders of bloodletting, the hippo itself is mostly avoided. Its size and strength make it a terrifying opponent, combined with the fact that they hang in huge groups (or "bloats") when resting in fluid. The ultimate nightmare for any man or creature is to be trapped in the middle of such a herd, as the hippo can be quite temperamental. There is no telling when the lazy lounging thing will suddenly snap into action, turning into a roaring monstrosity that rips foes apart. For this glorious kingdom, the hippo represents strength and brutal protection, a guardian that protects the river with excessive violence. Legend even claims a hippo killed one of their ancient rulers, so great is their might and anger! Some view it as a representation of the Intereu River's own temperament, how a lazy life-giving river can suddenly turn violent and bring disaster. While some in other regions may worry that their river may flood, this vast kingdom worries more about the Blood. For when the great river turns pure crimson, and the energeiai courses through the entire land. Disaster and plagues are sure to follow, and the hippos will join in on the chaos. Hopped up on excessive Blood, they will become even more violent and have been known to go on rampages or stampedes. Thankfully, this great disaster is incredibly rare, only recorded a few times throughout the empire's long existence, but they caused a great upheaval each time, and things were never the same. Plus there is the fact that the Blood hasn't shown up in a very long time, and the prophets warn that this empire may be due for it, especially in this age of turmoil.
Though the hippos are native to the Intereu River, those of the golden lands may have seen one on their own soil. Such monstrous beasts make for fine trophies, thus folks have gone out to hunt them. Natives hunt them as well, for there is plenty of meat and Blood to gain, but traveling nobles want that toothy head to mount to their wall. Some have been imported to these shores as battle beasts for fighting pits, while others have tried to use them as livestock. Such potent Blood and hefty meat would make them fine producers, but their rage and strength is simply too much to handle. Attempts to introduce them to this golden land have always ended in disaster. However, this has allowed them to make some impact in the culture. Their practice of bloodletting has made some view them as sacred, with even the Church making note. See the great beast that seeks to atone for its sin and anger, cutting itself upon the reeds! However, there are those who see something else within the species. Instead of them representing the Church's purifying penance and bloodletting, the hippo represents the hypocrisy of the golden faith. A fat and bloated thing, swapping between uncaring laziness and violent outbursts, yet all it does to make up for this are feeble cuts upon its flesh. Are these pathetic trickles meant to make up for such corruption? Are these mere drops enough to feed the countless lives crushed beneath its corpulent mass, all while they give everything to its ravenous maw? Perhaps that is another reason why the attempts to introduce the species failed, as the Church became aware of its use in satire and did not want its face to become common around these parts...
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Yeah, that's what they look like!