Habitat: Dark or shadowed environments
Disposition: Parasitic and dangerous
 

The Edaximae is a small, six-legged creature measuring approximately six to eight inches long. Its low, elongated body ends in a thick tail that curls upward, while its flesh is coloured in dark brown and black tones that allow it to blend into shadows. Warmer red tones appear along its underside. A rare melanistic variation is almost entirely black, with only faint reddish colouring visible around the belly and face.
 

Its wedge-shaped head is dominated by an enormous expandable mouth containing numerous rows of pale, backward-facing teeth. These teeth are rubbery rather than bony and are composed of keratin. Their hooked arrangement appears suited to securing a grip rather than cutting deeply, preventing a victim from easily pulling away once caught.
 

Edaximae possess three pairs of short, widely spread legs. The first two pairs each carry four talons, while the rear pair has five. Their curved claws allow them to cling firmly to surfaces and potentially remain attached regardless of a victim’s movement. Males can be distinguished by a line of raised bumps extending along the back toward the tail.
 

The creature slowly draws the soul from a being it attaches itself to. Rather than killing immediately, this process gradually strips away the victim’s emotions. As the draining continues, feelings, attachments and personal concerns fade until only the basic need to survive remains. The victim may ultimately become almost entirely emotionless.
 

Abilities: Gradual soul extraction, emotional suppression, shadow camouflage and powerful surface adhesion
Feeding Method: Attaches to a victim and slowly consumes or drains their soul over time
Notable Traits: Six-legged body, curled tail, cavernous mouth, rows of rubbery keratin teeth, curved gripping claws and pale eyes
Colouration: Dark flesh with a reddish underside; rare individuals display melanism
Signs of Infestation: Progressive emotional numbness, loss of personal attachments and increasing fixation on basic survival
Temperament: Persistent and parasitic