Blydden, I really like your idea. I just have a few clarifying questions:

1. Is the paper consumption, necessary for survival? Can they eat other things?
2. Do Niyotts accurately share the knowledge they destroy with each other? If not, wouldn't this result in fierce competition over books and/or clan anarchy?
3. How would a Niyott react to something written on something other than paper or parchment?
4. How would a non-magical Niyott fair in combat... say compared to an imp?

Great stuff, I enjoyed reading this and rereading it. I would have liked a little more information on their life cycle... but obviously that is not necessary to use these critters. I feel 'juiced up' man. Thanks. Go to Comment

This is actually a pretty interesting little monster. Original, inventive, and twisted in its' own right. I both want to see these things in a campaign and never want to be a pc in that campaign at the same time. Wizards are going to HATE these little bastards, though. ^_^;; Go to Comment

That means alot! Thanks!

(Also, the Niyotts should definitely form a partnership with these ink drinkers...imagine the possibilities...the horror...) Go to Comment

I think a "Preservation" ritual is in order...

...does it cover objects being eaten though?

(Also, thanks for the 5 star rating! It is too much. :P) Go to Comment

Oh dear, I am going to be replying to these comments all night!

Don't worry, I think exposing only a small audience to my corruption is enough for now...Mwhahahaha... Go to Comment

Just be careful. The Niyotts do not share their knowledge lightly. ;) Go to Comment

Here are five (hopefully) clarifying answers:

1. There is no documentation of a Niyott consuming anything other than paper.
2a. They rarely share at all. A reasonable Niyott could sell their knowledge for the price of more knowledge, however.
2b. Clans are held together by heritage. A Niyott knows that their the clan is helpful protection. However, the competition over knowledge is a fierce one, and they typically try to stay away from one another's territory.
3. The niyott would read it, then probably figure out how to get rid of it, or at the very least, hide it. Of course, this depends on how valuable the information is. If it is not worth the effort, the niyott does not bother.
4. I'd say about a 50/50 chance. It is quite an even battle.

Thanks for enjoying it! It makes me feel special. :3 Go to Comment

Still working on that Ink Drinker alliance. Please take a number. :P Go to Comment

Thanks. :3

(Fun fact: I originally thought about creating some kind of magic shredder for the Garage Sale from Hell. Then I thought about a pet imp in a cage. Don't ask why I combined the two. Just roll with it.) Go to Comment

They can be reasoned with. To be reasoned with reliably, not really. Go to Comment

1) And it's true!

2) Nah. Read the knowledge, feed the Ink Drinker. The book goes blank, and the knowledge is removed. The niyotts don't need to eat as much paper as they do to sustain themselves. (In fact, they only need to really eat a page a day, tops. They have just adapted so that their metabolisms are able to allow such voracious consumption.) Though, they might want to be extra careful that the ink drinkers don't devour the knowledge before they can read it, or it defeats the entire purpose. Go to Comment

These are splendidly horrible little creatures. I must find a way to use them in the future. 5/5 Go to Comment

Still one of my favorite lifeforms, I think. Have an HoH! Go to Comment

How wonderfully horrible! I think I will send my players after some bit of hidden lore that has already been gobbled up. See just how many hoops a Niyott can get them to jump through, knowing that a physical confrontation will only destroy what they seek.

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I really didn't contribute much to this, but I really like it and plan on making an NPC submission of one of these. I think it's a very solid first post with tons of potential. I hope to see more from you in the future, Bly. With less clinging to my shoulder in fear. :p I still think detailing a reproductive process (Or: How Quasi-Souls make more Quasi-Souls) would have been beneficial, even if they don't know where they came from. Go to Comment

I like this quite a lot, Nicely done. Go to Comment

I like this submission, but I am curious as to where they actually came from, because as beautiful an idea as this is, it is so far out of left field I dont think I can fake'n'bake an origin for them. Do you have an origin for them? Go to Comment

They seem a very interesting group of creatures. I would like to see more information on those Quasi-souls trying to purge their souls.
A couple of things stand out to me as being odd. First, the Quasi-souls prefer tact over overt combat when at odds with someone. Why? I don't know, but it just seems at odds with how I picture them. Of course, you would know better than I about this, it just confuses me.
Secondly, the Quasi-souls prefer to blend in to the background and stay hidden. Not only does this seem difficult judging by their form, but it also seems impractical. You said that Quasi-souls seeking to become Soulesses do horrible acts to get them nearer to their goal. Wouldn't the opposite also be true, that Quasi-souls seeking to become Soulfuls would try to do good deeds so as to get them to their own goal?

Also, a small note on typography: There are a few points where the plurality changes in the middle of a sentence. it isn't necessarily a problem, I just find it distracting.

And, at the tail-end of this criticism, I'll add that I do really like this sub, and I hope to see plenty more. Go to Comment

A very good first post - and I have a big question - how do they either acquire or lose their souls? Could two share their souls and become one?

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3.5/5 

Really liked it.

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