Didrik Magnus-Andresen

The Kalmaru, or river hound

Added 2025-06-12 07:19:43 +0000 UTC

Due to the mountainous landscape of Tenehu, it is also a land of countless rivers, lakes, and fjords. One of the many beasts that inhabits these waters is the Kalmaru, or river hound.

Its name derives from its resemblance to a great hound. It has a long snout and sharp teeth, perfect for latching onto unsuspecting prey. The body is thick and powerful, covered in fur. Its long tail enables it to propel itself out of the water at great speed, allowing it to launch at its target and drag it beneath the surface—where either its strong jaws and sharp teeth will kill the prey outright, or it will hold the victim underwater until it drowns.

This fierce predator roams all across the cursed realm, save perhaps the most secluded mountain lakes. Kalmaru can be found in both freshwater and saltwater. If you spot one, there will surely be more nearby, as they live and hunt in groups.

The Kalmaru is an opportunistic hunter that usually feeds on elk and deer coming to drink from rivers and lakes. They also live off fish, and wherever salmon are seen leaping, river hounds are never far behind.

They growl and yelp like dogs and can even work together to bring down larger prey. Though they prefer the water, they are surprisingly fast over short distances on land—so merely pausing at the riverbank may not be enough to avoid an attack.

There are many tales of careless maidens, merrily singing as they do their washing at the river’s edge, unaware of the stealthy approach of a hungry Kalmaru.

– From the Tablets of Imilik