Overview
Karkoon are a sprite-like race no bigger than a large insect. They used to dwell inside the Kraken, Kog'sumoth, before his demise. The oceans of Ilisara are their typical dwelling-place. On land, they are often mistaken for insects, and add to the confusion by wearing beetle heads, shells, or other tiny trinkets as helmets. Karkoon can speak the language of beasts and communicate with animals of all kinds.
Appearance
Karkoon are bioluminescent humanoids. They wear scant clothing made of kelp, fish scales, and scraps of fabric woven from seasilk. Karkoons glow pale blue or green most of the time, but change color depending on their emotions (ie: red when angry). They evolved from Kog'sumoth's gut bacteria into a sentient race.
Karkoon age similarly to humans. They become adults around 18 years of age, but live much longer than humans. The oldest known Karkoon made it to six hundred and one. They never grow taller than a few inches, but possess great physical strength for their size. Like certain insects, Karkoon can jump ten times their height (5 feet) and lift things much heavier than they are (a book, paperweight, etc). Luckily, their race has learned how to shrink items to their size for use in daily life and combat.
Izembaro Clarion
A particularly important member of Karkoon society is Izembaro Clarion, who could be viewed as their leader in some respects. He is a well-traveled scholar who has written hundreds of observational journals cataloguing the species, customs, items, geography, and lore of Ilisara. Izambaro is famous throughout the Isles for these published works, although few know he is actually a Karkoon.
Society
Karkoon are full of artistic talent. They love to paint, decorate, sing, dance, and express themselves to the world. It is respected and encouraged for brave Karkoon to leave the safety of their home in order to seek new audiences for their performances - and bring back stories of the outside world. Few have ever returned. The mortality rate for an adventuring Karkoon is high. Still, those that do are folk heroes revered among the Karkoon.
Relationship with Axols
Once known as "Takers", the evil nemesis of the Axols, the Karkoon have long abandoned their pursuit of magic items hoarded by the Axols.
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