Alterra Flavor Cravings: Kalapuken

Hi everybody! Dave here. Our next Flavor Cravings entry doesn’t actually come from the Monster Manual, but they do hold a special place in my heart. I’ll be on the lookout in the next couple months to find the ideal expedition where they would be a perfect fit to add some fun and flavor.

Art by Matt Holmberg(@orwin-dm) used with permission

From the initial draft of the Kalapuken description:

Kalapuken: For the small and slippery fish folk known as the Kalapuken, the bigger something is, the more attention it deserves. For thousands of years, Kalapuken have sought out and revered the largest creatures in Alterra’s oceans, such as krakens, leviathans, and sea serpents. Once found, a school of Kalapuken may follow one of these enormous creatures through the seas for generations. Now in this new Age of Exploration, Kalapuken have been drawn to the large ships that carry explorers and traders to the many continents of Alterra. In very remote locations, Kalapuken may mistake sea vessels for actual sea creatures, and try to follow them (often becoming angry when they discover the truth.) In routes that are traveled more frequently, the Kalapuken have become more accustomed to ships, and some schools have learned that a slow or sinking vessel makes very effective bait for attracting one of the monsters of the deep they love so much.

Alterra Flavor Cravings is a column that shares a look into the iterative process for worldbuilding and lore for the Age of Exploration game. Just like any iterative process, feedback is always encouraged, so please let us know what you think!