Khargra

Khargra were creatures native to the Elemental Plane of Earth.

Description
Khargra were roughly shaped like cylinders in length, tapering somewhat towards the rear, and covered in large metallic scales. The mouth was a foot in diameter, and was lined with sharp metal teeth with a curve, being able to shut like an aperture. Three metal fins, large and flexible, extended equidistantly from one another. Similarly, three conical sheaths containing arms were situated between the fins. Small eyes bulged out from either side of the top fin. The clawed arms, when fully extended, reached out to from the khargra's body.

They used their clawed arms to fasten themselves on to metallic objects.

Behavior
These creatures typically only attacked others when driven by hunger and safer options were lacking. After securing whatever tasty metal a victim was carrying they would quickly flee.

Abilities
The eyes of these creatures were capable of seeing within areas of total darkness, as well as through earth and stone. Khargra could also smell ferrous metals from up to away. In addition, their bodies could fly through nonmagical earth and stone as though it were water. They would leap from it in a similar fashion to fish, flying up to into the air. Dwarves and gnomes, being more sensitive to earthen structure, were more likely to notice that a khargra was about to erupt.

Their bodies were capable of carrying up to or more of digested material. They were unaffected by intensely cold or hot temperatures.

The spells stone to flesh, transmute metal to wood, and heat metal were all very deadly to these creatures. Whenever Move earth was cast on them, a khargra would become stunned.

Combat
Khargra were known to attempt to bite the ends off of metallic weaponry used against them.

History
At some point prior to 1370 DR, a school of khargra swam through the gate known as Entemoch's Boon.

Rumors & Legends
One very outlandish theory that had little backing claimed that these creatures were a larval form of xorn and xaren. Another theory proposed that khargra transformed into the minerals found on the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Minerals, being part of a cosmic cycle that slowly transferred all high-grade ore.

Ecology
Much like fish, khargra traveled in small schools, though some individuals occasionally separated from their schools for periods of time. They hatched from eggs that were always laid on the Elemental Plane of Earth.

Diet
Khargra were a lithovorous species, capable of digesting most metals. They were content to feast upon simple ores, but considered refined and crafted metals to be very delectable. Such as those that made up armors, weaponry, and some treasures. If such metal was reasonably close by, they would forgoe the simple ore they were dining on.

Whenever they found a suitable vein of ore a khargra would settle down to feed. The material they ingested would be ground up in their bodies and, through their strange metabolic and digestive processes, get separated out and refined. Slaggy waste material was excreted, while the metals were slowly assimilated into their bodies.

The metals most preferred by khargras were copper, iron, and tin. Gold tasted bland and mushy to them, akin to a flavorless gruel. Organic matter and gems tasted disgusting to them and whenever a khargra ate such foods they would remain lodged within their stomachs for a few days, until eventually getting coughed up.

Habitats
Khargra were native to the Elemental Plane of Earth, though they occasionally ventured into the Prime Material plane in search of high-grade ores. They could also be found in the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Minerals, though they were a more rare occurrence there compared to the Elemental Plane of Earth. Near the end of their lifespans a khargra always traveled to this plane, regarding it as some sort of final reward.

Some claimed that these creatures could also be found on the Para-Elemental Plane of Magma.

Languages
These creatures were capable of speaking the language Terran.

Relationships
A number of azer, dwarven, and duergar clans were known to have trained khargras over the course of years for the purpose for couriering messages, having them learn the direction to underground strongholds and outposts. They accomplished this by sprinkling iron dust upon scrolls or other organic items bearing a message, than sending the khargra to the destination. Once a destination was reached, they would cough up the item-bearing message.

Dao considered these creatures to be pests due to their penchant for eating precious ores and thus would often try to kill them on sight. Chaggrin and pech were also known to hunt them.

Khargra were a favored monster of the gnome deities Callarduran Smoothhands, Flandal Steelskin, and Urdlen. They also were a favored monster of the earth deity Grumbar.