Morlocks are distantly related to their bigger cousins, the Orcs. Much in the way that Orcs were originally created through a process of distorting and defiling some Elves and Humans, Morlocks were created from some Hobbits and Leprechauns. These ‘experiments’ failed to deliver desired results, and so ended the short-lived re-creation episode for the Morlocks. Nevertheless, many fled and hid away from their disowned creator, and survived through the centuries as horrible, stinking, pitiful creatures, doomed to fear and failure. Their further curse was that of an unnaturally long life. They are said to live for over 250 years, spending almost every moment sulking in caves, hunting vermin, sightless fish, and the occasional adventurer that they happen upon. When procreation does occur, the mother is left to carry the baby Morlock alone, and once she has given birth, she usually abandons it with some dead fish near an underground stream or pool, never to interact with it again. The few that survive do so on their own, eating raw fish and drinking putrid water. Of all of the various races used to create the Morlocks, the Riverfolk halfling was the most successful in surviving, leaving predominately this one kind while most of the other already rare creatures have died off. They are naturally suited to fishing in the small underground pools and streams, and an interesting trait of these particular Morlocks is that they did not suffer the usual loss of intelligence during the re-creation process. It is said that this is due to their weaker will and more pliable minds—they did not have to be broken so much as bent and twisted. Instinct: to be left alone

• Skulk in the shadows