The Kershk

The Creature:

The Kershk, a creature that seeks to undo all memory and reference of the creature that spawned it.

The Tale:

“I was surprised when I learned of my older brother’s plan to retire. After his long and successful career as a professional skyblader, we expected <smudge> to continue participating until the sport finally took his life, as it often does.

I believe there is a reason why retirement is so unheard of among Krona, though nowadays most dismiss it as a silly folk tale from the old days. In the darkest and loneliest of nights, when old Krona feel the worry of losing their skills and talents gripping at their heart, they remember tales of the kershk--the whisper. A Krona is not meant for such soft things as retirement, and as their bodies and brains waste away, the deepest part of their psyche fights back. That unique spark of ferocity that propels Krona to greatness refuses to slowly watch its life fade out with a whimper rather than burn out with a bang. This rebellious urge is the kershk.

The first step is ending its host’s life. Unsatisfied, the kershk then seeks to undo all memory and reference of the creature that spawned it. In its anger, it prefers no record whatsoever than any number of accomplishments marred by a slow decline into retirement. It travels among friends and family, assaulting the very memories of every person in the sector, chewing away at any and all reference to its creator. It invades the commsphere, and any recorded information on this unfortunate Krona simply ceases to be.

Nobody has seen the kershk. Few dare even talk about it. But when faded pictures and random gaps in memory are closely inspected, those that remember the old traditions know, in their hearts, that some poor soul has committed a terrible mistake--one that there is no turning back from. For nothing is as precious to a Krona as their legacy.

Surely <smudge> knows what he’s doing, though.”

A handwritten entry in the diary of Tor Kavel, Krona, citizen of Agog Son of Tion and Kara Kavel No siblings on record.